Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

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:
CaptainDippy · 01/06/2006 15:53

Please post when you know how it has gone - Thinking of you lots. xx

Original poster
crazychilledmummy · 01/06/2006 19:06

Hi everyone, just back from Doctors. He agreed that DS's breathlessness was on the excessive side although he said all babies are different and it may be because although he's not overweight he's quite chunky and heaving his body around might make him more breathless than normal. The extra sleeping is also cause for concern and the heart murmer was still there so he has referred him to a consultant who will probably then do an ECG. Unfortunately the waiting list is about six weeks but the good news is that he doesn't think he is likely to have cardiac failure or rapidly deteriorate in the meantime. Although he said to look out for him sweating or changing colour whilst feeding or under exertion (just incase anyone is in similar situation). Feel massively reassured and the Dr was so nice, said I did the right thing to go back and as you've all said, that its difficult to know what is "normal" in any baby. Thanks everyone for your support, its made such a difference [[[[relieved hugs back to you all][[[.

OP posts:
Twiglett · 01/06/2006 19:09
Grin
CaptainDippy · 01/06/2006 19:20

Bless you honey!! Thank you for the update - please keep us posted - Care about your and your lovely little DS, poor mite! Smile [hugs]

foxinsocks · 01/06/2006 19:24

glad all was ok and the paed will give him a thorough check - 6 week wait not bad at all!

Original poster
crazychilledmummy · 01/06/2006 19:39

In a weird way 6 weeks is a relief, if he'd said it would be in a few days time I'd be back in panic mode and back at the side of his cot in the early hours all the time checking to see if he was still breathing!!!! Blush

OP posts:
CaptainDippy · 02/06/2006 10:49

Hello!! Smile How's everything today? How are you feeling? xx

Heartmum2Jamie · 02/06/2006 14:46

I'm glad your dr isn't so concerned that he is setting up an immediate hospital appt, that is a relief! Your dr sounds very clued up and has told you all the correct things to look out for. Although saying watch out for sweating now that it has got warmer makes things more difficult. My ds has started sweating and I get into a panic everytime, wondering if it is because he is too warm or because of his heart. :o

Big hugs to you. I hope 6 weeks doesn't drag on too much for you.

Wallace · 02/06/2006 17:28

Good sign that he is quite chunky too :) Hope the six weeks passes quickly for you.

Original poster
crazychilledmummy · 02/06/2006 20:17

Trying very hard to chill out about it and doing OK (until ex winds me up but thats another story). DS has been even more of a darling than ever today and slept less than usual so am feeling very optimistic. HM2J - I'm sure sweating in itself is normal, just if accompanied by other symptoms its a concern, so sorry if I've worried you.

OP posts:
misdee · 02/06/2006 20:27

what is the thing with sweating? dh has always (well untill he had his VAD) been sweaty, even before he was dx with DCM?

CaptainDippy · 02/06/2006 22:34

Glad you are stressing a bit less honey - Long may it continue!! Smile Ignore!! your ex as much as poss!!!!! Smile [hugs]]

Heartmum2Jamie · 03/06/2006 08:09

Oh no, you haven't worried me!! My ds has heart problems anyway, so it is something I am used to watching out for :o

Like the others have said, ignore your ex as best you can. The last thing you need is to be thinking that you somehow caused this.....which you DIDN'T.

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 03/06/2006 09:05

Sweating with a heart problem is quite different to 'normal' sweating IME. It's more of a clammy sweat than a 'I'm so hot sweat'. After having a nap you could pick dd up and the cot would just be soaked yet she was never overly warm - if anything felt a bit cold.

Not sure of the mechanics of it misdee.

Crazymum - glad the doctor took your worries seriously, as Wallace says, him being chunky is actually a good sign. Hope you don't have to wait too long before your appointment - which hospital will you be going to?

Hello HM2J!

CaptainDippy · 03/06/2006 09:18

Hello SMBK!! Haven't seen you on the prayer thread for a while, always appreciated your prescence there - How are your friends who lost their little one doing? Still praying for them!! How are you doing?? xx

Original poster
crazychilledmummy · 03/06/2006 19:31

Spent lovely day with DS in the garden, with him crawling around grabbing and trying to eat anything in sight, he slept loads again but am putting it down to teething or the heat !

SMBK - I'm not sure which hospital, either the Royal Alex Childrens Hospital or the Sussex County in Brighton I would imagine.

CaptainDippy and HM2J - good advice re. ex, although he's making that quite difficult - has hardly seen DS but is now insisting on coming to the hospital appt as if I can't be trusted. Deep breaths and calm thoughts....! Grin

OP posts:
noddyholder · 03/06/2006 19:35

When my heart speeds up I get a clammy sweat which is different to normal sweating and I have HCM.I hope you get some answers for your little ds soon xx

CaptainDippy · 03/06/2006 19:35

Whereabouts do you live, if you don't mind me asking??

Original poster
crazychilledmummy · 03/06/2006 20:05

Brighton (if you were asking me CD!).

OP posts:
noddyholder · 03/06/2006 20:20

I live in Brighton and although I pray you won't need them the cardiac team here are amazing.My ds had to have tests last month too and they were great xx

CaptainDippy · 03/06/2006 20:23

I was asking you! Smile I live in Eastbourne!! Smile

Original poster
crazychilledmummy · 03/06/2006 21:26

Blimey, what a small world !

OP posts:
CaptainDippy · 04/06/2006 21:15

It is indeed!! Grin

CaptainDippy · 06/06/2006 10:19

How's everything going honey? My DD's send your DS lots of kisses!! Shock Wink Grin

My DD1 has lots of sympathy for your wee DS. She had pneumonia this time last year (I can hardly belive it was a year ago now!!) and now she gets very breathless whenever she's climbing lots of stairs or doing lots of energetic running around, poor bean!! Sad She's gorgeous though!! Grin

geekgrrl · 06/06/2006 10:27

hiya ccm - good luck for the appointment, have you got a date yet?
My dd was born with a heart defect, her's was picked up in the first week.
She was extremely breathless all the time and I'd managed not to notice that - when we saw the cardiologist I cheerfully told him that I thought she was fine, and he took one look at her and said 'Actually Mrs Geekgrrl, your daughter is in acute cardiac failure.' BlushSad oops! And she wasn't even my first!
Anyway - you mentioned that your little boy is chunky, which is a good sign. :) Heart babies usually have real problems feeding and gaining weight, many need to be tube fed on enriched formula or EBM, so fingers crossed everything will be ok or it'll just be something minor that sorts itself out (most holes in the heart close on their own in the first few years of childhood).