Bronchilitis(sp?) - symptons, advice needed please

[mum2monkeys]

Hi Everyone,
My ds is just over 3mths old, however he was 10wks premature. His breathing has always been a little bit raspy. However the last few days he has been coughing, not a lot but when he does it sounds like he's gagging and he does sound a little congested after he has coughed - this happens maybe 8/9 times a day but sounds pretty horrendous when it does happen.
It first started about 12hrs after I changed his formula - I'd completely run out of his usual brand and have to order it in at the pharmacy so bought another brand, enfamil in the interim. My initial reaction was that he had reacted badly to the formula he has reflux so has anti regurgitation formula, the enfamil seemed extremely thick in comparison to his regular feed.
The coughing/gagging has improved since I changed back to his regular feed (within 24hrs), but the fact is 2 days later he is still coughing/gagging although not as frequently.
At present he has no temperature, he seems fine in himself apart from these occasional episodes, I have called my paed but she is away until monday - this may sound silly but if at all possible I want to avoid taking him to hospital, I know they will want to keep him in for observation - as soon as you mention preemie they get all paranoid, my paed has told me to treat him like I would've my DD, in which case I would just have kept a close eye on her temp etc, however having read up that preemies are more susceptible to bronchilitis I just don't know what to do, obviously don't want him to end up with asthma because I didn't get him treated quick enough but don't know if I can handle anymore hospital stays - sorry to sound so selfish, he hasn't even been home a month yet
Should've mentioned that when he sleeps his breathing is normal - not raspy.

[foxinsocks]

can you just go to the GP?

my ds had brochiolitis and you could tell because he could not stop coughing and his chest looked like it was working really hard. He never got a temperature though.

I think, from your post, you would rather be safe than sorry so why not take him to the doc. They may surprise you and say he is OK.

When ds had bronchiolitis, we were monitored on the day unit - they just stuck some oxygen monitor thingy on him (can't remember if it was on his finger? something like that) and as long as it was above a certain number, they were happy to let us go.

He never got a temp with it though so I don't think that is the most reliable guide for bronchiolitis. I think going blue round the mouth/nose, working hard to breathe are the sort of more worrying signs to look for (in which case, do take him in) .

[foxinsocks]

it also may be that the coughing/gagging is more to do with the reflux than anything else - think I would still go to the GP to be sure though

[LIZS]

As long as he is breathing normally when not coughing he is probably ok. You could run a humidifer or sit in a steamy room (shower or kettle going) and prop him up a bit to help the cough. If he is sucking in under the ribs as he breathes, is wheezy, vomiting back feeds, doesn't cry properly, has cold or even blue fingers,toes or lips then you do need to seek help asap.

hth

[mum2monkeys]

Doesn't cry properly anyway, because throat still buggared up from being on ventilators, unfortunately in France, so GP wouldn't really be much use at the mo, and would more than likely tell me to go to the hospital - my dp works away and it's just me, ds and dd(17mths) at home, we have no car - getting to hospital is a major hassle have to take dd with me as no one close by who she could stay with. His finger tips are warm and he does seem ok in himself, colour good etc, not eating as well as usual, but just looking back on my feed chart and he has had 'off' days in the past.
So angry that I messed up with the formula.
Know all to well about the monitors unfortunately as ds was in a neonatal ward for first 6weeks of his life He does have a monitor at home, if breathing over or under a certain amount/minute alrms go off, breathing not laboured and doesn't seem to be struggling, just this horrible cough/gagging.

[singersgirl]

With DS2 at 9.5 weeks we noticed that he had a persistent dry sounding cough (not a deep rasp, not phlegmy) and also he wasn't feeding properly - my boobs became really engorged and he had to keep pulling away to breathe. Took him to GP thinking they would tell us to relax, but in fact they checked his respiration rates and sent us off to hospital. He was admitted for 5 days and needed oxygen and tube feeding while his lungs rested.

If your son's not feeding well, pulling in under the ribs, and breathing 60 or more times a minute, take him to hospital. I know it's a pain, but it really is better to be safe than sorry.

[singersgirl]

DS2 never had a fever either and didn't seem particularly unwell apart from the feeding.

[mum2monkeys]

Went up to the hospital, said he is fine - maybe has a mild viral infection, but nothing serious and his chest is fine - they had a bit of a snicker at me when mentioned bronchilitis
Feel loads better for knowing that though, and has restored my faith in my own gut instinct - if had been DD would not have been too concerned but after all the problems with ds tend to get a bit paranoid...
Thank you ladies

[2pumpkin2pumpkin1]

I know how you feel about being 'paranoid' about bronchiolitis. Don't be it is a v v nasty condition for babies & unfortunately preemies are particularly prone & weakened against its effects. DTDs were premies & I would panic at the first sign of most of the things you mention. DTDs had it once. Prompt action was one of things that kept DTDs out of hospital.

I think that because of your/our experiences we are much more aware of conditions like this that many parents are not IYSWIM. Even now DTDs are 5yrs & I do over-react a bit when they have a chesty cough. You can't take away the experiences we have been through - you will learn over time how to deal with these things whilst minimising the paranoia. I don't think t will ever go away though.

[mum2monkeys]

Think I do over react, and think it's made worse by the fact that because he has spent so much time in hospital I feel like I don't know him as well as I should, but that's a different story. Just looking forward to spring next year when all the nasty bugs have gone away!

They did mention at the hospital that they can give him a jab against bronchiolitis (once a month for the next few months), so will talk with paed about that next time I see her.

Thanks for posting always good to know you're not alone.

[swedishmum]

Hope he's doing OK now. My dd2 had bronchiolitis very badly ay 3 weeks - before her due date! Do go back if you're worried - I had to, twice, before they decided it was a real emergency. Incidentally, dd2 and ds both had it, and neither has asthma - now 10 and 9. Dd1 does though, and she never contracted anything like it as a baby!