So back to the story...Elise has respiratory problems...she coughs...ALOT...all the time...every night...for no reason. At Elise's kindergarten physical appointment with our Pediatrician, Dr. Ray decided that Elise really needed to go have a breathing test done at the Hospital to figure out what is really going on with her little lungs. This morning we woke up bright and early to go for her Pulmonary Function Test. Her favorite part was getting the neat hospital bracelet & riding the elevator.
They set her on this seat in this glass box with a hose that's hooked up to a computer which measures her inhalation and exhalations. Then they pinch her nose with a clothes pin (I'm sure it has a fancier name but that's what it looked like) and they have her start breathing, then she takes a deeeep breath and then exhales...loudly...she coughs...and coughs...then she does it again. She does that for several minutes and the Respiratory Therapist has no doubt there is some obstruction. Next they give her a puff of an albuterol inhaler...wait a minute...another puff...wait 5 minutes...begin test AGAIN. Deeeep Breath and then she exhales...loudly...minimal coughing. The respiratory therapist tells me that there is a 25% improvement with the albuterol...wow 25%...that's great but also makes me think "She really couldn't breathe all this time?!"
So now we wait to find out what the doctor wants to do with all this new found information...more than likely we have a long-term every day steroid to help her breathing. Updates as we get them. :)
9 comments:
Bless your hearts! The inhailer will help her feel like a whole new person! Good luck!
Alida- Asthma is a lasting diagnosis and they don't diagnos it until a certain age. The underlying question is what is causing the airway to be irritated, swollen, or narrowed... It sounds like they are headed in the right direction. You are right though, it is hard to get anything done medically in Las Vegas. Best of luck. I remember in nursing school they were having us do this exercise to let us know how it feels to be short of breath or have a hard time breathing. The only problem I was having allergy injections at the time and had had a reaction just prior to class and was having a hard time breathing already. This just made the experiance worse. It is not fun or comfortable having to fight to breath. I think Elise will love being able to breath.
There you go being smart again Jess....tee hee...I love you!!!
I recently had troubles breathing myself. I guess once your lungs get inflamed everything irritates the crap outta them. I was placed on a short term breathing steroid and it helped EMENSLY! Hopefully it's as minor as mine.... Good LUCK!
How scary to realize that you daughter ins't breathing well! I'm sure things will work out!
I had asthma for years when I was younger, but then it went away a few years ago, so there is hope for her. If she does use a steroid inhaler, makes sure she brushes after she uses it. It made my teeth yellow.
That is too bad! The good ol' Las Vegas Drs said that Abby had RAS too. I'm glad you found a Dr that was willing to "dig a little deeper"! I hear that some can grow out of childhood asthma, hopefully that will be the case. Good luck. Keep us posted.
I feel your pain. I hope they can find out more for you with these tests.
it's true about not diagnosing asthma too young. we had the same problems with Nathan from about 3 to 8 or so. they would never call it asthma...that's something you don't want on your health records for ins. sake if they can help it. he was treated with albuteral and breathing treatments...and patience. he grew out of it and is pretty healthy now. Though he is my only one to ever get croup. I'm sure they will be able to find a plan that works for you and hopefully something she can grow out of.
Can't believe how behind I got on your blog. The kids all look so cute. Liam is adorable...teeth?? at 3 months, wow.
I've seen the story about Stephanie all over the place. That's neat that you knew her, she looks like a really fun person. Hope she and her husband are able to recover, i think of them often.
Post a Comment