coughing and update

[ccarder1023]

Hey everyone! It has been a long time since I posted on here but still scroll through a lot! Well Ashton is now a 1st grader and has been doing good other than this cough that goes away while on oral antibiotics but comes right back!!! So they did a CT scan of his sinuses and chest and not so good news! He has severe sinus disease bronchiectasis and bronchial wall thickening! Dr isn't to happy about this at his age and how good PFTs are usually 99-100%. So long story short they want a tune up this coming week so we will be checking in but I'm concerned as yesterday and today he has had a NON stop cough that albuterol isn't even touching!!!! Knowing his results I think I'm worried more than I would be normally!!! Any advise for helping this this cough until we are admitted Wednesday!!!

 

[Melissa75]

I hope the tune-up goes well.

Was your son's CT scan done while he was sick? I have one scan that shows bronchiectasis all over my lungs, but it was about a week after finishing a course of antibiotics for being pretty sick. The "permanent" damage actually resolved in some of the areas of my lungs by the time I had a "well" scan months later. My right and left upper lobes were clear, and the rest was not as severe. I don't advocate repeat CT scans/radiation for kicks, I'm only noting that if he was sick, the scan might have looked bad but don't represent baseline.

 

[ccarder1023]

He really isn't considerably acting sick! He has this cough that comes and goes but gets worse off antibiotics!! He hasent had a tune up in over a year!!! I don't believe that we have a True baseline CT scan just chest x rays!! The on call doc last night called in steroids and it helped his non stop tight coughing!

 

[BikerEd]

Okay first, I see you live in Indiana do you live in an urban area or rural area? I live in a rural area of Pennsylvania (farming area) but close to a small town and 20 minutes from two urban areas (medium sized cities). The effects of the drought have caused a sort of ragweed effect (early rather than October) in my area for me. However, I am on Spriva to help control “allergy like symptoms” (and have been for approx. (8) years) and reduces the inflammation in my lungs. That is the rural side. The Urban or city-side is that the reduced rain has allowed dust and dirt particles to build up since they have not been sufficiently washed away with the rainfall that we typically receive. Also, do you have central Air, window units or just open windows? I have central heat, window A/C(s), and when possible my wife, kids, and I love the windows open. However, I have an air-purifier in my bedroom and run it except for open window time (because open windows and an air purifier, is like running a bath without using a stopper) but when I feel tight we close the window’s; I work outside and love fresh air. Lastly, has your CFer had allergy test done? I lived a fair amount of time believing I did not have allergies because of a test done when I was Five. Would you believe most of my exacerbations were/are in the spring and fall, go figure I developed allergies over time. So, to get my long rambling over, Ashton may not be sick but just feeling some environmental changes and consult with your CF Specialist about Allergies or particulents (sp) that he may be exposed to, especially since the steroids seem to help. Best of Luck.

Ed

 

[JENNYC]

I agree with Ed that it could be allergies or if his sinus' were bad it could be that he is coughing due to post nasal drip. When Abby's sinus' got to the point when surgery was needed she did just as your son is doing now. While on antibiotics the cough would go away and within 2 to 3 days of getting off the nasty little cough would rear its ugly unwanted head! I would consult with an ENT since he has already had a CT done they should be able to quickly look at the CT and determine if he has polyps or if it could possible be allergies. We have 2 main doctors...CF doctor and ENT, both are must haves for us. But everyone is different. Now to address the cough... our dr told us that if it is a nasal drip cough that is doing nothing but wearing the kid out to give them cough medicine, however if it is a productive cough do not! Abby would cough and cough so much that it just completely zapped her and wouldn't allow her to sleep. Hate thinking of those days! My heart goes out to you mom!! It's so hard when our babies are sick Best of luck!!!

 

[ccarder1023]

Thanks for your replies! We r in and just got picc line started! Planning on vanc, zosyn, and inhaled tobi! Have been here most of day and nothing really rolling!!!! Hurry up and wait!