Don't let this happen to your child
An 11 year-old girl with asthma who wasn’t taking her medication properly and ended up in hospital, has spoken of her frightening ordeal.
Lydia Horner, from Wrexham, was taken into the Maelor Hospital and kept in for three days after her condition, that can kill, worsened.
Two weeks on and with World Asthma Day just around the corner on May 2, Lydia is urging other sufferers to stick to a medication plan to prevent asthma attacks.
She said: “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.
“It was the first time I’d stayed in hospital for a long time.
“The asthma nurse said that it’s okay 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.”
Lydia said she was given an asthma plan which tells her what to do in every situation if her condition gets worse.
“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.”
Lisa Owen, specialist asthma and allergies nurse at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, 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.
“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.”
