think a 7 yr old is ready to use an inhaler?

Jolie, BSN · Feb 8, 2005

My 6 yr old (she will be 7 next month) came home from Dad's this weekend and she was wheezing. It scared me because I have never actually heard her wheeze before this even though she has been diagnosed with RAD since she was a baby (we do Albuterol or Xoponex breathing treatments at home or school with the nebulizer).
So, I thought I would talk to my pediatrician about her carrying an inhaler. I like the ease of the nebulizer, but I want something more portable for when she goes to her dads or grandma's. I will still talk to her Dr, but I would also like your opinions: is 7 a common age for kids to be "able" to use the inhaler? It does take a little co-ordination and some getting used to. Or, do you think it is too complicated for them (don't want to throw money away if she is not [developmentally] ready to use it).
While I would not trust a 7 year old to decide on her own when the inhaler is needed, I do believe that she can be taught how to use it when a parent deems necessary. I would suggest keeping the inhaler in the posession of Dad or Grandma, and making sure everyone is well-versed in its use, so that they can supervise your daughter. My 6 year old uses one with minimal assistance, and is far more cooperative about it when she is helping to "administer" it herself.

lifeLONGstudent · Feb 8, 2005

While I would not trust a 7 year old to decide on her own when the inhaler is needed, I do believe that she can be taught how to use it when a parent deems necessary. I would suggest keeping the inhaler in the posession of Dad or Grandma, and making sure everyone is well-versed in its use, so that they can supervise your daughter. My 6 year old uses one with minimal assistance, and is far more cooperative about it when she is helping to "administer" it herself.

The inhaler (and all medications) would be given to the adult who cares for Katie - I would not let her be in charge of dosing the med. I just want to be able to have it if she needs it when she is away from home because the nebulizer is bulky and hard to carry around (plus I am afraid that it will accidentally be left when she visits dad).

Glad to hear that it is within their (7 year old's) capabilities.

akcarmean, LPN · Feb 8, 2005

My son was using an inhaler at the age of 6. Yes they can be taught how to use it correctly but an adult needs to know how it works and when she would need it. Don't let her make that decision. My son now 12 knows when he needs it and will just get the inhaler and use it.

unknown99, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2005

my child was 4 years old and knew when and how to use his inhaler. He also knew when and how to use his aerosols. Of course, he had to be taught this... we started teaching at age 3 and 1/2. He is 12 now, and is 'out-growing' his asthma!!

lpauley1 · Feb 8, 2005

My 6 yr old (she will be 7 next month) came home from Dad's this weekend and she was wheezing. It scared me because I have never actually heard her wheeze before this even though she has been diagnosed with RAD since she was a baby (we do Albuterol or Xoponex breathing treatments at home or school with the nebulizer).
So, I thought I would talk to my pediatrician about her carrying an inhaler. I like the ease of the nebulizer, but I want something more portable for when she goes to her dads or grandma's. I will still talk to her Dr, but I would also like your opinions: is 7 a common age for kids to be "able" to use the inhaler? It does take a little co-ordination and some getting used to. Or, do you think it is too complicated for them (don't want to throw money away if she is not [developmentally] ready to use it).
thanks for sharing your experiences or advice,
lifeLONGstudent

My daughter has had RAD since she was 4 or 5. She was given the inhaler when she was diagnosed. She was given a spacer (or micro chamber), to use during the treatment so she could get all of the medication. I think your child will be able to be taught how to use the inhaler, but you may want to start off by using the spacer.

jax · Feb 8, 2005

Use a spacer with the inhaler - its a lot more efficient for inhaled meds with kids.

lifeLONGstudent · Feb 9, 2005

Use a spacer with the inhaler - its a lot more efficient for inhaled meds with kids.

Great info - I did not know such contraptions existed. We will talk to the pedi when we go for our well check next month.

Thanks,

LifeLONGstudent

Gompers, BSN, RN · Feb 12, 2005

Use a spacer with the inhaler - its a lot more efficient for inhaled meds with kids.

I agree. Even I use a spacer whenever possible for taking my albuteral MDI. It seems to work so much better that way.

Debbee · Feb 12, 2005

Absolutely use a spacer. The way we explain it to parents and children in the E.D. is that the droplets are a lot smaller when using a spacer and therefore are able to be breathed into the lungs a lot easier. While a nebulizer or inhaler has larger droplets and much of the medication is swallowed into the stomach. This also increases side affects such as the shakey feeling sometimes experienced with some asthma medication. Using a spacer decreases this side affect.

Hope this has helped.

lifeLONGstudent · Feb 13, 2005

"While a nebulizer or inhaler has larger droplets and much of the medication is swallowed into the stomach. This also increases side affects such as the shakey feeling sometimes experienced with some asthma medication. Using a spacer decreases this side affect."

That makes a lot of sense. I will definately ask the pedi about the spacer.

:offtopic:

Also, on the same subject as asthma.... I have to vent to you guys. I just found out from my little girl that while she is at dad's house (well, he stays with his new girlfriend - so while they are at HER house.... that is another subject that I have a problem with, but that is for another day).... anyway, while they are at the girlfriend's house, my child is SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR. My kid talks about how messy and "filthy" her house is and they let her sleep on the floor. Carpet is horrible for retaining dust and allergens. My house is not immaculate, but it is clean. Katie talks about not being able to find stuff there because they throw clean clothes on the floor with the dirty ones and there are piles of stuff everywhere. She talks about the dishes smelling in the sink... Now, anyone who keeps house like that probably does not clean the carpets well (allergens) nor dust regularly.

I told my little girl that she should at least sleep on the couch. The girlfriend has 2 children that have beds and bedrooms. Her kids don't sleep in the floor... they never 'draw straws' to see who will sleep on the 'pallate' - -- NOPE - it is always my kid! :angryfire :angryfire :angryfire AND, she said that last weekend, she did not sleep in the floor, but instead, she slept on the DOG's BED (laborador)!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG....Even if she did not have RAD, that is just WRONG and NASTY!!!!!!!!:angryfire :angryfire no wonder she comes home all congested and wheezing! What is he THINKING???????? :banghead:

Any words of advice or opinions you would like to share about this topic? We have a court date this next week (unrelated issues - has to do with child support not being paid)..... I am thinking about asking the judge about it... or if not that, then what do you think about ME buying one of those blow up travel beds and asking them to let her sleep on that??

thanks for letting me "go off"... better here on this board than in court

:argue:

renerian, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2005

I agree with Jax. Use a spacer. I have been asthmatic since the age of 2.

renerian