Today, my eldest son’s school nurse called me up and informed me that I needed to bring him to the doctor since she can hear a lot of wheezing from his chest, and he was coughing unstoppably. Upon hearing these, I had to inform my workmates that I needed to take a few hours off from work to bring Lean Raphael to a pulmonologist ASAP. He has been coughing for days now and only had carbocisteine and cough expectorant to relieve him plus the eucalyptus oil massage that we apply on his chest and back. Today, it developed into a bad asthma attack.
Nebulizer: Asthma patients’ indispensable buddy (photo courtesy of Alibaba.com)
Ughh. It must be the dust and smoke that got the best of him and his tired lungs, even if he nebulized himself this morning.
Ok, so, what struck me most during our consultation with the accommodating lady doctor, was when she mentioned that my son needed to take some steroids (Prednisone, specifically) for five days to help clear his lungs’ airway inflammation. She patiently explained that nebulization alone is not enough to relieve him of asthma.
Suddenly, Lean said out of nowhere, ” Doc, aren’t steroids bad for us??”
Prednisone: A “helpful” steriod for the asthmatics
The pulmonologist smiled and explained that the bad effects of steroids can only be felt if taken for a long period of time (6 months or longer). My son must have read stuff about athletes getting caught and being disqualified from sports competition due to steroids abuse. The doctor reassured him that the benefits of steroids intake for five days outweigh my son’s ‘so-called fears’, and that the restful sleep it will give him, minus the coughs, wheezing and chest tightness is more valuable.
I can no longer hear him coughing right now, thank God. Thanks for the wonders of medical science.
I had asthma before and it is an expensive sickness, we are a family of asthmatic so a nebulizer is not an alien to me. I’m glad your son feels better now.
great to hear that! you are right, you got to thank HIM and the wonders of modern medicine. 🙂
I can very well relate. I am asthmatic too. Indeed, a nebulizer comes very handy when an attack just makes life miserable for asthmatics like me. Steroids got a lot of side effects including sterility when taken for a prolonged period of time.
I am glad your son is now back on his feet. I wonder if he was he given seretide?
I am happy to hear your son is well now. Wow, he is a smart boy to know that about steroids. A nebulizer and steroids are an asthmatic’s best buddies….taken in the proper dosage every medication works magic. May you and your family be always blessed with good health. Hugs to you 🙂
awww.. sorry to hear about your son’s bad asthma attack. Good to hear that he is fine now. tsk.. hirap pag may sakit mga kids
good to hear that your son is doing fine now. Prednisone. yes, that’s my medication too. Just be sure that it is taken on short term basis only.
I do hope everything goes well, i remember when my younger brother used that same equipment due some condition which really helped him get well, hope all is well with your son…
glad your son is doing great now, hirap pa naman magkasakit ang mga bata. 🙂 anyway, i can relate with this…my eldest got asthma attack and always coughing back in Manila pero when we moved to Phnom Penh 4 years ago and now in Bangkok, hindi na sya nagkaka-asthma at hindi na pala ubo, thanks God…or else I will be super scared kasi kami-kami lang dito although we have friends.
this post is very informative…:) glad to hear your son is ok.
Good to hear your son is getting better, I know it is hard for us mom if our child is sick.
I hope your son is doing well now, it is really hard when our kids are sick. Me, I could not even sleep just to make sure they are okay.
my grand dad uses a nebulizer but not really sure what medicine was it used for. though it’s for his heavy coughing..
I can’t relate ate kasi I still don’t have a son. Pero I’m so happy to read na nabigyan kaagad ng lunas 🙂
Coming back here for Friday’s COMEX via FBF.
See you around!
aw that really sucks. i hope he feels better now
Asthma is not really good but it happen sorry to hear about your son’s asthma. I have friend’s whose kids like that also…