Behavioral issues from Pulmicort and Singulair?

Another comment to address:

My son is on singulair and plumicort. He has had "asthma/breathing" problems since he was six months old. He was put on the meds the summer bw pre-k and kindergarten. He was a perfect student in Pre-k, but ever since he has been in trouble in school. He just started the first grade and his teacher has asked me to have him tested for ADHD. I do not want to medicate him anymore than I have to. I have read that singulair and plumicort can have these side effects on children. But he needs them to survive!! The dr told me today I can take him off the singulair for a week and see if there is a difference.

So, keep in mind that Singular and Pulmicort absolutely CAN cause behavioral side effects...but they don't always. We were fortunate enough to never see those side effects (I assume, but I've never been able to talk Ozzy off the stuff!), although we did have others. We did see jumpiness from Albuterol and Prednisone, but not from the maintenance meds.

I would follow your teacher's advice. Talk to your pediatrician about your teacher's report and try to understand if her concerns seem related to the medications. Talk to your pulminologist if he or she might have a better understanding of the side effects. If your pediatrician thinks it's warranted, take your son for the evaluation. If your behavorial psychologists and/or pediatric neurologists handle evaluations in a manner similar to the way our doctors do, you'll find the evaluation an enlightening experience. My kids and I have actually enjoyed those appointments, believe it or not.

And if your child does have ADHD, you'll be able to get the treatment he needs. Not all doctors medicate for it - and not all kids require medication. (Our Ig was recently diagnosed with PDD-NOS, and I was warned that he probably has ADHD as well, although he's too young to diagnose. Like you, I don't want to medicate. I don't like those meds! If we have to do it, we will, but we'll do everything we can to avoid it.)

So, in summary, do the evaluation. Your child's classroom issues may not have anything to do with the asthma meds. But once you have a diagnosis (or not), you'll be able to make informed decisions about how to help your child succeed in and out of the classroom.

Good luck - and please keep me posted.

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