Last week, Monkey’s new spring soccer coach called a preliminary practice from 5:30 – 6:45. Monkey had a meal-sized snack right after school, so that he wouldn’t need to eat closer to practice time. He took two Tums before heading out to practice as well. These steps were intended to minimize any reflux that might trigger his VCD.
The coach had emailed to give us preliminary information, and had asked if there were any medical issues that he ought to know about, so I did send back an email explaining Monkey’s VCD and also sent him a pointer to the information sheet that is online.
Monkey did not have an attack until the very end, when they were doing an exercise where they would sprint up to one line, then back, then to the next line and back, and so on. (The coach noticed that he was struggling and told him to take a break.) I didn’t watch the whole practice, so I’m not sure how vigorous it was, but this coach does have a reputation of working the boys pretty hard.
PE is going well too. He can do the 6-minute jog with no problems. He hasn’t had any issues in their various sport/activity units so far either.
He did find his IMT trainer, but has not yet started using it with any regularity. I’m hoping that soccer season will motivate him.
February 18, 2009 at 7:53 pm |
Lioness,
Thank you for leaving a comment on my blog about VCD! We are definitely not going to ignore the possible VCD component in what my son has been experiencing since October. My little guy is 9 and is very active in karate, is highly competitive in gym class, and is plain just an extremely active boy. When he is pushing himself to his limit (i.e. to win a running race in gym class) he will experience chest tightness and want his rescue inhaler. I have asked him if he ever feels the tightness in his throat/neck and he always says it is in his chest. The Albuterol almost always relieves the symptoms. On the other hand, when he is nervous/anxious about something or when he is just laying down for bed, he will also say his chest feels tight and he asks for his inhaler. Sometimes the Albuterol helps and sometimes not. The nurse at our allergist’s office taught us the breathing exercise you mentioned on your blog where you take a deep breath in and blow it out slowly using an “ssssss” sound. I think I will start practicing this with Brody every day and remind him to give it a try when he feels anxious and also right before bed.
Thanks again for sending me a comment. I have read through your entire blog from the beginning and have found lots of great information. I’m sure I’ll be back to ask questions as we try to figure this all out!