Croup / asthma / never ending cough - inhalers rubbish

[LargeLatte]

Hi all.

Ds 2 (2yr 9mo) has had breathing problems for 2 years. Diagnosed as asthma and recurrent croup but basically his upper airways keep getting inflammed and he has a never ending cough- and I mean he coughs day and night for 9 months of the year. He is on brown, white and blue inhalers. We have a ongoing cycle of troublesome cough for 7 - 10 days, rapid deteroration, emergency A&E, nebs, dexamethansone, home, wean off inhalers, peace and quiet for 2-3 nights and repeat.

We are exhausted. Have tried: steam, propping, piriton, prayer, cough medicine, medised. Not getting us anywhere.Most importantly we want to stop the hospital admissions as it is wrecking our family life (hats off to all parents of chronicly ill children out there- you are amazing).

Off to see Chinese medicine dr tomorrow - although obviously still continuing with stuff prescribed by hospital / GP.

Anyone any experience? Really aware of how much drugs we are giving him all the time but its quite serious - he has stopped breathing because of this once so too worried to cut down inhalers. Needless to say hospital and GP attitude is patch him up and ship him out. Then look surprised when we come back latee that month.

[CMOTdibbler]

My DS had a seemingly never ending cough and repeated chest infections, including a major one that collapsed part of his lung - and only shifted with physio, loads of anti bs long term, and inhalers.

After Cf tests, immunity tests etc, it was decided to be just one of those things. Consultant was brilliant though

Eventually, a GP recommended trying pseudoephedrine to dry up his mucus production as that seemed to be the issue - and it has been a total godsend. He's only had one chest infection in a year, and is off the inhalers (although has had the odd blue when has a cold) - we tailor the dose to how drippy he is, and has really worked for us.

[suiledonne]

My dd who is 3.6 was diagnosed with asthma at 19 months following frequent recurring chest infections and breathing problems requiring hospital admission.

Once she started on the inhalers she really improved until this autumn when she started the cycle again.

After 3 hospital admissions in 6 weeks where the consultant was no help my GP prescribed Singulair. She has been on it for almost 2 months now and it is amazing.

She no longer coughs and she has had a headcold for 3 days now and her chest is still clear (fingers crossed). At this point in the past she would be in hospital.

Singulair is suitable for babies as young as 6 months I think so it would be worth asking your doctor about it.

Hope this helps.

[suiledonne]

Meant to add that dd had the flare up this year despite being on her preventer inhaler consistently.

[SecretSlattern]

Ooooh, going through this with DS for the last year. He is 18 months now. We had a really good spell just lately, about 2 weeks and now he has a chest infection, is on ABs, inhalers, etc etc.