Zach has Asthma
Posted by Rachel
Today we went a saw a Pulmonologist at Children’s Hospital. Last week Zach went to Children’s Hospital ER for I believe it is now the 4th or 5th time since he was born. This poor boy! Anyways, they took an x-ray and diagnosed him with pneumonia. With his history of breathing problems every time he gets sick the pediatrician suggested we take him to a specialist thinking it might be asthma.
After meeting with the doctor today and having them look at him, they agreed it was asthma. They are not sure if he even had pneumonia. When looking at an x-ray the way the lungs look during an asthma attack and pneumonia look very similar . We got to see Zach’s x-ray and see exactly what they were referring to. They don’t believe his asthma is caused by any allergen so he is not being tested for that, but that a virus (primarily the cold virus) triggers his asthma.
Previously, we had been giving him breathing treatments each day with a nebulizer. The nebulizer takes about 7-8 minutes to give a treatment of “Pulmacort” (steroid to help with his breathing), which we gave his 1-2 times a day since about March. Now after the advise of the specialist Zach has an inhaler instead. He will be taking the inhaler twice a day with a new steroid called Flovent. Then we he gets sick he will still get albuteral as needed, but through the inhaler now. The inhaler will only take about a minute to do and with Zach being 14 months old the faster the better. They also said the medicine will get to the lungs better than with the nebulizer.
I hope this helps the little guy do better when he does get sick. We will be heading back for a follow up in 3 months.
🙁
Asthma is no fun at all. I hope the meds work and that it turns into something he outgrows.
P.S. It was great seeing you on Saturday, even if only for a minute. And sorry that it was only for a minute!
Yeah, we are hoping it is something he outgrows. We’re just glad to have a plan of attack and more information that we had a week ago…
It was great seeing you, too! We would have had at least two minutes, instead of just one, if I hadn’t gone the long way around the zoo to get to the aquarium… It’s ok, though – we are looking forward to more Burgh parent gatherings in the future. (Especially if there is going to be another cookie swap!)
Poor guy!!! I have Asthma and it is definitely no fun. I hope his new medicine regimen works out well for him. I can’t imagine having to get a little one to use an inhaler or a nebulizer.. What a mess! I hope he outgrows this and doesn’t have to deal with it the rest of his life. I still have sporadic Asthma issues.. Usually seasonal allergy related or cold/sickness related.
Yes, I hope it helps him avoid any major issues, and that he outgrows it. Nothing is certain, but he’s healthy in every other measurable way, and we don’t have any history of asthma or allergies, so we’re optimistic. 🙂
Good luck with your asthma – it’s a shame that anyone has it at all…it seems so strange of a condition, in some ways.
Hopefully the new meds will help and it will be something he outgrows – I’ve heard of the happening very often! =)
See you guys in October!!!!
Yes, we are hopeful for both of those things! We’re glad to try out the new medicine and think it will help prevent the worst of the symptoms from recurring when he gets sick again, and maybe they’ll help him avoid some illnesses this year. Who knows?
Can’t wait to see you guys! When will we get that chance again? (E-mail/Facebook message is fine….)