I am livid!

[minkydog]

I feel your pain on this one.

My son's asthma has gotten so much better over the years. But, when he was in grade school he was on a few different meds for it and used his rescue inhaler more often than not.

My son came home one afternoon in serious distress. Could not take a breath for the coughing and he had lost the color in his lips. His doctor's office was in the attached medical building to the hospital, so when she heard he was in the ER she came right over.

It took a while but they final got the attack under control but it was scary. Apparently, he HAD gone into the "nurse's" office during the afternoon recess because he needed to use the inhaler and the nurse would not let him. He said it was because she said he didn't need it.

Well, Dr. B was really livid and called the school the next day and conferenced the nurse and the principal to find out their side. This nurse confirmed that she told my son he did not need it because as she said " he was not gasping for air" when he asked for it. Dr B read the riot act at that - told them that someone gasping for air should have an ambulance called not just a rescue inhaler and that they should be grateful that my son pulled through ok.

Within a week after this, all staff and regular volunteers had to go through a special class/seminar on first aid with a special appearance from Dr. B on asthma warning signs and how to handle.

Now, I will say that the nurse and the principal both said that they had no idea that asthma could be fatal. There a many people that think this same thing. I blame some of it on how asthma is portrayed on tv and in movies. It is always the non-athletic or out of shape nerd types that have asthma - they are always immediately gasping for air (never a cough) and it is always fixed with a quick puff of the inhaler.

Jeez - I guess I feel strongly about this, don't I?

Holy cow! I'm a school nurse but I would NEVER withhold an inhaler. If a student comes to me saying he's short of breath or thinks he needs it, he gets it. I listen to their breath sounds and I call parents to give them a heads up. I have had to call 911 twice when kids got so bad they couldn't move any air. My principal tried to cancel EMS but i stood my ground. Incidently, she was an ex-PE teacher of the "rub some dirt on it and get back in the game" persuasion.

 

[kacaju]

My dd17 is also a dancer with asthma. Very much like your dd, she is in excellent shape, but an asthma attack can knock her down. I would be in the school first thing to have a talk with the teacher!!

 

[castmemberb4]

My son has asthma too (its better now that he is older, but it used to be really bad) and his PE teacher once told him something similar. Needlessto say he was fully educated by the time I got done with him. In fact I insisted that the whole staff participate in an inservice that was conducted by the asthma and allergy association. I also demanded a written letter of apology to my son from the teacher AFTER I reminded the school of how lucky they were that THIS time nothing serious happened.

OP I'll also share that now DS's asthma is only bad when he's getting sick or when his allergies flare.

You have every right to be angry and the teacher needs to be told so that nothing bad happens in the future.

I feel your pain on this one.

My son's asthma has gotten so much better over the years. But, when he was in grade school he was on a few different meds for it and used his rescue inhaler more often than not.

My son came home one afternoon in serious distress. Could not take a breath for the coughing and he had lost the color in his lips. His doctor's office was in the attached medical building to the hospital, so when she heard he was in the ER she came right over.

It took a while but they final got the attack under control but it was scary. Apparently, he HAD gone into the "nurse's" office during the afternoon recess because he needed to use the inhaler and the nurse would not let him. He said it was because she said he didn't need it.

Well, Dr. B was really livid and called the school the next day and conferenced the nurse and the principal to find out their side. This nurse confirmed that she told my son he did not need it because as she said " he was not gasping for air" when he asked for it. Dr B read the riot act at that - told them that someone gasping for air should have an ambulance called not just a rescue inhaler and that they should be grateful that my son pulled through ok.

Within a week after this, all staff and regular volunteers had to go through a special class/seminar on first aid with a special appearance from Dr. B on asthma warning signs and how to handle.

Now, I will say that the nurse and the principal both said that they had no idea that asthma could be fatal. There a many people that think this same thing. I blame some of it on how asthma is portrayed on tv and in movies. It is always the non-athletic or out of shape nerd types that have asthma - they are always immediately gasping for air (never a cough) and it is always fixed with a quick puff of the inhaler.

Jeez - I guess I feel strongly about this, don't I?

Good for Both of you !!
Minky I hope something like this can happen at your school.
My first reaction was "Didn't he know her health history?"
Sounds like he didn't know what her health history meant!

