Toddler Vs. Inhaler

We had much better luck with the machine that lasted 10 minutes over the inhaler and tube thing. A 15 minute tv show helps.

Hello A.,
My son was 12 months old when I rushed him to Riley Childrens Hospital bc he was blue!! The day before I had taken him to the pediatrician office bc he was blue around his lips. I am a RN and I knew that his oxygen level was low. They sent him home and I thought I was one of those parents that was looking for something to be wrong with my kid. The next morning when I got him up he was completely blue around his mouth and his lips were blue. Needless to say I put him in the car immediately and speed to Riley. When getting him there his oxygen level was only 73% and would drop down to the 60's(which should be close to 100). They put him on oxygen and admitted him. They did numerous test on him and dx'd him with severe asthma. We went home on machines. So he has continued doing neb treatments since that day at least twice a day,often more. Now granted he doesn't know any different he was so young he just thinks it is normal to do them everyday. We make it a game. When he does the neb treatments my husband and I also wear the masks and do anything we can to keep the mask on for the extended time. Now we have also started the inhaler with the spacer. We count his breaths out loud. We watch the yellow circle move 6-8 times and count. I will admit my son is almost 3 now but we have had NUMEROUS times when we nearly had to sit on him to get him treatment completed. Don't feel bad. I think it is easier said then done but try to think of it as you are helping him in the long run. I think I have walked away from treatment time crying more then he ever did. But, I always see a flash back of my blue baby and it is motivation to do whatever I have to do to get the meds down him!
Good luck! Asthma is hard to manage. Get a good pulmonologist and be VERY consistent.
Good Luck!

My daughter is a severe asthmatic and has been since she was about a year old. We found that waiting until she was asleep at night was the easiest time to give her a nebulizer treatment since we could hold the mask up to her face while she was asleep. Then we also did them before she woke up. We used the daytime to try to get her use to the mask. They have some kid friendly designs that have fish designs on them - they didn't seem as scary. As far as the daily activities with other kids, I always let parents know that she wasn't contagious, in small groups this works the best. The more physical activities she can do, the more lung capacity she will build up. There are also several other medication out there, Zyrtec didn't work for my daughter either. My daughter is now 8 and still has the most trouble in the fall with allergies and the seasons changing. Hope this helps some

My son was 16 1/2 months old when he was diagnosed with Reactive Airway, and good news, he has completely outgrown it! While he never liked having to get his inhaler (he screamed and kicked) I knew he was getting the medicine because when he would breath to scream he was taking nice deep breaths. :) It never really got better, but he outgrew it and now we don't have to deal with it anymore. My niece, who is now 6, has had to do the inhaler since about the same age and still does it and she eventually figured out how much better it made her feel and she began cooperating. So, as in most things, this too will pass. :)

This is a tough age for either an inhaler or nebulizer. Have you tried letting her have some of the control. Let her play with the spacer without the inhaler attached. Let her "give" the medicine to the dolls. Try letting her hold the spacer to her face while you or your husband trigger the inhaler. While it seems she is getting more medicine while screaming, she will actually get more where she needs it if she takes a calm deep breath. And, if all else fails try bribery with a treat if she takes it the right way.

Hello A.,
First of all, you are not alone! Reading your request brought back many frightening memories of when my son, Mark, was a infant. He had RSV after coming home from the hospital. Soon, we started using a nebulizer, (along with other meds) and I was very happy with how it immediately improved his breathing. Many times I would administer the albuterol as he slept, holding him upright and gently placing the mask against his face (but not using the elastic band). As he grew, we also tried the MDI (inhaler) using a spacer or chamber that you have now. Again, I would try holding it gently against his face as he slept, allowing him to breath in the medication naturally and at his own pace. Maybe this will help you also.
I had to constantly pay attention to his breathing...making sure he was not wheezing or starting the little "coughs" that meant trouble was coming. The pediatrician, who I love, did blood test for allergies, and prescribed many meds to try to control his condition...which many times turned into pneumonia. I felt like a hypochondriac because at the first sign of a problem, I'd be taking him to see the dr. They told me Mark had 'cold induced asthma' and 'reactive airway disease'. I really didn't care what it was called, I just wanted it to be under better control. My son is now 8 and I recently took him to an immunologist who diagnosed him with specific allergies using the scratch test. We now have him on some different meds that seem to be working better. Now, whenever Mark sounds like he's getting a cold, I take him to the immunologist instead of the peds dr. This has been the best decision I have made ... I wish I would have done it sooner. I've learned to trust my instincts with my son's health. I do believe moms knows their children the best. Oh, and about the cough, I now just say that Mark has a chronic cough from having asthma and that it is not contagious. Usually that will address and answer any concerns the other moms have. I wish your son the best of health...hope this helped, and please let me know how thing are going for you,
M.

