My 17 Month Old May Have Asthma, Need Some Advice

My almost 4 year old does not have asthma, she has asthma like symptoms. I have been told by several specialists that they will not diagnose asthma in a child under 4. My daughter is fine unless she gets a chest cold. Then she needs her inhaler.

My now 3 year old daughter was diagnosed with asthma a year ago. She had terrible coughing at night that would wake her, and it progressed into coughing fits when she would catch a cold or virus. After a few months of trying meds with her pediatrician, we we're referred to DuPage Med group Asthma and Allergy group. They tested her for allergies, (negative), and decided hers was viral induced. She is on inhaled steroids, and Singulair. Only occasionally does she get into bad shape. I was told her chances of growing out of it by the age of 5 or 6 is very good. Anyway, seek help, a specialist in the field if possible. The inhaled steroids do not seem to cause any negative effects.

Be proactive!!!
my daughter has been having some breathing difficulty especially when she gets any type of cold, but she was constantly congested.
i was skeptical with my pediatrician's diagnosis, plus they told me she was too young for allergy testing.
I took her to Dr. Akter at Hope Children's Hospital in oak lawn.
We had her allergy tested and found out she was allergic to cow's milk (she was on a milk based formula) and diagnosed her with asthma. we have changed her diet (significantly decreasing her congestion) and she has an asthma treatment plan - so we know what to do if she starts having a problem so i doesn't get out of control.
she has been on the steroid inhalers (not the same as taking an oral steroid - not as many systemic side effects, just helps to keep the airways open).
Hope this helps. My best advice ... specialists are specialists for a reason. don't be afraid to get them involved. :)

My son had RSV as an infant and subsequently wheezes every time he gets sick. He has some seasonal allergies and does frequently cough at night and when he runs around, especially in dry weather and allergy season. He has done steroids, neb. treatments, inhalers, but only when he is actively wheezing. They have not mentioned asthma yet as often children will display asthma symptoms up to about age 6 and then grow out of it. I have a niece who coughed terribly every time she even ran around the house, she is 9 now with no problems. She plays both soccer and basketball on club teams. While your daughter may need a little treatment, I would question them if they say it is actually asthma.

My son also had a slight heart murmur. While a heart murmur can be caused by several things, his is something called a PFO (Patent Foramen Ovale) It is a hole that everyone has in their heart in utero. They are supposed to close up w/in a month after birth but sometimes they don't. They did an echocardiogram (his was totally non-invasive) on him to determine this. They will do another at age 5 to make sure it has closed up. I have one they was not discovered until I was pregnant with my twins. They increased blood flow caused a murmur that I didn't normally have. Mine is more severe and is classified as an ASD Atrial Septal Defect. It will not affect me in any way and nothing needs to be done with it. I am a runner and love to work out. Hopefully it is as minor as that with your daughter. My son no longer has a murmur (he 3 now).

Best of luck, I'm sure she'll be fine!

Wow N.,you sound like me several years ago!!! My now nine year old went through the same thing just around that age-heart murmur and all! She does have asthma and has been on singulair for the allergies and inhalers and at times prednisolone(steroid)and Claritin(for allergies as well as benadryl)AND we have a nebulizer at home -i hated having her on all those meds and still do-i was so afraid of the effects on her little body. She has been hospitalized for pnuemonia(sp)and this past May for a severe asthma attack. So-my suggestion to you is to go and see an allergist! I learned so much when she was in the hospital(Children's) that my ped. didn't inform me of- and i LOVE my ped.-she is just NOT a specialist! An allergist will help you understand and treat correctly her asthma and allergies! Although we are still learning what it is that causes her severe asthma attacks, we are confident now on how to treat her-so as not to end up in the ICU again! Start with an allergist and go from there-you'll be glad you did-feel free to contact me again if you'd like-
good luck and blessings to you and your little one
~T.

