Breathing Issues with My 2 Year Old

Updated on October 11, 2010
H.W. asks from Dallas, GA
11 answers

My son just turned 2 and we are having major breathing issues. When he was 4 months old, we were told he had a mild case of RSV. After that he has had bronchiolitis 3 or 4 times and it will last forever. Until 2 months ago, each time we were given an inhaler to use when he had a coughing attack. A couple of months ago he started having a really hard time breathing when he would got a cold. We took him to the Dr right away, because the inhaler didn't help, and they did 2 breathing treatments in the office, a shot of steroids, chest x-rays and then sent us home with a nebulizer. It went away pretty quickly, but about 3 weeks ago he got another cold and it hasn't gone away. Now his breathing is labored again and we are back on steroids and breathing treatments every 4-6 hours.
The Dr tells us that it is because the RSV has weakened his lungs and that he may out grow it. They will not consider asthma until he is older.
I hate seeing him sick so much. Has anybody else experienced this? Would you do something different? Any ideas/help/suggestions/stories are appreciated.

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R.K.

answers from Boston on

My oldest was sick like this since he was a baby and as soon as they could they put him on an asthma preventative and what a huge difference it made although the best improvement was when they put him on symbicort he has not needed predsnisolone since then but I don't think symbicort can be used for a 2 year old but pulmicort can. If he is flaring up with every illness although they technically won't call it asthma they usually go with reactive airway at this age a preventative would probably help maybe ask to see a pulmonologist.

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D.S.

answers from Tulsa on

sounds like my asthma issues to me get a second opinion. this is exactly what I do when I have an asthma attack. some docs dont know asthma symptoms and call it bronchitis.GET A SECOND OPINION NOW.

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K.M.

answers from Augusta on

My 22 month old has some similar issues. She began to wheeze when ever she got a cold and after a few trips to the Dr we've ended up on a Budesonide inhaled solution. She's taken it with the nebulizer every morning and night for the past month and a half, and, so far, she's doing well. She's gotten a runny nose over the past day or two, so this is going to be our first real test as to whether or not the meds are working. The other suggestions we got for that middle-of-the-night-can't-breath time is to sit in the bathroom with a hot shower running for 5-10 minutes and using a saline solution in her nose to help clear it out. The saline solution didn't go over too well, but the steam did help us get through til the morning. We would have needed to take her to the ER if it hadn't. You may already noticed, but the steroids seem to make our daugher not sleep as much. A higher concentration (the liquid) seems to make it worse then a lower concentration (the inhalation suspension). I'll be keeping an eye on your post to see if there are any suggestions we can use, too. I hope and pray he will be feeling better soon.

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N.H.

answers from Harrisburg on

My 3 year old twin boys wheeze when they're sick with a cold and have since they were infants. One is worse than the other and has started outgrowing it. I would recommend following exactly what your doctor tells you to do but also go to see an asthma specialist. We did this and she helped us reduce the amount of steroids they were having to take.

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L.K.

answers from Atlanta on

Our son has chronic lung disease, and many of the children at his pulmonologist have asthma. I'm not sure why your Dr won't consider asthma until he is older. I would take him to a pulmonologist to get a second opinion. I know they try not to put them on maintenance meds until they're older, but we have a standing prescription for orapred in case he needs it. Good luck!

K.L.

answers from Chicago on

I have often heard that kids who are very sick with asthma from infancy on usually outgrow it and don't have it by the time they are adults. That was the case with my uncle. Something to hope for... It's good to be proactive now because asthma can start as bronchitis.
It's always wise to get a second opinion and can never hurt.
Here is a link you might find intriguing. There is some amazing information on this website. I am buying this for my asthma suffering husband, it's herbal, it's safe for kids and it can't hurt to try.
http://www.regenerativenutrition.com/natural-supplements-...
Also, you can buy 'Herbs for Kids' at your local health food store. They are liquid, decent tasting remedies and you might be able to find an expectorant. Your child needs an herb that will help clear out the mucous and get the inflammation down. By the way, they make fish oils for kids, they are very good for you and naturally help with inflammation. Blessings!

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M.S.

answers from Florence on

My son is now 29 years old, almost 30. When he was a little baby, about 3-4 months old, he had bronchiolitis. They said the same thing about always having it. He didn't have too many problems after that until he was about 11 or 12 he developed asthma. For a few years we battled with in and out of the emergency room. I took him off of milk and milk products. Milk is very mucous forming. I nursed him until he was 8 months old so maybe that's what kept him healthy as a little baby.for a while. He no longer needs milk! Study up on what milk does to little ones. My grandson was taken off of milk and his ear infections decreased big time! Try him on Rice and Almond milk if he's not allergic to nuts.You have to be very particular about his diet. Make sure he learns to like alot of fruits and vegetables. It will help him out to not have a lot of junk. They are full of preservatives and additives which can set off asthma and respiratory attacks. My big son takes such good care of himself. He is rarely sick and is very very active. Diet is going to be the key!

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G.B.

answers from Tulsa on

Sounds like Asthma to me but Bronchiolitis is just as bad. Take him to a doc who specializes in breathing, call your insurance and get some suggestions. Sounds like he may have some serious allergies too. That may be why he keeps getting sick. When I have seasonal allergies I can get Pneumonia very quickly if I don't get the nebulizer going and get the goo out of my lungs.

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S.S.

answers from Spartanburg on

Your doctors would be wrong. My twin boys were diagnosed with asthma when they were one. Get a referral to a pulmonologist. One of my boys had the traditional wheezing and the other had severe cough only when he had a cold. BOTH have asthma. The pulmonologist put them on Singular and Zyrtec every day with the nebulizer as needed. Also on an inhaler (cannot remember the name for it but it's similar to Pulmicort).

I feel angry your docs aren't sending you to a lung doc. Mine did the same thing. I had to fight for that referral. We spent the first year of their life in the doctor's office and using the nebulizer at least one cold a month. The doc saying oh it's just a cold. Do this neb treatment and watch your baby wheeze. GRRRR. Going to the pulmonologist changed our lives.

One of my boys is using a nebulizer this week (seasonal allergies) but we're not on Singular or Zyrtec anyone. They have basically grown out of it but my wheezer boy needs the neb when he gets a bad cold. Your son may grow out of it too.

Good luck! It always feels good to know other moms are behind you and believe me we are!

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C.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

If you haven't yet, you need to take him to the nearest children's hospital to a ped. pulmonologist.

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B.

answers from Augusta on

Sounds like it's asthma. Both of mine have asthma, my son was born blue , had pneumonia when he was 18 months old , and diagnose with allergy induced asthma when he was 2. He has had no real problems in 2 yrs ( knock on wood) , he is almost 6 now. But there was a while there when there was something constantly going on with his breathing. When he has had problems one thing that helps is ( and I got this from a nurse friend of mine) put vapor rub on his chest then a as warm as he can stand it wet wash clothe on top of it and let him sit will it until it gets cold then do it again. it will help clear his lungs.
My daughter was dx a little after he was and she still has problems with the season changes.

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