Asthma

Hey Gracie,

I'm Kirsty and I'm 21 and it sounds like your asthma is very bad, like mine. I'm sorry that the other children at school are not very nice to you, its not your fault at all and you shouldn't have to listen to them.

I think you should talk to your doctors when you go to your appointments at the hospital and ask them if they can suggest someone that can help you to cope with the way the other children treat you. Having very bad asthma can be really scary and make you feel very alone, doctors know this so you should be honest with them and tell them how you feel

It might be that they can figure out a different mask for you to wear at school. What does the mask do? Or what is it called? There's sooooo many different types and some look nicer than others!

If there is anything I can help with, just ask. Chin up sweetie, it won't always be this hard x

Hi there Gracie,

I'm Taz and I've only had asthma for one year, so because you have had it for a whole 9 years then you are a total expert compared to me!

I'm still learning about it and I also have to wear a mask when I go outside my house and when I drive my car. Sometimes people stare at me a lot and I think it's because they are not sure why I have the mask on. Sometimes I feel like doing a "moon walk" dance like Michael Jackson because I know he used to wear a mask a lot and maybe it would make the people who look at me, a little less scared. Then I thought if I tried to do a moon walk, I think people would fall down laughing because I'm not a very good dancer :-/

I was thinking of drawing butterflies on my mask - can you put little stickers on your mask at all?

You know Gracie, sometimes children and adults are scared about what they "don't" know .. and maybe if your teacher at school could explain to your class about asthma and the type of asthma you have, then you could answer their questions and they would understand a bit better and realise what a brave hero you are living with it!

You see, in my eyes Gracie any children who have asthma are real brave hero's because you need to be a certain type of brave person to deal with all the stuff that asthma does to you and it sounds like your asthma isn't a very nice one... so how super brave are you!

So .. if ever you are feeling a bit sad .. just remember .. you are a special hero to me and trillions and millions of other people out there in the world and it's so great to read that your helper is such a nice person :-)

Lots of hugs to you Gracie x

Hey sweetheart,

Don't give up hope. A lot of people grow out of Asthma. Hang in there and keep being healthy: do lots of stretching and aerobic exercise (like weight training, instead of running, or pilates instead of swimming). Eat healthy and drink lots of water. Avoid wearing perfumes or using a lot of makeup. make sure your room is always clean and dusted, and you vacuum and sweep often. Like i said, a lot of people grow out of it. in fact a lot of athletes had asthma when they were younger. hang in there!

Miss Emi

There isn't actually any evidence that you can out grow asthma. It's a very common myth which comes from so many people being misdiagnosed as children. May children under the age of six have 'viral wheezing' which is wheezing that only occurs when they have an infection as their developing lungs can not cope with the virus. This is not asthma, but is often misdiagnosed as so, which is why doctors are only allowed to diagnose asthma in children over the age of 5 now.

Obviously there are children who have asthma and are not viral wheezers, but there is no evidence that shows these children can grow out of their asthma. Some people find that as they grow their body can cope better with the allergic response and it doesn't effect their lungs so much, but the response is still there none the less and can occur at anytime.

Bottom line is, kids diagnosed with asthma very young are more likely to appear to grow out of it. This however is misleading as they most probably did not have true asthma in the first place. The children who dont find that their symptoms improve are the kids who have true asthma.

That doesn't mean that their is no hope for TRUE asthmatics, because like I said many people find that as their lungs grow they can cope better with the allergic response. It's important to remember that treatments have come a long way and continue to do so, which will have a great impact on quality of life.

Gracie, stay strong and keep smiling. A life worth living is one in which you make the most of what you have and live every day in the best way you can. Don't be defined by what other people think you should do, I spent a long time doing that and thinking that asthma shouldn't make me so ill, so I must be better than I was! That's not the way to be! Remember, they are working on asthma treatments all the time, and you have just gotta keep fighting until they find one that works for you.

Hey Gracie,

I hope that you are doing well. Juvenile asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder that reduces the patency of the airway, leaving the patient gasping for air. The mortality and morbidity rates of asthma has reduced to a certain extent with increased awareness and advanced medical facilities and treatments.

A child suffering asthma can have a really tough time as their innocence does not allow them to understand the gravity of the situation. I also agree that you should talk to your doctors at the hospital and ask them if they can suggest something in this matter. I’d tell you that you have

Hi Gracie,

my daughter was the same as you and had to go in hospital quite often, she was also teased at school, especially as she could not do all the things the others could do. She also had eczema and was teased about that too. It's hard being at school but be strong, the good news is that Sarah my daughter got a lot better in her teens and stopped having to go into hospital. and although she still took inhalers she eventually did a charity walk and small runs, and now she is much older and is still only on inhalers. only very rarely does she need a mask and nebuliser. you sound a very brave girl and I hope you start getting it less and less as you get a bit older, I have my fingers and toes crossed!!

Hello Gracie. I have asthma for many years now but manage ok on the symbicort twice a day. School wasnt much fun as I had so much time off = read lots and lots of library books. Now, as I use the internet a lot for my animal charities I saw an advert for "breathe easy" It was a SALT PIPE, I read all the reviews and didnt really believe them but sent off for it, about 28 GB pounds, supposed to last for 5 years. I have used this Salt Pipe every evening for a month now, and I cannot believe the difference it has made, I actually ran (slow . . haa haaa ) down the field with my dogs, I am so happy not to be wheezing and gasping, Please ask your parents to look into this, many people take visits to salt mines but this is far too expensive for me, this pipe is my new best friend - - Jay - xxx

Hy Gracie

My name is Dusi, I have a 14 year old daughter. She has asthma just like you. First of all, you are a little fighter, don't care with other children! They do not know what kind of things you have to cope with day by day. You are really young you still have the chance that it will be better.

I would like to give you an idea. Me and my daughter recently visited the salt cave. They doing natural salt therapies for people with different respiratory system problems.

They have a special machine which is creating a salty air. All you have to do is sitting in a chair, readingyour favorite book and breathing this salty air in. This place called, The Salt Cave. If you have time, have a look with your mum on the internet. It helped a lot for my daughter.

Take care and don't give up, everything is gonna be all right!

Hello Gracie,

So sorry to hear you have asthma, i am 70 yrs old and have had asthma since a baby.  When I was a little girl I had asthma a lot and had to stay off school.  When I got to 12 it started to get less, even less as I got older, then hardly at all.  As a grown up I seldom got asthma and only had a couple of trips to hospital.  My son Eddie, now 45, had the same happen to him!

I do hope it will be the same for you.  What realy made me ill was damp condensation at home or in school.  I found a warm bed and leaving the window slightly open at night helped a lot.  Wrap up warm but have some fresh air coming in. I still can't stand condensation on the windows or to much heat in doors. 

Asthma is difficulty breathing out, not in, concentrate on how you breath out. Take a breath in and breath out slowly pulling your stomach muscles in tight, the ones around and above your waist, to get rid of all the air in the lower part of your lungs.  You will be ablt to feel the muscles tighten.  Then take a deep breath and do the same again.  Relax you shoulder, giving a big sigh as you do it helps.  I used to go out and do this on my own as being with anyone made me feel embarassed!  A little walk in the garden or park, watching the birds, sky and all beautiful things, is so relaxing!  Go at your own speed when doing this, start again if it seem to be going wrong!

Poor little lamb, people can be so cruel, I will be thinking of you.  Let me know if you have any problems with what i suggested. If you would like me to tell you how I learned to relax in bed to help me breath and sleep better happy to do so! :0)  I learned a lot from reading yoga books.

Take care and God bless. Love Bunty xxx