To want a second opinion ....

[bouncyball16]

My 2month old DS has had a horrendous cough for 2weeks now. His is having coughing fits regularly throughout the day and night clearly in a great deal of discomfort. They are heartbreaking to watch. At least once a day these fits lead to him vomiting up his milk. His eyes are gunky and need cleaning throughout the day.
He has has problems with an increased breathing rate since birth however as this has now improved this illness is causing us new distress.
Doctor has seen him a number of times and on listening to his chest states there is no sign of infection (no temp etc) and has suggested an allergy - prescribed Piriton.
I dont see how hayfever etc could lead to frightening coughing fits.
There has been illness in the household.

AIBU to seek another opinion?

How are his nappies?

Is his skin dry at all?

That doesn't sound right at all. Did they check his sats?

Plenty of pooey nappys, no dry skin.

They havent checked his sats. He had low oxygen saturation levels at birth due to c section. Spent time in nicu as a result but got better and was discharged after 3days.

The constable gunky eyes and congestion does sound like an allergy.

My first thought was the milk but if there are no other symptoms maybe not.

Hes the right age for bronchitis though which is very common in babies.

Any history of allergies asthma eczema or hayfever in the family?

Hayfever could definitely cause the coughing

Bronchiolitus rather
.stupid auto correct

I suffer with hayfever and have been coughing my lungs up for the last 2 weeks to the point of actually needing my blue inhaler. I hardly ever touch it, can go years without touching it but when I do need it, it's apparently terrifying to listen to. GP originally thought I had whooping cough because when I started coughing, I couldn't stop and could barely draw breath between coughs. It turned out to be seasonal. It does seem particularly bad this year.

I suffer mildly with hayfever as does DD. No asthma in the family. No eczema. I did query if he could be allergic to something in my milk but was reassured not...probably due to lack of any other indications on that.

Would Bronchiolitus lead to temperature as he is always bang on normal. He seems a happy enough little sausage too. Just very upset during his coughing fits.

Wow, thanks for your post. This offers me some reassurance that it could just be an allergy
We were also prescribed blue inhaler for him and mask.
He spat the piriton out! Didnt like it one bit! Do any remedies work for you??

Hay-fever can cause dripping from the nose back into the throat that causes the cough. (my son has this still, also gives him tummy problems and very smelly farts - even now at 8!)

Keep going with the Piriton. Small amounts in the side of the mouth seemed to work best with mine. Feel for you - getting the medicine in is a battle sometimes.

Would certainly be demanding a second opinion! Is there an out of hours service you can use?

I don't know if you can or not due to age but can you give him some kind of thickened formula or milkshake? If I drink an ice cream milkshake or something of similar consistency it seems to help suppress the urge to cough. It's like a tickle between throat and chest that you have to really focus on suppressing and once you give in and cough you can't stop. The inhaler only really helps you get enough oxygen it doesn't actually stop the coughing. Preventing it starting is the best thing. Try and get to him for stuff like changing etc before he cries as crying will start him off again.

PS, he won't like the inhaler either. Salbutamol/Ventolin has a fairly distinctive taste. Do a test puff on yourself to make sure it's working if it doesn't seem to help, new ones sometimes take a few presses to start dispensing.

Thanks for your posts everyone. I've managed to get some piriton down him this morning and it has stayed down. Pollen count is medium today...yesterday it was very high. If theres a dramatic improvement today I'll accept it's an allergy. Fingers crossed.