Asthma

[tylersmom]

My son is 11 and he was diagnosed with exercised induced asthma last summer. He has always played sports and has been on the swim team. Last summer he had a bad uri, and it lasted for about 8 weeks. That's when we found out his lungs had been damaged and he had asthma. We went to the asthma doctor, did the lung function test, and his scores we very low. We went to another asthma specialist to get a second oppinion, and they wanted to do the "glass cased" lung function test and my son freaked out and wouldn't do it. They also wanted to run him out side to "recreate" what causes his asthma. They told me that they had a crash cart in case he had an asthma attack. They also said that the other lung function test, (blowing the candles on the computer) was not enough info and they had to do this other testing. My son refuses to do it and is so scared of having an asthma attack. We have him on flowvent 120mg twice a day, but is this enough? His asthma only happens when he been running very hard, or his has been very sick. He has no allergies! I just don't know if I should stick with our first dr. that does the blowing of the candles lung function test, or do these other crazy test that my son is scared of? We know it is caused by exercise, what more do they need to properly treat him?

[Davy9]

The tests you son are afraid of are called pulmonary function studies. The 'glass box' is a full body plethysmograph. None of these tests hurt. They simply require that he perform the breathing exercises as directed. The tests are what is needed to more clearly understand the severity of his problem and how to best treat it. I can understand him being afraid of having a asthma attack. But that is exactly the reason he should do these studies, so that he can better understand his limits. Then he'll know how to avoid the attacks and when to take the medications for them. He won't be under or over medicated.

I hated doctors as a child too. Mine always wanted to stick me with needles. But these studies are very similar to breathing through scuba gear and that is all. About the only one to be concerned with would be a broncho-provocation study where they induce an asthma attack to see how severe they are. But, they will tell you about this separately and in advance and they may not need to do one at all. The regular studies, including the 'glass box' are not bronchoprovocation studies.

There is no reason to fear these studies and lots of good reasons to do them.

[tylersmom]

Thank you so much! My son did say that he would do it with his regular asthma doctor, but he still doesn't want to do the exercise asthma test. I don't blame him, and I am nervous of that test as well. He had a severe asthma attack playing basketball, and if I wasn't there with him, I don't know what would of happened. It hit him so fast, he didn't have time to get his inhaler. I had to run to him and start puffing it in his mouth for him. Thank goodness that the rescue inhaler works! I think I will stick with his regular asthma doctor and if he suggest the test, we will, and if not, we will continue on the flowvent and the regular pulmonary lung function test to see if he improves.