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Original poster

Son's chronic stuffy nose - losing the plot

24 replies

Cranb0rne · 22/04/2017 03:41

My 16 month old has had a stuffy nose at night for several months now. It keeps him ( and therefore me) awake for a lot of the night. I feel like I am losing it due to lack of sleep. I have now been awake since about 1 am with him snoring, tossing, turning and crying next to me. This happens almost every night. I haven't taken him to the doctor as our gp is an a**hole and would probably tell me to stop wasting his time like he did last time I spoke to him. We have tried lots of home remedies. Just wondering if anyone has experienced similar and what they did about it as it is seriously affecting our quality of life now.

OP posts:
Original poster
Cranb0rne · 22/04/2017 04:24

And now he's up for the day. F**king brilliant.

OP posts:
giraffesCantReachTheirToes · 22/04/2017 04:34

Get a new gp and go.

EvilDoctorBallerinaDuck · 22/04/2017 04:38

Olbas oil?

Haudyerwheesht · 22/04/2017 04:43

Take him to GP. In meantime

Saline spray
Steam
Nurofen to try and hep inflammation
Antihistamines if he can take them in case it's an allergy

Original poster
Cranb0rne · 22/04/2017 04:51

I will ask for a new gp. Just sat here crying tears of exhaustion.

OP posts:
Original poster
Cranb0rne · 22/04/2017 04:53

I actually hadn't considered an allergy. We have no pets but live in an old cottage on a dusty farm. I think I have a bottle of antihistamines from when my first son had chickenpox.

OP posts:
Semaphorically · 22/04/2017 04:57

Sleep deprivation is absolutely horrible. Don't downplay how tired you are when you speak to the new GP. Flowers

In case it is allergies, you can try:

  • vacuum thoroughly under and around the bed (do this regularly)
  • wipe the bed with a damp cloth to remove any dust
  • make sure bedding and pillows are not feathers, and replace or wash them (hot wash) regularly to get rid of dust mites
  • mattress cover on the bed that is anti-allergy

It might just be the season though. DD went through a stage of catching every little bug at that age. It may help a bit now there is more sun and vitamin D levels start to rise (good for the immune system). Do you have a baby multi-vitamin for him?

Original poster
Cranb0rne · 22/04/2017 05:05

Thanks, I had assumed that he was catching sequential colds at nursery but it's been going on so long and we never had this issue with my eldest. I have been struggling with a busy job on top of it all.

Thank God it's the weekend and I have a week booked off as well.

I will buy a vitamin supplement for him. Just worry that he is not healthy but he is a big strapping boy at 28 lbs and loves his food!

OP posts:
LapinR0se · 22/04/2017 05:59

Is he in your bedroom?

DottyGiraffe · 22/04/2017 07:33

Sterimar do a child's saline nasal spray which is very good.

You can see any gp at the practice (or ask not to see certain ones); it doesn't have to be your named gp. As long as there is more than one of course.

Original poster
Cranb0rne · 22/04/2017 07:38

He is still in our bedroom. We have a third bedroom but my husband has filled it with junk which he refuses to get rid of so he has to stay in our room until he sleeps well enough to go in with his brother.

OP posts:
LapinR0se · 22/04/2017 07:43

Empty the third bedroom, put him in there and get some sleep for yourself.
And make a GP appointment Monday to get him tested for allergies to sort his sleep

giraffesCantReachTheirToes · 22/04/2017 18:57

He needs his tonsils and adenoids checked if he's snoring that much too.

Sunshineandlaughter · 23/04/2017 20:34

agree re adenoids and tonsils...

Child otrivine drops are magic. They aren't for use by under 6s but you could ask your GP about them or just try them if you are desperate.

Original poster
Cranb0rne · 02/05/2017 15:29

Booked a gp appt but it's not for another week. Recorded him last night so hopefully I won't be fobbed off. He sounds like a 90 year old alcoholic smoker at night, surely that's not normal?

OP posts:
readthethread · 02/05/2017 15:49

dust mites?
is it mostly at night? how is he in the day?
is it all year round?

VivienneWestwoodsKnickers · 02/05/2017 15:56

Allergies could be to anything. I'm mildly allergic to most washing powders, all softeners, many shampoos and soaps, and have developed hayfever as an adult.

I can't recommend antihistamine nasal sprays enough. But check if they're suitable for a wee boy.

Original poster
Cranb0rne · 02/05/2017 18:00

It is only at night when he's trying to sleep. He's fine in himself during the day. He's been like it on and off for the past 6 months but it has definitely become worse the past couple of months and he now struggles every night. I will ask the gp about those antihistamine nose drops.

OP posts:
VivienneWestwoodsKnickers · 02/05/2017 18:07

They can be bought at a pharmacy. The pharmacist would be able to advise you.

Sunshineandlaughter · 02/05/2017 18:52

If only in sleep then def ask about adenoids

Sunshineandlaughter · 02/05/2017 18:53

I think you need steroid drops tho rather than antihistamine drops

readthethread · 02/05/2017 19:21

i would buy a new mattress, pillows, duvet etc. get a hypoallergenic cover on it. give the bedroom a thorough clean/wipe down/wash the carpet.

but at the same time see the GP about adenoids. I don't think antihistamines will help unless he's itching/sneezing. they don't "unblock".

Original poster
Cranb0rne · 10/05/2017 19:47

The gp prescribed us some nasal spray and said if it doesn't improve she would refer him to an ENT specialist to check his adenoids. So at least she took me seriously!

OP posts:
Chloesophia93 · 31/01/2025 04:18

Hi there is there any update on this OP?

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