Allergy/Sinus Help!

PLEASE go ahead and nurse your daughter. If you hadn't nursed your son, he might even have worse issues! Even when something generally provides 'benefits', there are no guarantees; so keep doing the 'right things'!

Also, if you have carpet and/or pets, I'd really recommend buying a 'water' vacuum (Delphin, Hyla, Rainbow, OceanBlue, Thermax). They really DO consistently pull more dirt (and allergens) AND trap it in water so that you empty it each time and don't breathe the dust from last week's cleaning (even the bagless ones that you empty each time retain 'yuk' in their filters). If it sounds interesting, please contact me for further info (I sold one brand for 8 years and have several good, clean, previously-owned ones).

You are in my thoughts and prayers!

1 mom found this helpful

I am a wellness educator. There is so much I want to tell you about this. It will take days to type but if you will call me at ###-###-####, I can go into more detail. First of all NURSE YOUR DAUGHTER!! This is in no way related to your nursing him. We live in a very toxic world and humans are not created to live in a toxic waste dump. Think of all the chemicals he is exposed to every day- cleaners, bath and body products, lotions, detergent residue on his clothes, the foods he eats. We are poisoning our own bodies. So, sometimes our bodies react to those things by developing allergic reactions. It is hard to find what your son is reacting to because doctors don't test for common household chemicals like formaldehyde in our body washes and shampoos. Look for quaternium 15 in his baby shampoo- it is formaldehyde. I bet if you get all the toxins out of your house, you will see improvement. We did. If he has allergies anyway, it would be best for himif only the gentlest products were used in his home. Also, the Mayo Clinic did a study that showed most sinus infections are caused by mold so they don't respond to antibiotics and they will keep coming back, as long as mold is around. There are some simple things I can instruct you to do that will make things better for your son and your baby. Give me a call and I can share more with you and e-mail you some instructions also.
C.
www.saferhome4u.com

1 mom found this helpful

My sons allergies have almost totally disappeared once he had his tonsils and adenoids removed. Not that I'm suggesting surgery as a cure all but I just thought it was worth mentioning.

dont stop nursing your daughter because you are discouraged. nursing is so much more than immunity. think how sick your son may have been if you had never nursed. i dont have experience with a child who is sick like this, so all i can say is that i hope your son is found to be fine, and that there is a simple solution to his problems. hang in there, and remember that your daughter still needs you, and nursing is still what is best for her.

My daughter had similar sinus infections while being in daycare. When she was allergy tested her tests were all negative also. But they also xrayed her sinus cavities. You could see the infection on the xrays. They put her on a month long treatment of a strong antibiotic, a decongestant, a steriod, and a nasal spray like nasonex. It was not a great, happy month with all the meds, but after that month she maybe got one sinus infection in the next two years. We did use the nasal spray and the decongestant seasonally and then we cut down to when she showed cold symptoms like a clear runny nose. She also had tubes put in her ears. She was three when we did this, and now she is nine. I think that she has had to take an antibiotic for a sinus infection at the most five times since she was three.

Try switching to all natural cleaning products, especially for washing his clothes.

Trying cutting back on any dairy that he eats, because that is a real mucous producer whether you are allergic or not.

Consider chiropractic or CranioSacral therapy. It helped end my daughter's ear infections when she was a toddler.

Did the allergist test for food allergies? My oldest son is now 5, but when he was a baby he had constant ear infections and sinus infections and would get a horrible cough (they sent him to be tested for pheumonia and RSV, but he did not have it) and was put on breathing treatments. I ended up taking him to an allergist when he was about 10 months old and found out that he was allergic to eggs, which was in a lot of the baby foods at that time. I immediately stopped giving him anything with eggs in it and he was like a new child. I still have to give him breathing treatments when he gets a really bad sinus infection, but that only happens maybe once a year. They say once you have a child with food allergies, the others have a higher chance of having them too. I was able to catch it much sooner with my second son who is allergic to citric acid and we didn't have to go through any of this with him.

First of all, let me say my heart goes out to your sweet son, and also to you! It's so hard to see your child sick all the time, and dealing with it is so hard on you and your entire family (financially, emotionally, etc.).