N.,

You have gotten some great advice. You should also check out the American Lung Association website and American Academy of Pediatrics. Both have a lot of information on pediatric asthma. It is important to know the symptoms and treatment but also to know why. Coughing especially in the middle of the night and with exercise can be the beginning of asthma however you are not really considered to have asthma until there is wheezing. But trust me you want to stop asthma before you get to wheezing.
Clean the home environment. If you have central heat and air get your air ducts clean. Also get a hepa type filter in her room to clean the air. Detoxing the home environment can also be helpful. Allergy testing may be needed as well to determine what is triggering her coughing.
I have had asthma all my life and my dtr recently started with the asthma cough this fall. Her symptoms improved with zyrtec and singulair. Once mid Nov. hit I was able to take her off the meds as her allergy triggers are highest in the fall. Every child is different. Be sure to get educated and know your options.

Did not loook to see how many responses you have had. my daughter was 2 when she was diagnosed. we got the toal run around. we finally were told to go to lutheran general in park ridge. it is a drive for us, but well worht it. it is awesome. she does have asthma, but it is treatable,and under control! email me or leave me a message if you would like more info.

N., My son who will be 7 in a couple weeks had allergy induced asthma since birth. He had been on everything from predisone to chewable singular. We even had to buy a nebulizer(sp). He finally outgrew the asthma thankgoodness. The singular really helped him alot with the allergies and helped control the asthma to me it was a life-saver. I know it is all scary but with all the chemicals in this world more and more children have asthma.

Take advantage of a free trial of an Ecoquest purifier. Your trying meds, see if she gets relief with a purifier, not only may it help her breathing but many indoor triggers
can also cause undo stress on a baby's heart.
This product treats the air not her, but they have been found to be very effective. You have the opportunity to try it for yourself. Don't forget anything you are breathing in,
she breathes up to five more times when you compare body mass and her delicate lungs.
Along with nutritional supplements she may improve greatly.
It bothers me so when a doctor starts a medicine for a child so young, instead of looking at more options of what may be causing the flare up, and removing it.
Kudos to the Mom who said get rid of the toxins in the home. Don't discount detergents used for washing clothes or the fabric softener either of these could cause breathing difficulties , too.

One of my twins had asthma that started close to that age.
She had an inhaler, which we did not have to use that much, and I also purchased a nebulizer in which we had to give her breathing treatments.

I had asthmas as a child as well, which I outgrew by the time I was 5, my duaghter as well as outgrown the asthma, but on ocassion will get croup. She is 7.

The other twin has alergy induced asthma which started when she was 5.

I think it is better when they get it earlier as your daughter has because they seem to outgrow it more.

Check with the doctor/insurnace company about the nebulizer. It has been great having it.

Good luck,

L.

We went through a similar situation with our son starting at 3 months old. He was put on nebulizer treatments right away--sometimes 4-6 treatments a day at home. We became experts.

He had pneumonia once and went to the doctor often. I had to quit work because he couldn't be around other children where he was always getting sick in daycare. Also, they never understood when he needed a nebulizer treatment.

We eventually put on inhalers when he was old enough and mature enough physically. We used a chamber and still do for the inhaler.

He is 11 years old and his asthma rarely acts up. I believe he is outgrowing it. My son is average height and weight. My son is doing great!

My daughter is now almost 4 and has had viral induced asthma ever since she developed RSV at 3 months of age. From 12-36 months it was the worst, she coughed almost all winter long, especially at night (we didn't know at the time it was asthma). When she was turning 3, another parent I know suggested I take her to a pulmonologist. I found one through Childrens Memorial at CDH. They diagnosed her asthma, and we purchased a nebulizer (doc said she was too young to use an inhaler correctly). The treatments have eliminated her coughing! I was concerned too about the steroid, but she explained that because it's inhaled, it's not entering the bloodstream. So, she uses pulmicort once daily (before bed) as a preventative measure in the winter. If she does get the cough back, we have another medicine to use, Xopenex, but she rarely needs it. Good luck with whatever you do- I know it's scary, but I do think that they outgrow it, and that the breathing treatments work well. If you want to see a pulmonologist, I would recommend Dr. Chung at CDH. Best wishes!