Holy cow! I'm a school nurse but I would NEVER withhold an inhaler. If a student comes to me saying he's short of breath or thinks he needs it, he gets it. I listen to their breath sounds and I call parents to give them a heads up. I have had to call 911 twice when kids got so bad they couldn't move any air. My principal tried to cancel EMS but i stood my ground. Incidently, she was an ex-PE teacher of the "rub some dirt on it and get back in the game" persuasion.

Glad to know someone knows what they're doing and is willing to stand up to people who don't.

Minky Hope your DD is feeling better soon.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I feel your pain on this one.

My son's asthma has gotten so much better over the years. But, when he was in grade school he was on a few different meds for it and used his rescue inhaler more often than not.

My son came home one afternoon in serious distress. Could not take a breath for the coughing and he had lost the color in his lips. His doctor's office was in the attached medical building to the hospital, so when she heard he was in the ER she came right over.

It took a while but they final got the attack under control but it was scary. Apparently, he HAD gone into the "nurse's" office during the afternoon recess because he needed to use the inhaler and the nurse would not let him. He said it was because she said he didn't need it.

Well, Dr. B was really livid and called the school the next day and conferenced the nurse and the principal to find out their side. This nurse confirmed that she told my son he did not need it because as she said " he was not gasping for air" when he asked for it. Dr B read the riot act at that - told them that someone gasping for air should have an ambulance called not just a rescue inhaler and that they should be grateful that my son pulled through ok.

Within a week after this, all staff and regular volunteers had to go through a special class/seminar on first aid with a special appearance from Dr. B on asthma warning signs and how to handle.

Now, I will say that the nurse and the principal both said that they had no idea that asthma could be fatal. There a many people that think this same thing. I blame some of it on how asthma is portrayed on tv and in movies. It is always the non-athletic or out of shape nerd types that have asthma - they are always immediately gasping for air (never a cough) and it is always fixed with a quick puff of the inhaler.

Jeez - I guess I feel strongly about this, don't I?

That's just .

And you're absolutely right - people get their ideas about asthma from TV, which makes it out to be a non-lifethreatening illness that only nerds get and that's its more psychosomatic than anything else.

So I guess if you have a kid with asthma, you have worry not only about the disease but that the adults around your kid won't respond appropriately to an attack.

Jeez, how do you let them out of the house? I'd be terrified all the time!

 

[LuvLDM]

I would be furious. Hope your Dd is on the mend

 

[robinb]

Probably more likely that the asthma attack was brought on by being sick. My daughter's asthma always acts me when she has a cold.

That's what I was thinking too. Minky, does the teacher know your DD has asthma? Perhaps she should have an inhaler in her locker and/or backpack if it can be that bad.

 

[minkydog]

That's what I was thinking too. Minky, does the teacher know your DD has asthma? Perhaps she should have an inhaler in her locker and/or backpack if it can be that bad.

He probably didn't know she has asthma--there are over 2000 teens in this HS. But still, if a student tells you they have asthma, teachers shoud believe them. Sure, some kids will use it as an excuse. But if they really need the inhaler and you don't use it, there can be serious consequences. DD hardly ever has asthma flares, so she hasn't been carrying the inhaler. Obviously, she has some ownership in this situation.We have had a discussion tonight about carrying the inhaler all the time. And she's going to sleep with her inhaler under her pillow until she gets better, that's for sure.

 

[charming23]

I hope she feels better soon. Having asthma is no fun. I have had it since middle school and mine flares up when I am starting to get sick or stressed out. I once had a gym teacher (substitute) tell me to "buck up, because asthma was not life threatening". Yeah, I walked right out the gym and to the office to complain. The principal talked to a few other students who had heard him say that to me and the teacher got an earful.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Minky
I hope she wakes up feeling better
Normally I think teachers get a bad rap and parents tend to jump to conclusions--but there is no excuse for not allowing an asthmatic use of their inhaler--and this is absolutely the kind of things which is better safe than sorry so he needed to err on the side of believing her than not no matter who she was.
Personally, once you are calm enough, I would send an email to the teacher explaining how serious this is and how dangerous the situation could have been. I would copy the school nurse and the principal on the email, and if you have not hear back withing a few days I would follow up with a phone call. This is far too serious to just let go as some child's life may be on the line down the road if this teacher does not understand how serious asthma attacks can be.

