Children with Asthma

My son Coby was diagnosed with Asthma when he was just about two years old. He has been getting wheezy coughs since he was just a few months old. Between that and his febrile fits we really have our hands full.
Now our youngest son, Jack 6 mos., started coughing and wheezing. We took him to the doctor and he listened to his chest and prescribed asthma meds. He said chances are Jack is also going to have Asthma. These poor kids. Whats the chance they will outgrow it? My brothers and sister both have it and Franks brother has it but me and Frank dont. Is it hereditary? Our GP has the personality of oatmeal    so I thought I would try to get some thoughts from you guys

My oldest has asthma-but she grew into it.  It wasn't diagnosed till she was about twelve, and it's gotten worse.  They do usually grow out of it, or it gets better at least.  It runs in families and is much more common than it used to be.   Sending good thoughts your way, Pebbles.  That's alot to deal with. 

I think it depends, probably.  Have you looked around any websites?  Webmd will probably have some info and some links to other sites.

If you haven't, try to find the book, 'Asthma Guide for People of All Ages,' by Dr. Tom Plaut.  My son had asthma bad enough to hospitalize him when he was a toddler, and that book was what our very proactive doctor gave to us.  He was the kind of doctor that appreciated an informed patient *misses him dearly*.  I guess the best advice I would have is to keep an extra eye on them when they look like might be catching a virus.  With Joseph, it always seemed a matter of things stacking against him: cold air + bad air + virus = trip to the ER.  :/  On the plus side, he's 6 now, and I really think he's growing out of it.  He has an inhaler with a spacer to use as needed, but I don't think we've pulled it out for a couple months now.  I hope something similar happens for yours.  Best of luck with your little ones.

My mom is a nurse in a pediatric office that sees a lot of asthmatics.  She is always telling me the latest on treatments and research.  I won't be able to talk to her until Monday, so I will post whatever she tells me on Mon or Tue.

We have a family history of asthma but so far only my youngest son has had it. He was diagnosed at 5 and had medication on and off for some years. We were luck in that our surgery had a doctor who ran a special asthma clinic once a week and was much more knowledgeable than your average GP - see if you can get referred My son has been off all medication since 16 and has had no relapses - although we have discovered that he is allergic to cats; the asthma medication was obviously masking that!

I've had it since i was 2 as well.  It has gotten better over time, I've not had to be hospitalized since i was 10.

I don't take any daily meds-it seems my body has learned to adjust.  I do carry my inhaler at all times, and find i need it most when my alergies kick in heavily (cats) or am pushing myself physically (at the gym or running).  I also need it when i get a really bad cough/bronchitis when i barely feel i can breathe.

But it's not as bad as when i was a child when some little thing would set me off.  So hopefully, they will grow out of it, if not completely, so it's bearable like mine.

   Ok this is what I found out :

Asthma is a chronic disease so it will never 'go away' BUT children who recieve the right treatment for the symptoms throughout childhood have the best chances to and frequently do 'grow out' of the symptoms.  (I know that's an obnoxious way to put it)

The new research is showing the best treatment for children is:
1. inhaled medication - the medicine that goes straight to the lungs.  The  systemic medication does not work as well, and it has more side effects, especially with long term use.
          A. The best regular medicines are: nebulizers for under fives, Advair (name-brand American) inhaler for regular use for older children, and pulmacort (name brand american) inhaler for acute illness for older children.

2. controlling triggers.  Most people have triggers that set off the asthma, like dust, seasonal changes, pets, extreme humidity (weather), diet, and/or excercising.  The key is recognizing the trigger, reducing the instances, and treating preventatively with inhalers.  Your doctor should give you a list of triggers and how they can be resolved.  (if he doesn't than pm me and I will have my mom fax me a list to fax to you - I am not working now, it'll make me feel useful). 
Treating the triggers can be a LOT of work, but it is extremely important and can be the biggest factor in the child feeling better longer/getting attacks less.

3.  Using the peak flow meter.  THis is for children at an age they can blow into the little apparatus, probably older than 3-4 years.  The PFM measures (simply) the lungs capacity and shows if the child is really over an attack or not.

If anything else comes up, I will let you know.  I hope this helps and that your children feel good!

My cousin had it terribly as a child but as far as I'm aware, has no symptoms now. I'll ask him next chance I get.