I had a similar situation with my son (who is 3 now). He was sick ALL the time when he was younger (about 10-13 months). He was in one daycare from 7-13 months (my hubby and I both worked full-time outside the home). He did great for a few months (this daycare was not his original one), but then started getting sick ALL the time!

He ALWAYS had the runny nose, cough, etc. that you describe. And, he had 9 ear infections (two of those were double ones), walking pneumonia and RSV in 3 months! We were all at our wits' end ... we hated seeing him sick all the time, we were spending so much money on the doctor and medicine, and we were both missing work ALL the time to stay home (and keep him out of daycare until he was well).

More than two years ago, we took him for an ENT appt. They tested his hearing (thank goodness he hadn't had hearing loss from all the infections) and for a consultation regarding tubes. The doctor didn't know me, and didn't care to tell me his opinion. He told me that if one of us could stay home with him (instead of sending him to daycare) that his health would improve in 3 weeks or less ... that daycare was his biggest risk factor in getting sick all the time.

We struggled with our decision (and I don't want to say it's been easy financially ... or even emotionally or socially some days), but I decided to quit my full-time job and stay home with him. He was better almost immediately. He's been to the doctor only once since for illness (and he's been at home for more than 2 years now). We have a daughter now, too ... she's almost 18 months old. So, financially, I don't think we'd come out ahead at all having them in daycare full-time if I worked.

That's just my story. I'm not saying that's the only solution ... or that it would work for everyone (child, parent, etc.). I never thought I'd be a stay-at-home Mom (and I'm certainly not saying it's easy ... it's so hard in so many ways). But, I love seeing my son healthy (maybe it was the particular daycare, maybe it's just my son and how his body reacts to even getting colds, maybe he was allergic to something there, etc.) ... and we definitely don't just stay in (so my children are exposed to germs, other children for socialization, etc.). You might want to look at possible reasons he might be getting sick (allergic to something at the daycare site, they might have a weak sick policy and he's catching things from other kids, etc.). If staying home with you kids isn't an option, you might want to look into a different care situation (home-based daycare, a different facility, a nanny, a part-time situation, etc.).

Again, I'm not trying to say that staying at home (or even switching daycares) is your only option ... just sharing my personal story with you (I've been there, and know how hard it is and what you're going through)! Good luck ... I hope regardless of what you do that your son is well (long-term) soon! I wish you and your family the best! ;)

Hi K.! After reading your story, my first thought is "food allergies". I had a terrible time when me son was a baby with formula. We tried everything, and finally he grew out of it. However, he has allergies just like me (I'm allergic to pretty much everything)and we were having problem with 2% milk. A friend of mine told me to try "Lactose free" milk so at the end of my rope I did. He loves it, and I love it and we quit all that other stuff he was doing-we did, however, start back when the seasonal allergies hit. So you might could try looking at what he eats. I have food allergies as well, and the allergist found mine to be eggs, tomatoes, yeast,etc. If mine get really bad past the typical sneezing and running nose, I break out in eczema starting on my hands then migrating to my arms. Maybe have him checked for food allergies would help. Good luck!

First thing.... nursing didn't have anything to do with this, this is inherited from either you or your husbands side of the family, or one of you directly.... so don't stop nursing!!

My son had 3 sets of ear tubes and his adnoids taken out. He has suffered hearing loss/damage from all of the ear infections he's had and tubes. I had him tested for allergies when he began getting sick all the time, without breaks (constant illness) and found that he was allergic to everything, no food.... but everything else, cats, dogs, many other animals, everything outside... especially insects. So, yes the road is long and hard... but I would recommend getting a specialist to do the complete run up on your son. Leave no leaf unturned. It's the only way to be sure.

Another thing that is curious is that allergies don't usually take off like this until later in their life, meaning 22 months is quite young to diagnose these kinds of problems (allergies), so I would see about other tests that they can run, because you mentioned that his allergy test came up negative? I would look into other things after you rule out food allergies.......adnoids, tonsils. Have them do a complete work up on his blood for deeper seeded problems.

