child constantly coughing at night

[mamunia]

i am new here.. and am posting because i am at my wits end! please if anyone can shed a little light into whats happening to my little boy, i would be very grateful.. i have shed a lot of tears over this recently.
my son (19 months) is perfectly happy, healthy etc throughout the day.. but spend anywhere between 2-8 hours coughing at night.. it is not a dry cough, in fact he seems to be bringing up a lot of mucus.. people have described it as an old mans cough and I would agree.
it all started when he has a severe throat and chest infection... which cleared up with antibiotics, but the cough stayed.. this was 6 MONTHS AGO.. and he has not had one night since where he hasnt coughed. I have taken him to the doctors more times then i can remember.. he has been given inhalers for asthma.. but these do not work. the doctor said that when he listens to his chest it is not totally clear.. but because he is happy and healthy, not to worry. Children and adults sometimes have persitant coughs.. the doctor even said that he may be doing this through habit.. but I just cannot believe that.. My son dylan seems to now be so used to coughing that he can sleep through, me and my hubby however cannot and take turns sleeping downstairs in order to get some rest. he does not cough in the day. I tried elevating his bed.. it did not work. i have searched the internet and found nothing like this.. is it possible that his lungs could be full of mucus and he just cannot get it out? he has been on 4 rounds of antibiotics bit nothing has shifted it.. I have told the docs that I will not give him anymore antibiotics.. would I be completely over the top to ask for an x-ray?  

[resptherapy1]

To put your mind at ease, suggest a xray. My son had what sounds to be a similar cough. Xray was negative for pneumonia or any other lung infection. Unfortunately when they are young they can't cough like we do so they sound horrible. Be your sons advocate, if you feel you want a xray you tell the Dr. you want a xray. The amount of radiation your son will receive is so minimal. You get more radiation in a plane.  Does anyone in your family have Cystic Fibrosis? Not to scare you but if the problem persists you may want them check for that, which is just a blood test. If you don't get the answer you need/want seek another physician. Be your son's advocate!!! Hope you can get some relief and sleep, your not alone, been there. Good luck.

[ebjb]

I agree you should have x ray done and a check for Cystic Fibrosis. My son coughed all night long through his childhood. Turned out it was asthma - some kids cough but don't wheeze. It could also be he is allergic to something in his bedding? - or carpets? Do you have any animals in your house? I would have him tested for allergies too.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[LV321]

I too have a child with a similar problem.  My daughter is just under 3 and she has has a cough for a few weeks that I thought were just allergies.  It seems like the cough is getting worse at night though.  I've noticed that when she cry's she produces a lot of mucus so she's very snotty and it could be allergies but she doesn't seem to have any problems during the day just at night with the cough.  Otherwise she appears completely healthy....gaining weight, playing and very active, no problems breathing during the day unless she gets worked up crying.  It's like clockwork - the minute we get into her room she starts having coughing fits.  If you have any suggestions let me know.

Hope you find a cure for your son and hope things are better....

LV

[tinkerbell777]

If you havent done so get an x-ray my 8 month old daughter has been in and out of the hospital with a cough as the doctors say till the last time she was admitted with pneumonia and RSV wich now seems not to get better she coughs more at nigh then she does during the day. she has coughng spells to the point were she gags and then vomitts you need to do what u feel is right an all that u can do to help.parents to me know better then a doctor cause u are with them more. Hope everything goes well wth your son tak care and let god be with you!!!!