When you say he was tested for CF, what did they do? Did they only do a sweat test or did they do the full genetic profile on him? There are well over 1500 mutations, many places don't test for the full known mutations. If they only did the sweat test, there are people that fall in the borderline, even negative range that tests genetically positive for it. For this reason,it is a good idea to look at the genetic possibilities when a kid or adult has symptoms that can't be explained.
Have the docs checked his lungs for bacterial growth? (sputum sample). Another thought comes to mind is a CT scan to get a better picture of what is going on in his lungs.
I wish I could be of more help, I hope you find answers soon.
Sunny
Oh My , I hate to see that happen to a 7 year old. Not only is it scary but it is also dreadful.. You don't hear or see it happening too much with a child.
Did they also do other test for him ? Like allergies?
What I have have found that helped me with the same problem, since I had spontaneous pneumothorax many years ago, is Allergy medicine, like antihistamine and antacids.
Maybe the doctors was right saying I was born with a weak lining of the lungs which they say may have ruptured.. Since being in the hospital twice, the first time they placed a tube in my right side of the lung to expel the air gas.OH, Was that Painful! The second time , they cut my chest opened and stapled my lungs to the chest wall, so it won't collapse again.
Since the Doctors did absolutely nothing else for me, except for the surgery, I did much research on my own.. nor did they give me antibiotics. They just sent me home, and said" There you go".
There are a few things that can help your son until you get more advice from your doctor.
He seems to be getting sick pretty often like you say with colds and so forth.
First thing you might want to consider is his diet. Keep him on a Very Healthy diet with much Vitamin C. Keep him off of Sugary foods, and Diary products that might contribute to his condition. But instead try to have him eat lots of fruits and even raw vegetables. The Raw vegetables will give him the added enzymes needed for his condition.
I myself have found that I am lactose intolerance which produced an inflammatory response to my system. That is why the alllergy meds helped me.
You want to keep his Immune system built up as much as possible by giving him vitamins and minerals along with protease enzymes to help the inflammatory response.
I can't stress how much his diet will help him out with this disorder. That Means NO DIARY! MILK or Cheese. He will need more protein added to his meals. Even though some people are against Soy products, I myself have found drinking (I cheated) Chocolate Soy Milk gave me the extra strength that I needed from proteins.
Also get him checked for Food Allergies too. That goes along with the Cystic Fibrosis., that pertains to eating anything made from Wheat.
And even today younger children are being diagnosed for Ulcers too. Do you have Well water? Check for bacteria and H pylori.
That was my main culprit that caused my right lower lung to collapse. I finally found that I had a duodendal ulcer that may have preferated right through . For I have have found that I had a lot of Gas prior to the pressure on my lung.
I hate to see him go through that, but It's not Something real drastic, but something that has to be dealt with.
But right now his Diet may be the utmost important thing you can do for him.