Is humidity causing problems?????

[Ken Schaefer]

We moved to Nebraska from Phoenix about 7 months ago. My three year old
daughter's asthma has progressively gotten worse since we got here. Her
doctor here is much more helpful than the doctors in Phoenix but he is
unable to get her asthma under control. In Arizona she needed albuterol a
few times a week because of wheezing. Now she needs it 4 times a day! We
have had to get up with her once a night for the last two months because of
coughing fits. After a nebulizer treatment she sleeps the rest of the
night.
Her new doctor has determined through tests that she has GERD and what
appears to be a sinus infection that won't go away. Although she has no
outward symptoms of a sinus infection it shows up on an x-ray.
She is on Xopenex and Pulmacort twice a day prescribed and Xopenex again
during the day when needed. Singulair seemed to have no effect. She is
taking Prevacid and Reglin for the GERD and antibiotics for the supposed
sinus infection.
None of these medications seem to be making a difference other than the
Xopenex of course. Her natural state is wheezing and it only goes away as
long as the Xopenex lasts. This is no way for a toddler to live her life!
Anyone got any magic advice? I'm afraid she is only getting worse and it's
breaking my heart to see her this way. Help Please.

[Helping Hand]

I'm afraid she is only getting worse and it's breaking my heart to see
her this way. Help Please.
__________________________________Doctors have told me that humidity
should help my asthma but only have asthma for 4 months so I don't know.
I guess it is a case by case problem for everyone. That's where
everyone told me I oughta move to I guess It doesn't work for everyone.
I recommend to keep on trying to find answers from the doctors and I'll
help all I can. I've realized that asthma isn't a problem that can be
fixed only cut down to that person's level that it can be cut down to
everyone is different there. It sounds like your daughter has had
asthma for awhile are you keeping her away from her triggers. That's
the most important thing to do when dealing with severe asthma and it
sounds like you need to change reflux med again if that one isn't
working not one can work for everybody.
The most important thing about GERD is make sure her meals are frequent
and light heavy meals aren't ideal for Gerd.
If I can help you further let me know I'll email you directly I suffer
from severe asthma and GERD. Hope you find the answers you are looking
for I know how frustrating it can be to watching your child continue to
suffer over something like this I have 3 kids myself and my youngest has
11 dianosis including GERD and asthma and my oldest suffers from asthma
so I know how you feel. Good Luck!
God Bless!

[nonerequired]

Is the Pulmicort via neb or dry powder inhaler? For a 3 year old the neb
(Pulmicort respules) would be preferable. The Pulmicort DPI has the highest
internal resistance of the DPI inhalers so may not work well or at all for her
(too hard to suck through). 3 is pretty young for DPI's.

If there is an infection it must be treated. Same with GERD. The effort of
breath with untreated asthma will actually make the GERD worse creating a
pathological loop. Treatment of the sinus infection with antibiotics my
adversely affect the GI tract during that time so needs careful monitoring of
the GERD.

Humidity all by itself shouldn't cause that much of a problem (although the
above issues are big problems by themselves). Humidity can promote mold growth
and dust mites. I'd check for other environmental issues also. Testing for
triggers would be prudent at this stage if not done. Then take appropriate
environmental action. Lots of info on the web if you look around.

Fritz Merkel; Respiratory Care Practitioner
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America-WA Branch

[Ken Schaefer]

We are giving her .5 mg of pulmicort respules twice a day. She has been
allergy tested and came up negative on everything. I don't think that
included food allergies though. As far as the GERD is concerned, she does
like to eat. Maybe smaller, more frequent meals would be a good idea. I
have GERD myself but medication keeps it in check.

It just seems odd how her asthma was under control for two years and has so
rapidly escalated over the last six months. It has been so bad that she has
been on oral steroids four times in the last seven months. Long term side
affects is just one more thing to worry about.

Thanks for the help.

