**cstyles**

ayram

Hey!  Just thought I'd let you know we spent ANOTHER 4 days in the hospital!  We were away for the weekend, and I hesitated taking him in to the ER because I knew they would overreact - assume pneumonia, do chest x-rays etc.  They did all this, transferred him to a bigger hospital... I knew he just needed the neb treatments and liquid steroids, but everyone was so cautious.  We eventually got transferred to our hospital, saw our pedi, who knows the history.

Have you considered any alternative treatments?  I would love some more options rather than just the puffers.  We saw a chiropractor for a few weeks, but didn't see any changes...

How are your nights going?  Still having some success?

cstyles

Poor Isacc! 

We have "considered" alternative treatments, but my Dh is VERY main stream.  He nixed the chiro. idea with ear infections.  I myself have had great success with accupuncture and have considered calling my doctor to see if this is a possibility for Coop.  I don't know though it is just so tough with them being so little.

Coop just started wheezing again, I think this makes a 6 week stretch (his longest in 6 months) with no breathing problems.  We do nightly steroid treatments with the neb and today I started back on  his rescue neb treatments (which we'll do until the wheezing stops).  Apparantley they really don't like to give oral steroids at all during the first year, and definetly not more than twice in a 12 month period. Coop has already had his 2 rounds, so I'm just praying that we don't have to go that route again.

Are you seeing a pulmanologist or asthma specialist?  I know that most docs don't like to call it asthma, but what else could it be?  Do you guys do the neb treatments at home, even when he's well?

Apparantly the neb steroids have been around forever and have minimal side effects (but don't work if kid is actively sick) compared to the liquid oral steroids.

I'm so sorry things have gotten bad again.  I'll be praying for you guys!

*Oh and nights are hit and miss around here.  Coop was really restless last night and then started wheezing today, so I think it was breathing related.  Even after daily treatments for almost 6 months, he still screams through the entire neb treatment.  I think it keeps me from using it as much as he really needs. 

ayram

My DH is also very mainstream, but I'm going to do some research - maybe more chiropractic, or some naturopath or homeopath? I feel like we're always playing catch-up.  We were ahead of the game for a few months while he was healthy, but now he's sick again.  I'm so sorry to hear that Coop is wheezing again. Isn't it the worst feeling to see/hear it again?  And picture going through all that again. I really hope he gets better before it gets too bad. Do you find that the treatments help? You have a neb at home?  We just have the puffers and aerochambers.

I didn't know that about the oral steroids in the first year.  If it makes you feel any better, I think Isaac has had them at least 4 times!!!  And in the past 1.5 weeks he had 5 days, then another 7 days.  Eeeep.  And the summer was supposed to be the good time!  No colds/flu/etc.

I'll ask the pedi about seeing a specialist.  He had mentioned a few months back about seeing a respirologist, but we hadn't been sick for 3 months.  I'll definitely ask about it now.

Thanks for commiserating with me. While it sucks that your little guy gets sick, it is nice to talk to someone else who knows what we're going through.  You know how everyone always says "He's sick again?"  Yes.  Again.  Bleh.

Stay healthy, Coop!!  Show Isaac how it's done!! 

My name's Marya, by the way (my screen name backwards)

cstyles

We do have an at home neb machine.  It is a LIFE SAVER!!!!  I'm pretty sure it is the only thing that has kept Coop out of the hospital. Our pediatrician before it was standard to allow parents to give at home neb treatments, kids were in the hospital ALL the time.  It sounds like Isaac would really benefit from one.  We also see an asthma specialist who practices at our pedi's office.  She is just a nurse practitioner, but she gave us soooo much good info.  For tiny ones (like our guys) the puffers just don't work as well.  Coop has a puffer for when we're out and about, but she said even if we use it and get home 20 minutes later to give him a neb treatment.  The amount of meds that actually enters their lungs with the puffer is only a fraction of what the neb machine can do.

It is very nice to have someone to commiserate with.  I always feel like I've failed Coop in some way.  We didn't leave the house with him until he was 6 months old because he caught something every time we did.  I finally said screw it, he gets sick no matter what I do, so he might as well have a life. 

Is it really hot there?  I've noticed the more I have Coop in the humid heat the worse the wheezing gets. 

Isaac and Coop's symptoms just sound so similar, I would push for the asthma specialist or at least a doctor who specializes in respiratory problems.  I one day stormed until our pedi's office and said enough is enough, what we're doing isn't working, so let's do something different.  That's when they said asthma (instead of reactive respiratory) and scheduled him with the specialist.  Since the specialist tweeked his daily med regimen, it has been a HUGE different.  I'm confident that we can keep this most recent wheezing from turning into anything big.  I just HATE having to pin Coop for 4 minutes every 4 hours to give him the treatment....it is a VERY LONG 4 minutes!!!!

Get better Isaac!

 

*Oh and my name is Christy