I am not familiar with ashthma--is that a possible side effect from an attack that was worsened by continued physical exertion? Seems odd that she is getting sick on the same day.

As others have posted--it is very common for a infection to trigger asthma. My daughter is home sick today herself--with a minor cold and a full blown asthma attack. The inhaler is just barely keeping it in check and I am having to monitor and be ready to get to the ER if needed.

I feel your pain on this one.

My son's asthma has gotten so much better over the years. But, when he was in grade school he was on a few different meds for it and used his rescue inhaler more often than not.

My son came home one afternoon in serious distress. Could not take a breath for the coughing and he had lost the color in his lips. His doctor's office was in the attached medical building to the hospital, so when she heard he was in the ER she came right over.

It took a while but they final got the attack under control but it was scary. Apparently, he HAD gone into the "nurse's" office during the afternoon recess because he needed to use the inhaler and the nurse would not let him. He said it was because she said he didn't need it.

Well, Dr. B was really livid and called the school the next day and conferenced the nurse and the principal to find out their side. This nurse confirmed that she told my son he did not need it because as she said " he was not gasping for air" when he asked for it. Dr B read the riot act at that - told them that someone gasping for air should have an ambulance called not just a rescue inhaler and that they should be grateful that my son pulled through ok.

Within a week after this, all staff and regular volunteers had to go through a special class/seminar on first aid with a special appearance from Dr. B on asthma warning signs and how to handle.

Now, I will say that the nurse and the principal both said that they had no idea that asthma could be fatal. There a many people that think this same thing. I blame some of it on how asthma is portrayed on tv and in movies. It is always the non-athletic or out of shape nerd types that have asthma - they are always immediately gasping for air (never a cough) and it is always fixed with a quick puff of the inhaler.

Jeez - I guess I feel strongly about this, don't I?

My daughter coughs (HARD) and also gasps so she is "easy" for people to tell. My son (also a dancer BTW) is totally calm, coughs (but it sounds like a simple cold style cough) when it is starting and as he gets worse the cough stops. He does not gasp, just breathes fast. We have been in the ER and had doctors and nurses be calm and slow and not think it is so bad until they take his readings and then they kick into high gear at lightening speed; a teacher would NEVER recognize it for the serious situation it is if they were just going by how he looks/sounds. Thank goodness he has always had teachers who take him seriously when he has a rare attack out of the blue at school. I have also drilled into my rule following kid that if he needs the inhaler and a teachers says not to take it anyway-and then break more rules and get his phone out and call me and I will totally take the heat for it--his life is more important than any school rule.

Well, she's 101 now. Definitely going to the doctor tomorrow. We can't risk DH getting something like flu.

I'm calmer now. But i think I'll send an email in the morning when my head is clear. I did email the school nurse so she'll have a heads up.

Mention the incident in PE to the doctor too. Maybe s/he has some paperwork (fact sheets) to give the PE teacher.

Holy cow! I'm a school nurse but I would NEVER withhold an inhaler. If a student comes to me saying he's short of breath or thinks he needs it, he gets it. I listen to their breath sounds and I call parents to give them a heads up. I have had to call 911 twice when kids got so bad they couldn't move any air. My principal tried to cancel EMS but i stood my ground. Incidently, she was an ex-PE teacher of the "rub some dirt on it and get back in the game" persuasion.

Thank you for watching out for the kids

I hope she feels better soon. Having asthma is no fun. I have had it since middle school and mine flares up when I am starting to get sick or stressed out. I once had a gym teacher (substitute) tell me to "buck up, because asthma was not life threatening". Yeah, I walked right out the gym and to the office to complain. The principal talked to a few other students who had heard him say that to me and the teacher got an earful.

I am glad you knew enough to walk out of there. Good for you

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Exactly my feelings! Someone I know, a young person who had "mild" asthma, DIED a little over a year ago from an asthma attack, leaving a young DD.

ASTHMA is a real disease that can be fatal!!!

I feel your rage!!!

I was thinking that an asthma attack could be fatal. That's awful!