Hi,

My son had respitory issues since he was about 1. I blamed myself for the onset of this because he had a bad cold and cough and in order to give his little body a break from all the coughing I kept giving him a cough suppresant, which I think prevented him from coughing up all the mucus and we ended up with all the issues. He also has allergies but I noticed that he would only have the problems when he got a cold. We were told to use the neb with Xopenex(sp? Albuterol made him to wild, and the Xopenex worked just fine) We had to add the Pulmicort to the Xoponex and then give him the neb treatment. The doctor said that this could be forever or he could outgrow it. We were so persistent about his treatment and at the first signs of breathing/coughing problems (after a few episodes, you'll be able to recognize the beginning of it) we would start neb treatments, I think he has outgrown it. He is 7 and does many sports and runs wild without any problems. He still has allergies that we treat on an as needed basis, but I thank God that we do not have to keep going through what we did when he was a baby. Good Luck.

N., I would recommend seeing a pulmonary or allergy doc before you do anything. You can see someone at Children's Memorial by calling 1-800-kids-doc.

My 4 year old has asthma and has had for well over a year. Unfortunately once she had the horrible cough the only thing that cleared it was the steriod prednisone. She also went on Zyrtec as a prevention and it has helped. I also had to purchase a nebulizer as well to administer when she starts to cough. Good Luck - I know steriods are scary - I've had to take them several times my whole life for my asthma and I don't have any health issues from it - unfortunely once it's in your chest the steriod is sometimes the only thing that works. They key is prevention.

Hi N.! My son who is now 4 had the same problem. If I know what I have known now, I would have taken him to an allergist and it would determine what type of ashtma mild or severe if it's cold induced. After years of nebulizer and trip to doctors and ER, they put him in Pulmicort. Wow was this a miracle! This is taken daily for prevention, and since then, he has not been sick! Knock on wood, but I swear but it. Please go to an allergist and see what they say. Have your Dr. suggest one in your network of course. Take care and God Bless.

K.

I have seen some great changes with kids in similar situations to yours under chiropractic care in my office as well as in the research. The nerves that control the lungs are in the middle part of the spine and if there is any pressure on them, asthma may present. A chiropractic evaluation will reveal if this is the case. It would be an easy drug free step to take. To find a pediatric chiropractor near you go to icpa4kids.org or icapedicatrics.com. Feel free to call the office as well.
In Health,
J. Aardema DC DICCP
###-###-####
www.flowchiropractic.com

My 3 yr old just wen tthrough this..she coughed for , I am not kidding you, a year. The did a chest x-ray and it showed a few things but nothing they were really concerned about. Then we started the nebulizer with albuteral. That got rid of it, but it always came back. An alergist said she had asthma and started her on pulmicort and syngular. I was uncomfortable with all of this...I just felt like it was not asthma. We happened to be at an ENT for another child and he said it sound bronchial..Gave her an antibiotic and she has not coughed since. I do not know why our primary care Dr. never prescribed an antibiotic. We have since changed for a number reasons to a new pediatrician. I took her off everything right before the antibiotic and she has not coughed since...been about a month...the ENT said that he feels many kids are diagnosed and it is not asthma. So...knock on wood the cough has never come back...which was exactly like the one you have described...she would even throw up from the violent coughing attacks she would have.

Good Luck...I know exactly how you feel!
K.

My son was diagnosed with asthma at 8 months old. He started having breathing problems at 4 months old. He has been on Pulmicort since his first birthday and it's been marvelous. It's kept us out of the hospital many times. I had thought that I didn't want him on it because it gave us a false sense that everything was better for him but I know that he could not get by without it. It truly is amazing and far outweighs the risks. If you daughter needs it please give it a try. I received something from the makers of Pulmicort that had a stir stick and a normal straw attached to a paper. It told you to breath through the stir stick and that's what it's like to breath with asthma then breath through the regular straw and that's what it's like to breath normally. I would never want my child to go through an asthma attack again after doing that. It was really scary. I hope you find the best solution for your daughter.

This problem is personal to me since my son got asthma at 18 months. He was put on several meds, including steroids, and as warned by the pediatrician who put him on the meds, his growth was stunted by the steroids. His symptoms in general were at first masked and subdued by the meds, but then he grew resistant and steadily worse while on these adult dosage meds.
We went to an allergist who found 8 allergies from some weak scratch tests. He wrote more perscriptions.

