TOT/GOTG with Asthma? Any issues?

[RobertaMomof2]

Hey everyone. I have successfully kept my son (9) away from TOT before, but now with the new GOTG overlay and rock music he is adamant that he wants to go on it... my issue is that he has asthma. I am worried it might trigger an attack. Granted it has been 2 years since we have been to DL/CA and he hasn't had any asthma attacks for 2 years as well. Anyone with kids with asthma who ride it and it goes well? I obviously will have his inhaler with us, just in case, but was just wondering. A good friends husband who has asthma was triggered by TOT which is why I am worried.

Thanks everyone for the input!

 

[tink3kids]

My son (10) has asthma and has ridden TOT plenty w/o any issues. Everyone is different though, so agree with being prepared.

 

[RobertaMomof2]

Thanks so much, glad to hear this. Ease my mind a bit.

 

[bumbershoot]

A good friends husband who has asthma was triggered by TOT which is why I am worried.

What does he feel triggered it? (I know.."the ride"...but what about the ride?)

When I'm on a ride that does the stomach in throat effect, I tend to breathe slowly and firmly out of my mouth (like you do when you're screaming, but I rarely want to scream). It controls that stomach feeling and helps me control my breathing.

 

[Niltiac]

It probably depends what his typical triggers are. My partner has severe asthma, and granted she's an adult, but I've never even considered any rides to be a threat. Her main triggers are dust, smoke, wind, etc. We don't go on rides if she feels an attack coming on, but she just takes a second to assess herself before we step on the ride.

I recently found out I have exercise induced asthma, which is more relevant to thrill rides, but mine is mild so again I've never really taken it into account. I've never had an attack triggered by a thrill ride, but if your son has a tendency to hyperventilate when scared, that could be a concern. I've found it's rapid breathing, not so much deep breathing/screaming that can be a problem.

 

[gsrieff]

My 7 year old son has mild asthma, and he has no issue on that ride or any other ride.

 

[lalasmama]

As others have said, if it's more of an exercise-induced asthma, and he's a bit anxious (enough to get his heart rate up), he may have an issue. The only time I have had an issue with it is when I managed to have a panic attack transition into an asthma attack.... So, I basically started saying I can't do the upstairs loading (which is true due to my bad knees), which kept me from going up to the top loading area, which was the part that freaked me out (it's like a grated catwalk), which kept my breathing calm, which kept me from panicking myself into an attack.

Since its a fear for you, I'd just be ready for it, and have the inhaler easily available, and discuss calm breathing (slow, deep breath in nose, slow deep breath out mouth) until the inhaler can be done. Obviously, I'm assuming you aren't expecting a hugely serious attack. If he's easily set off by things, especially when nervous/anxious/excitable, and it quickly becomes a life or death emergency, then I'd consider keeping the ban on the ride... Or if an inhaler isn't an option. (I know sometimes I am fine with my inhaler, but most times, I need my nebulizer, which is awkward to bring to the parks, and wouldn't be accessible when I needed it.)

But, I can tell you, I've been on the ride a great number of times, and never really seen anyone walking off with an asthma attack.

 

[RobertaMomof2]

Thanks everyone. My friends husband has exercise induced asthma, and he said the fact that his breath was sucked out of him, made the asthma attack happen. I think it is more like someone mentioned, the quick breathing and rapid heartbeat and then the air sucked out of him, made it happen for him.

My son has allergy/illness induced asthma. So when his allergies are bad for a prolonged period, or if he gets sick back to back times and he doesn't have time to completely get better, he got the asthma attacks. We have kept both triggers for him under control at home, which is why he hasn't had one in 2 years... sounds like he should be fine. But I will for SURE bring his inhaler. Thanks so much everyone for the thoughtful responses, I truly appreciate it.

 

[EsmeCullen]

I have asthma and have never had a problem on Disney's thrill rides, but as it was stated in an earlier post, everyone is affected differently and mine seems to be allergy triggered.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

My daughter and I both have asthma and it didn't trigger anything for us.

 

[Malcon10t]

My daughter has asthma and has been riding it since it opened. She has regular asthma attacks (maybe 2-3 a month) but has never had an attack on TOT. (Only ride she has had one on was HM.) During TOT closing party she rode it 10 times.

 

[RobertaMomof2]

Thank you all so much. Putting this mama's mind at ease.

 

[Malcon10t]

Thanks everyone. My friends husband has exercise induced asthma, and he said the fact that his breath was sucked out of him, made the asthma attack happen. I think it is more like someone mentioned, the quick breathing and rapid heartbeat and then the air sucked out of him, made it happen for him.

I don't know how his breath was "sucked out of him". My daughter's asthma has numerous causes. Exercise induced, stress induced, even something as simple as steam in the air in a shower, or too cold of air. And I forgot. The scene in POTC where there is heavy mist by the ship causes it. She knows to cover her face (nose and mouth) with a sweater or shirt going thru there.