Coughed since birth - now 17 months still coughing!

[juliec26]

I don't really know what to do my 17 month old ds has had a cough since birth and to be honest not a day has passed when he has coughed what sounds like a congested cough.. i have been to see numerous doctors at my surgery and even saw a private doctor at the local hospital - basically he has had 5 chest infections since birth, but his cough never goes. he is happy and it doesnt seem to bother him, but i cant help feeling something must be making him cough - He has been diagnosed with a floppy larynx and has had a barium swallow test to rule out reflux and look at his lungs - all which were fine. He was then put on asthma pumps brown and blue, which have made no difference as he does not struggle to breathe.. I was told he would get better in the summer and so far still coughs like he smokes 20 a day!!! - Any advice or if anyone has got a LO with some similar be great to hear from you - thanks

post nasal drip - rhinitus?

hi, we have had the same problem. My daughter is same age as yours. Been to the GP a few times; they have always said it's just yet another cold. We were told it would probably 'get better in March' when winter ended. However, it carried on as bad as ever until about three weeks ago. We have had no coughing for three weeks now! which has been wonderful. It has raised my hopes that the doctors were right and that it really is just a load of colds she's been suffering. Her weight and height are good.
I really sympathise - it's horrible hearing them hacking away, and it keeps me awake at night, even though she seems quite capable of sleeping and coughing at the same time.

We have the same issue except my daughter is only 10 months! Hopefully someone can help!

What's your gut feeling? Do you think there's something wrong? If so I'd get a second opinion from a different GP and push for a referral to a specialist (paediatrician at least).

Out of interest, what sort of birth did he have? Was it a c-section?

Sorry for posting and running, but you should look at the two things I posted earlier, DS2 was always coughing, especially at night, went through everything and everyone, till one new GP suggested post nasal drip - Google it for full details - and she gave us a nasal spray that we squirt up each nostril and no coughing at all! Since we started to use it, we have not needed to use it as often.

Have you seen an ear, nose and throat specialist?

I took him to gp today and he has another chest infection and more antibiotics bless him ..gp thinks its connected with teething?? Post nasal drip does sound like a possibility as he nose is always running. Will see chemist tomorrow and see what they can give.. My gut feeling is that he is ok I just thought with better weather it would clear. Thanks for your replies nice to know I'm not the only one! :) oh and birth was ventouse x

My DS had a terrible cough when he was a tiny baby which seemed to go on FOREVER (as you describe). Eventually at nearly one he was proscribed a short course of steroids which cleared it up very quickly. About 6 months later he got another cough which again deteriorated horribly to endless months of hacking, until again he was proscribed another short course of steroids, which again cleared it up. That was 2 years ago now and no problems since. When he was a baby he was constantly ill with coughs and colds (two older sisters bringing home endless bugs I suppose), suddenly when he got to around two it was like his immune system kicked in and I don't think he has been ill since.

Silent reflux?

Hi, can I ask if you ever found the problem? My daughter has had a wet cough since birth… she’s now 19 months and no one can tell me why!