3 Year old, ex-prem (24 Weeks) Son

[Tensing]

My youngest son was born at about 24 weeks.

He was born with respiratory distress syndrome. He was fairly lucky, as although he did need ventilation, and CPAP he did not come home with oxygen.

When he had come home from hospital I was told he had Chronic lung disease.

At about 9 months he started snorring very loudly, something his older sister had also done, she later had her adnoids and tonsils removed, as she developed sleep apnea.

He had an x-ray of his nose which showed his adnoids are very large, he also has glands on his neck that are always enlarged, and he always has a cold.

In January this year he was rushed to hospital with tonsilitis, and a temperature of 104.

He can not breathe through his nose and his breathing is always very loud.

I am very worried that he too will start breath holding in his sleep, especially as he now sleeping in his own room, on the advice of a medical professional who thought he would sleep better, I certianly don't.

Any advice would be great.

Thank you in advance

Caroline

[National Jewish]

I would suggest seeing a Pediatric ENT and perhaps a Pediatric Pulmonologist.  They can help to determine if there are problems in the upper and/or lower airways.  Once this is determined there are medications and treatments that might help the breathing problem.

[Concerned lady]

I would trust your own instincts. Sleep in the same room with him. It sounds like you need more expert medical advice for him, from expert medical doctors. Get any breathing problems checked, now. If necessary, you can always take him to an Emergency Room, or call for an ambulance, to be on the safe side.

You can teleophone the LUNG LINE nurses, Mon-Fri, at 1-800-222-LUNG(5864), between 8 am & 4:30 pm, Colorado time.

Also, look at "some sinus tips" on page 10 of my website, for ideas about a warm mist vaporizer, and an air cleaning machine.

Also, look at the 2 sets of "gastric reflux tips" (for infants, & children or adults), to get some ideas, in case he has this problem.

Have these tips checked by your son's doctor, before trying them.

I hope he feels better soon.

Sincerely, Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

[Tensing]

Thanks you that advice, he did have a reflux when he was very tiny, but luckily he has grown out of that.

[ozark]

why havent they removed his tonsils and adenoids (adenoids)?  how old is your son? has he seen an ent specialists...i have 2 children who had their tonsils and adenoids (adenoids) out at 2 yrs of age because of obstructive sleep apnea..i hope  all goes well....its hard worrying about your children when their sleep is disruptive and you know they are not getting a good night sleep...good luck

[Tensing]

The main reason he has not had his tonsils removed, is that untill the last few months he has been very tiny and not very strong, and so they were waiting till he was older or until his problems got so bad that it was urgent. Fingers crossed it won't be much longer as he is due to see a new ENT consultant soon.

[Drewsmom]

Hi,
I think you should go with your gut and sleep with your child, but sleep with him so that he has enough room and doesn't get too hot at night. I had to sleep with my son for his first year. I didn't care what anyone thought. As long as we were happy!! And as long as my son was OK. You are the MOM. And take him to another ENT ASAP. Tell them when you feel he is healthy enough that you WANT his tonsils and adnoids taken out! They can't tell you no. This is your child stand strong with people and take care.
Mary

[Tensing]

I did sleep with my son in or next to my bed for the first 2 and half years of his life., In fact as I sit here writing he's asleep in the same room, and I'll take him to bed when I go. As he lays here I can almost feel the floor shaking from his snorring, and he hasn't even got a cold.

We have changed ENT clinic as we moved to a new area, he has his first appointment on 6th April.

I will keep you all posted as to his progress, Thank you for your support

[Tensing]

Update!!!
Appointment changed to 30th March, so this time tomorrow we'll have seen new ENT clinic.

My son has tonsilitis at the moment and it sounds terrible but I'm glad as they will see him when he is bad, normally when we go to hospital he has just got over or about to go down with something.