Son diagnosed with Asthma

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Amit Garg - 29 Jan 2004 06:26 GMT

Hi our 5 year old was recently diagnosed with mild/moderate asthma. In the
past when his coughing symptoms were severe we would take him to ER and they
would x-ray and diagnose as pneumonia. He had a few of these episodes and
we thought it was odd he was having recurring lung problems. We turfed our
family doctor and have been dealing with a pediatrician who seems to know
what he's doing. We were confused when he told us that the diagnosis at ER
was not correct and that it was asthma all along causing the problems.
Anyhow, he is taking Pulmicort with a nebulizer twice a day and it has
almost stopped his nightly coughing spells. I have heard that the
corticosteroid can stunt or delay the growth in children...does anyone have
experience with this?

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Amit Garg

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Colin Campbell - 29 Jan 2004 16:39 GMT

>Hi our 5 year old was recently diagnosed with mild/moderate asthma. In the
>past when his coughing symptoms were severe we would take him to ER and they
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>corticosteroid can stunt or delay the growth in children...does anyone have
>experience with this?

There is a chance that corticosteroid use can _delay_ your child's
growth spurts. Of course there is the risk that uncontrolled asthma
can do the same thing.

There are no perfect solutions.

--
"It's not American foreign policy, or the plight of the
Palestinians, or America's longstanding support for Israel.
A group of people with money and weaponry have simply
decided that we, as a civilization, are unfit to live, and
want, eventally, to exterminate us."
'Christian Century' magazine

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Mother of Asthmatic - 18 Feb 2004 18:24 GMT

> >Hi our 5 year old was recently diagnosed with mild/moderate asthma. In the
> >past when his coughing symptoms were severe we would take him to ER and they
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> There are no perfect solutions.

My Son has been on Pulmicort .5 mg twice a day for 3 years. He is will
be 4 in one week. He is 44 inches tall and 54 pounds. I'm thinking we
have not experienced ANY delay in growth.

Corticosteroids are the preferred treatment for Asthma. Many are lothe
to put kids on a steroid, but the benefits almost always outweighs the
risks. Unfortunately, the mentality sometimes is "if he's not
coughing, don't treat him". However, its been found that keeping your
child on a preventative dose of inhaled steroids may keep him not only
healthy but out of the emergency room and hospitals. And the
alternative is that he ends up on an oral steroid when he gets very
sick which has a ton of side effects.

Good luck to you! One thing I might suggest that has helped us
immensly...educate yourself as much as possible about Asthma. And know
this - YOU know your child better than any Doctor will ever. Never
hesitate to question a Doctor or to fire them if they aren't
listening.

Here's some great links
http://www.mothersofasthmatics.org
http://www.chestnet.org/education/courses/pedpul2004/index.php
http://www.lungusa.org/
http://www.aaaai.org/
http://www.aafa.org/

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