[carolun]

Need some advice or perspective on children with Asthma. My youngest son (2yrs on the 20th) came home last may at 15 months. He has severe asthma. I didn't realize asthma was a daily issue for some but it is for my son. He is one breathing treatments of two different inhailed steriods twice a day (and has been for about 3 months) plus a oral med and of course the rescue medicine. If he catches a cold he is in serious trouble but has done much better since his medicine was switched. Except for last week when he got the croup and we made trips to the ER/Fire station/peditrician office. My question we are planing a trip for my older sons 4th b-day and this has me nervous. A simple cold can be dangerous for him and I hate to be so far from his drs. Does anyone else have experience with severe asthma what did you do about going on trips or even leaving him in a church nursery (haven't been able to do this for fear his crying will set off an asthma attack...that has happened before).

[TeeTee]

My son has asthma secondary to chronic lung disease due to sickness at birth...he too takes steroids daily and has rescue meds and takes singulair...

Anyway what I always did, esp when he was younger, was make an appt at the Dr the day before leaving. Just to get him checked, make sure jis breathing was good and he wasn't wheezing excessively. I would always find out who was on call while we were gone (hoping and praying it would be his ped). Just takes LOTS of medicine, take him to the Dr prior to leaving town. I hope all goes well and he does GREAT!!!!!!

[carolun]

TEE TEE that is a great idea about taking him the day before.

[BRIANANDMARCIE]

My son also has asthma--although they won't diagnose him with that yet--they are saying reactive airway disease but I'm a nurse and I have asthma too...I know that's what he has. Anyway....anything can set him off too..so I know what you're talking about.
I would definitely get him checked out before going on your trip the day before. Take oral steriods and nebulizers and everything with you. Research the hospital locations nearest to where you are going just to be safe but hopefully you will not need them.
As far as the nursery goes, I don't have any suggestions really. My son loves the nursery. Maybe you could stay with him off to the side so you don't interact with him but are visible to him and when he seems to go off and play fine then you can sneak out or just tell him you're going whichever seems to work better for your little one. Good luck to you. It is challenging!!

[guatparents2be]

Originally Posted by BRIANANDMARCIE

I would definitely get him checked out before going on your trip the day before. Take oral steriods and nebulizers and everything with you. Research the hospital locations nearest to where you are going just to be safe but hopefully you will not need them.

Both ideas I was going to recommend. The oral steroids are obviously a last ditch response but this is what they usually do at the hospital, with a higher dose of the rescue inhaler. I think if you know where the hospitals are you should be fine.

If crying sets off his asthma and you know he gets upset if you leave him, maybe you can take turns with him in the nursery (we did this for my nephew's bar mitzvah as we on principal don't leave our son with strangers)?

Good luck!