My 6 Month Old Had Been Wheezing and Coughing Since Birth Need Some Advice

I once made a comment to our pediatrician that my daughter was "born congested". I swear, she was congested since birth... We did antibiotics (for respitory/sinus infections) until she start haveing allergic reactions to antibiotics, ear tubes, heart test, blood tests, sinus cavity x-rays, nebulizer treatments... I swear, she was sick every 6-8 weeks. Nothing worked... She had 3 pediatric specialists. They were about to test her for CF but we opted for an allergy prick test and immunology test first. Turns out, she's allergic to cows milk protein. It makes her congested. Once I cut all dairy out of her diet, her ailments ceased. We went from going to her pediatrician 36 times (not including her other doctors) in 15 months to just 3 times the next 15 months.

If you haven't considered a milk allergy or another food allergy, I suggest you investigate it before going through the baatery of specialists and tests. After going through what we did with her doctors, I can tell you that the doctors seem to look for the biggest scariest explanations instead of the most common and simple explanation. Talk about looking for mountains instead of mole hills.

Good luck!

my cousin's baby had similar symptoms and finally they diagnosed him with RSV.

A number of ailments can cause lung issues, but commonly it is an infection. Yes, you should be concerned. Not being able to breathe can be lethal to a baby. Asthma is considered an emergency- i cannot believe your doctors are taking SOO long to deal with this issue. 6 months?!!!!!! Malpractice in my opinion.

Coughing of that kind of nature, where the child is gasping for breath after a coughing jag, is a classic sign of pertussis or whooping cough, just one type of infection. This disease is bacterial in nature, and unless it is swabbed for in the first few weeks on contracting it, it is usually not found, and untreatable past that point. However it can take 6 months or longer to finally get your lungs back to normal. Mine took a year. MOST doctors never test or suspect whooping cough because it was wiped out for many years. BUT, come to find out the vaccine only lasts 10 years, so high school kids are contracting it now and it goes through the school like wildfire. It spreads through entire communities. Most people just think they have a really bad cold. Again many times it is called asthma or a common virus by the doctors. I took eccinacea (an immune system booster)and it made a big difference in my lung function But I dont know the safety of it with infants.

Pnemonia is another infection. RSV. TB. And then there is CF,. Celiacs, and don't overlook heart failure or heart disease.

Sage is a potent broad spectrum antibiotic, an immune stimulant, and an expectorant. Samento is an antibacterial liquid that can treat L form and mycobacteria. But again, I dont know the safety of these with infants. A hollistic doctor is probably your best shot at getting the illness diagnosed and treated. It will cost you some money, but at least they take it seriously. Standard MD's screw around for years, and just kind of shrug their shoulders.

Choline deficiency can cause respiratory distress in infants.

Magnesium deficiency can cause asthma and copd. recurrent mucosal infections are a sign that magnesium is needed. Sometimes milk can cause low magnesium /high calcium which can cause the Mg deficiency.
Low vit A can cause mucosal infections .Magnesium is something i would definitely try, it is safe, and it is also needed for normal heart rythm, so it can help with heart problems too. It is HIGHLY recommended for asthma /COPD. There is a product called babycalm on line that is dosed for infants. there is also magnesium oil, which can be rubbed on skin and it absorbs that way.

Fulvic acid is safe and has 60+ trace minerals, which can support the immune system. it is a tasteless liquid, you can get it online or at health stores. It is said to rebuild the immune system, activates white blood cells, fights yeast and bacteria, controls inflammations and restores thymus, and it is the most powerful free radical scavenger known.

I would also consider a T of raw virgin coconut oil for the essensial fatty acids. It also has lauric and myristic acid which treat viral infection. coconut oil is put in baby formula..

one other thing, if they have you giving vit D or iron supplements i would seriously consider stopping them. Iron literally FEEDS bacteria. So if there is a lung infection iron supps can make the bacterial colony grow.
Vit D supps contribute to low magnesium/hi calcium.

ALWAYS follow your mama gut. it is right.

