Asthma in Maine (Hope: allergies, assess, air quality)

[txmom]

Hi there,

My 7-year-old son is having breathing difficulties for the first time in his life. It started about 3 weeks ago. Not bad enough to take him in to the ER, but still worrying. He says he feels like he can't get enough air sometimes, and it happens at night when he lays down. Do you think this is just seasonal allergies, or maybe he is developing asthma?

Does this happen to anyone else at this time of year? Not an asthma attack, but slight shortness of breath?

[island mermaid]

txmom, I think it probably warrants a trip to the doc to be sure. I've heard that one can develop allergies any time in life even as an adult. I haven't been up there in a month, so I don't know what stage the growing season is at right now. I also don't know a lot about asthma except a friend of mines son had it and used to need an inhaler or a nebulizer (?). I remember hearing something about asthma shutting down or narrowing the bronchial air tubes making it more difficult to take in more air.
Sorry, I really don't know much about it.
I saw the air quality alerts posted today, if it's asthma you would think today might be more difficult for him to breathe than others?

Good luck, I'll be thinking of you guys...

[Maine Writer]

I have a friend with asthma. She said she had to use her rescue inhaler early this morning but all she'd done was clean the kitchen after breakfast. She's had a hard time breathing for the last month and will have to see a pulmonologist on Tuesday. I've been out planting in the garden, don't have asthma and still noticed the air is "heavy" this morning.

[txmom]

I definitely need to get him assessed by the doctor. The symptoms have been mild enough that I was thinking maybe it's the humidity that's causing him to feel like this. He doesn't have any wheezing. Elevating his head at night (using two pillows) helps a lot. I check him a lot at night, and he is breathing evenly and smoothly.

His breathing is fine today.

[dmyankee]

Weather.com says there is a lot of grass pollen and some pine pollen right now.

[ILUVMAINE]

Originally Posted by txmom

Hi there,

My 7-year-old son is having breathing difficulties for the first time in his life. It started about 3 weeks ago. Not bad enough to take him in to the ER, but still worrying. He says he feels like he can't get enough air sometimes, and it happens at night when he lays down. Do you think this is just seasonal allergies, or maybe he is developing asthma?

Does this happen to anyone else at this time of year? Not an asthma attack, but slight shortness of breath?

Txmom,

PLEASE get him to the doctor. I have asthma - developed it later in life - and his symptoms sound exactly like what I experience. Especially, when the weatherman predicts that it is a code orange day. My grandson also has asthma, and every night they let him breath with his "breathing" machine and he is fine. PLEASE do NOT mess around with asthma. For those who haven't experienced it - they cannot comprehend how frightening it is not to be able to breath. I'll keep that little fellow in my prayers.

[puntin]

Well, I know my seasonal allergies have been acting up as of late. That being said, I would have him checked out by a doctor. I would say that sounds more like asthma than allergies, but either can be managed with the correct medication. Hope the little guy does better soon!

[AlisonL]

Get him checked asap. Asthma is nothing to fool around with. The humidity takes a toll on you. I used my rescue inhaler probably 7 times yesterday. Today the ac units have to go in!

[Bydand]

Could be onset of asthma or seasonal allergies, or even a combination of both. Best bet is just what everybody else has already said: DR visit. That is the only way to know which it is. Right now my allergies are kicking in a bit and are worse at night than during the daytime. Good Luck!

[txmom]

Originally Posted by Bydand

Could be onset of asthma or seasonal allergies, or even a combination of both. Best bet is just what everybody else has already said: DR visit. That is the only way to know which it is. Right now my allergies are kicking in a bit and are worse at night than during the daytime. Good Luck!

That's exactly what the ER doctor at St. Joseph's said today...could be asthma, allergies, or a combination of both. Of course R was breathing clear as a bell when I brought him there, but the Doc gave him a rescue inhaler for use as needed and an allergy medication. Thanks for all of the replies. Like I said before, he was never in any acute distress (said he felt like he had to yawn a lot, and breath deeper) but I feel better knowing we have the inhaler in case he ever needs it.