Asthma Question

[SillyMe]

My dd7 has been breathing weird. She doesn't wheeze (sp?). She takes a deep breath, then exhales loudly. Not all the time, but quite frequently. It sounds as though she can't catch her breath. She doesn't have a cold or anything like that, so I know it's not caused from a cold or sinuses. I have to find a new pediatrician for her and make an appointment. Could it possibly be asthma? My best friend's son has asthma, but he always wheezed when he had an attack. She doesn't have "attacks" and it's not a wheezing sound.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I don't wheeze when I'm having an attack, I just cough and cough and cough until I either throw up or catch my breath or pass out, thankfully the last doesn't happen too often anymore.

I also do something like you described about your daughter. I do this because it feels like I don't have enough air going in or it's the stale air not letting itself out, if that makes sense. My asthma doctor said it's because I'm not using the full capcity of my lungs and I've been doing some pulmonary rehab for a while to help. I hope you figure out what's bothering your daughter.

 

[ducklite]

Not all asthmatics wheeze. I rarely wheeze, I cough when I'm having an attack.

I would certainly get her to a doctor asap, as there are many pulmonary illensses that could cause a variety of symptoms. Most can be cured or controlled, but will get worse without proper medical intervention.

Anne

 

[Jennasis]

Have you asked your daughter if she is uncomfortable breathing? Many asthmatics (like myself) would never be able to be detected by the casual observer. Going to the pediatrician is your best bet, but off the top of my head I would say that it may not be asthma.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

My dd7 has been breathing weird. She doesn't wheeze (sp?). She takes a deep breath, then exhales loudly. Not all the time, but quite frequently. It sounds as though she can't catch her breath. She doesn't have a cold or anything like that, so I know it's not caused from a cold or sinuses. I have to find a new pediatrician for her and make an appointment. Could it possibly be asthma? My best friend's son has asthma, but he always wheezed when he had an attack. She doesn't have "attacks" and it's not a wheezing sound.

Could be. Does she get winded going up a few flights of stairs? If she's in good shape, that shouldn't be happening and there might be an airflow problem. There are two types...allergic (extrinsic) and non-allergic(intrinsic). It's also a complication of GERD. She's never had the same problems as you has she?

 

[#1MMFan]

Well, neither us, nor you, are going to know until you ask a doctor to cast an eye on her and he/she will probably organise pulmonary function tests/spirometry plus reversibility testing. No big deal, and any 7 year old of normal abilities for that age will be able to cope with the testing (it's near testing, not necessary for a hospital appointment ordinarily, or at least that's how it's carried out over here). Chances of other, rarer, conditions? Probably very low. When deciding on the urgency of care, consider how long she has had it, and how badly it affects her. If she's managing fine then a routine appointment will do (i.e. within the next couple of weeks). If not, then see someone quicker. Please don't worry tho', and since everyone's symptoms are variable you are just best to see a professional to diagnose or exclude the condition. Probably no point in wasting time waiting on replies on this thread! I'm a doc over here, by the way.

 

[SillyMe]

Well, neither us, nor you, are going to know until you ask a doctor to cast an eye on her and he/she will probably organise pulmonary function tests/spirometry plus reversibility testing. No big deal, and any 7 year old of normal abilities for that age will be able to cope with the testing (it's near testing, not necessary for a hospital appointment ordinarily, or at least that's how it's carried out over here). Chances of other, rarer, conditions? Probably very low. When deciding on the urgency of care, consider how long she has had it, and how badly it affects her. If she's managing fine then a routine appointment will do (i.e. within the next couple of weeks). If not, then see someone quicker. Please don't worry tho', and since everyone's symptoms are variable you are just best to see a professional to diagnose or exclude the condition. Probably no point in wasting time waiting on replies on this thread! I'm a doc over here, by the way.

Thank you for your replies, but I am not "wasting time waiting on replies". I am looking for a pediatrician right now, but in the meantime I thought I'd ask some DISers if it sounds like asthma. I fully intend on taking my daughter to a doctor, thank you.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Thank you for your replies, but I am not "wasting time waiting on replies". I am looking for a pediatrician right now, but in the meantime I thought I'd ask some DISers if it sounds like asthma. I fully intend on taking my daughter to a doctor, thank you.

Finding a good doctor is never easy or a quick process. I hope it happens for you soon and you find a decent one.

