Scared: My daughter has Asthma or Post-Nasal Drip?

[VHunter]

Yup
My eldest...

She had a cold that didn't clear up (when all of the rest of us had), so I took her in to the clinic and they said leave it be. Then we all got another cold, and a real bad doozy with fever and the works. She had it the worst, would cough so hard she'd throw up.
Went to see doctor a 2nd time, they still wouldn't do anything. Said leave it be, don't give her cough medecine.
For just over 2mths, her nose has been running non stop and now she has developed a dry cough... that just won't go away. It's like she's clearing her throat. But it's not non-stop? It's periodic? And the nose blowing? We are going through TONNES of kleenex. It's ridiculous.

Went for her checkup and hoped her pediatrician would do something about it when the other two wouldn't.
Her answer? ASthma, let's drug my kid with sprays without testing for allergies or even trying anything else... steroids:irked: I do NOT like that idea.
Totally ignored the incessant running nose.

Right off, says to me "does anyone smoke". I'm not an idiot, she's insulting me by playing stupid:evil: I KNOW she can smell it on me. And I told her that too, that I know damn well she could smell it, and yes, I smoke. Not in any area of the house, other than by the kitchen window and ONLY when it's cold. OTHERWISE, I'm OUTSIDE! Nothing peeves me off more than a Dr getting snotty with me and trying to play me like an idiot.
Like YES I KNOW SMOKING IS BAD.. ok, I get it. (and yes, I'm trying again to quit and it was decided BEFORE this evening's scarey fiasco, so please please do not torment me with smoking lectures... I do NOT need it right now)
But HELLO Doc!!! other factors to consider, let's not rule all of them out. ESPECIALLY SINCE it only just suddenly showed up RIGHT AFTER THEY REFUSED TO TREAT HER COLD:!: And she's never ever ever been sick in her life. I've never had to run her to the hospital for anything more than an ear infection and the last one was when she was 2yrs old. Once I removed her from daycare and stayed home, that was the end of that.
BOTH of my daughters have been exceptionally healthy since birth. I've only had one SINGLE time that their fevers were high... just ONCE... that's it. They both had the same flu.... in the bath they went... and all was well.

Now...
Her father has asthma.
We have a cat and a dog.
Dust from from uv gel....
PLUS THEY LET HER COLD DRAG ON...

And this stupid woman wants to drug my kid on a daily does of steroids without testing for allergies or testing for asthma to be sure? My daughter is not wheezing. she's not incessantly coughing. her nose won't stop running! She doesn't get winded from gym class or other similar activities....

WHY are they scaring the hell outta me with the Asthma word????
And when I searched online.... it seems to me she more likely has Post nasal drip and NOT asthma...

I'm mad they didn't treat her bad cold in the beginning.
I'm scared that she might have asthma.
I'm scared to fill the prescription and drug my kid with something that might have negative effects long term or short term and may not be treating the right problem!

I want to get a 2nd opinion.

Am I wrong? Or should I just fill the prescription and drug my kid with a drug I'm not comfortable giving her daily , twice a day?

I want to cry. I want to yell. I'm frustrated. I'm scared.
I know... asthma is treatable.. blah blah....

I just can't bear the idea of my little girls having anything wrong with them..
I just can't bear it
:cry:

 

[hippy-chick]

blimey! they've diagnosed asthma without doing any further tests!!!!

labelling her 'asthmatic' is a big thing!

it sounds to me like post natal drip or rhinitis. I have rhinitis. I have mucus at the back of my throat, I sneeze all the time, people are always asking me if I've got a cold.

Rhinitis is allergies to modern life (in the words of my doctor), which is a combination of any of the following:
dust
central heating
fitted carpets
no chimneys (for ventialation)
double glazing
air borne toxins
increase in cars, etc, etc

I was prescribed a nasal steriod spray, which I dutifully took for a few months, but then the Dr dropped the bombshell.....I would be on it for life!!!

The nasal spray was then thrown in the bin, subsequent prescriptions were ripped up.

I maintain my condition with hopi ear candles, honey in the summer and trying to restrict mucus-forming foods like diary and cheese.