A.,

My daughter has had an "on-again, off-again" horrible sounding cough since she was born; she is now 1 year. We took her for all sorts of testing, including CF, all which were negative. In August she had labored breathing, and The doctor placed her on a nebulizer with albuterol. She hated it at first, cried and struggled, but much like you, we felt this was necessary to clear up her lungs. After the first few sessions of struggling, she calmed down and even would even fall asleep if it was close to nap time while on the nebulizer treatments. That gave us the confidence that she feel better with the treatments and her breathing has been great since. I think the struggle is worth it, and talking with a lot of parents, all the kids seem to have the same reaction, but grow accustomed to inhaler treatments, especially once they feel the results.

I'd say don't even worry about other people. My daughter sounded like an 80 year old who had smoked all her life, and I always got comments from concerned people/strangers, but I was able to confidently state that she had gone through a litany of testing and doctor's visits, and the verdict is that when she coughs and has any drainage, whether allergies, saliva from teething, etc., her cough sounds like this, and it was not contagious. I didn't really worry about whether they believed me or not, because I knew those were the facts, I couldn't change their minds for them. I also hope that she feels the same way as she grows up, if this condition continues; I want her to have the confidence to hold her head high, say this is way it is, and continue on without being worried about other peoples' impressions.

I thought of a few things when I read your posting. I had to do the machine and all of that when my son was around 18 months and thought he would hate it but I made a really big effort to be totally relaxed around him with it and we watched his favorite video together while it was running. It was not always great but we did get through it and lucky for me we never had to do it again. Another thought is that your daughter is probably old enough that you can talk a bit about what you need to do before getting started, leave some time between talking and doing and you could also do a reward if it goes well - something small that she likes, my boys were all about a jelly bean or extra TV and stuff like that when they were younger.

I've been there. We did the nebulizer thing, it didn't help much more. It takes about 10 minutes to get the meds in that way...therefore you have to contain them for 10 minutes. We made it game, read stories, watched a cartoon (which he was otherwise not allowed to do at the time), practice counting or sang some of our favorite songs. It took a few weeks, but he realized that the medicine made him feel better, and then he liked it.
I'm a single mom, so having help holding down wasn't an option ever. Teaching independence was. He could (with help) at 2 years old, put his machine together and hold the mask himself. This helped with the fears a LOT. It was sad that he had to know HOW to do it, but it helped our treatment.
Be stronge. Let them know "reactive airway" is kind of like asthma in older children and adults. They don't call it asthma because many children grow out of it around preschool age. They may understand this more than just saying she has an "reactive airway". Don't be ashamed for taking your child out. You aren't harming others and you know it. Stand proud.
Best of luck!

A. i went through the same thing with my son, around the same time as your daughter, he has the mas and inhaler and he would also throw a fit when we tried to get it in him, i dont know if there is an easy way to administer that, but i dont think the nebulizer would help the situation, my girlfriend had to use one wit her son and it lasts a heck of a lot longer thatn the 2 puffs and the child has to sit still. i just tried to hurry up and get the puffs in. thankfuly he is 3 now and hasnt had to use it, but we have been going through allergy treatments and i think that has helped, good luck
C.

Naturally Healthy Babies & Children by ROMM and
Encyclopedia of Natural Health & Healing by WEBER

The nebulizer works great. They can take a treatment and watch TV and play with something while the medicine is getting into their lungs. My son has never fought this. It is also great because you know they are getting their medicine. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes but he has never minded as long as he was doing something to take his mind off of it. It's also a great time to read your child a story while they sit in your lap. My son is a sever asthmatic and has sever allergies. We have been using a nebulizer for years now. He is now 9 years old and was diagnosed as a toddler. I hope this helps and good luck.

My son has an inhaler, he got it in the spring at about her age. He uses it only when his allergies get really bad (ie he's wheezing from them). At first, it was a challenge, but I managed to get him to think it's a funny game. I think I just acted really goofy with it, now if he sees it he runs to put his face in it and starts laughing! We chose this over a nebulizer as I thought it would be easier. Hopefully she can make the transition to a fun game - otherwise, as much as it's not fun - you are right and screaming certainly does ensure she gets the medicine!
Good luck!

My son has a nebulizer that we use often in the summer/spring. He has asthma but it's the 'coughing' kind, not the typical gasping-for-breath kind that most people are familiar with. He used the nebulizer the first time when he was 20 months old. My doc refused to even give us the mask! I was a bit surprised but he explained that getting a toddler to wear a mask is impossible and traumatic... and he'll need to do this alot over the next few years.

