righto chick - no problem not to worry

My DS (18 months) was given inhalers for night coughing in June after 6 months of coughing 2-3 times in the night that could only be stopped by half an hour sitting upright (on our laps) in a very steamy bathroom. It stopped the very day we started the inhalers!

I have asthma and DS has a bit of eczema but doctor still says they don't diagnose it as such at this age, but can treat it. In the daytime, DS doesn't have a problem - no worse than anyone else with a cough, after an initial coughing fit each morning. His cough does last a long time after a cold though - about three weeks each time.

Last week, during a cold, he started breathing very fast and coughing non-stop. I gave him his blue inhaler and it didn't work so we ended up at the GP who said his breathing was fast and she could hear a slight wheeze (for the first time). Now much more aware of the need to carry the blue inhaler with us at all times and have better information about what to do in future if we have a repeat of the situation. Hope this gives an idea of what inhalers can be used for.

With DS it started with night-time coughing then a viral wheeze which he was hospitalized with (was about 2 at the time). Asthma wasn't diagnosed at that point but he was treated with inhalers and they really helped.

We only got a diagnosis after a second bout of viral wheeze and, four years on, he def. has proper asthma - uses a brown inhaler in the mornings (september to March) and a blue reliever when he gets wheezy (cats, dogs, cold air, running).

Having said all that he hasn't been hospitalized in three years and copes really well. It is a PITA (trying to get him to remember to take his inhalers anywhere is a NIGHTMARE) and obviously potentially dangerous (I do worry for when he is a teenager and looking after himself) but it is manageable - and becomes more so as you, and he, get more familiar with the warning signs of an attack.

Stig asthma can present exactly as your DS is presenting - ongoing non-productive cough especially at night, as well as fatigue and occasional wheeze. It is notoriously difficult to diagnose asthma in children and most doctors won't give young children a formal diagnosis as the management is the same regardless of a formal diagnosis.

Have a look here at Asthma UK, it might give you some advice.

My DDs1 and 3 have asthma and both started at the age of about 2 with a nocturnal cough and general fatigue on exertion. They both have had inhalers and now rarely cough and have never had an attack.

Hi everyone - thanks for all your replies and custy i am sorry if i did not come across as grateful for your replies - i am just so hormonal and weepy at the moment hearing anything that may set me off usually does.

I took DS to the Dr as he didn't eat lunch at childminders and asked to go for walk but only managed to get as far as next door before becoming weepy and asking to go in a buggy and then slumping down tired. My little man usually walks quarter of a mile with ease so this is really unlike him.

I gave him some dinner at home and took him to drs who said it sounded like a viral wheeze, which they treat similarly to asthma in providing a 3 day course of steroids for him, which should ease it up. they will keep an eye on him and see if they think it is asthma as it takes a while for them to come to the diagnosis apparently and also want to see the results of the X-ray and see how it goes.

He hasn't had any attacks as such, but the prolonged coughing and lack of energy and general change in his demeanor have been of real concern and obviously being pregnant and hormonal hasn't helped my stress levels.

Thank you all so much for your input and advice. Will let you know how DS is after the course of steriods and if the cough goes away.

Stig x

Thank you, I think I will see someone else

I did say "if that is the case are you sure he should be having the beclometasone every day as I don't want him having unneccesary medications" and he said that the treatments were the same regardless. Then he spat in my face and told me piss off. Maybe

To reduce the chances of inflammation developing . Younger one had nebuliser treatment at the paed's and recovered -- she hasn't needed this again, so far anyway.

You can get asthma that presents as a persistent unproductive cough. Asthma can be triggered by exercise or allergies or cold air and other factors -- it can vary greatly. In my DCs' cases, exercise and allergies to food were the culprits. They are both moderate cases and only take an inhaler (albuterol) as needed, but both use claritin antimistamine daily to reduce. The older DC's asthma was diagnosed as a result of a persistent little dry cough. Younger one had an episode of severe breathing difficulties associated with a heavy, chesty cold. I took both to a paeditrician, not a gp.

Agree - DD's triggers are cold air, colds and exercise (so PE outside in the winter has to be kept a close eye on). Interestingly, her asthma also flares up a bit as the weather changes in the spring - spring and autumn are definitely her worst times, unless she has a cold/chest infection.

I would get a second opinion Pfft.

OP - do come back and let us know how you get on

Pfft - Our consultant's summary of dd is that she has asthma which is triggered by colds so a cold can definitely be a trigger for asthma. DD has never had an attack other than with a cold so not sure what that GP is thinking. I would see someone else in future if I was you.