What you could do, is take her to see a kinesciologist,, who would test her for allergies. Or, get her hair analysed or blood analysed to see if she has an intolerances/allergies. When I had my hair analysed, I was also tested for household products like washing up liquid, etc.

Don't just take what they have initially said, try the alternatives.

 

[gillian w]

Definately have a go at keeping her off of dairy for a while.It really makes a difference to how mucusy i get with pnd and other allergies.

 

[sj1973]

your poor daughter and you,going through all this to be told its asthma....so your daughter has had runny nose for 2 months....i have asthma and so do 2 of my children,i smoke but not in the house...i have flu at the moment and so have my chidren,who have asthma....this is what we do....for runny nose i use olbas pastiles...they are brill ,clear up our nose in no time and it stops running....also my daughter had asthma real bad even her pumps were not clearing her up,i was scared she will have attack and die (always think the worse !) i went on the net and see a woman uses eucalyptus iol....all we do is put some drops on her bed sheets or clothing..i use it aswell...let me tell you....her asthma is better i do not feel as though she is going to have a attack....even when we have just runny nose it stops it....its brilliant...hope this helps you and your daughter....ask for a second opinion aswell you are worried and as a good parent....you can have a second opinion xxxx

 

[sian1979]

hi,
when your daughter coughs is it when she goes outside......this is a classic sign of asthma....there is alot of asthma on both sides of our family so we have to keep an eye on our kids. dave does not have it too bad and just uses his salbutamol pump as and when he needs it he also has a beconase one that he is supposed to use every day as a preventative but doesnt......he is fine.
With asthma there are too ends of the spectrum some have it really bad and others just have it mild...for instance my brother grew out of his...he had seasonal asthma linked with hayfever....he suffered really bad with streaming eyes and nose. Growing out of it is quite comman apparantly.
At the end of the day we all know our own kids best....even better than the docs...and if you believe that something is not right then you should fight your corner....if you feel you need a second opinion then for your own peace of mind you should go and get it.
Dont think though that if a doc says she needs some form of medication that she will be on it for life......as this is not always the case. Ask lots of questions...its your right to!!!
:hug::hug:

 

[Lucy-Jayne]

Good Morning Ladies

I have asthma, diagnosed pretty much straight away after birth. I am a bronchial (not sure if I spelt that right!) asthmatic. Not a wheezer. It's a common misconception that all asthmatics wheeze.

The only way by ashthma affects me now is if I get a cold, basically I'm screwed! It stays with me and I get a cough similar to what it sounds like your daughter has. I always have to carry a tissue with me as I have a runny nose. And sometimes I cough so hard that I'm about to throw up.

Now, I also go to see the Asthma nurse every now and again. They give me the peak flow meter, see what I'm like, then I take a puff of salbutamol and 15 mins later I see if the peak flow improves. The doctor also does this to me if I have a cough and go and see him. It's a sure way of knowing that the inhalers are working and opening up the airways. Rather than put your daughter indefinitely on the inhalers can you see if they can test her this way? I'm no expert, just a suggestion.

Also, as I said before when I get a cold, I then get a cough. Now when it gets to this point and I've had it for a few weeks. I then get put on steroids and antibiotics. Usually cos I've developed a chest infection too. Hey presto, gone within 5 days. The steroids are just a more effective form of the brown inhaler. They work wonders and I never feel worse, just better. I think the word 'steroids' is more scary than what they actually are!

Obviously your priority is making your daughter feel better at the moment. I'm not trying to sway you to the 'Asthmatics' way, just saying it could possibly be. Or it just could be a nasty chest infection, and something that 5 days of antibiotics would clear up? Maybe put that idea to them.

Hope this helps. xx

 

[hippy-chick]

our family swear by eucalyptus oil, although none of us have asthma.

a lovely way to use it is to add 6 drops to an oil burner, then the whole family can benefit, even pets!!!

if my son gets his December cough (right over his birthday, all the parties and christmas) then we always use the oil.

