recurrent pneumonia in 6 mo. old without relief from meds

[PBMJJ]

My 6 mo. old son was born with a cyst on his R arm,he had a blocked tear duct @2 wks., @ 4 wks found a heart murmur and got an echo found that he has peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis, tricuspid regurgitation, and pressure in R ventricle.Was diagnosed with reflux @ 8 wks, had bronchitis @ 2mo,left eye infection @ 2mo, ear infection @ 2,4,&5 mo,thrush @ 2&4mo(from all the antibiotics) tongue tied @ 4mo. Since birth has had a dry cough,sneezes often and rattles every day off and on,wheezes about 3-4 times a week.He runs a fever about 1-2 times a week.Has done breathing treatments since his bronchitis,the xopenex didnt really do anything for him.In November ran a high fever of 103 and couldnt stop crying was admitted for 3 days ran tests including tap and chest xrays. He had pneumonia in R and L lower. However when examined was told his lungs sounded fine. Was given meds and sent home at his recheck dr.thought he looked and sounded good ordered repeat xray for dec. At xray was told he still had pneumonia in his left lower lobe and his ekg came back borderline with possibility of ventricular hypertrophy. Dr. ordered another xray 3 wks later and again it showed pneumonia in left lower lobe had increased. He has been doing pumacort and xopenex treatments daily alomg with meds for reflux with little relief. If anyone has anysuggestions as to what the under lying cause could be please let me know. He is going to see a pulmonologist in a few wks but would like to be prepared for what could happen.blood work shows L co2,L wbc,L band,H seg,H ph,Hpotassium. If anyone can help?

[PBMJJ]

My son now is getting over RSV and croup. I seen a specialist and he was diagnosed with moderate asthma, GER, and a large thymus, BLood work was done and his immunoglobulins are low with one below normal IgA 11,IgG 294,IgM 20. I need to know where the best place is to take my son for further evaluation. I was also told that his lymph nodes in his lungs have calcified. I am very concerned that he is now eight mo. old and has been this way since birth. Why is it so hard to find the answers I need or the help I need to get my son better. If anyone has had good experiences with specialist please recomend to me.

[PBMJJ]

I have recently found out new information on my sons health. All of his heart defects ( with the exeption of the murmur ) have healed on there own. He has still been battling his breathing problems and recently had RSV and croup. Thank God he was receiving Synagis shots to prevent RSV because I can only imagine how much worse it would have been. The doctors have discovered that he does have GERD and that he is also asthmatic. they also tested his blood work to see how well his immune system is working. Everything was low as expected and one was below normal. They also discovered his thymus gland is large and may not be functioning properly. Also more recently we were told that his lymph nodes in his lungs have calcified. I have not been able to find much info on the thymus and if there is any treatments available that may be new.

[National Jewish]

Your son has certainly been through a lot in his first 6 months of life.  His situation is too complex to give specific advice, but here is some general information.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the back flow of stomach contents, including digestive juices, into the esophagus or food tube.  This is most commonly called acid reflux or heartburn.  This reflux can come all the way up into the mouth and nose.  When this happens the material can be aspirated, dribbling into the windpipe and lungs.  Reflux with aspiration could explain your son

[shanspaz]

So Sorry to hear about your son.  I can understand the stress you are experinceing, my son has also been sick since quite young.  My son also takes similr meds; pulmicort, xoponex, singular, zyrtec and prevacid (acid reflux) .  ..  has anyone tested your son for milk allergies?  (is he on  formula?) or have they done a stomach dump test to see how long it takes for food to leave his stomach?  Either of those components could add to the acid reflux situation . . .  

When my son was a year old, we thought he had croup, continually.  He would start coughing at night, then build to coughing durig the day until the cough was extreme. His voice was scratchy, but slightly different from the croupe, seal bark.  He could not sleep well due to the coughing, and even had a few ambulance rides and ER visits.  The stress for me was overwhelming.  I hope that your son gets better and you too are doing well.  :)

[ozark]

sorry about your son....have they checked him for an esophageal fistula or aspiration... do you notice if its worse during or shortly after feedings when he wheezes or when laying down?  his reflux meds may need to be adjusted.....has he had a barium swallow or some ugi studies recently?  has he had an immunological work up?  htese are just a few things that come to mind        good luck