I wish you the best of luck with your son. I have seen others like yourself go through so much and to no avail, it is very trying and frustrating. My prayers are with you that you find the "right" answer for what is wrong with your son.

Please keep us posted!

C.

Hi K.,
I also have a 22 mo old with eczema and allergies galore (egg, dye, fragrance, peanut, and gosh knows what else we have yet to discover..lol). We carry around our little epipen, watch all ingredients on everything, and hope for the best. I totally feel your frustration. The slightest exposure to something that doesn't agree with my son turns into the granddaddy of ear infections. We are getting tubes next week as this last infection just won't cure up after a gazillion rounds of antibiotics. This last infection started after he was exposed to carpet at my MIL's house that had been cleaned with scented carpet powder. *sigh*
With all of those symptoms your son has, I am wondering if you have tried an air purifier for his room? That actually helped some with us and alleviated his constant runny nose and post nasal drip/cough. We also removed all his stuffed animals, plush bedding, carpet, etc. We wash his sheets and bedding in hot water once a week (no Clorox- he is allergic). My husband has allergy problems with dust mites, so I took it upon myself to assume that he also might have that allergy, too. This is not something common the allergist checks for with kids- at least mine wasn't. Anyway, we noticed difference in about a week or so as his nose started to run less and less, and the dark circles under his eyes got less and less noticeable. It might be worth a shot. I hope he gets better soon and you get a little peace of mind.

K.,
I would still nurse your daughter. My daughter (who is now 4) had the same difficulties from about 8 weeks old. After her first set of tiny tubes at 9 months, they decided to go back and shave down her adenoids at 12 months, and put in more permanent tubes, which she had removed at 3. She doesn't have any allergies, and the adenoid thing seemed to do the trick.

My daughter went through the same thing. Tubes have been WONDERFUL but she (at the same tim) had her adenoids out. When we went to the ENT (after the allergist) he was able to numb her nose and put a tube in and look at the adenoids. Hers were huge!!!! I would recommend the surgery. As a Mom who wasn't able to breastfeed, I have one child who has never had problems (She is 5 1/2 and only 3 ear infections and all since the age of 4). And, my 3 1/2 y.o. who had the surgery. She had 1 ear infection, no sinus infections. So, if you like to breastfeed and it works for you DO IT but don't get guilted into it. My friends who breastfed have an equal number of unhealthy children in my experience. Some families I know breastfed for over a year and still all 4 kids have problems... So, do what is best for you and that will also be best for the baby.

Have you had him tested for food allergies? If you are willing to try it remove some of the bigger allergens from his diet such as gluten and soy, about 80% of people have a sensitivity to these. Not nessesarily a full blown allergy but what happens is if you are sensitive to it and you are regularly ingesting it as it moves through you digestive tract it uses much of your enzymes that fight allergens often causing you to have a low amount of these enzymes. When these enzymes are low it opens your body up to even more allergic responses to other things that you aren't really allergic to. Also, if you don't see a response from removing soy and gluten look at preservatives, food dyes, and sugar. Bear in mind that many processed foods carry soy byproducts so read the labels! Feel free to call on me if you need any additional information.

K.

Have you considered consulting a chiropractor? I know that may sound odd, however, sometimes the trauma of birth causes misalignments in a child's body that lead to chronic conditions such as the ones that your child is experiencing.

In my humble opinion, allergy medicines and pharmaceuticals are a crutch, and who knows what long term affects these may have on your child's developing body...

As your child gets older, you could try a neti pot. My 9 year old son has debilitating allergies, and this is the only thing that provides relief. I also give him a spoonful of *local* honey when he's having a really bad day. This immediately quiets his cough and eases any congestion.