I put the oil burner in his room about an hour before he goes to bed then when he gets into bed I blow the candle out.

if I feel the need to use the oil in the night, I then put 3 drops on some toilet paper and put it on his pillow.

we have about 3 bottles stashed in the house and if I have to go out my (non believer of a husband) asks if I've put the eucalyptus oil out.

look for eucalyptus globulus about £3 for 10ml

 

[VHunter]

Thanks so VERY MUCH for your support and advice!

I now think I'm not crazy, and will definately head into the city to the 'Montreal Children's Hospital' and seek a 2nd opinion.
I even said to the Dr, what if she gives her a puffer of whatever, and it 'seems' like it's clearing up BUT it only clears the symptoms and not the problem that might be something else? I asked if we could 'try' antibiotics but she wouldn't. (they seem to not want to prescribe them these days, don't know why?).
She seemed more concerned about my smoking instead of taking tests to find the root of the problem.

No, she doesn't cough outside. AND she breathes better outside than indoors... and it's winter now! We have snow and cold, and damp, and freezing rain... I'm leaning towards allergies or post-nasal drip. But, I'm no Dr, so what do I know?

I will definately go into the city this week and keep all of you posted.

Thanks ever so much for making me feel normal, and 'right' about wanting tests before 'assumptions' are made and she's given the wrong drugs/meds.

I will try the eucalyptus oil, I have oil burners. Will also try the tea-tree oil too.

Gosh, being a parent is scarey sometimes, how to make the right choice?

thanks again
:hug::hug::hug:

 

[Noodle]

Have a :hug: or two Victoria, you could do with some right now.

 

[BRI]

I know how you feel, my daughter was diagnosed with asthma in much the same way. For the last 2 years i have hated the winter because as soon as its cold my little girl would be admitted to haspital with asthma related illness (chest infection or collapsed lung). I too was a smoker and was made to feel to blame for her condition by the doctors (although her father has it & my little boy suffers with excema & i have never smoked indoors). i would spend nights at the hospital without sleep worried sick & staying awake with coffe & ciggies but one day i just thought here i am puffing way and she's inside strapped to an oxagen tank!!! So i gave up for her, myself & my family but only when I was ready. Dont let anyone make you feel guilty they dont know you and shouldnt judge you! But when your ready to then good for you!!!

 

[CurlyQs]

I asked if we could 'try' antibiotics but she wouldn't. (they seem to not want to prescribe them these days, don't know why?).

Victoria, I have to say that the fact that your dr. isn't real quick to prescribe antibiotics is a good thing. The reason being antibiotics have been SO overprescribed over the last several decades that new strains become resistant. Plus they kill your body's normal fighting bacteria and make your body less equipped to fight on it's own.

Especially with children, they need the chance to get bugs, develop their own antibodies so they'll be immune to it in the future.
Plus, antibiotics ONLY work on bacterial infections - not viral. So if it's a virus, you took an antibiotic for no reason.

I FULLY agree with your reticence to put your daughter on meds without more tests being done. Like you said, allergies should be eliminated as a possibility, among other things.

I suffered a life altering reaction to a seemingly harmless drug for nausea. I was told the side effects only happen to 1 percent of the population. Well if you're that one percent, than it IS a big deal. Now I won't take ANYTHING without doing tonnes of research. I think Western society is far too reliant on quick pharmacological fixes.

I hope you get an appt. in the city. I am sure you will get a much more thorough examination for your daughter. That seems to be where the best doctors are.

Good luck and keep us posted.:hug:

 

[VHunter]

Thanks for your lovely replies!!

Yes, I'm going to the "Montreal Children's Hospital". I'm just going to march into their emergency and complain that her pediatrician won't do anything about the runny nose, and let it go from there. I will not mention the Ped's opinion, I want an unbiased assessment from a new Dr.

Montreal Children's Hospital is VERY well known.. people from around the world come here, and also to our Shriners hospital for children.

Here in my dinky town...... ugh


I understand some of the reticence with antibiotics.. however, since she's a child that's never sick and so never gets antibiotics.. what harm could one round do? Just to try? I would think less harm than blindly prescribing asthma meds, no?

