My son had a cold back in October. Cough developed and has not gone away. Sometimes I hear it off and on in the day, then it will get worse for weeks, then get a little better. I've been to the pediatrician and allergist. No allergies with the skin testing. Treating for asthma with inhaler but after a week it is no better. I don't think it is asthma. The allergist and pediatrician both agreed it is related to nose. He is so stuffy all the time he is hard to understand. Cough varies from dry to productive. He's been on a nasal spray too which doesn't do much. They thought sinus infection but 10 days of antibiotics didn't do the trick. Now we are going to try singulair for 2 weeks and go from there. He doesn't seem bothered by it, eating, playing, etc...but he doesn't go 5 minutes without coughing. Lungs are clear when they listen. Anyone been through this???? I don't know where to go next.....pediatric ent or pulmonologist. He's already had tonsils and adenoids removed for sleep apnea.
Thanks!!!!
Both my kids have had to use a nebulizer with steroids for coughs like this. When they were little, it was RSV, since your son is older, I am not sure this is what it would be, but does sound like the start of asthma which they will usually not diagnose until 5 yrs old. I would ask about the nebulizer and see what they recommend.
thats asthma! my daughter gets like this when sick. ask for a nebulizer and a prevenative medication. i will give you info on my daughter.
at 8 months my daughter got a nasty cold. took her to the dr they gave her meds. after 1 week there was no change. took her back. checked her lungs they were clear but you could hear the saturation in her air way and such. anyways weeks go by of taking her back and forth to the dr. got an inhaler and it didnt help much. 2 months later of nothing working on my daughter i got a nebulizer delivered and got her new meds. within 2 weeks she was better. she now takes pulmicort (everyday to keep asthma symptoms away) and takes albuterol when needed.
also make note that not all asthmatics wheeze!!! my daughters air way is effected not her lungs thats why her airways are always clear.
pulmonologist. i am asthmatic and that DOES SOUND LIKE UNCONTROLLED ASTHMA he may need a round of steroids to get it under control or breathing treatments. but i would also suggest the ent. but the pulmonologist first. get the asthma under control and then the cause
ps no disrepect to lucky but absolutely no humidifier. if it is asthma the humidifier WILL MAKE IT WORSE. a dehumidifier is what i use to control mine if it gets bad. sorry lucky just my personal experience being asthmatic no offense intended but it is very easy to make asthma worse when you are meaning to make it better. ex humidifier and chemicals. you think you are helping and are actually fueling the fire.
the two times my kids had a cough like that it was pneumonia - a good doctor should be able ot hear that in the lungs, or if in doubt send you to get an x-ray - just putting it out there for consideration
My son just went through this and after six weeks of no sleep I went on the warpath with the cough and I won!
First, since the healing and stuff goes on at night, I did this regimen before bed. Second, I think that some medications for chronic type problems (like inhalers or nasal sprays) for children without chronic conditions create a cyclical dependence. So, here's my approach:
CONSTANT humidifer in the bedroom. Cool mist cleaned the unit daily.
Saline Spray/Flush before bedtime. Incredibly important to keep the stuff moving. What you flush out of the nose will not be draining down the throat at night and irritating that passageway.
Ibuprofen to reduce inflammation and stop the cycle of inflammation.
Little Coughs Honey Elixer. For good measure.
Saline spray also 1-2 times per day as needed type thing to keep the congestion moving.
Once he could break the cycle of coughing fits, the cough stopped altogether.
Good luck. Hang in there!
Good for you. We've been through this. You should see a difference with Singular in about the 2 week time period. I would also try nebulizer treatments to open up the lungs...I am going through that right now. Do you have a humidifier in his room? Get one if you don't. There is also Vicks Vapor plug-ins for the wall. Those help too.
