Sinus Cough

[lovemygirl]

My 4 yr old has had a "cold" for over a month now. Everyone kept saying that I should be accepting of it because she has started pre-school. She went on antibiotics for 2 weeks and the cough still lingered. Eventually it got worse and she had to go on another dose of antibiotics, but I asked for a different kind. When I saw that this antibiotic was not working either I asked for a clinic visit because the cough just didn't sound right.
We went today and the x-rays were clear and they respirologist said her lungs were clear. They then said that they felt it was more of a sinus issue. We have been using a saline solution and now they are also adding a cortizone spray for a month.
Has anyone else, with a young child, had a similar experience. What did you do to resolve it? Anyone had any luck with the Nasonex spray?

 

[lovemygirl]

My 4 yr old has had a "cold" for over a month now. Everyone kept saying that I should be accepting of it because she has started pre-school. She went on antibiotics for 2 weeks and the cough still lingered. Eventually it got worse and she had to go on another dose of antibiotics, but I asked for a different kind. When I saw that this antibiotic was not working either I asked for a clinic visit because the cough just didn't sound right.
We went today and the x-rays were clear and they respirologist said her lungs were clear. They then said that they felt it was more of a sinus issue. We have been using a saline solution and now they are also adding a cortizone spray for a month.
Has anyone else, with a young child, had a similar experience. What did you do to resolve it? Anyone had any luck with the Nasonex spray?

 

[AbsintheSorrow]

Usually when people get colds they last... what... days, maybe a week? I have always had the experience as a CFer that when I get a cold, it lasts a few weeks. I don't know the specifics of why, but you can kind of figure it out and understand. I don't do much of anything about it, except stick it through. I know that's not too helpful with a 4 year old, but I don't know what else to tell you. Heh.

 

[AbsintheSorrow]

Usually when people get colds they last... what... days, maybe a week? I have always had the experience as a CFer that when I get a cold, it lasts a few weeks. I don't know the specifics of why, but you can kind of figure it out and understand. I don't do much of anything about it, except stick it through. I know that's not too helpful with a 4 year old, but I don't know what else to tell you. Heh.

 

[rachelsmom]

I know you are probably about ready to lose your mind about now, especially if she is doing the constant coughing. I have been there more times than I care to admit. My daughter has had about 6 sinus surgeries and she is now 8 years old. Most of her problems were between the ages of 2-6. Knock on wood she has been better the last couple of years. I have been there too going to clinic thinking something is wrong only to have them say she is clear and we think it is sinus.

Do you have an ENT doctor? You may need to go see one. They probably will want to do a sinus xray if not a cat scan. I know from past experience that when my daughter has a cold that seems to linger longer than a month and she has done the old antibiotic routine for over a month sometimes she is ready for a clean out of her sinuses.

The only thing I could suggest is to prop her with pillows, use saline a bunch in her nose, give her a breathing treatment right before bed and if she is really coughing at night you might check with her pediatrician to see if they will give you some cough medicine with codeine.
I know clinic does not like to use cough suppressant but if her xray and her lungs look ok it wont hurt her for a couple of nights to try and give her and you some peace.

I hope this helps and I wasnt trying to offend you if you are already doing all of the above things. I just know how frustrating it is to try and help the cough but not accomplish anything. Good Luck and let me know what happens <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Teri
8 yo daughter w/CF

 

[rachelsmom]

I know you are probably about ready to lose your mind about now, especially if she is doing the constant coughing. I have been there more times than I care to admit. My daughter has had about 6 sinus surgeries and she is now 8 years old. Most of her problems were between the ages of 2-6. Knock on wood she has been better the last couple of years. I have been there too going to clinic thinking something is wrong only to have them say she is clear and we think it is sinus.

Do you have an ENT doctor? You may need to go see one. They probably will want to do a sinus xray if not a cat scan. I know from past experience that when my daughter has a cold that seems to linger longer than a month and she has done the old antibiotic routine for over a month sometimes she is ready for a clean out of her sinuses.

The only thing I could suggest is to prop her with pillows, use saline a bunch in her nose, give her a breathing treatment right before bed and if she is really coughing at night you might check with her pediatrician to see if they will give you some cough medicine with codeine.
I know clinic does not like to use cough suppressant but if her xray and her lungs look ok it wont hurt her for a couple of nights to try and give her and you some peace.

I hope this helps and I wasnt trying to offend you if you are already doing all of the above things. I just know how frustrating it is to try and help the cough but not accomplish anything. Good Luck and let me know what happens <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Teri
8 yo daughter w/CF

 

[JoAnn]

Hi Teri, My son is 6 1/2 now and has had sinus involvement since day 1. We started singulair, flonase and zyrtec and it def. seemed to help over the years. We really push the fluids to keep everything moving. A bath or shower in the am really seems to help loosen things up and help them run. He sleeps elevated to alleviate some of the cough. On really bad nights, he sleeps on the couch - kind of propped up in the corner so he doesn't change position a lot - this helps with the night time cough. Quite often, he will throw up if the mucus is too thick. However, he gets a lot of relief once it moves out. He has grown polyps in the past and they were able to be cleared up with steroids. He grows pseud. in his sinus'. He did not tolerate a sinus neb with TOBI - but that was an option. When he is on TOBI, we try and do "blow by" at night when the smell doesn't bother him ( he sleeps through it). The TOBI certainly seems to keep the pseud. away and therefore his sinus problems aren't as bad. A couple of years ago we added pulmicort which seems to help with his RAD that seems to flare up when his sinus' do. These are some of the things we have done, hopefully some of it can help you. Take Care! Jo Ann

 

[JoAnn]

Hi Teri, My son is 6 1/2 now and has had sinus involvement since day 1. We started singulair, flonase and zyrtec and it def. seemed to help over the years. We really push the fluids to keep everything moving. A bath or shower in the am really seems to help loosen things up and help them run. He sleeps elevated to alleviate some of the cough. On really bad nights, he sleeps on the couch - kind of propped up in the corner so he doesn't change position a lot - this helps with the night time cough. Quite often, he will throw up if the mucus is too thick. However, he gets a lot of relief once it moves out. He has grown polyps in the past and they were able to be cleared up with steroids. He grows pseud. in his sinus'. He did not tolerate a sinus neb with TOBI - but that was an option. When he is on TOBI, we try and do "blow by" at night when the smell doesn't bother him ( he sleeps through it). The TOBI certainly seems to keep the pseud. away and therefore his sinus problems aren't as bad. A couple of years ago we added pulmicort which seems to help with his RAD that seems to flare up when his sinus' do. These are some of the things we have done, hopefully some of it can help you. Take Care! Jo Ann