Best of luck helping your son. And please, do not be discouraged about nursing your daughter. It is the perfect food for babies, and it's free. :-) Your son's allergies may be all environmental...air pollution, household cleaners, carpeting, etc.

keep working with your doctor you will find something that works. however i did want to note dont dismiss asthma just because he isnt weezing. i have weezed maybe a total of 5 times in my life and i am a severe asthmatic. so please dont push that off just b/c of that. have the allergist do a breathing test on him where you blow out the candles on the computer... not painful or anything. i know a great group of asthma/allergy doctors here in louisville if you would like to know the name just email me

When did it start? If after his first round of shots then I for sure would hold off on any more vaccines until it's cleared up and then I would make sure that he's not allergic to any of the ingredients!... Some times there is an alergic reaction to them. I would try to get his body cleansed. Make sure he eats natural yogurt and make sure he has no refined sugars. SOunds like he and you have been through enough doctors... I would start homeopathic remedies. Maybe there is something in his room, dust or mold or paint smell or fabric cleaner too... hope he gets better soon...

I too have gone through this!

My youngest daughter was sick all the time. Not so much to get tubes, but just enough to be on meds every 6-8 weeks. I ended making the decision to stop working because I was missing so much time from her being sick.

To make a long story short she did not get healthy until she had her tonsils, adnoids and tubes done all at once. It was miraculous transformation! If I had known I never would have left the hospital with her when she was bron until they had done all those things! So don't give up, you may be going through a valley right now, but there is a solution for your son if you don't give up looking for it.

My son has been almost the same way.From Sep. to Dec. and ten March to June, he always has a cough and sometimes it seems like it takes 2 weeks for it to get better,but his comes with wheezing.He was getting ear infections on after another until we got the tubes. We did that about 4 months before his 2nd b-day and he just turned 3 in March. They have worked so great on the ear infections. But he still have the cough,runny nose.... it does seem like each year it has gotten better.....not as bad each time around. I was always sick like this when I was a child. I rember my mom holding me all night long so I could sleep. I don't see how she did it because I was the baby of 4 kids. Anyways I grew out of it when I was about 8 or 9. I am hoping my son does to. When I talked to the doctor about it she told me that most kids grow out of it by age 8. So it just seems that we will have to wait and hope they grow out of it!!! I am in the same boat with you!!!! I also don't give Ethan meds in the daytime, just a night so he can sleep good. I don't like giving he meds all the time, plus the doctor says most of them don't work anyways!!! I hope this helps to let you know your not alone!!

hi K.,

my son at times (now older- 5.5yo) had some of the problems your son has. the first thing i think with lingering cough is asthma. i say that only because with my son, he would get a upper respiratory and then i would spend 4-6 weeks subsequent to it with a nightime cough. last fall we went through a temendous cough that lasted 12 weeks and sounded as bad as pertussis/whooping cough. it was only once we were able to get him to a university pulmonary physician that he diagnosed the asthma. i nursed him for 14 months and support that decision. he paneled negative for allergies and he never wheezed. however, the skilled doctor at the university said that what he was suffering from was exacerbated, untreated asthma. we too take zyrtec and previously singulair. with or without the diagnosis, i know he has seasonal allergies so don't feel discouraged if the tests are negative. we were previously told that it takes several seasons of exposure before you can truly allergy test. our tough times are march-may and oct-nov.

you have enough to worry about, but check into the singulair if you find that it's not working and consider/reconsider it. while the warning was geared to an older age group, i was alarmed to recently find out that there was an enhanced (perhaps black/red box warning?) added to singulair this march for increased suicidal tendencies. i am sure someone will disagree with me saying that in this forum, BUT i still feel that if it is that altering, i want it to truly help my son to justify having him use it daily and i just couldn't see that.

in case it's allergies, make sure that you have all of the aller-ease type dust covers on the crib or mattress, limit stuff animals for sleeping, etc.

hope this helps. good luck and congrats on your daughter.

Hi K.,
My son was highly allergic as well and we couldn't figure out what it was. His allergies had degenerated into two walking pneumonias and constant use of steriods. I took my son to a hospital in the U.S. (we live overseas now) to run some tests. They found nothing. The first three weeks he was ill. The last two he was fine. We went back to our country and in 24 hours he was coughing again. In a week he was back on steriods. After much thinking and praying, we figured out that my son was allergic to the detergent we were using. The first three weeks we were in the States, he was using clothes out of the suitcase. But the 4th and 5th week, we had already washed everything and that is why his allergies cleared up.

