Cough & X-rays Hand in Hand?

I dont think ped will send you to X ray, if it is not required. I would suggest, if you can get baby oil and add camphor to it. Rub on his sole of foot, and chest. Put a drop in his belly button.Massage his head with oil. Do this three times a day. You will see improvement in a day or two.

V.

Can you maybe suggest trying to treat w/ antibiotics first and see how the outcome is in a few days? Since they'll probably give them to him anyways, why not wait a day or two after the first few doses before getting the xray? I guess it depends on how bad the cough is as far as breathing difficulty, and fever as well. If it's the xrays that concern you the most, safe or not, maybe you could ask the doc to try that initially. Then ask if you think its okay to wait 24-48 hrs. If the doc thinks its absolutely necessary and an immediate concern for an xray, than I wouldn't argue. Talk to him/her about your feelings w/ the xrays.

You both may have reactive airways, which makes you more sensitive to airborne dust, perfume and other sprays (could help explain the frequent coughing). Also, since he has had pneumonia once, it "weakens" the lungs and puts him at higher risk for developing it again (for the rest of his life). From personal experience, I know it is possible to develop asthma from frequent episodes of pneumonia. The X-rays are the only way to be 100% on the diagnosis. The radiation during an x-ray is very focused and not enough to be concerning. Good luck, hope he's feeling better very soon.

My preschooler had bronchitis last year and I had pneumonia (and have had bronchitis several times) and I've never heard of getting x-rays for either condition. I'm not a medical person, but can't they diagnose this stuff by observation?

HOnestly, I would be doing albuterol treatment automatically when he starts to cough. My son is on Pulmicort all winter and its made a huge difference with his colds and keeping them from not getting worse, and when he does get a cold, we use the Albuterol along with the Pulmicort in his neb. Also, I dont worry too much about the xrays, its not like your son is getting them every week or anything. My son has had hundreds of xrays and he's only 3, you do what you have to do, better that then get seriously sick.

If your son has a cough and the docs want to x-ray him, it's best to have them do it. Pneumonia is serious and can be deadly in some cases.

I have been in the er with my young son many times, and I know how scary it is for mom and child. BELIEVE ME, I understand. We've had a concussion, febrile seizures, pneumonia with temp up to 105 degrees...it's horribly scary, but really, let the doctors do their jobs. The last thing you want is to look back and wish you had allowed them to.

Wishing you the best.

I am not sure why you think the doctor will send you to get an x-rays right away but I would tell your doctor your concerns if they do want you to go for x-rays. My children were prone to pnuemonia,croup(still gets it at 18 years), bronchitis you name it they were sure to get it and I can only remember going for x-rays 2 or 3 times. I have heard Vicks vapor rub on the bottom of their feet helps. I have never tried it.

My son is 3 and he had pneumonia when he was 2 years old and has since been diagnosed with reactive airway disease. We start breathing treatments at the first sign of a cough and I would do anything I could to prevent it turning into asthma. He has had 2 chest xrays and to prevent more xrays we start the albuterol right away. His peditrician is awesome and will not send him for xrays if they are not necessary. I have a very active little guy and I can't imagine having to worry about asthma if there is a way to prevent it at this time. Get a peditrician you really trust so that if they tell you to go for an xray you know that it is truly in your child's best interest rather than protocol....and do the breathing treatments!!
Good Luck.

One of my daughters had pneumonia at 9 months. They x-rayed for diagnosis only once and because we were at the ER. Does he have a fever? Is he wheezing?

My oldest daughter (9) has asthma and is on pulmicort. When she was little, she would end up on the nebulizer whenever she had a cold. If she got really bad, the doc would put her on steroids. She has never had a lung x-ray.

If your son sounds like he is breathing hard or is distressed in anyway, you should take him to see the doctor immediately.

BTW, Doctors are not Gods. You can talk to them when you disagree with their treatment course. Don't be afraid to speak up. This is your child you are advocating for. The doctor will only know your concerns if you bring them up.

Hi Nicole,

I'm so sorry your son gets sick all of the time. Mine does too so I know what you are going through! My son had pnemonia the first time at only 3 months old, then again at 14 months, and AGAIN just a couple of weeks ago at 22 months. The first two times he had x-rays because they couldn't really hear the congestion in his lungs but he was exhibiting some other symptoms (like vomiting and low oxygenation). This last time they could hear the congestion in his chest with a stethoscope so they didn't bother with an x-ray, just put him on antibiotics.

I would take him in if you are worried it is in his lungs. The sooner he gets on antibiotics if he needs them, the better. Good luck!

L.

I agree, it's NOT good! Our doctor just told us yesterday that there are studies currently being done that show that those who were exposed to radiation at a young age tend to have more problems with things later in life (not sure specifics).

To treat the cough, have you used vapor rub yet? How about a humidifier? If you don't have a humidifier try running the shower on hot water with the bathroom door closed and sit in there with him, the steam is good for loosening up the gunk in their chests. If his nose is stuff you can use salt water drops...you can make them yourself or buy the stuff called "Little Noses-saline drops".