Daughter struggling to breathe

[persianpeach]

My ten year old daughter is suffering with these terrifying attacks which started around 3 weeks ago, she had a dreadful cough which started around 6 weeks ago which we went backwards and forwards to the doctors about.
She was prescribed oral steroids, montelukust tablets and inhaled steroids over the period of two weeks.
After several attacks back to back at school and the school calling me I took her to A&E and they did a blood test for whooping cough which I am awaiting results of and they prescribed antibiotics for whooping cough too.
Still the attacks continued so I paid for her to see an ENT Consultant privately as the Gp request for an urgent appointment is 19th September and I wasn't sure about taking her abroad without a formal diagnosis.
He confirmed that it sounded like Laryngospasm as a result of her vocal cords being irritated and said they will disappear in time.
She's still coughing although her cough sounds very dry now and still clears her throat a lot, both of which the consultant told her not to do, but she's only just turned 10 years old.
Tbh I'm scared to let her out of my sight in case she cannot get her breath and she's with other people. Such a shame as she is missing out on summer holiday outings with friends that have invited her out for the day.
Please can anyone tell me how long these attacks will continue for? My daughter is fantastic at staying calm but I feel like a nervous wreck. Please help!

Was there a reason for a ENT consultant rather then a Paediatric consultant?

Just you say it started with a cought and they have run tests to rule out whooping cough. Did she ever have Ventolin at all before the steroid inhaler? And did that improve her coughing?

I know you may feel like you've had a diagnosis but unless they where totally sure it wasn't lung related I'd be concerned an ENT wasn't the right person to see.

Hi Migril,

The reason we were referred to an ENT consultant rather than paediatric consultant was because my daughter described the sensation of not being able to breathe as being in her throat rather than in her chest.

She was given a blue ventolin inhaler but no it didn't help. The oral steroids did help as the croup sound disappeared but she is still left with a very dry cough and she's still throat clearing throughout the day. We are now down to the odd breathless attack now rather than it being every hour as it was but I'm still struggling to let her do anything without me just in case her breathing doesn't reset as the doctors said it would.

Now if she coughs and does manage to breathe during the coughing she inhales really heavily through her nostrils and there is a loud vibrating/flapping sound coming from her nostrils or throat. It is just so odd. I'm not sure what to do next...

I would push hard to get the whooping cough test results from the GP.

I would also be checking thoroughly the holiday insurance T & C. Any that I have ever had exclude any condition awaiting a diagnosis. The last thing you want is her condition to worsen on holiday and find you aren't covered.

Has anyone suggested an antihistamine?

Pediatrician - will save much worrying and guessing.
Don't let them fob you off with symptomatic treatment and no diagnosis.

I agree with Willy she needs to see a Paediatric. ENT is fine if you are totally sure it's that but doesn't sound like everything else has been ruled out. Also yes has she tried antihistamine at all throat clearing can be from post nasel drip.

But sounds like this needs investigating more thoroughly. I'd be concerned the steroids have just reduced the issue but not stopped it.

Thank you for your replies.

I hadn't thought about checking the health insurance but I'll definitely do that now.

Yes she's taking an antihistamine tablet every day and has also been prescribed a nasal spray for post nasal drip.

Do you think I should go back to the GP and ask specifically to see a Paediatric consultant before we go away next Saturday (if that's possible)? I'm not sure why you are recommending a paediatric consultant, excuse my ignorance. Is it because they have more general health knowledge?

Thank you 😊

Sounds scary, hope your dd is better soon. Have the doctors considered a laryngeal web? I’m not a doctor nor medical but my friend had a laryngeal web and it took ages for it to be diagnosed

Pedeadric are specialist in children, if everything hasn't been ruled out then they will know if something else needs investigating. I also wouldn't totaly rule out whooping cough/ allergies or asthma until she has seen one to be honest as not all respond to ventolin.

It is scary and you do want to make sure they have checked out everything with something this serious. Good luck, hope she's better soon.

If it's whooping cough it goes on for about 100 days ! A cure we tried which appeared to work was taking DC to high altitude. We went to a high altitude place and then climbed the highest mountain we could find. A trip in a helicopter or light aircraft might work !!

If she has an attack take her back to AE (and she can be referred directly to on call paeds from there if needed.
If milder and she's stable take her to GP who can send her to the paeds ward to be seen urgently as needed.

Hi

I know this is an old thread, I’m just wondering what the outcome was?