Hi all,
My 20-month-old son has a cough that seems to creep back up every 2 weeks. So, he'll be healthy for about 2 weeks, then he'll develop a nasty cough. The cough wakes him during naps and during the night, to the point where he'll vomit or just become so upset that it's hard to get him back to bed. Back in Oct., I took him to see his MD, and my son was diagnosed with a mild case of pneumonia. He took antiobiotics, and everything cleared up, but then he was sick about 2 weeks later--around Thanksgiving. That time he didn't have a fever. But, then we were back in to the see the MD at the very end of Dec., b/c at that point, my son was also running a fever. I should note that I don't run him to the MD everytime he gets this cough, but when he has a fever for 2-3 days, then I take him in. The MD who saw him (ours is out on maternity leave) listened to our list of symptoms which include a runny nose, severe coughing--although this coughing takes place mainly when he's lying down, a sometimes a fever. The MD diagnosed him with asthma! I was floored!! My son is extremely active, runs around all the time, climbs on everything, and I've never once heard him do anything close to wheeze. The MD also did another chest x-ray, but this time it was clear. So, we were sent on our way with a nebulizer (sp?) machine--which my son HATES. We literally have to hold him down to use the thing while he screams in terror, and I'm not even convinced that he has asthma. Anyways, his cough did clear by about the 1st week of Jan, so we stopped using the nebs. Now, his cough is back again. Any advice out there from moms of kids that actually do have a confirmed case of asthma? Am I just in denial about him really having asthma? Could it be a sinus infection that has never cleared on its own? Like I said, the coughing occurs mainly when he's napping or sleeping for the night. Oh, and I should also add that he never had this reoccurring cough during the 1st 12 months of life. Also, we use a vaporizer on him when he has the cough, and I also put Vicks on him when he has this cough. Thanks so much in advance for advice!
Thanks for all of the advice. I wanted to reiterate that my son never wheezes, and he has never had what I would consider labored breathing. He has coughing fits, during which sometimes he vomits, but once he's thru coughing, his breathing isn't labored or rapid. I talked to our MD yesterday--she's back from leave--and she wants us to hold off w/ the nebs since it doesn't sound like asthma. So, do any of your kids have asthma, but without any type of wheezing or labored breathing? Thanks!!
If I were you I'd look into having him adjusted regularly by a wellness-based chiropractor. There are some really good ones in the metro area. My kids have never been as healthy as they are since we starting having them adjusted routinely....less nerve interference allows the body to heal better and stay healthier. Good luck to you!
My son has asthma. His started just before he turned one. He is a very active little boy and it doesn't slow him down a bit. When he gets a cold it turns into a asthma attack over night. At times he coughs to the point of vomiting which is always worse at night or naptime. He has a wheeze that you can hear not on the first day of the cold but soon after it has started.
My daughter was given a neb when she was very young but never had asthma. Nebs just help open up their airways to make it easier to breath.
I would see if you can go and see a pulimary (i know its mispelled) dr aka asthma dr and see what they think. My son wasn't offically diagnosed with asthma until we saw one. He had about 3 bouts of nasty colds that took predizone and nebs to clear up and one hospital stay before he was diagnosed. Also if he does have it they would be able to help you better manage it so he can stay an active little boy.
Feel free to e-mail me if you want to talk more.
Take care
K.
wWth asthma you need to know the signs & what your triggers are- It is very common to have asthma when having a bout with pneumonia. Don't worry- my son was dx'd with it at 2yrs old -had to be rushed from urgent care to hospital via ambulance. Spent 1 day there. Our insurance company put on a class for parents & care givers to kids dx'd with asthma. It was very informational. My son is now almost 11 and has just about completely outgrown the asthma. He may need to be neb'd if he gets a chest cold. My dr refills his meds in case he needs it. Best wishes!
My 2YO has asthma. It started when he was about 6 months old. He HATED the nebulizer and only just started to do it willingly when we have the proper distraction (he loves watching Curious George).
My little guy is VERY active and usually very healthy, but it flares up in the winter. He's triggered by the cold and viruses. He cannot spend a lot of time outside in the cold air (no sledding for him), and we have to watch out when he gets a cold.
His symptoms do not slow him down or seem to bother him, but I can tell when he's struggling to get a good breath.
He is on daily Singulair, has Pulmicort for when he gets a cold to prevent asthma symptoms, and Xopinex to treat the symptoms when they flare up. He's already had pneumonia once this winter and had to be put on steroids (in addition to his nebulizer treatments and antibiotics) to get his asthma under control. He had one asthma attack last year that required steroids also.
I won't speculate as to whether your son has asthma or not, but if the neb helps, why not use it?
I am grateful that my son has the medication and medical care to help him breathe easily and keep him alive in this harsh weather. His dr. said he will most likely outgrow it, as did my husband, brother, and sister.