So instead of a mask, it's just a little tube on the end that's flattened a bit. He can either hold it right in front of his face, or hold it in his mouth with his teeth. When he was first starting with it, he would hold it himself - he wouldn't let us do it. He thought it was fun. We also don't watch alot of TV so we were able to keep him sitting still for 10-15 minutes simply by turning on the TV to whatever his current favorite show was.

My son is now almost 7 and still has never used a mask, just the "wand" thingy. Ask your doctor about that.

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Hello A.-
I went the thru the same thing you did with my daughter (she was older than your child though at the time.) We to would have to hold her down and I felt like she was never getting enough meds into her lungs...Our MD had us schedule a "follow" up appointment after 2 weeks of using the inhaler... when we went back when ended up coming home with the nebulizer maching and it was SOOOOO much better! She was given a "fishy" mask that went over her nose/mouth and she would actually ASK me to use her "fishy" when she wasn't feeling well. I highly recommend it. It does take a lot longer to get the meds into their system than the inhaler but we just did ours right before bed time and in the morning if needed. (I would let her watch TV while she did it)

As far as feeling bad for taking her public.... I did to! I actually had her a shirt made that said, "I am not sick I just have asthema" A LOT of people commented it on it ;) But honestly I think you shouldn't worry about what others think... or make comments to your daughter in front of others if she coughs- asking her if she needs a treatment...that make others think it's not just her being sick.

It does get better I promise!!!! Email me anytime! :)

You know don't feel like you're being a bad parent for holding your child down while doing this. You are being a good parent for doing this. She obviously needs it and a bad parent would be the one who just gives up, doesn't make their child do this, and lets them be miserable with the cough. She's still young so of course she's going to fight you. Try to make it as silly and fun as possible, it will get better!!!!! Did the doc put her back on meds? My son has horrible allergies and we just give him his meds year round because it's so hard to judge when they're going to kick in and then he's miserable. Just a thought that you might want to do that as well if this is what the end result is going to be everytime the allegies kick in. Goodluck

As a nurse as well as a mom with 2 little ones, I would suggest a switch to a nebulizer. The medicine works better faster and you might have to sit with her ( or on her) but it may mean less hassles. Let her watch the medicine bubble in the machine. Have her pretend to be a fire breathing dragon (the medicine will give off a vapor that she can see) and it will get her to breathe deeply adnn exhale better. Good luck!!

My daughter started using the nebulizer at about 18 months. She would have asthama with every cold. We would wait for her sleepy time and then let her watch a favorite show. We also took turns holding it up to our faces. She also helped me put it together. She never really liked it but would put up with it. So use his favorite quiet activity to get his meds in. Hope this helps.

My daughter has had to use both of these things. We now use a nebulizer. For awhile it would take both of us to give her the meds and now she is used to it and might cry a little about it at first but does well. Just keep doing what you have to and it will get better!

Our daughter has used a nebulizer since about 1 yr old. We do not use the mask, it was suggested we use the other attachments. There are two open ends, we cover one end with our hand or fingers and just point the other end towards her nose/mouth. Even after one year there are times she cries just but they are few and far between now. We only have to do it once a day so we do it at bedtime when she is more likely to want to just relax in our arms. And you might want to use a combination of the asthma medicine and Zyrtec. The Zyrtec should clear up the coughing.

Good luck,
C

A.,

I know that it feels like everyone is looking at you/your daughter. But all kids get ill. Just explain your daughter has allergies that effect her lungs as well. (It sound like what my boy has - "allergy induced asthma". He is on an inhailer and Clariton daily - veramist when it gets real bad) watch for wheezing. Good luck to you!

Hi A.,
I probably have the same story as all the other moms, but wanted to share what we did when "the mask" went on my then 2yr through 3 yr old. We made it a special story time. When we used the noisy nebulizer, he would sit in my lap so I could read the book right into his ear and we could snuggle. He always looked forward to "the mask" because that was special mommy & me time.
Best of luck to you.
C.

Look around for support groups for moms of children with Asthma. I bet you'll find lots of helpful, experienced moms through something like that. You may be able to find one on line, or perhaps through Children's Medical Center.

Since discovering a wellness company which helped me detox my home and get my kids and myself on awesome supplements, we have become allergy free and less susceptive to colds and the things passed around at school. I'm wondering if your daughter is reacting to household air and toxins. I am also very sceptical of medications. Most have side effects. I prefer to work on the immune system in naturals ways. I can understand the mask being scary for your daughter too. If you aren't familiar with chiropractors (as I once was) this might sound crazy, but a good one who knows how to work with children can be a very great help. I would do my research to find the best one. A chiropractor helped me reduce my allergy symptoms many years ago.

