Monday, March 14, 2011

New Specialist; PFT Log

So... we started seeing an asthma and allergy specialist last week for Ozzy. We love our pulmonologist, but she has two kids now, and her hours are very limited. Combine that with the fact that she's based at a hospital 20 minutes away (pay for parking, wait forever, etc.) the new local specialist is a winner.

We saw him for the first time this past week, since we were running out of our Flovent 110, and he was very thorough. I was interviewed, Oz was examined, which I expected - but he also did scratch tests and spirometry on the first visit. He also gave us a peak flow meter, and on that first day, Oz blew a 280.

Ozzy's meds were changed slightly, due to the fact that (a) he's done really well this winter and (b) this doctor doesn't like using spacers and masks - he thinks the kids don't get enough medication this way. So Oz was switched to a Flovent 100 discus (half the dose, yea!!) and a MaxAir instant inhaler. He seems to do really well with the new "delivery systems." I'm happy to not have to shell out for or clean spacers, myself!

Of course he got sick over the weekend and started flaring. The cough isn't bad, but it's a cough, and his only other symptom is fever. (B also has a fever with no other symptoms.)

On Saturday, I decided to check peak flow. It was 200. I gave him the MaxAir, and it went up to 225.

Today, with 102 fever, I checked again. He's barely hitting 200.

I guess I'll check him again later, and we'll see how he is. This meter doesn't have "zones," but he's down by a good 25 percent - assuming 280 was a good number for him. He only had the one test when he was healthy.

Probably worth a call to check in.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Xopenex Comment - "It makes my daughter sad all the time!"

Just wanted to address the comment that came in from a mom who's daughter cries all the time since starting on Xopenex....

I'm sorry I didn't mention it sooner, but please call your doctor about this! Meds shouldn't change our kids' personalities!!  Ask your doctor for a suitable substitute for rescue meds. Sometimes a different brand of albuterol or levalbuterol can make a difference - but definitely ask your practitioner.

I hope this helps! I know it's a simple response, but it's really the only answer!

I hope you're able to resolve this soon, and that your little girl is back to her happy little self in no time!