Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Vent: Fox News on Flu Pandemic

Just sent this to the fabulous new list-serv I joined for parents of asthmatics. The list is amazing....I'll report back on what the response is, assuming they don't kick me off!!!------------------
Have to vent about this -- the Fox news affiliate here just ran the most sensational and downright terrifying ad for a report about the bird flu pandemic scare. It featured lots of children's smiling faces, of course, along with creepy, dramatic music. Oh, and the tagline, "Billions could die -- tens of thousands in New York City alone."

Now, I know that there is a very real risk of a bird flu pandamic, but I also know that the World Health Organization and CDC are on it, antivirals are being stockpiled as funding permits, and an epidemic was already contained in Thailand. Of course, there's still a risk, and it's still horrifying, but I like to think that WHO and CDC are better organized than FEMA.

But really, isn't this scary enough as it is? Why do the cheesey news shows have to go around scaring everyone?

It's more than terrifying to face another flu season with an asthmatic preschooler, a toddler and a baby due in the thick of it all. I want to go down to Fox News in midtown and wring some irresponsible necks for these scary, ridiculous ads!!!!!! It's so infuriating!

Monday, September 26, 2005

Asthma / Reflux Connection Explained

Found a few things already:

  • A good explanation of the whole deal on InfantRefluxDisease.com


  • Some interesting info from ClinicalTrial.gov


  • And a bunch of info at NationalJewish.org, including:

    Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
    In some people, the muscle between the esophagus and stomach may allow some back flow of stomach acid into the esophagus. This may cause heartburn, as well as a reflex response that can result in asthma symptoms

  • It's a start...

    Asthma-Reflux Connection

    A million thanks to Meg for her comment on my post about the baby last week.

    Meg points out that there is a connection between Reflux and Asthma, so I'm off to do some research, which, natch, I'll be posting. I do recall the peds. pulmonologist saying something about this last year when I commented that #1 son tended to burp a lot, and she recommended giving him Tums...but I don't remember why, exactly. Was it that reflux triggers asthma, that they're interconnected...?

    Hence the quest for research.

    Meg and anyone else -- if you have anything, please share!!

    Wednesday, September 21, 2005

    New Resources: Asthma Action Plans

    So, I've been hanging out at HealthBoards since my run-in at BabyCenter, and I've just met this great mom whose 5-year-old daughter has asthma. She's miles from a good hospital or pulmonologist, and her doctor hasn't been fab with the asthma advice.

    So who better to help than the Mama????

    Her doctor never gave her an action plan (could you strangle the guy?) so I tried to dig up some resources to help her out.

    Here's what I found -- good for all of us to have and read.

    Diary of a Paranoid Asthma Mom

    Ugh. In my constantly paranoid state, I was convinced that #2 son was breathing too shallowly. He'd had mild cold symptoms for a few days with a slight cough. And I thought his breathing was little shallow and a little fast.

    I watched him for a few days, and worried a lot.

    Then, Monday, I couldn't bear it anymore. I called the doctor at lunch and scheduled an appointment.

    And of course, he's fine. He's not wheezing. I'm crazy.

    Does anyone else do this? Do we all make ourselves nuts with worry?

    Bear in mind, this time last year, this little boy was coughing til he vomited a few times a week. The doctors said it was reflux, but I'm still not convinced. Especially when he was diagnosed with bronchiolitis the same season.

    So I may be crazy, but at least I have a reason to be. (Does that even make sense??)

    Thursday, September 15, 2005

    Separation Anxiety Nightmare

    Not much to do with asthma here, but I have to share this....

    Little B, who just turned 4, has been going through THE WORST separation anxiety phase over the last few weeks. I mean, hysterically screaming and clinging to my leg every morning when I drop him off. It's been a total nightmare! Each day when I drop him off, I'm scared to death he's going to trigger an attack, because he has had his worst attacks after night terrors. And the hysteria's pretty similar.

    Meanwhile, his 17-month-old brother actually toddles down the hall to his classroom practically by himself each morning, and barely says goodbye!

    At first I thought this started because he had an attack coming on. Now I'm not sure if there's an underlying school-related problem (his teachers assure me it's not, and he's had no specific complaints) or if it's somehow related to my pregnancy. We did go through something similar with my last pregnancy, when he was two, and he does seem to be going through some weird oedipal phase right now.

    I just can't wait till this is over. Or we find out what's REALLY going on.

    Thursday, September 01, 2005

    Aid for Katrina Victims

    I know this has nothing to do with my blog, but it has to matter to everyone.

    Please donate whatever you can to the Red Cross. There are still thousands of people - adults, kids, seniors - stranded in the hardest-hit areas, just waiting to be rescued, to get food and water. If you can do anything to help, please do.