Thread: RADS

Vance has been officially diagnosed with RADS, Reactive Airway Disease. I knew something was wrong and we have waited 16 months for this diagnosis but to finally hear it makes me sad. Basically anytime he gets a cold or any type of sickness it automatically attacks his lungs causing him to wheeze and cough. He will be on a daily regimen of steroids for several months and then we will discuss changing him to something else but he will always need a daily maintenance medicine. When he does get sick he will need to take nebulizer treatments to help open up/keep open his airways. They normally send children to the pulmonologist when they turn 5 to test for asthma, but his pediatrician said they might need to send him sooner since he has been having chronic various kinds of respiratory infections; i.e. RSV, bronchiolitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and now a RADS diagnosis. Having a diagnosis does help with a treatment plan so that is the upside to all of this. He also got allergy tested to see if anything in his environment was causing this and all his test came back negative. I’m glad I don’t have to worry about any environmental factors causing a flare up but we do have to worry about cold season, the weather changes, and being around anyone who maybe sick. There is a 50/50 chance of him growing out of this or it turning into full blown asthma. Unfortunately for him his odds are leaning more towards turning into full blown asthma because it runs in the family and his lungs are scarred from being sick so many times. I’m still hoping and praying that he grows out of it but only time will tell.

Oh, that's so sad. I"m so sorry he has to go through that. Poor little guy. On the bright side I'm glad that you do have some idea of what's going on, and that it will help you all form a treatment plan. But at the same time, I'm just sorry you have to deal with this. Poor guy.

Totally agree with April.. yeah for the diagnosis... boo that he'll have to deal with this!

I have asthma too, it sucks.

Poor little guy! I am glad you got a diagnosis and hope the doctors can figure out a treatment!

Poor Vance! I hope it doesn't become asthma, despite the odds.

I hope he does manage to grow out of it. What a terrible thing to have to deal with...

I am hoping he grows out of it as his immunity continues to build up.

It makes me wonder about Moriah too...Her doctor did say they may need to look into the possibility of an asthma related illness for her too as she gets older (especially if she continues to get the URIs..

Steph, I'm so sorry to hear that. But I'm glad you have an official diagnosis and a plan of action. Please KUP on how Vance is doing! ((((HUGS))))