Adjusting to life with an asthmatic baby

When Jonas was hospitalized for the first time, I had no idea what was ahead. I thought that his first asthma attack was merely a respiratory infection that, with some strong antibiotics and maybe some steroids, would shake itself out in time. Now, four months later, I'm starting to see how wrong I was.

Since September, he has been hospitalized twice, been twice to the allergist and three times to his regular pediatrician. They have put him on a strict regimen of Pulmicort twice per day with the nebulizer, as well as albuterol as needed. Lately, "as needed" has been everyday.

I wasn't aware when we moved to the Valley just how bad the asthma problem is here. After doing some research recently, I learned that it is actually the worst county in the entire state of California for asthmatics and that over 1/5 of the children living here suffer from asthma. Um, that's a lot of children. There are so many allergens out here: the dust, wind, regular controlled burns, fields, pollen, pollution...you name it, it's here.

And it is affecting my child on a daily basis. Actually, children, because in the last month we have had to treat Gabriel for wheezing as well. He has had occasional (and by occasional, I mean like once or twice a year) wheezing since he was 14 months old that we treat with an inhaler, but that is SO much easier than using a nebulizer!

via

I'm a research junkie by nature. When I was pregnant with Gabriel, I spent countless hours online and reading books to be as educated as possible in everything to do with birth and babies. So of course when all of this happened, I hit the books (computer). If you have an asthmatic child, this all might be old news, or maybe this info will give you an idea you hadn't thought of!

We have made many changes to our everyday life in order to accommodate Jonas' asthma and to keep him at a therapeutic level (basically, to keep him comfortable, breathing just like you or me). Some of these changes have been difficult, some much easier to make...

• Stop burning candles - the smoke is an irritant
• Speaking of smoke, it goes without saying...no smoking and no secondhand smoke exposure!
• No live flowers (or Christmas trees, sad day...)
• Keep windows closed and use air conditioning
• Reduce exposure to cold air
• No perfumes or aerosol sprays
• Be cautious of cleaning products
• Dust, dust, dust! And by that, I mean dust your house as regularly as humanly possible
• Vacuum the carpets and rugs if you have them
• Reduce the possibility of mold by keeping kitchen and bathrooms clean and dry
• No pets in the house - easy, since we have no pets - we reduce his exposure to any pets in general at other homes
• Keep bed free from stuffed animals and blankets, except his favorite - wash sheets regularly

There are so many triggers that I had never considered before! Understanding how asthma works has made meeting Jonas' needs much easier. Like I mentioned earlier, there is a therapeutic level that you want your child to stay at.

I find it easy to understand by considering his body a heavily guarded castle. I'm just warning you, this analogy is super nerdy. When his level is at its highest, that is when the castle has its drawbridge up, archers ready on top of the towers, and entrances locked up tightly. All of these triggers are the neighboring knights trying to infiltrate the castle.

If we miss a scheduled nebulizer treatment, that would be like leaving the drawbridge down. Missing many treatments would be like leaving the castle completely unguarded. As the neighboring knights start to find ways in, the castle becomes more and more vulnerable, just like Jonas when we miss treatments and expose him to more triggers.

Without any protection, Jonas is extremely vulnerable to all of these factors. Respiratory infections love him and his tiny little airways close up faster than a melting snow cone in hell. We have to do everything we can to avoid any more hospital stays because well, they suck. Big time.

Do you have any experience with asthma? Do you have any other suggestions for reducing asthma triggers?