Night coughing/snoring

[Oopla]

Hello wonder if you can help. Currently listening to ds barking in the next room and have the sinking feeling he'll be like this for weeks as usual.

He's 3.8 and since he was about 2 whenever he gets a cold/bug gets this horrendous hacking barking cough that lasts for weeks. It only seems to happen about 2-3 hours after he's gone to sleep. He'll cough for about 1.5-2 hours then it'll go then repeats through the night.

Docs said try this inhaler if it sorts it then its def asthma. It hasn't really ever sorted it. Last time I saw a doc she said I can give up to 10 puffs safely and that I should.

I've just been in there putting ds2 back to bed and he's snoring loudly then choking and coughing. Could it be anything else other than asthma? He doesn't get out of breath when he's active, has never had any wheezing or sudden breathlessness.

I feel a bit fobbed off tbh, surely in nearly 2 years the inhaler would've worked if it was going to?

This may sound bonkers but.........

Rub a dollop of vicks into his feet and pop his socks on just before he gets into bed.............told you it would sound bonkers!.............but it works.

Also has he got a pillow? might be worth propping him up abit more, so any gunk doesn't drain into his throat and make him cough.

Has he got big tonsils?

I think your airways constrict at night so a cough/snuffles always worse?

Have you got my DS there?!

He snored, ended up having his adenoids and tonsils out when they caused sleep apnoea. He's also always had chronic coughs, all winter really. Worst in the hours after he's gone to bed. Treated for asthma despite my scepticism.

Then he had two asthma attacks and I'm no longer sceptical!

My advice would be to see the asthma nurse to make sure he's really taking the inhaler properly, and to discuss alternative treatments if it isn't helping. And watch him when he snores to see if he stops breathing at any point. If he does, try to video it and tell the GP.

This year DS has had slightly different treatment and we avoided coughs until February and although he still has it niggling away just now, it's infrequent, not interfering with sleep and slowly getting better. It's been best yet:)

Furball. I will try the Vics. Thanks

Bea- yes his tonsils do look big. I looked in his mouth the other day as he's got a funny smell on his breath, that about to get a cold smell.
I did wonder when I heard him sort of choking lastnight if it could be his tonsils. He doesn't say his throat is sore though.

Poached- asthma is prob the most likely explanation, DP has it and ds has eczema too. Just frustrating when nothing seems to be working. Should be grateful he's never had an attack, must be very frightening for them and you as a parent.

He doesn't actually wake up usually but I can't believe that he's getting a restful sleep when he's coughing every 5 seconds for 2 hours at a time.

Thanks for your replies, think will book in with the nurse next week.

@Oopla pls dis you ever heyday this resolved?

My DS who is almost 4 has had this since he was 3 and still the same