6mth old with chest&cough probs

[Teasy]

Hi parents, was wondering if you could give me a bit of advice. About 10 weeks ago, I took my son (then 3 1/2mths old) to docs about a blocked tear duct. The doc noticed he was breathing strange (I knew he had a wheezy chest but put it down to teething). She told me his airways were narrowing due to a viral infection, and she put him on antibiotics and steriods. Once course was completed she gave him the all clear. But his chest still sounded wheezy, so again, doc gave different anitbiotics, AGAIN, didnt clear and a severe cough developed. Different doc (4weeks ago) diagnosed whooping cough AND croup, and ANOTHER course of really strong antibiotics. We also had to take him to A&E as he was struggling with cough and they gave him steriod treatment to help get him through night. Again he got all clear, but cough didnt go away (now 2 weeks from finishing antibiotics) and last night when having coughing fits he seemed to be choking on flem. He also seems to have a blocked nose at night (all the time) and snores. We have docs appt tomorrow AGAIN, but you can understand I'm not too confident in them. Can anyone shed some light. Thank you so much

[FUZZYBEE]

In amongst all this dishing out of Antibiotics has a chest x-ray been performed to check if there is infection ? If not then I would go back to doc's and ask for an xray request if they are not forthcoming then A&E again would be my next stop and ask doc's for xray. Highly unlikely but TB and Pneumonia would all show up on this (dont mean to worry you) I would have thought after 3 rounds of AB's if it was minor it would have cleared up. Asthma in babies is usually coughing and wheezing of a night-time.
Do not give in you know your baby best!!
good luck
fuzzy x

[Teasy]

Thanks Fuzzy. I'm gonna take him to A&E today and I'm not gonna give in this time.

But no, no chest xray has ever been done.

[Teasy]

Just rang childrens A&E, and they said that def sounds like he has Asthma. So I was able to get an appt with the Asthma nurse this afternoon. Thanks again.

[FUZZYBEE]

Hi Teasy, how did it go with asthma nurse? It really makes me cross that if doctors are not sure on anything thier answer is "oh it's a virus". I know they must have a difficult job but it's like as soon as the word virus is mentioned, no other possibilities are looked into, anyway goodluck.
fuzzy x

[Teasy]

Hi everyone, well absolute nightmare yesterday. The asthma nurse just sat and smiled patiently at me while I went through everything, then asked "Are you a first time mum"? Flipping cheek. I got quite cross and told her I had a little girl who is 4 in Feb. She then changed her tune and asked if she, or my hubby or myself had asthma, which was no. Then she said, there was nothing she could do, she would have to get the doctor in.

He then came in and said that no paediatrician in the country (I live in NIreland) would diagnose a 6mth old baby with asthma. He said it all stems from Broncilitis that my little boy had 3 months ago, that it is a whooping type cough and he will have it for quite a while. I was quite insistent regarding everything my little baby is going through, but they refused to budge, Needless to say, I was quite upset when I left, not that I want him diagnosed with Asthma, but two different diagnosis, is worrying.

[FUZZYBEE]

Next stop...........your health visitor, she might be able to recommend someone to see or write you a letter to take to hospital. A letter or referral from a health professional always has a bit more clout!!