I will keep you all posted on how it goes Monday at the hospital. It's going to be a LONG wait... but should be well worth it, to make things easier. At least there, I know I'll get top specialists and the like.. all the testing facilities are there (that's where her ped said we could go for a test if we wanted one...like DUH of course I want one!)

:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

 

[CurlyQs]

Good luck, V.
I think that is a very wise choice.:hug:

 

[minky]

Hi Victoria ,
one of my children had a cough for months but it seemed to be worse at bedtime and would cough until he was sick ,
I was in denial of him having asthma so I kept an eye on the situation ,

then I asked my friend about it who had also had a son with asthma and she more or less told me off
she said I must give the inhalers a try because it can put a strain on the heart as there is not enough oxygen getting to it she said if the inhalers don't work then you will know it is not asthma .

So I tried them because I was scared about the oxygen thing ,

any way the inhalers helped him a lot and he told me so himself
as all the sticky mucus clogs up the airways and the inhaler opens simply them up,

The good news Victoria is that he grew out of it,
Kids asthma is probably down to the earths pollution that we all have to breathe each day :hug: x

.

 

[sj1973]

Thanks for your lovely replies!!

Yes, I'm going to the "Montreal Children's Hospital". I'm just going to march into their emergency and complain that her pediatrician won't do anything about the runny nose, and let it go from there. I will not mention the Ped's opinion, I want an unbiased assessment from a new Dr.

Montreal Children's Hospital is VERY well known.. people from around the world come here, and also to our Shriners hospital for children.

Here in my dinky town...... ugh


I understand some of the reticence with antibiotics.. however, since she's a child that's never sick and so never gets antibiotics.. what harm could one round do? Just to try? I would think less harm than blindly prescribing asthma meds, no?

I will keep you all posted on how it goes Monday at the hospital. It's going to be a LONG wait... but should be well worth it, to make things easier. At least there, I know I'll get top specialists and the like.. all the testing facilities are there (that's where her ped said we could go for a test if we wanted one...like DUH of course I want one!)

:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

good luck victoria and let us know how you both get on xx

 

[pure]

I understand some of the reticence with antibiotics.. however, since she's a child that's never sick and so never gets antibiotics.. what harm could one round do? Just to try? I would think less harm than blindly prescribing asthma meds, no?

Isn't it awful when our children get sick?:cry: I always feel so helpless, I want them better and I want it NOW!!

I absolutely understand your desire to get a second opinion and would whole heartedly encourage you to do so. To carry out no allergy tests sounds pretty stupid to me.

But I just wanted to say (as yet another long term asthma sufferer) that drugs prescribed for asthma, including short course steroids do NO long term damage at all. If it isn't asthma, no harm will have been done, if it is, then your daughter will feel better.

Turn things on their head a little and look at it from a different perspective. What if she has asthma and she's not getting the medication she needs because you are (understandably) frighted to give it to her. Thats no good either.

I don't normally do long posts :lol: but I really feel for you and your daughter. Asthma is a frightening word, and can be a frightening future but it really doesn't need to be. Whilst you're fighting to get a second diagnosis an inhaler and/or 5/6 days of steroids won't hurt her and might just help.

Finally, heres lots of :hug::hug::hug::hug::hug: for you both.

xxx

 

[aj1]

This is a very touchy subject for me as I have two daughters that have Asthma. Both have very different symptoms but both asthmatic for sure.One can have the coughing bronchitis and the other has the wheezing, so very confusing.

My one daughter only discovered this condition this past year at 20 years old.Talk about a tear jerker, breaks my heart and doesn't help that she is allergic to her cat she won't get rid of! My other daughter now 15 had asthma from my very horrible delivery, bless her!
Get all the opinions you need Victoria, maybe giving her something for the time being isn't a bad thing, if only for a little while.
I sure hope she feels better and you find it isn't Asthma as I really hate that word too, breaks my heart for you both!:hug:

 

[VHunter]

Hi Victoria ,
one of my children had a cough for months but it seemed to be worse at bedtime and would cough until he was sick ,
I was in denial of him having asthma so I kept an eye on the situation ,

then I asked my friend about it who had also had a son with asthma and she more or less told me off
she said I must give the inhalers a try because it can put a strain on the heart as there is not enough oxygen getting to it she said if the inhalers don't work then you will know it is not asthma .

