Question regarding diagnosing asthma?
So about 2 weeks ago my 15-1/2 year old start having this bad cough. No other symptoms, no fever, running nose, etc., just a cough. Then it started getting worse to the point of a really bad hacking cough. Took her to her quack-pot pediatrician on 01/14/09 and she said there was nothing wrong, chest sounded fine, no wheezing, only thing she could advise was to buy Robitussin, use cough drops and a honey remedy (like I wasn't using cough syrup, drops, etc. already on her).
It started getting worse and worse. Put a warm humidifier in her room on 01/18/09 which seemed to help her sleep better as the cough syrup wasn't cutting it. This past Tuesday night she had this aweful attack where she looked like she was choking, couldn't hardly breath and it lasted a few minutes. So on Wed 01/21/09 I took her to the quack again (was hoping she wasn't working so she could see someone else but Kaiser won't let you go to anyone else if your primary care is available, and unfortunately there are no pediatricians open for new patients). This time she said she heard some wheezing in her chest and asked if she had ever had that before. I said once when she was 7, same sort of cough but didn't have the violent attack that she did the night before. Then she pops off and says "oh she has asthma." I asked what constituted asthma and the docs response was "well she's had a wheze before so if you've wheeze more than once you have asthma." Sounds fishy to me. But she gave her 2 inhalers (can't remember one of them, but the 2nd is Albuteral to be take every 4 hours).
Now she had another attack last night and the Albuteral helped (this is the same med she got when she was 7 and they had her on it for 2 weeks). I don't know if she does or doesn't have asthma but isn't there something else to consider for asthma, don't they take chest x-rays or something?
If anyone has had experience with asthma I would to hear your thoughts, advise, concerns, etc.
And yes, I am constantly trying to find another pediatrician at Kaiser but she's the only one still open for new patients (I know, makes you wonder, huh??).
Also, what are some good things to help prevent all the hacking/coughing attacks besides the meds (don't over do it, or anything?
Thanks everyone!!!
Answer by Mary
Asthma is generally diagnosed by having a pulmonary function test. If the doc is say that your child has asthma, your child should qualify to see a pulmonologist or lung specialist.
An asthmatic should have an asthma action plan, a peak flow meter, a spacer for the inhaler and possibly a nebulizer. Most asthmatics require a controller medication that is daily. Examples are advair and singuliar. There are many others. Albuterol or xopenex are rescue drugs. These are only given during attacks. You should only need to use them 1 or 2 times a month if asthma is under control
Best wishes
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