Posting for traffic - toddler coughing in the night - is there no end to this???

[fruityb]

Ds has had a cough in the night on and off since he was about four months old. It comea and goes but always at night when he’s asleep. Rarely wakes him up but I am now in the spare bedroom for about the fourth time in the last two weeks because it is keeping me awake. I have been in and laid him down on his back (pointless as he moved straight back...), I’ve rubbed Vicks on his feet which does absolutely buggerall; taken him a drink and have wrapped a pillow round my head!!

I am writing this from the spare bed in a desperate attempt to ask for some ideas. This has been there for so long and every doctor visit says “his chest is clear; it’s viral; as long as it’s not waking him up then it’s ok”.

I am frazzled from this. I can’t relax as I am just waiting for the next cough and whether there is a cry attached to it. He’s two and a half and it’s driving me insane. It wakes me up every single time and I’m not that light a sleeper - but once I’m awake I’m screwed unless I can get out of earshot - but then I don’t want to be too far in case he wakes and I don’t hear it.

Do I demand an inhaler of some sort? This is absolutely ridiculous that it’s been going on so long. Getting an appointment is stressful enough! It has to be ruining the quality of his sleep if it doesn’t wake him. He does this everywhere so I don’t think it’s allergies and we’ve lived in two houses. It’s honestly driving me to distraction right now. He has a cold ish but nothing that’s making him cough in the day time at all!!!

Yours, one exhausted mum who is sick of that fucking cough!!!!

Hiya, I'm currently up with my toddler whose got something similar. It sound loke the gps are fobbing you off somewhat and you might have to go in again and kick up a bit of a fuss. Mine are the same, everything is 'viral' and nothing can be given- read no money can be spent . It sounds like there is something bigger going on if it's chronic like this.

In the mean time a tea spoon of vix in some boiling water, left somewhere in the room (out of reach) works to help mine breathe though his nose most nights, not all obviously

See a pediatrician. In my country.. they give aerosol before bedtime with a bronchial reliever in it. Your son needs some professional medical help. First hint of a cough and I took mine to the pediatra.. nip.it in the bud. I know the misery or nights in blue awake ..awaiting the bext cough and cry. Also try a humidifier in the room with euclptipis oil.

Could he be asthmatic?

I think you should see a pediatrician, it sounds like he might have asthma.

Mine is the same, and she was given a blue inhaler initially, and now has both a brown and blue inhaler which help massively. She doesn’t have an asthma diagnosis as they are hoping she’ll grow out of it (she’s 5 now and only gets the night time cough when she has a cold, it used to be all the time in the winter).

Push for a referral to a paediatrician. Do not be fobbed off. This needs investigating op. My heart goes out to you, I know just how awful this is.
Asthma is a possibility, and although they can’t officially diagnose asthma at this age they can trial the use of inhalers. If it helps, then asthma is likely to be the cause.
Another thing to look into is reflux. Doctors don’t usually think of this for some reason! Often the only symptom in children is nighttime coughing. Tests can be done but you will need to go through a paediatrician.
Really push your GP. Or you can pay for a private paediatrician appointment (it was about £200, but that was a few years ago now).
Good luck, I really hope you get some answers soon

My daughter was like this. Initially gave us an inhaler which made no difference. Eventually saw a paediatrician who quickly spotted that she had really large tonsils. This (apparently) meant that the mucus/saliva couldn't go down her throat properly on a night, causing her to cough constantly. Tonsils were taken out, problem solved.

Rang the doctors but as it wasn’t 8am they’d run out of all appointments today 🤦🏻‍♀️ my doctors is a pain!

It sounds like it could be asthma - I’m always fobbed off with it being viral. His CM said he coughed through his nap today as well.

It’s bloody exhausting!! At least we have a spare room I can hide in - I just end up so tensed up and frustrated as I’m just waiting for the next one!

He’s going to get covered in Vicks, olbas oil on his bed and anything else I can try. Have read honey helps more than cough syrups so will try that (if he’ll eat it!)

Reflux can cause a cough and mine is worse at night because lying down makes it easier for the acid to travel up

Both mine are asthmatic and from what you've said sound like he would benefit from an inhaler.

A paeds appointment would be completely unnecessary though. Try the inhalers that the GP can prescribe first.

Have a tried a humidifier? They do make everything pretty wet so you need to ventilate during the day but this might help. Also ensure your DS doesn't get too hot. The warmer they are the more they cough!

Hope you get some rest it's awful when it's incessant

At least it doesn’t wake him up - could be worse! I’ve jinxed it now lol. It’s been going on so long on and off it’s bloody daft now. I’ll speak to gp tomorrow and see what they say. It’s just so stressful at night time as I’m on edge all the time!

Thank you for your words everyone!

If you try the inhalers and it doesn’t seem to help (give it awhile, and fingers crossed it will) then ask for reflux investigations op.

OP I feel your pain! If it’s any consolation DS is 5.5 now and he doesn’t cough any more unless he has a bad cold.

It’s almost certainly asthma. DS was diagnosed from symptoms at 9 months old.

Clenil modulite inhaler and montelukast crystals every day religiously is the only thing that made any difference for us. And absolutely no heat in his bedroom.

Don’t let the GP fob you off. Even if it’s not bothering your son, it’s no good for your well being to lay awake all night listening to it. Trust me.

I’ll turn his radiator off then! I’ll try anything right now. At the moment it’s silent fingers crossed 🤞 he’s covered in vicks, on his feet for what it’s worth, and I sprinkled olbas oil on his duvet like vinegar!!

The spare room is prepped however 😂

My DS3 also has huge tonsils. He snores badly and has a regular night time cough, and also can be quite dribbly without reminders to swallow. Like you we had him at the doctors many times to be told his chest was clear till one finally checked the tonsils. We’re now waiting for the appointment to have them removed as he isn’t growing out of it.

Please check for environmental factors as well...feather pillows, a dusty room, cat fluff, heavy carpet, general dust.
Freeze soft toys occasionally to repel dust mites
Wet-dust as often as you can

The cleaner you can make the bedroom the better.
But it is a pain in the arse :(