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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
3.5 year constally sick with bronchitis/Asthma
Answered by
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3.5 year constally sick with bronchitis/Asthma
by Bayla, Oct 07, 2006 12:00AM
My 3.5 year old son has acute bronchitis (well, that is what I think). For the last 6 weeks I have been in the emergency room 3 times. He does have Asthma and only seems to surface when he gets sick. We do not believe he has allergies.
He does attend day care and may be getting sick for the center, but why is he not getting better?? For the past several weeks he has been on 3 rounds of steroids with his breathing treatments-Albuterol. After the steroid treatment 7 days he is fine for a week and the coughing, runny nose and fever return.
He has 2 x-rays recently and both have been negative for phenomena. He also has been given 2 rounds of antibiotics-Nothing is working.
I must tell you I am at the end of my rope as this is killing me; his constant sickness has put me in a constant state of anxiety. I literally can not sleep because of the constant fear something terrible happening to him. The coughing is worse at night.
What type of additional testing should I ask for?? And what are my next steps?? Should I be giving him breathing treatments for good measure?? Should I start the steroids AGAIN?? I have never felt so helpless and any help is greatly appreciative.
He does attend day care and may be getting sick for the center, but why is he not getting better?? For the past several weeks he has been on 3 rounds of steroids with his breathing treatments-Albuterol. After the steroid treatment 7 days he is fine for a week and the coughing, runny nose and fever return.
He has 2 x-rays recently and both have been negative for phenomena. He also has been given 2 rounds of antibiotics-Nothing is working.
I must tell you I am at the end of my rope as this is killing me; his constant sickness has put me in a constant state of anxiety. I literally can not sleep because of the constant fear something terrible happening to him. The coughing is worse at night.
What type of additional testing should I ask for?? And what are my next steps?? Should I be giving him breathing treatments for good measure?? Should I start the steroids AGAIN?? I have never felt so helpless and any help is greatly appreciative.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Oct 13, 2006 12:00AM
, Oct 13, 2006 12:00AM
It is clear that this is a very stressful time for you. I would suggest seeing a pediatric pulmonologist to determine the cause of what is going on and starting appropriate therapy to control the problem. A common problem that causes these types of symptoms, particularly in a child with asthma, is a sinus infection. This comes and goes, as you have described and causes the asthma to flare. The only way to make this diagnosis is through a CT of the sinuses, or sometimes a sinus x-ray. Breathing treatments are safe. Starting steroids without your doctor is not.
Asthma can be awful in a child, it is hard for you and them to know exactly what is going on. I know you said you didn't think he had allergies, but is it possible there is something that he is eating recently or something he is breathing in, that may be causing this reaction. It could be a medication, it could be cows milk, it could be dust mites. Have you talked to your GP about Croup.( Sp?)
My Nephew suffered terribly as a child from asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, croup, he has grown up to be a sturdy 17 yr old who is big into sports, he suffers from hayfever in the summer months. Maybe one of the Asthma meds is not working, maybe he has a reaction to that. I can tell you of all my nephews respiratory illnesses as a child, croup was by far the scariest, I remember nights of 'hacking coughing' and steamy rooms and countless doctor call-outs.
Sorry I can't offer more help.
J
I would consider having him tested for allergens and doing pulmonary function tests on him. It may also be a good idea to buy an air cleaner... not a cheap one, but a good one that is recommended by the Asthma & Allergy Foundation or the British Allergy Foundation. I think Sharper Image may be good... but I would double check Consumer Reports just in case.
If he gets tested for allergens and the tests are negative. There is a lab called "ELISA/ACT" (they are found on the internet... just do a google search) that tests for hundreds and hundreds of allergens, including food allergens. The testing just involves a blood sample. Insurance sometimes will cover the cost or pay a portion of it.
One last thought... acupuncture really helped me when I had asthma problems. However, it gets a little expensive after a while, but it did work for me.
P.S. -- Since he is so young, if his phsyician would like to give him allergy shots... there is an alternative. My immunologist (has a Ph.D.) is using sublingual drops on his patients'. He told me these drops are much safer than the injections and have been used in Europe for years. I would hate to see a child so young get allergy injections and especially when there are safer alternatives available.
Best of luck to you... keep us posted.