Hi HDS Mom,
In a way you are ahead of the game. You have a doctor that recognizes the asthma component of CF. And secondly another really good thing about your doctor is that he is trying different medications, other than antibiotics. If I am stuck, my doctor keeps chaging them until I do better.
Pulmocort is a steroid which reduces inflamation. Symbicort is a combination of 2 drugs. One is the steroid and the second is a long lasting bronchodilator. I take these drugs too but seperately. So I think that your doctor really gets the medical part of the disease.
Now here's the second part and this is information that I've learned from my doctor who has literally given me my life back. What can the patient do to relieve inflammation that exacerbates asthma? Most doctors just don't teach the allergies/irritants and chemical sensitivites connection to Asthma. Most CF patients have hypersensitive lungs where lots of "triggers" cause the airways to swell inside and the airways to also constrict, making it more difficult for air to get in or out.
The triggers can be true allergies or someone may not have an actual allergy, but find the trigger irritating. Eg. I am not allegic to pollen, but if I'm out during a windy day during pollen season, the next day an exacerbation starts. Because the pollen has caused my asthma to worsen.
Another source of problems. Nasal passages. If the lungs get irritated, chances are so do the nasal passages. And sinuses. Ask your doctor about doing Nasal Rinses, and if any nasal sprays are appropriate. Post nasal drip is a big source of asthma.
At some point Hunter should have allergy skin testing, an IGe blood test, and asthma testing before and after bronchodilators. What about food? No preservatives, dyes, chemicals. Foods like strawberries (high pesticides)are not good unless organic.
If you use bleach, follow with tons of water, and block off the bathroom, so Hunter can't inhale it. Stop using personal products with fragrance. Drive with the windows closed, air on recycle. No outside exhaust from cars. Hepa Vacuum. Pets out of the bedroom. So many things. Perhaps you can do a search using my ID Nightwriter and read other posts where I discuss the asthma component. PM me if you need more info.
When I had carpet, my Dr. told me to have it steam cleaned with no detergents just water and make sure it's totally dry. It's not ideal, but at this point you have to work with what you have.
The more you do, the better the results will be. But make Hunter part of the process. He can learn to understand these things, because you will not always be with him all the time. You don't have to alarm him, make hime feel knowlegeable and in control.
The other drugs I take is Claritin, Hypertonic Saline, and Cromolyn Sodium, a great nebulized anti-inflammatory that was discontinued, but by popular demand has come back 4 weeks ago. You can ask your doctor about this.
Good Luck. The more you do, the better the results.
