The Cough That Won't Go

[flutterworc]

DS is a heartbeat away from five and just started school. He has had a cough continually since July before he started. Some times it’s been slightly worse and sometimes slightly better. But consistently there.

Through the day it comes and goes, ranging from a few peffs to a hacking gurgle that makes him gag. On a night, however, it hits him hard and he coughs on and off all night, always to the gagging stage.

He’s been to the docs twice who have checked his chest and say it’s fine. One night 111 sent a paramedic as he couldn’t catch his breath - we were sent to OOH who gave him antibiotics for a week for croup. Croup went, cough stayed.

When he was tiny, prior to having his tonsils removed, he had inhalers, but we haven’t used them for two and a half years.

Anyone had anything similar? Any hints or tips to help him get better quality sleep?

Yup and the only thing that helps is high strength Manjula honey - bloody expensive but did wonders for us x

Yep and DS was still getting croup aged nine. He's nearly 11 and seems to have shook it off now whereas my nearly two year old is following suit with the cough that will not go

Argggghhh obviously Manuka not Manjula!

has asthma been ruled out?

Dust mite allergy causing post nasal drip? My son had an endless cough and was diagnosed with this. Asthma being ruled out now

Will give manuka honey a go! Dust mite allergy is a possibility - will do some research. Relatively sure it’s not asthma as there’s no accompanying wheezing...

no wheezing doesn't rule out asthma.
I don't wheeze, I just clear my throat and cough a lot.

Maybe have a look at ‘protracted bacterial bronchitis’. There’s not a lot in the medical journals about it. My daughter has had it since 11 months, she is now 3 1/2. It is a cough in an otherwise well child.

I didn’t know that Purple - will ask the doctor about that then! And Butterflies I’ll look into that!

Definitely get him checked out for asthma. Prolonged cough, worse at night, is a common symptom of asthma in children. My ds has been prescribed inhalers for his night coughing (with no wheezing)and it really does help.

I get a dry, tickly cough from irritants in the air. I have it pretty much permanently.

He doesn't need a wheeze. Dd2 is the same age and has cough-variant asthma. She is worse at night and sensitive to dust mites. Much better when she uses her inhaler.

I get a cough when my asthma is playing up and i dont wheeze. Just a horrible cough especially at night

the cough and the horrible feeling that a horse is sitting on my chest and doesn't allow me to take a deep breath.

My dd has had a recurring cough for eight years, ever since we lived in horribly polluted country overseas. Nasal drip, clarty throat, rattling chest - Every winter. Successive GPS refused to take it seriously and blamed her for not being able to blow her nose properly . Finally a new GP put her back on a blue inhaler, to use as and when. Not for asthma as such, but after 10 days or so the cough clears and she stops using it again.

Check also silent acid reflux