Post by nonerequired
Is the Pulmicort via neb or dry powder inhaler? For a 3 year old the neb
(Pulmicort respules) would be preferable. The Pulmicort DPI has the highest
internal resistance of the DPI inhalers so may not work well or at all for her
(too hard to suck through). 3 is pretty young for DPI's.
If there is an infection it must be treated. Same with GERD. The effort of
breath with untreated asthma will actually make the GERD worse creating a
pathological loop. Treatment of the sinus infection with antibiotics my
adversely affect the GI tract during that time so needs careful monitoring of
the GERD.
Humidity all by itself shouldn't cause that much of a problem (although the
above issues are big problems by themselves). Humidity can promote mold growth
and dust mites. I'd check for other environmental issues also. Testing for
triggers would be prudent at this stage if not done. Then take appropriate
environmental action. Lots of info on the web if you look around.
Fritz Merkel; Respiratory Care Practitioner
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America-WA Branch

[Alison Chaiken]

When I was a kid my family moved frequently. Every time we moved, I
had severe asthma problems. One time I recall being hospitalized for
a week and being given high doses of who-knows-what. One liquid
medicine smelled so bad, I got so that I vomited as soon as they
brought it in the room! The whole experience was quite miserable.

I can't say to this day I understand why I was so sick every time we
moved. I always returned to my normal state within a couple of months
after the relocation. I hope your daughter will have a similar
experience.

[j***@webtv.net]

I personally experience difficulty in breathing when the humidity is
high (which is mostly) here in New York City.

In the winter we have steam heat (radiators) and they dry the air so
much that I use a humidifier to restore some of the moisture to the air.
In other words too dry is no good as well

In the summer the air conditioner takes away the humidity.

But there are many damp humid days here in the spring and fall.

My deLonghi dehumidifier stopped after doing yeoman service for nearly
five years, (Probably all it needed was coolant, just like air
conditioners need from time to time. But I couldn't get a serviceman to
come up five flights of stairs to do the job.)

So I bought a new Kenmore dehumidifier from Sears, along with a service
contract.

I sure as hell can do without humidity. I have emphysema as well as
asthma. I daresay high humidity no good for either.---Jack

[Helping Hand]

I sure as hell can do without humidity. I have emphysema as well as
asthma. I daresay high humidity no good for either.---Jack

__________________________________
I wonder if this means I'm going to have a rough summer with my
breathing.
My son does fine in summer and he has asthma but his is mild and mine is
severe.

[j***@webtv.net]

The move from Arizona to Nebraska concurrant with the symptoms points
towards the climate change, i.e. the substantial increase in humidity.
Maybe.

[SJF]

Post by j***@webtv.net
The move from Arizona to Nebraska concurrant with the symptoms points
towards the climate change, i.e. the substantial increase in humidity.
Maybe.

More likely the fact that you have moved to an area where pollen is more
abundant. Presently you're in a declining season for tree pollens and well
into the start of the grass pollen season. My recollection from Lincoln,
NE, many years ago, is that grass pollen builds to peak intensity about the
end of June. Studying in the University library, sneezing and weeping at
that time of the year, I noticed that I had a lot of company among my fellow
students. Next summer, after a series of grass pollen shots, I was free of
that problem but many others were again suffering.

SJF

[AFisherJr]

Living here in southern California, I find that sudden changes in humidity can
raise havoc with my breathing.

During Santa Anas, when the humidity is in the single digits, it's like the air
was sucked right out of me. I find that using a humidifier at night helps a
great deal.

When we're having an on-shore flow with lots of fog and cold breezes, it can be
tough for the first few hours. Albutero, Robitussin, l and hot tea help a lot
here.

Fortunately, we don't have high temps and humidity at the same time. However,
when I lived on the Eastern Seaboard, I found air conditioning a must in such
weather.

Hope this helps ...

Al
Al Fisher
***@aol.com

[Country Girl]

Humidity aggravates my asthma; it can cause me to feel weak and tired.

My asthma was serverely out of control about 6 months ago, along with a
bad case of GERD. I suffered so bad! I changed my eating habits. I
still had GERD. The ER doctor administered Zantac to me in a liquid
because I was unable to hold anything on my stomach. Also, I had the
Stomach Flu along with GERD. I would have preferred to be in labor
with triplets that night.

