urgent asthma/breastfeeding/prednisolone info neede - where from?

Gingham_Ribbon

Thanks. I messed up. One of the nurses there gave me her pager number years ago and I've lost it. But I think it was only weekdays anyway as emergencies usually go to the other hospital. But I'll definitely call her on Monday. Thanks for your help. Much appreciated. Expressed milk poured down the loo and baby fed and happy. Can't do more than that I suppose.

gardnt1

Can you swop to formula milk until you get better? or ultimately? i know that 'breast is best' and all that, but surely looking after yourself must come as a priority, and as an asthmatic myself, I know the relief that the drugs can bring?

Gingham_Ribbon

Thanks but not an option unless I'm unable to cope or I have to take much higher doses of drugs. We're both asthmatic, I have hay fever and DH has excema. We're basically passing on some pretty rubbish genes (to quote one doctor politely!) and the docs warned us that to give the lads the best chance of avoiding the same conditions we should try to feed them both breastmilk for the first 18 months.

You're right that my health is paramount or I can't take care of either of them but I will always look for a way to do it AND breastfeed and will only give up as a very last resort.

I know at the dose I took today I won't have done my lad any harm but I just wanted to avoid giving him any milk with the drugs in if possible. Getting rid of the milk I produced within the first 4 hours after taking them should have reduced any small risk even further.

gardnt1

Fair point.......my wife was'nt able to breastfeed for long with our First, but managed the first week or so when they reckon 'the good stuff' is! and she has never had any health problems up to age 13 thank God. Our other daughter again had a few days (colostrum?) but then switched to formula, but she had broinchiolitis when she was 3 months and ended up very poorly in hospital. They obviously diagonised asthma based upon my history but as she got older i was never fully convinced of this, although when she had chest infections she did need pred and inhalers. Over the last 3 years though (8 now) she hasnt needed medication at all so i think her lung function was scarred early on and has since recovered.......basically though its what works, and hope you feel better soon.

Gingham_Ribbon

Oh heck. I'm sorry about the bronchiolitis. My 4 month old was in hospital for 3 nights last week with the same thing. It was very frightening.

The breastfeeding thing isn't going to be a guarantee of good health but because I know there's a link with asthma prevention, I just need to try. (My cousin died of an asthma attack.) And I love doing it and don't want the hassle and expense of messing about with bottles if I can avoid it. So far so good!

iwanttosave_2

Gingham I don't know about this stuff but hope you feel better soon and get the help you need

I know what you mean about not being able to get access to help though, I am talking to a doctor on another forum this very minute about something myself, shame when we have to resort to internet forums for help.

Gingham_Ribbon

Thanks, wanty. I'm going to get a telling off from my GP and the poor prof at the hospital will waggle his finger at me and call me stubborn. To be fair, they're right. I will learn to do as I'm told at some point in my life. If I'd not refused help through the week i wouldn't be left with no help over the weekend. I've only myself to blame!

iwanttosave_2

Don't be silly, you were doing what you thought was right at the time.

Have you ever been admitted to a ward there because of your Asthma? Its sneeky but I have have done this, phone the ward you were admitted to and explain everything to a nurse on there and see what they say.

Gingham_Ribbon

I would never have thought of that. Yes, I have but not for a while thankfully.

DrFluffy

I would call the maternity unit to be fair!!! If you're gonna speak to a nurse for medical advice, rather than a doctor, it's best to go for one specialising in the area of your concern. I'm on a resp ward atm, and wouldn't expect any of the nurses there to know anything about breastfeeding and pred, as it's not a 'routine' question...