Coughing

[Sarahcook]

My lad (3.5yrs) has been coughing at nights for more than 5 weeks now. It started with croup and just won't go. He has bouts of it, but nothing as long lasting as this. We're up and down in the night, he's coughing himself nearly sick and I have to work so he has to go to nursery.

I'm running out of ideas and into that faint hopelessness that parents get at 3am. Can anyone help?

Sarah

[Martin]

I'd wheel him along to a homoeopath (you should be able to prise a consultation with a homoeopathic doctor out of the NHS), and perhaps get him checked for allergies too! I'd be particularly suspicious of all household "foams" like those in furniture and under carpets, as well as all the usuals like dust mites!
For a simple, safe remedy, we always swore by Nelsons "Sootha" which is a homoeopathic cough linctus, which really works, without nasty chemicals or side effects! (Even enlightened chemists stock it!)
Good luck!

[Sarahcook]

Shortly after reading your reply I went upstairs and removed cushions, Sam-bear, his blanket and gave everywhere a swift but sneaky wipe down.
This left him with his towel (fresh off the radiator) and his duvet (cover last washed at the weekend)

Consequence? He slept through until nearly 5am, the longest period of uninterrupted sleep for longer than I care to remember.

At 5am he woke up because he was cold. I tucked him back up, gave him Sam-bear and put his blanket back on his bed.

Consequence? (Possibly!) No more sleep, lots of coughing and tears.

Hmmmmmmmm. Could the be "Elementary, my dear Martin"?

Heading to the docs at the soonest opportunity (some times in August I expect!)

Thanks for the info Martin.

Sarah

[baldowrie]

If you can't wash the bear at 60 degrees put the bear in the freezer for while, that will kill off any dust mites. Do the same with pillows if they can't be washed. If you think it dust mite that set him off buy some protective bedding, this is not cheap so do the freezer first to be sure.

[Jarmara]

When my eldest daughter was about 9yrs old (now 13 yrs )she got a really bad dose of broncitus(sp?) when that went she kept coughing at night and started being wheeze at PE, she was checked for allergies but didn't have any then the doc did some more tests and realised she had developed Asthma due to her lungs being damaged,if she doesnt keep on top of the dusting in her room she always starts coughing and wheezing so i would suggest a visit to the doc and check it all out if only for peace of mind.

[Annpan]

Sarah, sorry to hear of your distress I had similar problems with my OH (given he's not 3.5) it must be awfull when its your wee one I don't want to preach to the converted but try some of these :

During the day get the windows in the house open for a while to 'renew the air' - while your having breakfast is a good time. In bedrooms this helps keep humidity down (below 45%) and the temperature down (below 21oC.)

Dust with a damp cloth, so that you remove the dust rather than moving it around.

When you have a nice clear day try to get the duvet, pillows, rugs etc outside on thye line to blow around in the fresh air. (even sam bear can get hung up by his ears )

Wash all bedding at 60oC to kill dust mites

Don't allow pets to sleep in bedrooms

If you can, consider getting rid of carpets in your house. I know its not always possible but it can help.


I know this all sound like a bit of a pain in the rear end but I swear by it, my OH suffered from wheezing and asthma until we put laminate flooring in all the rooms and I read a bit about keeping dustmites down... I haven't heard a wheeze or cough from him in 5 years.
Have to say his parents house is carpeted and they don't pay much attention to dust levels - every one in the house has asthma.

Ann Pan (with added material from Kim and Aggie )

[Sarahcook]

We have removed his blanket, towel and Sam-bear is sitting on the book case. ("But I Looooooove Sam bear!" in tears.) We've damp dusted and had the windows open. We've made the cat pack it's bags. (Kidding. He doesn't go in Sam's room anyway) I even hoovered the stairs. He has laminate floor.

He's had some Balsam.

He's had a drink.

He's had 4 big 'cough til you choke and nearly be sick and can't breathe in without making the weird noise and scare the life out of your mother because you ain't breathing' sessions, since he went to bed 90 mins ago.

We've tried steam.

We've tried propping up.

Any more ideas?

Anyone?

[Shirley]

It sounds like you tried virtually everything... have you been to the doctor yet?

I do empathise with you - it's horrible having a child coughing all the time, and 5 weeks plus sounds like a very long time.

Do you have central heating? Is it on at night? I'm grabbing at straws! Just the way I'd be doing it if it were my own son (similar age)

Have you tried olbas oil on his sheet (not on his pillow if he's like J... if it gets on your eyes it is horrid!) - I put it on the sheet just above where his pillow lies and it does help (him).

Propping up? the bed, or him? I add an extra pillow sometimes, and also stick the feet of the head end of the bed up on a couple of books.

[Sarahcook]

I've just read this and stuck some Karvol on a towel on the top of his bed. he has got a blocked up nose so maybe this will help. Thanks Shirlz.

And he's seriously propped up now.

The OH is ill as well and has done his knees in very badly, (grazed, bruised, swollen, proper job!) and the cold makes them hurt even more so the central heating is on something of a balance, but I might go and open the boy's windows. He'll kick all his covers of and complain about the cold, but I'll be in there anyway for the coughing, so I'll have lost nothing! (I have to laugh.... I do....)

I think it's doctor time. Last time I went they gave him a single dose of steroids which did clear it for a couple of nights from a croup to a cough, but it's back up and then some. I don't like the idea of more steroids and so on, but he can't go on like this.

The last few times, he's missing out the coughing and going straight for the retching. Lazy child.....

Sarah

[Annpan]

I am so sorry ()()()()() hugs

[Shirley]

How is he today Sarah - and how are YOU? It's exhausting looking after a poorly boy, but doubly so if you've got to go to work the next day.

[Sarahcook]

Update on the Beloved Child would be that he is still coughing, but less so, and it appears to be the Karvol that is helping him most. I have been carrying on with the damp dusting, the windows are open, the cat is shaved, the bedding is all washed and so forth. He has less of a stuffy nose though, and this appears to mean that he sleeps with his mouth shut and so coughs less.

We hope.

Last night he was at his fathers and 'hardly coughed at all.", but that could mean anything to be honest. So far tonight he's been the best he's been for a long time. He has faith in the Karvol and was sleeping with the towel over his face last time I looked.

Thankyou so much to everyone for their help and advice and good vibes. We have a doctors appointment for Friday (the soonest they could do one!) but I might cancel it and see how he goes.

Sarah

[cat]

When my children cough during the night I make an essential oil mixture of 1 teaspoon almond oil, 3 drops essential oil of eucalyptus and 2 drops essential oil of thyme. Mix it all together and rub it onto his chest and upper back. It's supposed to be for children over 4 (recipe from "The fragrant Pharmacy" wonderful book!) but can be used in younger children in severe cases.
A friend of mine's little girl was like your son for weeks too. Then I made her some of this and she was much better. I only use it at night.
Hugs for you, little boy and OH - it sounds as though you all need them

[Annpan]

It's good to hear that you are doing a little better.

If I were you I'd go to the doctors anyway and see what they have to say, it might give you more options. You could still do whatever works... but at least you know tht there could be another way ( ie. resorting to anti-biotics)

Good luck in the next week anyway, and do keep us posted