Has your pediatrician ordered a test for Cystic Fibrosis? My son went through a battery of tests when he was 9 months old because croup/stridor and other breathing issues that constricted his airway. We were sent to a pediatric pulmonologist. I recommend you ask your pediatrician for a referral and jump on this. You are a good mom and this does not sound terribly normal to me. At the very least, it may be severe allergies to something. It sounds like he needs some form of treatment. PS- my son is 3 and still on pulmicort every night but it does help. Good luck mommy!!

Hi,

I'm so sorry your baby has been coughing and wheezing. I would second the response below which said to follow up with a holistic doctor. Or you could follow up with your regular doctor and then find someone else who can help you with a more natural approach to healing. My oldest son and one of my twin boys has had health problems and I have found better responses and more accurate remedies with the people I've consulted with a natural approach to healing (chiropractor, accupuncturist and nutritionist).

Another response below mentioned removing dairy from the diet. It sounds like your baby is on formula now. You could try raw milk first before completely removing dairy from the diet. Plus, you could also try making your own formula. Here is some more information: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2005/1...

Good luck!

I would get a 2nd opinion. If you think it's not normal go with you gut. Good luck.

I am so sorry you and your baby are going through this. You need to be proactive with the doctors and ask a lot of questions. Also, do some research online. Go to your next scheduled appt but work on a getting a second opionion. Could it be asthma? Hang in there. I will keep you in my thoughts.

My son had his first asthma attack at 6 months old. We went home with albuterol and a nebulizer and basically used it for about 10 days until the wheezing subsided. Even then, he'd still have a lot of mucus & congestion in his throat and nose, which never seemed to clear up. When it's bad, he wheezes and his chest goes in and out pretty severely. He coughs so hard he vomits and has tears in his eyes and starts to cry.

Recently, we've put him on pulmicort daily and also give him a daily dose of probiotics as well. When his nose starts getting a little runny or dry and crusty, I give him saline drops in his nose and try to suction as much as he'll let me. I don't know if it's because we're passed cold & flu season, but overall, our current treatment plan seems to be working and I'm seeing my son healthy for the first time in about 9 months.

It sounds like maybe your son's current treatment plan is not really working. Specialists might help. I second opinion might help. A doctor's job is not only to treat your son, but also to make you feel at ease. Good luck!

My first thought was whooping cough (pertussis), but I'm sure there are many possibilities. Absolutely press the doctors for more tests, referrals, answers, diagnosis... This is not normal.

FYI - regarding whooping cough, a few of the school age children we know and some adults have had it within the last two months in the Sacramento area. A couple of doctors misdiagnosed it as asthma caused by seasonal allergies. The cough, mucus, vomiting from coughing and gasping for air can last for months even after the bacteria is treated/killed with antibiotics. One of my friends has been in bed for 4+ weeks with a bad case of WC. Young infants are especially at risk because they have not had their immunization shots. We've also learned that immunizations wear off and you need a tetanus booster (includes WC booster and others) to keep yourself protected.

Best wishes!

Take him to Childrens Hospital in Oakland. they are wonderful. With my grandson, I took him to several peds who kept telling myself and my daughter, who was only 16 at the time, that he was fine and we were over protective, etc., etc. We finally took him to children's hospital and they admitted him right away. he spent five days in the hospital. If I had stopped with the peds, he would not have survived! Take him to Children's Hospital without delay!

C., you should be seeing a gastroenterologist as well as a pulmonologist. There are several things that need to be ruled out. My daughter (almost 2) has sounded like an old man hacking and wheezing since she was 3 months old. She was tested for pertisis, tb, cystic fibrosis, allergies, chest xray, ugi series... The list goes on. The good news is everything was negative. We've don trials of reflux meds as well as ashma mess. Nothing helps. She still coughs. So it's nice to know most things have been ruled out and I think it is essential to do the same. Good luck to you and your little cougher! I hope your realuts are all the same as ours have been.

I really understand being caught between wanting to trust your doctors but feeling frightened by what's going on with your child. I have 2 kids with severe asthma (though they didn't start as young as your little guy). I've been in the position of having a child who's not responding to treatment, and REALLY wanting answers.

Your son's symptoms sound really frightening, and you're rightfully concerned about what's going on with him. I would press the doctors for more referrals, tests, treatments. Your son deserves to be able to breathe!

Good luck!