A.,
My son had RSV when he was 10 months old and ever since he has had asthma. We got the nebulizer when he had RSV and he has used it ever since. I don't think there is any trick to getting them used to it because he was freaked out with it for a while. He screamed every time he had to use it. It took him several uses to become used to it. We never really tried the spacer so I'm not sure about that. Good luck.

Just wanted to add...I read once that it is actually a myth that they get more medicine into their lungs when crying. This is because crying is one long exhalation followed by a rapid inhalation to catch their breath. This makes sense if you think about how upset kids get.

Hi A.,
I've been there too. My dd had rsv at 5 months, at 14 months played in the leaves and wound up in the ER. They diagnosed her with Bronchialitis, because she was too young for asthma. Her dr. put her on zyrtec and sent us home with a nebulizer and albuterol. They gave us the mask, but the respiratory therapist in the ER told us that toddlers hate the mask, and if we are able to hold the "pipe" under her nose, she will get the meds. So we did it. She was on the zyrtec for about 18 months, the she was doing better and went off of it. When she was 2 her dr. recommended using store brand Clariten. We switched. She has almost completely grown out of it now, she's 8. Occaissonally she'll need some "nose medicine" in the spring or fall. We've done the nebulizer on occaission for croup. So hang in there. I would ask the dr. if the nebulizer may be an option instead of the inhaler. They also have better meds now that albuterol. Zyrtec is available OTC now also, if it worked before, I'd try it again. Good Luck.

It's my understanding the 2 option, mask with inhaler or mask with neubulizer are what is available. I have the same issue. I found the coughing goes away when the airway is less restricted and with the proper medication dosages.

As far as helping your child. Get her a doctors kit create a similar device for a baby doll or teddy bear. The play aspect my help her build security. Good luck.

I am not sure how to reason with a 2 yr old to let her know that this is for her best, but I would still try to keep telling her that it will make her feel better and not have such a nasty cough.
The thing that I want to stress to you though is once you are done giving her the treatment that you have her wash her mouth out. My daughter had to use a inhailer for asthma by about age 2, and the Doctors didnt mention to us that she needed to wash out her mouth and she had a small nasal duct pallet cyst and the steroids in the inhailer caused it to grow so big that she ended up having to have surgery to remove it on her first day of kindergarden. So in 3 yrs it caused it to grow to a very large size.
You can just have her rinse with water, but they have childrens mouth wash that would probally be better.
Just wanted to let you know this incase they didnt tell you the way they didn't tell me and save your daughter any pain she dont need.
Good Luck!
M.

Well I think you can see from all the responses you've gotten that you're not alone!!

My son has R.A.S. which is often described as "preschool asthma" simply because they're still too little to properly take an asthma test. He had bronchiolitis at 6m. then at 18m. (the next fall) he caught a cold and it stuck around until May. He was prescribed daily Singulair sometime in that time period and we used a nebulizer when it got really bad. He HATED the nebulizer simply because it takes between 20 and 30 minutes to ensure they get all the medicine. Once the weather warms up and cold season passes he doesn't use the Singulair anymore. Last year when it kicked in we got the inhaler with the spacer and mask and have since the first moment called it his "Super-cool superhero" medicine. He loves it and will sometimes pretend to cough in the hopes that I will let him use it : )

There can't be any harm in trying a nebulizer, talk to your Dr. about a rental company to try before you but because the cost is fairly substantial. It's hard to know what will be the thing that works for her so don't be afraid to take suggestions to your Dr. and explore other options. But also don't be afraid to keep going with the inhaler, in my experience it's the fastest most immediately effective solution.

The best news of all is that over half of small children diagnosed with RAS will outgrow it!! I'm confident my son will be one of them because his problems are seasonal. He played soccer this summer without incident.

Don't worry about the coughing in public. Work with her on covering her mouth in the crook of her elbow just to help with the glares and because it's a good practice anyway.

You're doing a good job Mom!

Instead of the mask, ask him for the tube. It has two ends, one that goes into the mouth, and the other end is open for the medicine and exhale to come out. My sister and I would put a baggie in the exhale end and then cut around it to fit. Then, we'd hold it on with a rubber band. This made it so nothing came out that end, and all we did was hold the mouth piece end up to our children's face. As long as it's coming out by her mouth or nose, it works fine. Her son is very asthmatic and she has always done it this way with him. It's a lot less fighting. I have a mask also, and I still do it the old fashioned way when my son needs one. Those masks are sweaty and uncomfortable. As far as the other mothers go, if someone asks, explain, if not, they'll get over it once they see their child didn't catch anything.