Weak chests, bronchitis - any advice?

[Heather1977]

Hi all,
My 2 ds 3 years and 11 months, both have weak chests and are constantly getting bronchitis and chest infections. They are on Ventolin and Pulmicourt inhalers on and off which help and also Singulair. My youngest was recently hospitalised for 5 nights with bronchiolitis which was horrible.
Does anyone have experience of this and any general lifestyle advice on how to look after their chests? We have taken the carpet out of their room and put in wooden floor, try and keep the pets away from them and keep their room and the house as clean as possible. Any other ideas?
I dread every single cough and cold now and it´s a getting a bit stressful...

I am bumping for you. My DS is the same and it is very stressful. I don't have any general answers I am afraid. My son has beclametasone and ventolin and singulair daily but is still on his 4th lot of ABs of the winter. He is having lots of tests done to rule out any underlying problems but assuming there is nothing, it just seems to be a case of treating him when he's ill, being vigilent to signs of infection and then, as you say, doing what you can to the environment. Are you aware if there are underlying issues with your DSs - allergies etc?

Maybe you could try posting this in allergies - some of the regulars over there have more specialised experience of this sort of thing and will be able to help you.

Hope they're OK!

I've been in a similar position with my two ds. We have an electric inhaler thingy similar to this but a bit more basic. At the first sign of trouble we start inhaling with what is effectively salt water (NaCl) with a couple of drops of Sultanol (Salbutamol?)if it persists. We live in Germany where NaCl is available over the counter - we were quite surprised to have to go to the doctor to get it when we were in England recently. Other things we do is have the window in the bedroom open a crack at night, perhaps a bowl of hot water nearby with a couple of drops of thyme oil which acts as a decongestant. We have developed this regime over the last few years - ds was in hospital at 18 months with pneumonia. He also had Pulmicourt for a few weeks. He was fine but I don't want to be in that position ever again. We've had a few episodes since, but none requiring hospitalisation or ABs.

I sympathise - seeing my boys struggling to breathe fills me with horror every time. DS1 (5yo) is pretty much through this now. DS2 is more robust but still has issues, but I'm confident he'll grow out of them too. We never hesitate to see the doctor if we're at all worried btw.

Franke they are called Nebulisers
I work for a charity who deals with them.