Update -- My son is really sick...

*Update*

Took him to PM Peds on Thursday - they were wonderful. Turns out, in between his first doc visit on Monday, then being brought back Wednesday, and me bringing him on Thursday - by Thursday, he had developed an ear infection.

No wonder he wasn't getting better! So, they gave us a AB and within literally 24 hours he was a different baby! Back to his happy self. Thank Goodness!

Thanks for all of the tips and help -- the stuff that everyone suggested, I did pretty much everything I could, and it all made a huge difference.

Thanks again - :) :)

My son, he's seventeen months old, he doesn't really get very sick - he had a minor ear infection twice, and a mild case of strep. Both times, given meds from the ped and he was better within literally a day or so, thankfully.

Since Sunday afternoon he has had this nagging cough - very phlegm-sounding at first. On Monday, I took him to the ped. They said his ears were clear, his lungs clear, no strep or anything. Just let it run it's course. That he's too young for a cough suppressant.

She suggested children's Benedryl because a side effect is "drying out" and will help that phlegm build up and runny nose. My son is getting his molars - almost all at once, it's been VERY hard on him, causing a lot of pain and drool. Ped felt the drool backed up, causing the cough.

The Benedryl (and he takes Motrin for the pain) definitely helped dry up the phlegm but the cough is just as bad, if not worse. Yesterday, I called the ped back to update her because it almost sounded like he was gasping for air. Like his breathing is labored.

She sent me to Zwanger to get a chest x-ray. We did that, came up clear/fine, no pneumonia. OK, she said again to let it run it's course. There's no AB to give him - it's a "cold", not something that an AB can help.

This morning, he wakes up again miserable, again coughing. He can't go to daycare, he is stuck in the house all day and night. He is now, where he did not before, he is now coughing up stuff.

I am so upset, this has been over four days, he is not getting any better. He has never been sick like this, for this long.

What would you do? Second opinion? I just wish some kind of RX would be given to him to help him - somehow.

Currently, it's just the Motrin and Benadryl every six hours plus saline/aspirate and then the vaporizer runs constant. I'm so sad for him

Message edited 2/14/2015 8:16:29 PM.

Re: My son is really sick...

Sadly at that age there really isn't much they can give him besides the benedryl and motrin for any pain or fever.
And I know how hard it is to see them sick, you feel so helpless.
Also, these things tend to take forever to clear up. Even in adults. It's very frustrating.


Have you tried Zarbee's? It's honey based and all natural and helps somewhat with the coughing.



I also found that the Hyland's natural cold and cough works WONDERs for my DD and when DH first bought it I poo pooed it as some homeopathinc BS.

But it really helped her sleep through the night.
It says ages 2 and up but if you son is big for his age, I am sure he can have the 2 year old dose It is drug free.

Message edited 2/11/2015 10:02:58 AM.

Re: My son is really sick...

Sounds like what my DS had after his first week of daycare.... at 9 weeks old. Couldn't even take tylenol. We did a lot of steaming, every time one of us had to shower, he would be in the bathroom with us. First time we broke out the humidifier for his room. He did a lot of sleeping, poor little guy, it was so hard to watch. But, he handled it like a champ. It took about a week to run it's course, it was the RSV virus, so it lasts a little longer than a regular cold.

Of course, I got it next and I was out for the count. He had zero fever, I ended up with a 101.7. Then my mom got it and most recently my aunt... My mom teasingly calls DS typhoid mary.

ETA: I just wanted to add, you REALLY don't want to overmedicate your child and give antibiotics when they aren't necessary. That's what causes all of these antibiotic resistant infections.... plus, you can actually build a personal resistance to antibiotics by taking them too often.

Message edited 2/11/2015 10:06:30 AM.

Re: My son is really sick...

Honey
Vaporizer
Chest PT: gently bang the kid on the back repeatedly: it breaks up the phlegm

Call your ped and ask when you should return.

They sound like they are doing more than due diligence (my kids have never gotten X rays & have had many, many colds like this & had coughs that last WEEKS).

ETA: Sadly, most of these colds are viral & you can't do anything as far as a RX to help.

Message edited 2/11/2015 10:08:27 AM.

Re: My son is really sick...

Thanks for the recs - I'll try them.