So I tried them because I was scared about the oxygen thing ,

any way the inhalers helped him a lot and he told me so himself
as all the sticky mucus clogs up the airways and the inhaler opens simply them up,

The good news Victoria is that he grew out of it,
Kids asthma is probably down to the earths pollution that we all have to breathe each day :hug: x

.

But the thing is this: she's hardly coughing at all? She seems to do it occasionally and it sounds more like throat-clearing than anything else?
When WE ALL had the same cold, with the fever; YES she coughed until she threw up. Happened 3 times.. and I can't even call it "throw up" cause there really wasn't much of anything? ALSO then there were a few times I thought "I" was going to throw up, I coughed so hard with the same cold, the same week. Know what I mean? So to attribute the 'coughing till throwing up" to asthma... I can't really do it, since we all had the same problem, including my youngest. Yet the doctor seemed to stick to that one episode that occurred a month ago (halloween?) and totally disregarded her runny/itchy nose.
Now she sleeps through the night, now that the cold is gone and has no problems. EXCEPT the incessantly running nose, and the occasional coughing.

This why I have my doubts, and why "I" think post-nasal drip..
As for the inhalers.. well, my sister's son is on them and he has DREADFULLY dangerous asthma. They can't have carpets or teddy-bears etc (her ex-hubby has asthma....). And as per her, steroids are a bad thing (I don't know the specifics, I just remember her ranting about the long term side-effects and such).

Again, I'm pretty ignorant on the subject, and have been googling like mad, trying to learn what I can.
I am taking her Monday morning to the Children's hospital.. and hopefully, they can do tests right off the bat. Or confirm one way or the other, because the other doctor seemed stuck on the one thing, as opposed to looking at the whole picture. AND she was busier giving me S**t for smoking, when she should have spent more time examining my daughter and asking questions and such, know what I mean?
I think she was on a 'bender', hating smokers or whatever.. I don't know.
I wasn't impressed with her general behaviour.

THEN she got huffy with ME saying she had patients waiting.
UH EXCUSE ME! We're not done and you haven't explained this asthma thing and WHY you think she has it?

Needless to say, I want to change Pediatricians after her ignorant behaviour. Again, another reason I want a 2nd opinion.
I just don't have faith in her, and she made us feel like "numbers"
:irked:

Thanks again for listening, and I value everyone's input. Much to think on, and consider.

You're all the best, and I'm better for having friends such as those here on Geek.

:hug::hug::hug::hug:

 

[VHunter]

Well, the children's hospital ruled out asthma for the time being. They didn't seem inclined to think it was that at all.
They did send us to the Asthma clinic... and ruled it out. They didn't do a barage of tests... but the 'specialist' was leaning towards sinus infection.

She's on 2 types of anti-biotics and a nasal spray for 2wks.
We are supposed to start seeing results in 4 to 7 days.
If we don't... then we might consider allergy tests.

That was something else, the dr at the hospital asked if anyone in the family had sinus problems (Victoria raises her hand and says "yes, my father and I").
Does Mereena mouth-breathe? YES
Does she snore... Occasionally.

Anyway... he highly doubted it was asthma.

Soooooo we'll see what happens with the antibiotics.. if nothing.
THEN we go for allergy tests.

Asthma is not ruled out 100% BUT he seemed disinclined to go that way. I did't say anything about the other doctor's findings. I only told him exactly as I told the other doctor, all that had been going on, and I let him come to his own conclusion.

We'll see who's right in about a week or so, I guess.
If it does clear up and she's right as rain, I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO going to shove it in her pediatricians face how she was gonna dope her on asthma meds when it wasn't that.:twisted:
If it doesnt... at least I've done my best exploring all possible avenues.

Thanks everyone for listening.

:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

 

[pure]

Well it sounds as though this new doctoris going to ensure that a proper diagnosis is going to be made rather than just finding the first,most convenient one!

Good on you for being a stubborn mum!!:green: