Is it asthma?

Last winter my 3 year old son began albuterol via a nebulizer q 4-6 hrs for reactive airway disease whenever he had a cough and on several occassions did 3 treatments back to back in the pediatrician's office to open his airways.  This year we have started him on Singulair 1x per day and at the first sign of a cold add pulmicort via his nebulizer 2x per day.  When we first hear the "wet" cough, we start him on the albuterol q 4-6 hrs.  So far, he's only been off the albuterol for about 4 days.  He also has frequent episodes of coughing until he throws up a lot of mucous.  His pediatrician has not officially diagnosed him with asthma and I wonder if he has asthma.  His father nor I have ever had asthma although his father does have a lot of allergy problems.  I am wondering if we should consult with a specialist or if we are on the right track.  His pediatrician says we will use a peak flow meter to gauge his airflow once he is old enough but she didn't say (and I didn't ask) when that would be.

[National Jewish]

This is not an easy question to answer from a forum. It is possible that your son has asthma. It is also possible that the cough is not related to asthma.  "Reactive Airways Disease" is usually also called asthma. However, it appears from your note that you have never heard wheezing from your son. If you have heard wheezing, that would make the diagnosis a lot easier.  If you are using the albuterol and it is working, it is, again, another sign that this is asthma. If that is the case, you may want to speak with your pediatrician about using the Pulmicort more regularly and/or seeing a specialist. The specialist would confirm or exclude the diagnosis and work on an effective preventative program to avoid the albuterol on a regular basis.

[starion]

Dear Mom,
I certainly understand your concern.  You need to have this discussion with your child's doctor as to whether his condition is asthma or something else.  My kids were both diagnosed with asthma as infants (they're now 12 & 14 & very active & athletic & still asthmatic) & I believe I was diagnosed with asthma as a toddler or preschooler.  Please work closely with your doctor to help maximize your son's lung function.  In particular, please be sure to discuss your son's frequently coughing up a lot of mucous and what options/alternatives he can suggest.
Aloha,
Starion--thriving in HI

[cajun54]

Dear MOM  
Your son doesn't have to wheeze for him to have asthma. Not all asthmatics wheeze, some only have a wet cough. That is the type of asthma I have.  There is an organization called mothers of asthmatics that can offer some practical help. They have a web site and local chapters. Children as young as 3 can be taught to do peak flows to moniter their asthma.  I taught my three children that early.