Pneumonia - Swansea,MA

I have had Asthma since I was a child. I also get runny nose from things like dust or pollen. Most people do.

Now, nasal congestion is a nose/sinus problem. That is not, asthma.
Do you mean that her current congestion and clearing of her throat, is from her nose... and post-nasal drip? Nose congestion or runny noses, causes post-nasal drip. That then causes a person to clear their throat. Because, the mucus from the nose, is dripping down the throat. Hence, a person will clear their throat and/or cough.

Coughing, comes from:
1) the sinus/nose/post-nasal drip, OR
2) the Chest, OR
3) Both (which can often happen when a person is sick.

I have been sick and have had Pneumonia.
To all of my experience with Asthma all my life, and per my Doctors... my Asthma does NOT CAUSE, Pneumonia.
What causes the Pneumonia is: a lung infection, caused by bacteria or virus contamination to the lungs, BECAUSE post-nasal dripping, as it goes down the throat, can ALSO enter the lungs... and then that contaminated mucus, then causes a lung issue, ie: Pneumonia.
I, have had that happen, to me. And that is what the Doctor, has said.
It is not Asthma which causes Pneumonia.
Getting Pneumonia, during or after being sick (even with a common cold), is then a SECONDARY, infection.

The Albuterol and Prednisone meds that your daughter got, is NOT a "cure" for Asthma nor for the cold she has. What Albuterol & Prednisone does... is it reduces the inflammation of the airways of the lungs, hence opening up the airways. Albuterol is a Bronchodilator. Prednisone is a corticosteroid. I have had that when my Asthma was bad. Because it is a corticosteroid, it serves to reduce inflammation of the airways so that the person can breathe better, to put it simply.

To me, your daughter was sick, then it turned into Pneumonia which was a secondary infection by that time. And she still has upper respiratory congestion and mucus, and post-nasal drip. Upper respiratory infections are caused by acute infection which involves the upper respiratory tract: nose, sinuses, pharynx or larynx. But it can then, infect/affect the chest and lungs. That is what happened to me. Seemingly overnight.

Then, another thing is: If a type of antibiotic is not working, then another family of antibiotics should be given.

Again, I have Asthma. It was not started by a cold. And I have also had Pneumonia, in TANDEM with a cold. And it was my upper respiratory cold, that then caused the Pneumonia.
My Asthma, did NOT cause the Pneumonia.
However, if a person does have Asthma, then their lung condition is more sensitive/fragile than a non-Asthma person. Thus for example, ANYTIME someone is sick with a cold, or if I have a cold... I staunchly guard my condition, because it can make me more sick than a typical person, and it can cause my Asthma to get very bad, very fast.

For me: when/if I am sick, I also take things like Claritin. Why? Because it dries up and helps, my congestion or runny nose.
Antibiotics, helps, infections. Bacterial infections. It does not help, viral infections. MAYBE that is why, your daughter was not helped much, by her antibiotic.
And there are 2 types of Pneumonia: Viral. Or, Bacterial.

Again, the "Asthma" meds, are NOT a cure, for any infections or colds. It is a Bronchodilator. It helps, Asthmatics to breathe, better. And more normally.

It's tough to wait for a good diagnosis but they really need to see a pattern of symptoms and do some testing before they can be sure.

The prednisone keeps working in her system for about a week after she is finished taking it. I could be the med that is keeping her from wheezing right now. If the wheezing comes back after the med wares off, well, she might have asthma. It could be the kind that shows up with every cold/infection.

The throat clearing and congestion certainly could be allergies. They tend to set up the right breeding ground for infections. They usually can find a daily med that would give her good control and even help control the tendency toward asthma. Taking the med routinely is a must. That goes for any asthma treatments recommended, too.

The fact is she could clear up tomorrow or have seasonal problems or continuous allergies. Right now is just a wait for a pattern to show itself.
Don't be too afraid. You can handle this when they understand it and get her on the right meds. Millions do it everyday. Keep your chin up!

I suggest you take her to a pediatric asthma and allergy doctor. They can administer several tests to get answers that a regular pediatrician is unable to administer. The tests will tell you if she's getting enough oxygen, if her lung capacity is good, and if she has allergies.

My granddaughter has eczema, asthma and allergies. We struggled with her symptons for 2-3 years before her pediatrician referred her to the allergist. The allergist was a big help. Finally we understood what was happening with her and she was given more effective treatments.

Hi K.,

Right now her immune system is so compromised. All of the things she has had has weakened her beyond the sickness and it will take longer for things to heal. Like one of the other ladies said, these drugs are not cures. They are meant to give relief...but they do have a bad side. My father was bedridden for seven years and contracted aspiration pneumonia five times. We healed it all five times without the use of synthetic antibiotics. Believe it or not there are God given antibiotics that work...with NO side effects.

What your daughter needs right now is something to boost her immune system so her own body can fight whatever is lingering. You mentioned your husband's allergies...this is not hereditary. Allergies are developed. She is not doomed to have what he has. I used to have horrendous allergies but they're completely gone now...simply because I put the first piece of the puzzle together and learned from that point. Your immune system is key.

If this makes any sense at all, I'll be glad to walk you through some simple things to reverse what she is going through.

God bless,
M.

She's still getting over the pneumonia. Don't try to diagnose anything until she's completely well. When I have walking pneumonia every year I take K-Flex and live on Nebulizer treatments of Albuterol. It loosens the goo so it comes up easier. If I were using just a hand held device with Albuterol in them I'd still get results just not as well.

Breathing treatments are great for opening up those tubes and helping the goo get up and out.