what could this be?

Question

i have a 2 yr old girl who was 3 weeks early had normal delivery and normal pregnancy she has a heart murmur and herniated belly button she had really bad reflux when she was a baby and was on medication for it,
lately she has started coughing at night time or when its cold, my biggest worry is that when she cry even just a small cry for not getting her own way she cant breath, she makes a whooping noise or makes no noise at all just holds her mouth open, i dont think she is breath holding as when it happens she freaks out and starts climbing up me if im holding her.
what could this be?

bsmsl · Accepted Answer

Many doctors are reluctant to give the diagnosis of asthma in young children (under 8 yr).  This could be why they are not going there. 

Try keeping a diary af her symptoms and any possible triggers - pollen counts available on line (I can give you a link if you want one), animal exposures, diet, where she was at the time of the attack, any odors present (fragrances are major triggers for many people but any chemical smell as well), weather or weather changes...  Maybe you could video tape an attack with your phone or a camera if you have one.  Show these to the doctor and request to try an albuterol inhaler for a few weeks to see if that helps.  Again keep a diary adding what affect the inhaler has on her symptoms for the doctor to review.  

You might want to take her to an urgent care or ER with her next attack to get some documentation of what is going on.

I would not recommend doctor shopping.  You might end up with a quack that would agree to anything that might be harmful in the long run.  While albuterol is a stimulant, its affects are no worse than caffeine.  It won't hurt to use that if she doesn't have asthma.  Other things can hurt.  As long as the doctor is willing to listen and work with you, that is a good doctor and he is just trying to be conservative in his aproach.  That can be a good thing.  I would recommend being patient with this doctor and see what happens.  

Take care of that little one. - S

bsmsl · Answer

Here is a link to the US pollen count map through the American Association of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.  I hope it helps.  If you aren't in the US, try looking for similar organizations in your country.  If your TV stations do have pollen counts you can check their web sites or go to the counting station's (that supplies their information)

http://www.aaaai.org/nab/index.cfm?p=pollen web site.

I hope that helps you.

ashebs · Answer

it only seems to happen in her room so i might check out her room. when its cold and when she crys. i will keep diary and i have a video camera and my phone.
shes started when spring came.
so maybe the pollen is a trigger as when i take her out for the day she is worse at night.
i would love a link :).
thanks for your very great instructions and ideas.

ashebs · Answer

thank you for your input. we thought it might be too but doctors wont listen because of her age. will keep trying different doctors until im happy with it all.

bsmsl · Answer

It sounds a lot like asthma, but could be other things as well.  I suggest you get her to a doctor for evaluation soon.  

Children who were born early are more likely to have asthma than other children.  

Take care and keep us posted.

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