Anything that will give him relief.

And not that it is as important as his well being but it's reality -- if it wasn't for my mom I don't know what I would do b/c I'd be missing a week of work.

Message edited 2/11/2015 10:20:11 AM.

My son is really sick...

I had taken my DD to the ER once because she was so sick, had a very bad cough and was crying every time she coughed. The doc said to take out her boogies a few times an hour, because that's what's causing the phlegm, which causes the cough.
I hope he feels better soon!! Hate when kids get sick.

Re: My son is really sick...

My son is really sick...

Hylands Tiny Cold Syrup is awesome - DS was coming down with a runny nose and cold and the Hylands nipped it in the bud.

Re: My son is really sick...

unfortunately when they have a cold there is really nothing to give them. my dr doesn't even tell me I can use Benadryl for my DC.

I know people give their DC the stuff the other posters recommended but I don't for my DC I am over cautious when it comes to that stuff and wont give it anything unless my dr approves ( I of course always forget to ask him about them )if you feel comfortable try what suggested.

Also why aren't you sending him to daycare. while I know in reality it would be nice to keep kids home for every cold the get it its just not realistic. if I did that my DC would never be going to daycare. if its just a cough no fever I really see no reason not to send him in.

Re: My son is really sick...

I just went through this with my DS for over a week. It's very frustrating that you can't give them anything to help. He was finally diagnosed with Croup and given a steroid. I'm not sure that it helped because it still took a week for the cough to calm down.

Re: My son is really sick...

My son is really sick...

My doctor recommends mixing honey and lemon juice. It acts as a cough suppressant. I also agree with banging on his back as if you were bumping him but harder. It helps break it all up.

Re: My son is really sick...

DS had this not too long ago. 5 days of pure living hell. High fevers, cough, phlegm, the works. It was terrible.

The only things that worked for DS was Vicks on chest & feet, Raw honey, Advil for the fevers, Humidifier with Vicks packets placed inside, & kids Throat Coat tea. Not even Hylands cold & cough was working, so I stopped that.

Message edited 2/11/2015 11:50:57 AM.

My son is really sick...

Do you have a nebulizer? Ask your peds about it and about saline drops. Anytime my dd has a cough my dr has me do nebulizer treatments with her 3x day with saline. Its natural. He also recommends steaming the bathroom and sitting in there with her, which I do. I use a humidifier at night right next to her bed right next to wear she lays her head. I have found that this helps.

PS Im so sorry your son is so sick =( My dd just got over a stomach virus followed by the flu about 2 weeks after that. She was miz and I HATED seeing her like that. And also my peds told me the same about those cough suppressants drying out a cough and making it worse. You want to try to keep the air as moist as possible for them.

Message edited 2/11/2015 11:44:29 AM.

Re: My son is really sick...

Re: My son is really sick...

Message edited 2/11/2015 11:57:42 AM.

My son is really sick...

Sounds just like what my 4 yr old dd had that she is finally feeling better after 5 days and now starting yesterday my almost 1yr old ds has the horrific cough and I am taking him to the dr at 330 today. This winter sucks big balls and I am so sick of having a sick kid constantly. Hope your son feels better soon

Re: My son is really sick...

Vicks, a humidifier, lots of water and time. He'll get through it!

Re: My son is really sick...

Re: My son is really sick...

Nell - my local pharm has Zarbee's but not Hyland's.

Can I get that at BRU?

What about BBB?

Otherwise I wonder if Fairway would have it?

Re: My son is really sick...

Re: My son is really sick...

Re: My son is really sick...

what helps my son at times when he is sick is starting a very hot shower and sitting in the bathroom for about 20mins with him...the steam helps break up mucus in the chest. We bring books..the ipad...and he will sit with us.

We also put the cool mist humidifier which helps ...and I try to keep him upright when he is sleeping..even if it means letting him sleep on my chest in the rocking chair in his room.

maybe those things could help?

Re: My son is really sick...

You know, my son has reactive airway disease. He has been so tight in the lungs that they actually cant hear any sounds and declared him clear. I wonder if a steroid might help him. I would call your Dr again. How is his color? He sounds really sick and lethargic for a cold

Re: My son is really sick...

Message edited 2/11/2015 1:41:33 PM.