HELP - AWFUL cough in 3 year old....what can I do for him?

[becaroo]

My ds is 3 and since September (when he started nursery) he has suffered constantly with colds/coughs and has also had 2 x gastroenteritis, 1 x really nasty tonsillitis and a chest infection. He has had loads of time off because of this - far more than any of the other children. He is also asthmatic and has got an awful cough at the moment - was up most of last night with a 40 degree temp and constant coughing.
On the advice of our local pharmacist I rang the GP out of hours service and they saw him at 12.30 today.
He was prescribed antibiotics and calpol but
It has been getting worse since then and now he cant talk without coughing and he is vomiting phelgm.
What can I do for the poor thing?
Help!!

[satine]

It may be nowhere near enough for your poor ds, but my SIL recently told me that spreading lots of Vicks on the soles of the feet and then putting socks on can help to stop night-time coughing. She swears by it, but I haven't tried it myself. Still, I guess it can't hurt to try it!

[Haribosmum]

Is his inhalor not helping? My son is the same and we have to keep giving him his inhalor when he gets bad. Apart from keeping him propped up in bed I can't really thing of anything else. Poor lamb

[snowwonder]

my dd's have had bad cough's for 3 weeks now night time is horrendous, i have propped them up on pillows, but 4 nights ago i started given them 'tyxylix night cough'

which has really helped, the cough is still there in the day time but at least it settles them for the night,

dont know if it is ok for asmatic's though

[becaroo]

I am at my wits end, this has been going on for 9 months now. He has got purple bags under his eyes he is so tired, poor love.
Just dont know what more I can do for him.
Have been giving benylin night coughs but no improvement.
Will try his inhalers.
Thanks x

[preggerspoppet]

I second the inhalers advice, maybe ask the duty dr how much ventlin you can give at home, (we used to give up to 10 puffs when really bad) it is so dreadful I remember my ds1 being the same.

ds1 is now nearly 8 and has grown out of his terrible night time coughing, he now copes with colds/coughs much better. he improved dramatically following his andio-tonsilectomy aged 4.

makes your heart break for them doesn't it

[preggerspoppet]

how was the night becaroo?

[becaroo]

Hi preggerspoppet - He had a much better night after about midnight actually. It was from about 8-11 that he was really bad.

It really breaks your heart, doesnt it? He was so exhausted and kept asking for his sick bucket, although it was only phlegm he was bringing up. Doesnt seem to be coughing so much this morning.

I have heard people say that kids do grow out of it, but I hate to think I have another 3/4 years of him suffering like this!

It was so bad in december I remember telling my dh I was convinced he had cystic fibrosis!! (My dh is a saint!)

Thanks again for all your posts - will see how he is after the bank holiday x

[preggerspoppet]

glad it's easing up for him. lucky he has such a lovely caring mum!

[becaroo]

Thanks preggers!!

(Although my dh would say I am a slightly irrational and over protective mum!!)