the never ending cough

Kara - posted on 06/15/2009 ( 6 moms have responded )

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I'm just wondering if anyone else has dealt with anything like this. My daughter was born at 34 weeks, however her lung maturity was more on par with a 32 weeker. She spent about 48hrs on the vent and CPAP and then was able to breathe room air. She's now almost 7 months and has had a cough literally since she got her first cold in the beginning of February. It gets better but never fully goes away and then when she gets another cold it gets worse again and she constantly wheezes. I swear we are at the MD at least once a week for this. They've done several chest x-rays which have been normal. She also has reflux pretty bad and the cough will often trigger her to puke up almost all of what she ate. However, she's gaining weight well still so the MD hasn't been too concerned about that piece. We use the nebulizer on her at least twice a day and they added Pulmicort about two weeks ago, but I've yet to notice a difference. We're now waiting to see a pulmonary specialist. Has anyone else dealt with anything like this? How long did it take to get better? What worked? Thanks for your input.

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6 Comments

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Eunice - posted on 06/17/2009

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My son was born 32 weeks. He didnt need oxygen, However was diagnosed with acid reflux in the NICU. Started using Dr Browns bottle to reduce frequent spit up switched to Born free bottle I totally love. He's been on Reglan & Zantac hes now 6month and 2 times we had to adjust the dosage since he was having more frequent reflux episodes. And when babies grow the docotor need to adjust the dosage, My son first had nasal congestion & I would put saline drops in his nose & used a humifier which didnt seem to help. People would always ask if he was sick since he sounded like it. When I would take him to the doctors they would always say its due to his reflux but never was given anything. He even had a chest x-ray which same out normal. Then we had a Barium Swallow test for his reflux which came out normal. But I knew he still had reflux. Was told to take him off the medication. And he started again with he reflux episodes. Had to put him on his meds again. Then last month he got worse he was wheezing coughing like he was to throw up & had alot of congestion in his little chest. Doctor said he got a upper respirtory infection he was given antiboics for 10days and the nebulizer machine to take home. He got better within a couple days no more cough, congestion, Iam so happy he sounds sooo much better. Becaused my son would always sound congested. We also recently switched his formula from neosure to Similac Isomil formula he totally loves it way better then the Neosure formula. Soy formula is sopose to help acid reflux. So far his acid reflux is under control & his congestion is almost gone. I read somewhere that Babies with acid reflux can also develop respiratory problems from stomach contents entering the nose, windpipe or lungs. When material enters the lungs this is called aspiration. I beleive this is was caused my some to get a upper respirtory infection because of his reflux. I hope this helps, and your baby gets better. check this website
kidshealth.org/parent/system/surgical/gerd_reflux.html

Kara - posted on 06/17/2009

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I completely understand how you feel Michelle! Kayleigh seems resigned to the cough. She'll have a bad coughing fit and then just give me the biggest smile, as if to say, "I'm okay momma." I feel so bad though. We've had her propped up to when she sleeps, she actually has slept in her bouncy seat since we brought her home as we found it had the best angle to help with her reflux. Our peditrician was able to get my daughter placed on the top of the priority wait list at pulmonary at Children's Hospital and just this morning I was able to get an appointment for early next week. I'm really hoping the can give me some answers and direction.

Michelle - posted on 06/17/2009

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Yes we have his bed propped up too....He just still has this cough that is worse in the morning but goes on all day every day...He is starting to act like he isn't phased by it just starts coughing and going on with life...I wonder if it will ever go away!

Eliabeth - posted on 06/17/2009

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Hi, my son Adam was born at 25wks, he was vented till he was 5wks, then c-pap, then on and off the vent until he was 16wks old, when he finally managed to stay on c-pap, before moving on to nasal prongs, ( He had a real rough time in NICU, which is why he was vented so much, and for so long )Adam finally came home when he was 22wks old, and has severe Quadraplegic Cerebal Palsy,Chronic Lung Disease, is still oxygen dependant, and has a range of other problems too, but although he gets ill a lot and sufferes frequent chest infections, he doesn't have a permanant wheeze, or cough.



He does suffer badly from reflux, and has omiprazole medication, he also sleeps with the upper part of his bed raised, and this helps loads, as he always used to be really bad in the mornings, and the acid would make him cough until he was sick.

Michelle - posted on 06/15/2009

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my son was also born at 34 weeks he was only on oxygen for the first few hours of life and everything your saying is exactly him! He has tracyial Malyasia which is basically just a floppy airway that causes him to breath loudly...he was diagnosed with acid reflux and has this never ending cough...the doctor has him on zantac and say the cough is probably from the acid reflux that it makes his throat itch or burn and he coughs to clear it..it is hard that sometimes the coughing makes him bring everything up! it comes out of his nose too uggh i hate it! th doc says as long as he isnt looking like it is really painful before or after its okay and as long as he is gaining weight...i dont know he is 5 months now hopefully he we grow out of it...

Kelly - posted on 06/15/2009

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My nephew was in a similar situation he wasnt a premie just had weak lungs. He is 7 now and still has somewhat of a cough. as long he doesnt get to hot it helps. The doctors say th cough is usually because of allergies you can have them test