3 year old still aspirating

[AliLou18]

Hi, I would really like to hear from anyone who has been through this with their child. My daughter was constantly ill with chest infections from 8/9 months old. Every time I laid her down she would be sick. After numerous trips to docs and a&e she was eventually diagnosed as aspirating. She has her fluids thickened to custard consistency. She had a swallow test but wasn't very cooperative. She has also been in hospital for a week on IV antibiotics where they taught me to do physio on her twice a day. She was given antibiotics throughout the winter to stop her getting colds and she then aspirates on her own secretions. My problem is I don't know why she aspirates and there seems no light at the end of the tunnel. I'm worried as she starts schools in just over a year. Has anyone had a child that aspirates with no underlying issue or does something else usually show up? TIA

[Kitkatandcake]

My 3 year old also aspirates. She manages well and although she's regularly got a cough she doesn't sound as severe as your little one. That said she aspirates thin and thickened liquids so we've been referred to a feeding team to try and work out why she's still doing it. There's no obvious reason at all, and I think her Paed is baffled! Hope you get some answers soon. I'm terrified if it keeps happening she's going to damage her lungs. I can hear her awful cough sitting downstairs, she's really struggling this week :(

[AliLou18]

So sorry to hear that you are going through the same. We had our appointment on Friday and it is a case of waiting and seeing which I'm struggling with. They are worried about her wet cough and are planning to get us seen more regularly by the community nurses and are trying to arrange a physio to come to our house and work with us. It must be hard for you if your little lady is aspirating on thickened fluids as well : ( Just curious, does she has a squint as well? I know that is a strange question but my little one does. Wishing her well and you. Thanks for the reply.

[Kitkatandcake]

Sorry I didn't see your reply! That's great they're going to support you both better now. Mine is now on antihistamines twice daily (really not sure why to be honest as she has zero allergies) and the 2 types of asthma inhalers. We are still waiting for a referral to the feeding team, been months now!
No she doesn't have a squint, but they've said her eyes aren't working together and been referred to work out why!