After that, we have determined that both our children are allergic to most household cleaning products and beauty products. So we had to switch to alternative cleaning methods. But, in the 5 years since my son was sick, we have only had 2 colds!

Keri,
I hate to hear of your struggles. Unfortunately these issues are very common. I have some more additional questions regarding your child please check out my website for my info. I may/should be able to help. I encourage you to call. Remind me of our communication on mammasource.
www.ATouchAbovePhysicalTherapy.com
Thank you,
S. PT

K. J. - Hang in there. Your story is a lot like mine, but we didn't have ear infections - just everything else. My son started with his infections when he was 3-4 months old. Same routine as you, with the antibiotic's. At 10 months old the Docs agreed I could take him to an allergist - same as you - he is allergic to everything, mold, dust, pollen, grass, you name it. They also tried allergy meds but it just wasn't enough. Just short of his 1st birthday, he started allergy shots and was completely well in a very short time. He will be 18 in September and still goes for shots every week, but he is healthy. Not sure what doc you see but Allergy & Asthma associates are wonderful. I hated the thought of him having to get shots, but after all these years, it was the only thing that kept him well. He tried to get off them just about 1 1/2 yrs ago, but was sick within a couple of months. He was tested again and is back on them, with no illness since. Good luck

Keep your chin up and wait for time to pass. Your story sounds like mine with my daughter. It was an antibiotic a month and 2 sets of tubes and having her adenoids out plus all kinds of allergies (foods, animals, indoor and outdoor things). She was sick most of the first 3 years, and then it started lengthening out. She wasn't sick much between 4 and 5, and now she has turned 6 and has been okay for 6-8 months. When she gets sick she gets real sick real quick, but she bounces back, and she has an incredibly high pain tolerance (which is sad, but maybe has a good side). Hang on, I think it will get better. It's no fun while it's happening, though. God bless you all.

I know it sounds silly, but have you considered a pediatric chiropractor? A consultation with them couldn't hurt...

Hi, I just wanted to say that you should not rule out asthma all together. My daughter coughed and was sick for over a year before they finally realized it was asthma and what she did was cough all the time and did no wheeze. After she started on the asthma meds she was great. My son takes alavert for allergies, I am not sure if they make that for younger children.
I wish you luck and God Bless.

Through all this, are you saying that no bloodwork has been done up until now??????

don't let it discourage you. if i'd given up i'd have missed 4 sons that were perfectly healthy ANDwell bonded because my daughter was sickly. stick with it you'll be happy you did. i've never heard a mother say she was sorry she nursed, but plenty including myself who felt bereft at having to quit...:)

K.,
How awful! Our kids suffer from allergies and have since they were tiny(even thought the docs told us they could not possibly have them so young!!). I nursed them both for 12 mos. Keep up the nursing!! We found an allergy clinic that does some alternative medicine( not shots or antibiotics). They are called the Allergy Associates. They are based out of La Crosse WI but they work with other Doctors across the country.
Our kids were tested there and then given individually formulated allergin drops that go under the tounge 3 times a day. The idea is to gradually get the body used to the allergin so that in time it will not react so strongly and possibly even not be allegic to the allergies any longer.
here is the website if you want to check it out. The kids have been on the drops for 2 years and we are beginning to see a difference. We are Very Happy with them. Hope this helps!

www.lacrosseallergy.com

Imagine it might be worse if you had not nursed him!! The nursing extends to longterm health, you did the right thing.

Find a good Homeopath or Naturopathic Doctor. They are more attuned to helping your child's body support it's self rather than suppressing all the issues with meds (which creates other problems later).

I have had wonderful experience with Dr. Susan Delany at
The Wellness Alliance
301 W Weaver St
Carrboro, NC
###-###-####

http://www.thewellnessalliance.com/

KEEP NURSING THAT BABY!!!!!