Then we went to an NAET allergist (www.naet.com) who tested my son for 160 different allergens through neuroscensory muscle testing (NMT) and foundhe had 11 undiagnosed food allergies and several chemical and enviromental allergies. This techniques isolates the organs affected and the antibodies produced by the allergen and then it retrains the brain to acknowledge that the allergen is ok and eliminates the allergy.

It is amazing and life changing. OUr son is 3 now and off all his meds as all his food allergies are eliminated and now starting on the environmental and chemical allergies. he is a different boy. We go to Dr. Tam in Lombard, who is phenominal. Our insurance covers it.

Good luck - this was the right path for our son.

My youngest has asthma and if it just a cough it doesn't sound like asthma to me. In winter his asthma is worse, but asthma usually has some weezing with it, which is him struggling to get air, which is why we have a nebulizer for him. I think a lack of oxygen from not being able to breathe well is worse than the meds in the neb. See if the allergy med works for you first. And maybe a specialist is a good idea if it doesn't work.

Hi N.. YOu have had tons of responses but, there is one piece that seems to be missing - triggers. I have a daughter who is 3. She was diagnosed with asthma at 4 months. She is so severe that I carry a portable nebulizer with me at all times. We had 11 ER visits in 2008 alone.. I have no idea how many in the past 3 years. She has been healthy, cold free, breathing free since early November 08 and has for the first time in her life been around other little kids daily. : ) I have tried traditional medicine, chiropractics and NAET. They all have their perks. Here is where we are finding success:

1. working closely with a pediatric allergist (Associated Allergist in Highland Park) - get an allergy test done! Can get it free if you sign up for the Children's Hospital food allergy study. You can't fight a battle if you don't know the enemy.
2. Nebulize daily with Pulmicort (and Albuterol, Xopenex and prednilisone when needed.)
3. ***Just started 1st week of November daily: **vitamin C, multi-vitamin, evening primrose oil, calcium, and **optiflora (probiotic).
4. I got rid of as many toxins as I could within my home!! I think this is really key.. get rid of triggers! I got rid of all my cleaning supplies and switched to non-toxic, organic cleaners, switched to cloth diapers, buy organic fruits and veggies, etc.. (we are actually saving money too!). I would be happy to walk you through steps to take to de-tox your home. I also have a cool symtoms chart that can help you determine which suppliments you need. We are definitely seeing great results from the suppliments! HTH!

Hi N.,
We were just emailing about this....as soon as we removed the down comforter from my daughter's room her cough disappeared. We have been around the SAME thing for 3 three years and all of a sudden these horrible allergies and coughing came on. We removed all stuffed animals but 2 or 3 (she trades them every now and then) dust/vacuum often, etc....So hard isn't it. Hopefully you can find the trigger and help her get a better nights sleep.

Hi N.,
I understand your concern about using medication on your baby. I have a 19 month old, 8 year old and 13 year old. I don't like to either! I have been through asthma, exzema, allergic reactions and much more with my kids. Frustrsated and convinced it was all caused by the toxic chermicals they put in our everyday products (including baby wash and shampoo)I began purchasing products from this online wellness Company, eventually switched my entire home over to nontoxic, eco-friendly products. Guess what...... As soon as the chemicals were gone, everyone started getting better. I now work for that company. If you would like a referral to try their products out, risk free, I would be happy to share...
A.

N.,
I implore you to get your daughter treated with Homeopathy instead of the antihistamine or steroid inhaler. Both of those meds will affect her murmur & a steroid will shut down part of immune system which will drive this "virus" further into the body & will imerge later as something worse. A steroid suppresses the body inate ability to heal itself. Homeopathy will allow the body to go in the direction of healing & will not suppress anything. Come see me, I do Homeopathy. I will help your daughter to restore her health! ###-###-####. I have Wellness packages available too. Don't wait, lets get this taken care of now!
Dr. A., ND

My 18 month old son has asthma. He had many heart and lung problems at birth which have now been corrected. I would suggest seeing a pediatric pulmonologist. There may be other things you can do. We were told that coughing is never just a cough when asthma is in the picture. I would definately get another opinion, professionally. Especially if the coughing has been going on this long and gets worse with activity. Good luck.