Achoo…Cough…Achoo….Cough…Achoo…Cough! That pretty much sums up our household! About 3 weeks ago, we had a drastic weather change (in Kentucky). I think we went from 95 degrees to 45 degrees in one night! Ever since then, our entire house has been struggling with allergies. Bug (my daughter) has had it the worst!

Earlier this year, Bug was diagnosed with allergy induced asthma. Since that time, we’ve been trying to figure out the right combination of medicine. What was working for Bug, quit working 3 weeks ago. I feel like my house has become a pharmacy of allergy and asthma medicine! Honestly, I am incredibly overwhelmed. I feel like I am double and triple checking everything I give Bug. Bug’s medicine has changed so much, I am almost paranoid. I don’t want to give her the wrong medicine or dosage.

Unfortunately, we lost our battle with the asthma/allergy medicine. Bug now has bronchitis. When Bug woke up Saturday morning, you could tell she didn’t feel well. She was running a low grade-fever and was just lying around. Her asthma specialist told me to call him if she runs a fever with her cough. I picked up the phone and called him, but he was out of town for the weekend. I was referred to our pediatrician. Awesome…NOT!!! My husband and I decided to give Bug some Muscinex and see how she felt after her nap. Bug perked up after her nap, so we thought maybe the fever was a fluke. Our assessment was wrong!

I spent Sunday at the hospital seeing the on-call pediatrician. Bug's fever and cough continued to worsen. She was almost lethargic! My daughter doesn’t like to sleep and she actually asked to take a nap. To make matters worse, she had an allergic reaction to the antibiotic they gave her. She threw it up all over my car and the front porch. It took 24 hours, but we finally got medicine that worked. Within hours of taking the new medicine, Bug was feeling much better. She still has a crazy wicked cough, but felt well enough to go back to school today.

I guess what I am conflicted over is the amount of medication I have to give Bug. I feel like I am drugging my child. At one point she was on a steroid, 2 nebulizer medications, allergy medicine, and 2 nose-sprays. Ugh…and none of them were working! The doctor told me to be patient. Many of the medicines take time to work. Plus, the process of finding the right combination can be difficult. GRR….I just want Bug to feel well. I guess I am going to have to relax my immediate results mentality!!

I am so thankful that Bug is feeling so much better. I just hope she continues to recover. I’ve been warned, that children with asthma often suffer from regular bouts of bronchitis (oh...joy, I didn’t want to hear that!). I am praying our trips to the hospital and bronchitis bouts are minimal.

I would love to hear any advice about children and asthma. Is anyone else frustrated with all the medicine?