Morning Folks, My son who is 15 had a bad asthma attack about 2mths ago,

[alinic]

since then he has taken a brown inhaler in the morn and at night etc blue when needed etc,he is a very fit boy for his age never in always outside, can cyclye for miles lift heavy loads etc. but since then he has had no energy, pains
in chest when even walking for any lenght, a little worried, took him to GP yesterday who never even checked him over but ask him to see the asthma nurse Fri(whom is really good). Could it be his inhaler maybe? thats maybe not right for him? or is this normal to take this long to recover? He is annoyed he cant do his normal things.
Thanks

[ojread2]

How horrible for your son to be in this position
All I can suggest is you really stress to the asthma nurse just how bad this si for him - do you think it could be a bit psychological? Now please dont think I'm suggesting your son isn't feeling this way, but is there some fear of it happening again and this is having the affect on him?

[TopKat]

It's certainly a good idea to see the asthma nurse - they are well trained and specialist in this area. It may be that he needs a different steroid inhaler (than the brown one he's taking) or perhaps a higher dose if the current dose is not settling his symptoms. It can take a while for these to be well treated and, if his asthma is being caused by an allergy (like hay fever) then this may be why he's still struggling. It's certainly worth pursuing changes in his treatment as, with experimentation, the medics should be able to find a drug combination that allows him to be better and more active.

[Sqad]

In my opinion it is unlikely that the lack of energy and pains in his chest is anything to do with his asthma medication, but i would be interested to know the opinion of the asthma nurse.

Also, the chest pains are not something that one associates with asthma nor is the lack of energy during periods of normal lung function.

I would be interested to know the opinion of the asthma nurse.

[furrypusscat]

My asthma symptons have been quite bad this last week due to the weather and hay fever which makes it worse. Whilst I don't get 'chest pains' I do feel restricted in the chest area which makes it uncomfortable especially breathing out. This could be what your son is experiencing but may not understand the problem. Even so, I think his GP should have examined him. I do think that GP's when they know of one problem that could be the cause, other things seem to be side stepped. I hope you get it sorted.

[Sqad]

Just checked......your son had chest pain 18 months ago.......in which case I would suggest that it is nothing to do with his asthma OR medication.

It is either muscular or psychosomatic in my opinion.

[Hopkirk]

I went through a period of asthma a few years ago.

The doctor kept increasing the dose of the brown inhaler, as my symptoms got worse.

Eventually a different doctor agreed with me to try stopping the brown inhaler - and I immediately improved. Apparently it doesn't suit some people.

[Sqad]

Hopkirk.....I may have got this horribly wrong and if so then i apologise, but it looks as though the chest pain PREDATES the onset of asthma or asthma medication.

If this is not the case, then forget my post ;-)

[Hopkirk]

Oh yes, Valentine's day 2011.

You are very observant Doctor.

[Sqad]

Hoppy...exactly......;-)

[alinic]

Sorry its late in the day but just in! Yes Sqad you little detective! He has asthma since about 3 or 4yrs of age, but is well controlled, not had an attack for about 3 or 4 yrs, never really had a brown inhaler till this last attack, which was treated with steriods(x2 lots) no hospital, tho I was very worried.
I just worry there is an under lying prob? I appreciate all input and will let you know what asthma nurse says on Fri.
Ngt

[alinic]

Hi
Just to let you know spent nearly an hr with asthma nurse, going over things, done a lung fuction thingy also which she said was borderline, and that his peak flow wasn; his normal, so thought there was still maybe a little inflamation in his lungs was getting a new inhaler(steriod/reliver/ in one) she went over how to use it proper etc, had prescription in hand and had left and was at desk getting new appointment for two weeks, when she came back and changed her mind and now he is to up his brown inhaler to 3puffs morning and night instead of 2 puffs!, oh and he told the nurse his chest only hurts when he exerts himself. So back in two weeks, just feel he should be feeling better after couple of months.