Seeking Alternatives for Asthma

Updated on October 27, 2008
J.L. asks from Los Gatos, CA
5 answers

My 2.5 year old has severe asthma (diagnosed as cold induced) and for the past 2 months (4 days worth only) she has been given Prednisone (steriod), which I hear is NOT a good medicine to be on.. but when we are talking about getting an airway.. I'm feeling like I don't have a choice. She has a nuebulizer machine and takes Xopenex and Pulmicort (more steriods) when it gets pretty bad every 4 hours. Some of you going through this may also experience that these two drugs can HYPE up a child, make their heart race and actually turn them into little monsters (not listening, tempers etc). So.. I HATE what this medicine is doing to her and willing to try alternatives/homepathy (obviously continuing conventenal meds until needed) Any advice on your experiences with homepathy would be SOO appreciated! I also have been reading up on LifeForce/Dr. Shah - any references on this guy? or better yet local homepathic practices specializing in toddler asthma that you can recommend?

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V.G.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi J., Hope your little one is doing better - I just wanted to add that I have heard of some people having relief of asthma from drinking mangosteen juice. Here is a link http://www.insidemangosteen.com/powerx/written-a.html
There are two posts about asthma. Also, FYI - I have two mamasource businesses, www.findgreenhere.com and www.referralco-op.com and on referral co-op I have a contest for a free bottle of XanGo juice - one winner per week. Best of luck to you and it is good that you do try and alleviate symptoms with natural substances that won't be a worry for you toddler! Be well, V. G. :o)

1 mom found this helpful
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C.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi J.,

Been there....I, like you, did not like my kids on the steroids; sometimes it cannot be helped.

I have two kids (now adults) with asthma and found, after many discussions with their pediatrician who by the way specializes in asthma, that a strong cup of coffee with a flavored non-dairy creamer could help fend off an attack as well as aid in preventing them. The caffeine helps to open their bronchial passages by doing exactly what the prednisone does: reduces the inflammation. My kids were on daily maintenance inhalers and I would give them two to three cups of coffee per day. BTW - Children's bodies react differently to coffee than that of adults so you don't need to worry about hyperactivity or their inability to sleep.

I also found minimizing their dairy intake (particularly milk, ice cream & yogurt) was a big help in reducing the number of attacks; especially when they experience consistent episodes. Also know that allergy, cold & flu season can trigger attacks and so you may want to have her tested for allergies as this will help minimize her episodes. Lastly, I found keeping a humidifier in their rooms at night helped.

Just in case you have Kaiser my kids pediatrician name is Alice Yen. Although one of my kids is an adult she still continues to see Dr. Yen (Kaiser now allows a child to continue with their peds doctor through college). She's at the Milpitas facility and is very good with asthmatic children.

I hope you find this information helpful!!

Connie

1 mom found this helpful
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P.R.

answers from San Francisco on

My son had Asthma from the time he was about 9 months old. He needed an inhaler at all times until we moved to the coast when he was 4. He has used his inhaler twice in 8 years, both before his 5th Birthday. Also, my husband had severe alergies that completely went away when we moved to the coast. I know moving is a expensive fix but I truly believe the fresh air made a world of difference. Something to consider. Good Luck...

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C.G.

answers from San Francisco on

My son has asthma, but it's nowhere near as severe as your daughters. Instead of health advice, b/c I really have none, I would suggest seeking out a holistic-minded doctor that can suggest a range of different approaches, be it homeopathy, etc. I became more involved in that thinking when my son was put on antiobiotics for 3 months. I took our families health care more into my own hands, did research, and have been able to "treat" much of our ailments at home. That being said, I'd definately, like you, be upset and skeptical about my son being on steroids for so long. Good luck in your health empowerment!

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I.G.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi J.,

My daughter has been treated for bronchial/asthma symptoms via acupuncture. Since your child is still young laser therapy and acupressure can be used instead. There's a great acupuncturist named Robin Green in Morgan Hill who is worth trying. She has several reviews (including mine)on Mamasource.

http://www.morganhillwellness.com

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