Posted: Sun 30th Apr 2017

Wrexham Girl Shares Her Experience Ahead of World Asthma Day

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area
This article is old - Published: Sunday, Apr 30th, 2017

An 11-year-old girl from Wrexham has spoken of her experience of living with asthma after recently being admitted to hospital after forgetting to regularly take her medication.

Lydia Horner was admitted to the children’s ward at Wrexham Maelor Hospital for three days in April after suffering a significant worsening of her asthma.

After spending three days recovering on the ward, Lydia spent some time with the asthma nurse learning more about how to manage her medicines. Two weeks on she is smiling and healthy.

Now ahead of World Asthma Day on Tuesday 2nd May, Lydia wants to share her experiences of living with the condition.

“Before I went to hospital I kept forgetting to use my asthma spacer and sometimes I forgot to take my regular inhaler and then I got ill and had to go to hospital,” said Lydia.

“It was the first time I’d stayed in hospital for a long time. The asthma nurse said that it’s ok that this happened but I need to learn from it and take my medicine properly. I know how important it is now to take my medicines regularly so I don’t get ill again.

“My spacer gets the medicine into my lungs better. When I use my inhaler normally it takes a few minutes to feel better but when I use my spacer on my inhaler I feel better faster.”

To help control her asthma, Lydia was given an asthma plan, which tells her what to do everyday and also what to do if things get worse with her asthma.

Lydia said: “Having an asthma plan has helped me a lot. My plan helps remind me what to do and in school I can give it to my teachers so they can help me too.

“My asthma calendar asks me questions so I can keep track of how I’m feeling. Me and my mum have been working it out together. I get a sticker at the end of each week if it’s gone well and I’ve remembered to take my medicines and get a reward.

“The most important thing for me has been remembering to do everything, I can get distracted sometimes but now before I go out to play I take my inhaler in case I need it and remember to keep it with me. I have to remember to take my spacer too.”

Specialist asthma and allergies nurse, Lisa Owen at Wrexham Maelor Hospital spoke about the need to give children responsibility for their asthma in “small steps”.

She said: “The three main important things in managing asthma is to be able to notice your triggers, having correct inhaler technique and making sure they are actually taking their medicines regularly and as directed.

“It is difficult for children as they don’t realise when they’re well that they need to keep taking their medicines to keep them well but it can be low on their priorities.

“Sometimes they’ll tell their parents that they’ve taken it and they haven’t. They think they’ll be fine and then weeks later it drops off again and they become ill. It is a disruption to their lives and they don’t want to feel different but actually the better they are at taking their medicines the less disruption they’ll have.

“Asthma can be easily managed if all the family work together. Things like setting mobile phone alarms to remind them to take their medicines helps and using sticker books for the younger kids. It’s also crucial to make sure parents fill in the repeat prescriptions.:

She added: “You have to give children responsibility in small steps and always follow the asthma management plan that they have because they won’t cope alone.

“Speak to your practice nurse or GP if your child doesn’t have an asthma plan or go to asthma UK and have a look there for advice and support, they have lots of great materials.

“If we get treatment right then it should be fine. It’s much better if the child has not been hospitalised but if things do escalate we remain calm and we can learn from it.”



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