for moms with little ones with persistent congestion

Monkeybutt80 · January 2014

I know it is extremely frustrating to see your little one constantly congested and sick. We just saw a pediatric pulmonologist at a large hospital and I thought I would share our experience in the hopes that it could help some of you ladies.

Background: Since late October, Colton has been congested, wheezed and coughed. He has had 3 clean days since then. He would get better from one cold but quickly pick up another and each with difficulties breathing. He has been on antibiotics 3 times, had been on albuterol nebulizer up to 7 times a day since November, and had been on up to 2 pulmocore (steroid based nebulizer) per day since late November. Every time he picks up a cold, it would immediately move into his chest, causing a lot of wheezing and uncomfortable breathing. He's had RSV and had an overnight observation at the hospital. By December, our pediatrician was saying that he is asthmatic even though drs do not officially diagnose kids with asthma until they are 2. I had mild asthma growing up and my husband's father and brother still use inhalers for their asthma, so we accepted it as that was what it was.

We went to see a pediatric pulmonologist and he said that it could be asthma, but that half of these infant chronic congestion with wheezing cases turn out to be reflux. When he said that, my immediate response was "but he never spits up!" He had spit ups here and there but he has never been a chronic spitter. The Dr said if it just comes up to their throat and goes down the wrong way, it's enough to irritate and inflame their airways (which is sort of what asthma is - irritated airways). So it is possible to have reflux without any spit ups. So we started him on Nexium. Dr said it won't keep him from picking up colds but by reducing the irritation in this airways, his symptoms won't be exacerbated. It's only been about 7 days so I don't know for sure. However, about 4 days ago he started with the sniffles again, and normally by 2-3rd day, he usually has a full blown wheezing with deep chest congestion, and so far, he's not wheezing. It is probably too soon to tell, but I hope this works.

And for all you ladies with little ones with persistent congestion and/or wheezing, reflux might be worth bringing up with your drs.

BunnyLove416 · January 2014

This is LO too! At least the congestion because of reflux part. Glad you're seeing some good results!

ASmallWonder · January 2014

We're in the same boat, though not nearly as bad as your poor LO. Our pedi also feels that a lot of his "junkiness" is reflux related even though he never spits up. Come to think of it... DAMN! Did any of you read my "feeding hell" post? Do you think reflux could be any of the reason he is fighting us on bottles? The pedi had said she didn't want to medicate him because it didn't make him uncomfortable but now the wheels are churning.

Monkeybutt80 · January 2014

@bunnylove416 thank you! and I hope you cutie is doing well!

@elmoali we've had some issues on and off with bottles, but he steadily gained weight so we hadn't thought about reflux issues before. But I do hear that reflux can be a cause for eating issues. Maybe worth talking to the dr again?

@Bleachy14 thank you. We started out with a string of colds that seemed to be never ending like you. I hope your baby gets better and soon!

RedCherry1109 · January 2014

@elmoali - there is a great FB group call MSPI and Reflux. They know a lot about reflux and a lot of them are having the same issue as you with LO. They have helped me out so much. Let me ( if you have FB) and I can add you.

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