Child chronic cough. Advice please.

[Ilikecheeseontoast]

Am lying awake listening to my 4 year old cough. It’s a harsh, chesty sounding cough and they cough twice then nothing. Always upon waking and when they are in bed going to sleep. At random points in the day too. Usually after exercise or something like crying. They’ve had this cough for about 3 months, no issues before that. I’ve been back and forth to the GP who isn’t concerned. Said no noises/wheezing/rattling on chest, no fever etc and otherwise fit, healthy and thriving. It’s just a cough apparently! We’ve been using blue and brown inhalers religiously morning and night and blue if needed during the day (if there’s a lot of coughing. I’ve also tried steam vapouriser in bedroom at night, extra ‘wet’ dusting to minimise dust, over the counter cough medicines, extra fluids. Nothing is improving this cough. Surely this isn’t normal? We don’t smoke or use perfumed candles or anything like that. What can I do next? Private Dr?? I want to help my child but just don’t know what to do!

Anyone?

@Ilikecheeseontoast

Am lying awake listening to my 4 year old cough. It’s a harsh, chesty sounding cough and they cough twice then nothing. Always upon waking and when they are in bed going to sleep. At random points in the day too. Usually after exercise or something like crying. They’ve had this cough for about 3 months, no issues before that. I’ve been back and forth to the GP who isn’t concerned. Said no noises/wheezing/rattling on chest, no fever etc and otherwise fit, healthy and thriving. It’s just a cough apparently! We’ve been using blue and brown inhalers religiously morning and night and blue if needed during the day (if there’s a lot of coughing. I’ve also tried steam vapouriser in bedroom at night, extra ‘wet’ dusting to minimise dust, over the counter cough medicines, extra fluids. Nothing is improving this cough. Surely this isn’t normal? We don’t smoke or use perfumed candles or anything like that. What can I do next? Private Dr?? I want to help my child but just don’t know what to do!

Hi my little boys 19 months old and had a cough like this for over 8months been in and out of a&e as it's got so bad it effects his breathing. Back and fourth to the Drs had antibiotics. Nothing seems to be shifting it. You're not alone and hopefully once the weather gets warmer thinks may start to look up. I have been to to avoid dairy and milky drinks where possible as it can make it worse. So we have just started on honey lemon warm water. We was last in hospital jan. So fingers crossed it's getting better for my lad and your little one. It's worrying it really is I'm guessing the whole covid and isolation hasn't helped them x

Thanks for replying. We’ve managed to get a referral to paediatrics but it wont be for months. Am hoping it will have cleared up by then but feels like it’s going to go on forever! Tonight I’ve gone the whole hog with Vicks on feet, humidifier in bedroom, inhalers given blue and brown. Calpol and a cough medicine I’ve found online called Zarbees. It had great reviews and it can’t hurt!

Sounds like asthma. I know some docs don't like to,diagnose it too young, not sure why. Ask them for a peak flow monitor and to check in case he needs his inhalers adjusted.

Hi there,
Your poor babas. It really is horrible when they have a cough or something that just is not shifting.
We experienced that with our DD when she was about 4 too. She literally coughed through the night, for about 3 1/2 months. Brought her to doc numerous times as it was impacting her sleep, our sleep, everything. At the time we were told it was the 100 day virus from Australia. I know. Probably was a little something to do with it.
On the last visit the locum doctor prescribed her with Neo-Clarityn...which is a night time antihistamine.....it was a game changer. She slept from that night on.
So we discovered later on in the year that she is prone to sinusitis, rhinitis, eczema, and can be prone to environmental triggers also. Her dad has asthma (which is managed quite well) and therefore there's a familial link.
She takes zirtek antihistamine each day from March to October. During the Winter when the above is acting up, she takes a neo clarityn, which really aids her sinuses, allergens from falring up and aids a restfulsleep (when required).

It really was a game changer for us. We now have it managed so well.and thankfully have not had any reoccurrence.

This is my first time ever posting on Mumsnet. I felt I had to respond as I know exactly what you are going through. I really hope that I may have been of some help.
Sending get well wishes to yours & Op's DC.
😊

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I am trying to make arrangements to see a Paediatrician privately as my GP is totally useless and NHS waiting times are just too long. She’s been coughing and hacking again this morning it’s heartbreaking and so worrying.

It could be a form of asthma called cough variant asthma. I have cough variant asthma and it took years to diagnose as GPs kept dismissing it as 'just a cough'.

I use a powder inhaler and I have few of the typical asthma symptoms, I can exercise without issue. It flares up when I have a cold and I end up with a hacking, uncontrollable cough.

Could be worth investigating and asking about this asthma?