I would go to the principle about this tomorrow. Since your DD is sick, you could call him/her and let them know what happened. I would not let this go because it could save a life in the future.

I hope your DD gets better soon.

 

[PaulaSB12]

I have to admit I didn't know how dangerous asthma could be until the actress who played Scarlett in Four Weddings and a funeral died of an asthma attack!

 

[sparklynails23]

My cousin died from an asthma attack. He was 14.

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

Show him the following link - this child was a friend of mine's nephew...

Boy left to die in school corridor

 

[momof1princess]

i have asthma myself, and i wouldn't just be sending an e-mail, i'd be AT that school tomorrow, and talking to the principal. heads would ROLL if anyone denied my daughter the medication she needed. hope your DD feels better soon

 

[sbsteel]

I'm sorry this happened to your daughter. Hope she's feeling better soon.

I've been out of high school for fifteen years now, and I can still remember how frequently people would claim asthma as a reason they couldn't do stair laps, run the mile, run sprints, etc. I remember one girl (who actually did has asthma) would bring in old inhalers and give them to her friends so they would have "proof" of their alleged illness. Girls would abuse the asthma excuse almost as much as they would for having their period (especially with the male teacher, lol).

Not that it excuses the teacher's behavior, but maybe enough students have cried wolf that he had a hard time believing your daughter. I would let him know that your daughter does, in fact, have asthma and it's not a condition to be ignored and make sure she has her inhaler with her at all times during PE. However, I wouldn't rip into the teacher too harshly...he could be uneducated about it or been played one too many times.

 

[mhsjax]

I'm sorry this happened to your daughter. Hope she's feeling better soon.

I've been out of high school for fifteen years now, and I can still remember how frequently people would claim asthma as a reason they couldn't do stair laps, run the mile, run sprints, etc. I remember one girl (who actually did has asthma) would bring in old inhalers and give them to her friends so they would have "proof" of their alleged illness. Girls would abuse the asthma excuse almost as much as they would for having their period (especially with the male teacher, lol).

Not that it excuses the teacher's behavior, but maybe enough students have cried wolf that he had a hard time believing your daughter. I would let him know that your daughter does, in fact, have asthma and it's not a condition to be ignored and make sure she has her inhaler with her at all times during PE. However, I wouldn't rip into the teacher too harshly...he could be uneducated about it or been played one too many times.

You don't have kids, do you? After I got through with him, he would wish that he had never been born. If that child had died, that would be one hell of a, gee I wish I had a do over, I would have done things differently. I don't care how many time he had been played, not my problem. My child not being able to breath, that is my problem and would be his also.

 

[tlbwriter]

Now, I will say that the nurse and the principal both said that they had no idea that asthma could be fatal.

It's inexcusable for a NURSE not to know asthma can be fatal. I wonder if she was an actual registered or licensed nurse, or if she was just someone with some training (nurse aide level) whose title was "school nurse."

 

[mhsjax]

It's inexcusable for a NURSE not to know asthma can be fatal. I wonder if she was an actual registered or licensed nurse, or if she was just someone with some training (nurse aide level) whose title was "school nurse."

Oh Lord, I hope not. Here our school nurses have to be actual RN's

 

[mjkacmom]

Probably more likely that the asthma attack was brought on by being sick. My daughter's asthma always acts me when she has a cold.

My twins have viral induced asthma (still reads RAD on their medical charts - I don't want to have asthma on there). They can get pretty bad, quickly, just with a simple cold. I'm usually dragging out the nebulizer, and we always have oral steroids on hand, just in case. Physical activity can really make things get scary.

 

[sbsteel]

You don't have kids, do you? After I got through with him, he would wish that he had never been born. If that child had died, that would be one hell of a, gee I wish I had a do over, I would have done things differently. I don't care how many time he had been played, not my problem. My child not being able to breath, that is my problem and would be his also.

I do have a young child. I've also coached girls' tennis (high school and park district) for many years and know how they can be. (Not directed toward the OP in any way!) I knew I was being taken advantage of on many occassions and it would make my blood boil. The big difference is that I knew not to push the girls once they said anything about having a hard time breathing, better safe than sorry. Asthma and heat exhaustion were excuses that I never challenged, but they were often so abused.