Anyway, I did the elimination method with my prescriptions(I wouldn't
advise anyone to do this--I was desperate!). So, it finally came down
to the Singulair(I considered this to be my miracle drug). I stopped
taking the Singulair and immediately the GERD cleared up. I am
anaphylactic to lactose(milk makes my asthma worse). This is an
ingredient in Singulair. It's in the fine print that some people could
experience anaphylactic and digestive problems from Singulair. I was
disappointed when I had to stop taking Singulair; I have a three month
supply in my desk drawer just sitting there--what a waste.

I take my new asthma medicine at 4:30am(I read in an asthma article
about peak times) and I feel absolutely wonderful!

[Helping Hand]

This has been a bad year for asthma maybe that has something to do with
it.

[rick]

Post by Ken Schaefer
We moved to Nebraska from Phoenix about 7 months ago. My three year old
daughter's asthma has progressively gotten worse since we got here. Her
doctor here is much more helpful than the doctors in Phoenix but he is
unable to get her asthma under control. In Arizona she needed albuterol a
few times a week because of wheezing. Now she needs it 4 times a day! We
have had to get up with her once a night for the last two months because of
coughing fits. After a nebulizer treatment she sleeps the rest of the
night.
Her new doctor has determined through tests that she has GERD and what
appears to be a sinus infection that won't go away. Although she has no
outward symptoms of a sinus infection it shows up on an x-ray.
She is on Xopenex and Pulmacort twice a day prescribed and Xopenex again
during the day when needed. Singulair seemed to have no effect. She is
taking Prevacid and Reglin for the GERD and antibiotics for the supposed
sinus infection.
None of these medications seem to be making a difference other than the
Xopenex of course. Her natural state is wheezing and it only goes away as
long as the Xopenex lasts. This is no way for a toddler to live her life!
Anyone got any magic advice? I'm afraid she is only getting worse and it's
breaking my heart to see her this way. Help Please.
Hi Ken,
There are some very sane solutions, taken step by step that might help

her. First this moving thing topic. Without any doubt in the world people
who have asthma should move. I am trying , and I am poor and I would have to
move from a comfortable house to an apt but how much is a life that is more
healthy worth? The thing that gets me is others should try and help because
it would lower health benefit costs and increase productivity. Instead when
I plead for help and promises of repayment I get a deaf ear. No matter where
I post. I am so sad sometimes. Anyway, The American Lung association lists
some good cities and towns to live in. I would like to hear from others
which is a good community, not just for air but because the people are good.

Now about your daughter: I am sorry but sometimes if I maybe so bold it
comes down to trying different things. I would start her on a good diet. Do
you or has she eaten nuts or fish? Both items may cause asthma symptoms.
Some toddlers are allergic to even milk , in which case I would try soy with
whole grain cereals. Eat plenty of veggies and low fat protein. Folic acid
is said to be very good for some people, ask your doctor.
Finally I would rid the house of every chemical you have in it. Get rid of
409 and Spic and Spam and any strong chemicals lying around because they
give off strong fumes and install a filtrete filter from 3m on your central
heating and air system. I would think if you are living in a used older home
to have your air ducts cleaned also. Plants add oxygen to the air and would
advise to take your daughter out to the park if air is clean, it could be
amazing the differences. Take any plants out of her room at night
though,because they take out oxygen at night from the air. Dust as much as
possible also. Roachs also can add to air quality problems but this is a
tricky situation to cure. I like to use the baited little squares they sell
but not too many because they give off poison fumes also. Finally as for
mattress area, tiny bugs or fleas that live on hairs and pillow casings (
the name alludes me right this second) and mattress can cause air and
breathing problems if there are many of them sucking on people. So get a hot
iron , put it on high and iron all sheets and pillow casings good. This will
kill these little brats. Good luck , again I am all out of ideas. Rick

Finally if any of these things work for you, please look around for me,( if
you like your community and it has lots of clean air) because while I can
give advice, I need help also for references to where to live. :) Good luck
, I believe and hope some of the things I wrote about helps her. Please let
me know. Also a good allergist might find something for her, but I am not a
giant believer in them but its too long a story to get into why here or
now, good luck, Rk

[c***@gmail.com]

Humidity is definitely an issue for GERD, if it’s too humid, I can’t breathe