7 year old chronic daytime cough

[Mats_4]

My son is a very healthy 7 year old with no known allergies or previous medical conditions. Five weeks ago after 2 weeks of croup he had to be admitted to emergency after struggling to breathe on the school bus. Since then, he has been admitted to 2 other medical facilities. The problem is a chonic single to double cough followed by three to five seconds of rapid inhaling that is basically socially unacceptable to many. He sleeps like a log at night with no cough and eats great. He has been on antibiotics (zithromax equiv), oral steroids (dexamethasone), nebulizers (pulmicort and albuterol), seen an ENT for a laryngoscope, pediatric nerologists. Neurologist says behavioural related to too many sports, but he loves these and is under no pressure as to which sport or when - he chooses. He is now off all drugs - these brought on associated body spasms that have stopped. He repeatedly comes out of tests looking just fine - no bronchitis, asthma, epiglotitis. Main problems 11 am - 7 pm. Cough/inhaling  typically 5 - 10 seconds every 3 - 4 minutes when bad, 30 - 40 minutes when doing better. Pediatrician now researching pulminologists, but I am trying to help find something that will relieve these bouts. Any help very much appreciated. Thank you.

[Jamelia608]

I know this question is several years old, however this answer may help someone else dealing with this in the future. My 8 year had a bad cough from Bronchitis. Treated with antibiotics, Albuterol, pulmicort, prednisone, dexamethasone, Vicks vapor rub, warm mist humidifier, steam showers, honey, hot tea, Flonase, Zyrtec, air purifier, tessalon pearles, mucinex, pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar...everything and anything we could think of. It was every 3-4 seconds. No relief. Except at night...5 doctors appointments and all of those medications. Finally an allergist (on the 11th day) said "this probably started out as legitimate cough from illness. However, he's been treats for everything and anything. This cough is now a "reflex" or a "habit cough." So he gave my son, in the office a nebulizer treatment of lidocaine. It numbed his throat and then the Dr. Proceeded to engage my son in conversation. To keep him from responding to the urge to cough. And it worked. My son stopped coughing. The Dr. Prescribed treatments for home because it doesn't always go away in 1 treatment. But he said to keep doing the exercise of engaging my son in a conversation for 20 seconds, then 30, then 40 and so on and so forth. His need to cough will get less and less frequent and eventually disappear altogether. So the answer....liquid lidocaine in the nebulizer and distracting your child so that they are not paying attention to the "urge" to cough!

[Mirmar14]

How long die the cough last for before you figureed that out? My son has a habit cough a mint now...same only during day not when asleep..I'm going nuts now.

[lindakelsh]

My son is 11 and has missed a mont of school now- he coughs all day but not at night. So far everything pediatrician tried has not worked and his tests are negative.

[82ndAB91]

I need to figure out this cough ?? is there a vit. or organic food that might help ?? 7 year old active son please give me something reasonable,to consider TY

[kimber8]

Did either of you ever figure this cough out?  We have been dealing with a chronic daytime cough with our 8year old son for a year now, it sounds exactly like you describe your sons condition.  We have seen numerous doctors as well and no one can figure it out.  He is currently on Flovent, nasonex, claritin and because of a recent sinus infection Keflex.  Nothing is helping.  

Thanks

[Mats_4]

Thank you for the comment, there are some similarities. My son is seeing a pediatric pulminologist now. Allergy tests all negative. Sleeps like a rock at night, eats great. Same laboring "barking" cough after 6 weeks followed by a more noticeable wheezing inhaling and exhaling over about 5 - 7 seconds. Frequency down, perhaps one every 15 minutes, but airway sounds very impeded when this activity goes on. Everything except reflux ruled out, will test for this within a few days. Pulminologist says may take days or months, but irritation and wheezing response will disappear. Son plays lots of sports, hard to keep him down. Playing sports does not accentaute the problem, so we are letting him continue on a reduced schedule. Other activities - games, lego also help. Being outside in wind and 11 am - 4 pm seem the main problems.

Concern - can build himself into a breathing frenzy again. Visits nurses office at school almost daily. Only current medication a mild?? cough suppressant - benzonatate. Again, wheezing more common than cough, but if asked to cough a course "bark".

[Janeym]

My 11 yr old was off school for 3 weeks with a croupy cough. That was  2 months ago- now back at school , but still coughing!.  We 2 visited A&E, Paeds, ENT and family Dr numerous times - including by ambulance.  Prescribed medications as your son was but now on antihistamine.  IgE result from blood rest showed 8 times normal level, so allergic to something-no idea what though!  Recommended no Sport, even swimming, whilst crour-like cough persists.  Review 2 months time. Only coughs when awake, just like your son.  When engrossed in a quiet hobby -meccano- he hardly coughs- hope this may help you and your son! good luck.