 

[kandeebunny]

that was my chief complaint when i was diagnosd with asthma... it could be but it could also be viral

 

[bananiem]

I don't think there's anything wrong with asking diser's with asthma a few questions while waiting for a doctor appointment. As long as it's not urgent.
Silly, I hope you dd will be fine.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

Thank you for your replies, but I am not "wasting time waiting on replies". I am looking for a pediatrician right now, but in the meantime I thought I'd ask some DISers if it sounds like asthma. I fully intend on taking my daughter to a doctor, thank you.

Plus I'm guessing your daughter is at school right now, and they usually have a pretty good no turning blue policy. You sound like you're pretty in touch with your daughter's health, and are dealing with it appropriately. I always try to find out what's going on a little before I go to a doctor so I can ask informed questions.

 

[#1MMFan]

Thank you for your replies, but I am not "wasting time waiting on replies". I am looking for a pediatrician right now, but in the meantime I thought I'd ask some DISers if it sounds like asthma. I fully intend on taking my daughter to a doctor, thank you.

Well, excuse me for trying to help.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Thank you for your replies, but I am not "wasting time waiting on replies". I am looking for a pediatrician right now, but in the meantime I thought I'd ask some DISers if it sounds like asthma. I fully intend on taking my daughter to a doctor, thank you.

I don't know why people have to be so cruel!

Good luck to you in finding a doc.

When I had breathing troubles for myself--it was as simple as explaining it to the doc and he checked me. I didn't show regular ashthma and was given an inhaler to try at home to see if it was exercise induced asthma (when I felt the trouble--try the inhaler to see if it improved).

End result was that I had anxiety and not asthma.

My dad has pretty severe asthma--so it wasn't an idea I had out of thin air.

I good doc will listen to your worries and just check her out for it. and luck to finding a ped with a good ear.

 

[Christine]

My son has asthma and, yes, it sounds as if it could be. I didn't know this at first, but with asthma, it is actually the "breathing out" part that is worse than the breathing in. The bronchial area narrows and they can't expel all their air. I cannot always hear a wheeze with my son--only when it is very bad.

A pediatrician or general practictioner is a good place to start but I have noticed that not all doctors have the spirometry equipment in their offices. Don't let them make a diagnosis just but listening to her--too much room for error.

 

[MzDiz]

Well, excuse me for trying to help.

Bedside manner....

Doctors are imperfect creatures and I'm guessing that the bulk of this board has more personal experience with actually feeling symptoms than any one doctor. Not that a doctor's opinion isn't welcome, just, you know, drop the attitude.

OP, I do the same thing with my asthma. The only way I can describe it is "lazy breathing". Now, I didn't go to medical school or anything...

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

there are different types of asthma. i have it, and i rarely get a "wheezing" from it. i kind of get what your daughter gets. i have a hard time catching my breath.

 

[#1MMFan]

Bedside manner....

Doctors are imperfect creatures and I'm guessing that the bulk of this board has more personal experience with actually feeling symptoms than any one doctor. Not that a doctor's opinion isn't welcome, just, you know, drop the attitude.

OP, I do the same thing with my asthma. The only way I can describe it is "lazy breathing". Now, I didn't go to medical school or anything...

Drop the attitude?? Some of you can be soooooo unbelievably rude.

The tone in which my original email was intended to be read was supportive and not remotely critical or supersilious. It was misread and I'm quite frankly sick of being shot down in flames because I happen to have a medical degree and offer advice.

Anyways, aren't you being rather presumptive that I DON'T have asthma?????

I think as opposed to checking out the DISboards before going to a doctor armed with questions, maybe it would be more appropriate to check WebMD or a similar website. I'm not being sarcastic, I'm being genuine in saying that.

 

[Aidensmom]

I have asthma, and I do what your daughter did every once in a while. I Just sometimes feel like I'm not breathing right.

I don't wheeze either, like some others have said, I cough.

 

[SillyMe]

Drop the attitude?? Some of you can be soooooo unbelievably rude.

The tone in which my original email was intended to be read was supportive and not remotely critical or supersilious. It was misread and I'm quite frankly sick of being shot down in flames because I happen to have a medical degree and offer advice.

Anyways, aren't you being rather presumptive that I DON'T have asthma?????

I think as opposed to checking out the DISboards before going to a doctor armed with questions, maybe it would be more appropriate to check WebMD or a similar website. I'm not being sarcastic, I'm being genuine in saying that.

I took your comments as sarcasm because I'm asking a medical question on a forum. If they weren't meant as sarcasm, then I apologize. I did google and looked up alot of information on asthma, but asked the question here to get some personal experience and symptoms from other DISers.

My dd has a doctor appt next Tuesday.