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Original poster

Breathlessness in my 9 month old - is this normal?

53 replies

crazychilledmummy · 29/05/2006 12:59

Went for my DS's 9 month check on Friday and the Dr found a heart murmer. He said to go back in a few weeks to see if it is just a temporary thing caused by an infection and if not I'll be referred to a pediatric cardiologist.

Over the weekend I've obviously been worried about it and have realised that he does get out of breath alot of the time. E.g. if he crawls (commando style) for say 6 foot he would be breathless. Is this normal? He never goes blue or really red in the face or anything but I've realised he spends a lot of time panting.

I'm in major panic mode now thinking he's going to keel over (which i know is silly as he's always been like this) and I can't talk to the Dr until tomorrow.

OP posts:
Arabica · 29/05/2006 18:44

I don't have advice for you but thought I would bump in case someone has been in a similar situation...good luck!

Twiglett · 29/05/2006 18:46

No I don't think that's normal .. but also know that heart murmers happen to 1 in 3 children and your GP would have noticed if its too abnormal

you can call NHS direct to talk it through .. and I'd go back and mention it to gp

but try not to worry too much

Twiglett · 29/05/2006 18:48

\link{http://www.webmd.com/content/pages/4/1675_51096.htm\does this help?}

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 29/05/2006 18:51

Go back if you're worried and ask for a referral. But don't worry about something happening before tomorrow - that is so, so rare.

Some children have innocent murmurs, some have them that come and go if they're unwell but if you think he's breathless then I would take him back. Not all children with heart problems are cyanosed (blue).

Original poster
crazychilledmummy · 29/05/2006 19:25

Thanks everyone. He's now fast asleep (despite me peeping in on him every 10 secs!) but i feel like such a bad mother, i should have realised it wasn't normal. i'm a first time mum and haven't had any real experience of other babies - I thought he was just getting excited. it took 5 years to conceive him and he is so precious. i'm on my own so its always worse without anyone to bounce worries off of - thank god for mumsnet ! will ring doctors first thing in the morning, paediatrician there is so nice. hopefully it is something temporary and maybe because hes a bit unwell (although he seems fine)...

OP posts:
FloatingOnTheMed · 29/05/2006 19:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
crazychilledmummy · 29/05/2006 20:19

oh but its common sense isn't it? Thank you though...

OP posts:
Twiglettville · 29/05/2006 20:20

stop beating yourself up about it Smile

how on earth would you have known .. none of us would have with our first .. I certainly wouldn't have

everything will be OK Smile .. deep breaths

CaptainDippy · 29/05/2006 20:22

Not a bad mummy at all - You posted on here because you were worried and we can't be absolutely perfect all the time. Sometimes it is hard to judge whether a situation is serious or not - Trust your insincts and don't feel guilty - Like you said, your little one is precious. He has your love and that's enough!! Smile Hope everything goes ok with the docs tomorrow - if in doubt, just take him to A&E - They'll see him super quickly and they won't think you are silly at all - Better that you get him checked out iyswim!!? I'll be watching this thread .......

[[hugs]]

foxinsocks · 29/05/2006 20:23

it could have just developed - remember to mention the breathlessness when you go back to the GP. It's good that the Dr picked it up so it can be seen to.

There's no way you could pick up a heart murmur unless you were a doctor yourself.

Try not to panic - there's not much you can do now until he has a check up so try not to let your thoughts run away with you.

Original poster
crazychilledmummy · 29/05/2006 20:26

oh dear, everyone is so nice its making me tearful...

he's fine. doing his skydiving impression fast asleep in his cot.

OP posts:
CaptainDippy · 29/05/2006 20:36

LOL @ Sky Diving impression!! Smile

Original poster
crazychilledmummy · 30/05/2006 09:19

just to keep you posted... have appt with paedatrician on thursday.

OP posts:
Arabica · 30/05/2006 09:29

Glad you're getting it sorted, let us know how you get on.

sandradee · 30/05/2006 09:31

Hi

Sorry to hear about your DS - I hope all goes well with the visit to the Paediatrician. Can I ask how the Dr picked this up? Was it using a special piece of equipment? It's just that my DS is 14 months and also gets breathless quite a lot and often holds his breath when he is concentrating. How breathless is breathless?

I have not really worried about it until I read this. I think the reason why I have not until now is that everytime he goes to the Drs (which is a lot because he is aleays ill) they check him over. He has also been in hopsital with bronchiolitis so would they have picked it up then if he had one?

CaptainDippy · 30/05/2006 10:02

Hi!! Thanks for letting us know - will be thinking of you!! Smile

Original poster
crazychilledmummy · 30/05/2006 10:41

Thanks everyone - sandradee, no it was just using a stethoscope. He described it as hearing like a whooshing noise (like a hosepipe) on the left side. sorry if i've set you off worrying too. Breathless as in panting as if I'd run up a big flight of the stairs I guess and takes him about 30 seconds to recover back to normal once he stops activity. If your DS is regularly checked I'm sure they would have picked it up by now. Trying to remember back I think last Friday was probably only the second time in his life he had had his chest listened to. I'm probably reading too much into everything but I've realised he's been steadily sleeping for longer and longer during the day too - he used to have two 1.5hr naps but now he usually sleeps for 2-3 hours each nap - that sounds alot doesn't it? I feel so stupid not picking up on this before. :(

OP posts:
CaptainDippy · 30/05/2006 11:14

NOT STUPID AT ALL!!! Do not feel guilty, we all miss these things - My DD2 got pneumonia this time last year and I just thought it was teething - It was only when I went to wake her up from her morning nap and couldn't that I realised how serious it was. It only really hit me when the ambulance arrived. She is fine now and I know it wasn't my fault - I am not a doctor, I just her mummy and a 1st time mum at the time as well. If you get really worried, just take him to A&E, they won't mind at all!! It's going to be ok. [hugs]

Wallace · 31/05/2006 18:51

Good luck for tomorrow xxxx

CaptainDippy · 31/05/2006 18:57

Ditto!! Smile [[hugs]]

foxinsocks · 31/05/2006 19:03

yes, hope it goes well

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 31/05/2006 19:04

Good luck!

Original poster
crazychilledmummy · 31/05/2006 20:08

Thanks so much everyone. CaptainDippy, thanks, I feel alot better after reading that. (especially as ex said last night that "he thought he could trust me to look after DS" so felt terrible since then) Hindsight eh?

OP posts:
CaptainDippy · 01/06/2006 08:06

Yes, hindsight is a wonderful thing - and don't listen to your ex!!! I am sure he wouldn't have been any better put in the same situation - unless he has actualy been there himself, I don't think that he has any right to comment - Just ignore him and concentrate on getting your beautiful, precious boy better!! Smile Thinking of you as you go for the appointment today!! Smile [hugs]]

Heartmum2Jamie · 01/06/2006 11:32

Good luck for today (((hugs))). I hope it turns out to be nothing serious.

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