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[LuvOrlando]

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[TaraPA]

I see you're in PA - me too - and Ragweed just started last week around here which is the one thing that causes my allergies to act up. So it could be a reaction he's having to Ragweed that's causing his most recent asthma flare up. Could be stress of school starting too. Stress can affect any disease in the body, even if the doctors say it doesn't, I believe it does.

Does your son's teacher have direct email in her classroom? If so, more for your sake than hers, I would shoot her a quick email just saying that DS has been having some asthma flare ups this week, that you just wanted to give her a heads up in case he seems to be having a reaction to something. This way she is on alert to be on the watch for anything suspicious, and you may rest easier knowing that she has a special eye on him. She may even be nice enough to email you at lunch or the end of the day with an update.

My DS has mild asthma & so far the ragweed or the stress of starting school has not bothered him. He usually gets his worst flareups with the change of seasons, when the heat kicks in at home & school. That darn wheezing cough just never lets up does it! Hang in there!

[LuvOrlando]

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[TaraPA]

I see we not only have asthmatic sons in common, we are both in the Lehigh Valley, both started school today (Saucon Valley - how about you?) & were both married in 1993 (me on 9/18)!

Small world. I also cannot believe the nurses didn't follow the doctors orders today. Let's hope they get it right tomorrow!!

[Mackey Mouse]

Hugs to you two....I do hope that they have a decent school year without the asthma attacks. I do not have anyone in my family with this but I have seen an asthma attack and it is not pretty....Please come here and talk anytime you need to and I am sure there are others on the Dis that will be joining you....it is such a horrible illness...gasping for breath.

[LuvOrlando]

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[safetymom]

I am sorry to hear about your son. A great source of information and treatment is the National Jewish Center in Denver. http://www.njc.org/

My late husband had very very bad asthma and would be hospitalized every 6 weeks or so until he found that hospital. He never had a bad episode after that. They worked miracles for him.

[MenashaCorp]

Originally Posted by safetymom

I am sorry to hear about your son. A great source of information and treatment is the National Jewish Center in Denver. http://www.njc.org/

Good information.

Without giving out too much personal information, I must applaud the OP for her responsible approach and desire to educate others. I find appalling that her former allergist was unwilling to write a simple note to help her son avoid triggers.

There is not much variability among the inhaled steroids in efficacy or patient response. Advair is more effective for many because it combines a long-acting airway muscle relaxer, which helps nighttime and exercise-induced symptoms, with the anti-inflammatory. It is very safe for the vast majority of patients. Cycling on and off controllers is not a good idea. Inflammation is present year-round. An ounce of prevention.... And no, I don't work for GSK.

LuvOrlando, I would ask your new allergist about immunotherapy (allergy shots) if you haven't already, since medication only modifies symptoms, the downstream effects of the allergic and asthmatic response, whereas induction of tolerance to environmental triggers can halt or even reverse progression of asthma. Certainly would be nice to reduce any patient's medication need.

Yes, I too have asthma. It doesn't have me.

[ducklite]

I'm an adult asthmatic. I've been on Advair for five years now, and about three years ago added Singulair to the mix. Between the two my asthma has been controlled enough that I use a rescue inhaler maybe twice a month!

Of course I also try to avoid my triggers.

I haven't used my nebulizer since April, and then used it prophylactically--I was going to an all day outdoor rock concert--some of my my triggers are heat with direct sun and singing at the top of my lungs. Needless to say...

I agree with the psoter who said that the important thing is to learn the triggers and figure out which preventative meds work best for you.

Anne

[LuvOrlando]

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[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Just wanted to let the Dis know there is a panel of experts coming together 11/4 that will address asthma (both pediatric & adult) they are going to have a Q&A session for all the experts.
PM me is you would like the address, time & place.

[LuvOrlando]

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[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Originally Posted by LuvOrlando

Yes, Neverenoughwdw I'm very interested.

PM me & I will be happy to forward you the flyer

[LuvOrlando]

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[TaraPA]

Hey LuvOrlando - I haven't been around for awhile but I wanted to pop in & say hi - and glad to hear your DS is doing ok these days. Now if we could just get a good frost to kill the ragweed.....hahahahaha...ready for another 85 degree sweltering & humid day today?????