Hi K.!Know exactly what you are going thru. My grandson went thru the same thing. Had a tonsillectomey and adnoids removed. Had the p tubes, came out and had t tubes put in and had endoscopy sinus surgery! All done at once. Got over the surgery and the same thing again. Put him on flonase and zytrec and have been on it for 6 years. The only thing that will control it. When his throat gets irritated from sinus drainage, he goes to coughing a lot. The only thing that helps at this point is tussinex cough medicine. Give only at nite. Blocks the cough signal to the brain, so the throat can heal. He also was dignosed with mild asthma. No wheezing just coughing as you are describing. Have flovent for preventive medicine. Use every morning. Also have provental (inhaler) for when he is coughing. The coughing seems to get worse when they are hot or the weather is real humid. Sounds to me like you have a mild case of asthma!! Change doctors for second opion. A allergist should have tried an inhaler. If it don't work, don't use it! Hope you the best. Let us know what you find out, OK!....R.

Has your son been tested for any food allergies? My 2 1/2 yr old son has severe food allergies and has practically the same symptoms as your son. The sinus part for my son means it is a small reaction to something he has had that he shouldn't have. When he starts getting hives, it's EpiPen time. Just thought you could check w/the doctor to test for food allergy.

K.:
I'm not sure I can be of help. Do you have animals that the baby could be allergic to? Does anyone smoke around the baby? Even going outside to smoke and then coming in brings the smoke inside. House plants?? They say the dirt in them has mold, etc. Also, have you checked food allergies? If none of that helps, you may have to start watching certain things and try to pin point what makes it worse. ie stuffed animals, carpet, etc... Having allergies is no fun as both me and my little boy have them and they are very limiting on what you can do in life.

Good luck!
A.

Hi, I am so sorry to hear about your son. Try not to let it discourage you from nursing again. I have 4 boys and I nursed all of them and I do think that it helped. However, one of my boys has asthma and one has bad allergies. He's allergic to basically everything outside! Have you tried going to a chiropractor? I have been going to one for years b/c of an old neck injury. I started taking my oldest son-the one with asthma-about 6 years ago with the hope that it might help him. It was amazing how much it helped. It took going about 2 to 3 times a month for awhile to see a consistent benefit but eventually he was able to come off of one of his daily asthma medications! Once I saw how much it helped him I started taking my other three boys. It has helped my son with allergies so much too. My chiropractor is extremely kid friendly. Good luck!

K.,

I don't know if you have any experience with chiropractic care, but your son could possibly benefit from it. Just simply getting the spine back in alignment could minimize or even get rid of all his problems. I have been going to a chiropractor and he specializes in treating infants, young children who have ear infections, sinus and alergy problems, etc. There is no medicine involved just strictly an adjustment of the spine and over time you should see a drastice improvement. Check with your insurance, most are covering chiropractic care.
Good luck, I really believe that chiropractic care could help your son and you.

We went through the exact same thing with boy of our boys. After countless infections, antibiotics and tests it was finally discovered that they are allergic to cockroaches(you'd be amazed at how often they are exposed to them in daycare and school).

K.:
I am a Pediatric Nurse and won't to say Please do not question that you nursed your son - and if you can, please continue to nurse your new daughter! The formulas on the market are wonderful but you truly are giving your children the best possible start with breast milk!

I know there are many good products out there and you will get tons of varying advice. I have found, especially as a nurse, that we all tend to think prescriptions for things. We live in a very toxic world with preservatives in our foods, dirty air, etc. I am finding nutrition combats many illnesses and aids in good health. I work with a nutritional company that has some incredible products - one of the best is a spray colustrum (what is found in breast milk!) that helps with allergies. We also have an all natural children's vitamin that is sweetened with Xylitol tha helps prevent ear infections. We have doctors (One served for 2 US Presidents), scientists and nutritionists on staff if you want more info.

It is very hard to get all the good nutritional foods our chldren need. (And processed foods, dyes, etc are contributing to poor health! But busy life styles today contribute to our need for these foods) My son now uses the products that I do to assist in improving his health. I have a doctor friend with a 2 year old who is immunocompromised who has started using nutritional products (another company but he says ours are very similar and supports both!) I wlil be happy to help you in the event you would like additional info on either.

Blessings,
E., RN