Problem with adenoids?

[Oneandnomore]

DD is 6. She has an almost continual night time cough. She isn't asthmatic, although the GP did prescribe a Salamol inhaler two years ago, this did help but on the one occasion I have used it this time it seemed to make the cough worse.

She is always hot and sweaty in bed, and her behaviour isn't always great in the day, which I understand given that her sleep is broken a lot of the time.

I remember reading somewhere, could have been on here, that these could be symptoms of adenoid problems? She has a GP appointment later today as I want to get to the bottom of the coughing. Should I mention the adenoid thing?

yes mention it, and ask about tonsils as well. DS1 had night time cough, permanently runny nose and was a terrible sleeper. Eventually they agreed to take his adenoids out and while operating they realised that his tonsils were so large they blocked his throat when he lay down. The surgeon told me that he knew DS had been a bad sleeper all his life as he hadn't been able to breathe properly . He also said that it was more common than people think but the standard approach by most doctors was to wait and see if the children grow out of it or wrongly diagnose asthma.

After the tonsils and adenoids were out he wasa different child. Sleep dramatically improved, grew several inches in the month afterward and started eating more. DD followed the same pattern and is now on the waiting list for hers to be done.

Thanks spiggy. GP said it is unlikely to be her adenoids as her voice would have altered due to them being enlarged. He prescribed a steroid nasal spray and if no improvement in a month then he will see her again.

Am glad your DS has improved spiggy. I just hope the spray works so she can start sleeping properly.

If it doesn't then it might be worth asking to be referred to have it ruled out by an expert. I have lost count of the number of doctors that told me he was fine, it was only when I insisted on a referral to ENT(we have a history of tonsil problems in the family so I suspected they causing difficulties) that I got someone who actually knew what to look for. Even then they admitted that they hadn't realised how bad he was until they operated.

Same with DD- GP reluctantly referred telling me that they would not do anything. ENT consultant said he would have no problem operating and will take out tonsils and adenoids. Incidently DD hasn't had any alterations to her voice. Her symptoms are snoring (that you can hear from 2 rooms away), restless sleep and a sore throat virtually constantly. It was the snoring and sleep problems that the consultant was most interested in. It might be worth recording your DD's coughing to play to the dr. The coughing can actually be a sign of them struggling to catch their breath rather than trying to shift mucus from their chest.

I hope the steroids do the trick but if they don't, then do push for a referral to get it checked by ENT. If I hadn't pushed then DS would still have problems-and I'd have even less sleep that I do now (DS2 5 months!). I just said to the GP that I appreciated that he didn't feel it was necessary but I wanted a referral to get confirmation and made damn sure he knew that it had been a problem next time I saw him

good luck!

Thanks again spiggy. She had a really restless night last night, but tonight, I hardly dare say it, but she hasn't coughed once. I just hope for her sake she has a good nights sleep.

I will push for ENT referral if the steroid doesn't work. The GP said that there isn't the funding for tonsil and adenoid removal, but I will definitely push if necessary as the lack of sleep affects her so much.

Also, she is not snoring so much tonight, so fingers crossed!!

Hope all goes well with your DD's op.