Dd's cough and congestion WILL NOT go away

[HuggaBuggaMommy]

Dd has been sick with upper respiratory issues all.winter.long. It began in late October, when she was hospitalized, given IV and oral abx, and sent home with an albuterol inhaler (the doctor said she didn't believe nebulizers did anything but I know nothing about them...) The congestion and the cough only got worse - our area did have a pertussis outbreak, but I don't think the cough was bad enough to be that - and lingered all winter despite another round of abx. Finally dd was almost hospitalized again in April, given amoxicillin for an ear/sinus infection, then given Rocephin via injection and another 5-day oral abx course with an antihistamine to help dry her up because her ear infection didn't resolve the first time. She finished the abx two days ago, and today she woke up coughing again.

I am at a loss. If I bring her to the ped, she will probably prescribe more abx, which I hate...dd has been on so much already. I will also get a lecture for dd not being fully vaccinated, and perhaps worse. (We are in the process of switching peds, but won't be able to get in with the new one for a couple months). I know there is a local homeopath a friend uses, and I have a message to her to get the name so I can make an appointment with him.

Dd is already dairy free. I have her on a probiotic to help heal her poor little gut. I've also tried several OTC homeopathic remedies from the local HFS.

Suggestions?

[mamacat]

I would continue doing the ProBs because you can get into a cycle of abx and then lowered immunity because of abx messing up gut flora as you know.I wpoulf ry things like plain robirussin to help loosen any phlegm in sinuses and chest and also the onion treatment to help drain any fluid still behind ear drums and to oprevent infection by taking a raw onion and s;licing in 1/2 and wrapping in a very thin piece of cloth and holding over ear making sure it isnt too hot until cools helps both ear to drain and acts as anti infective gargling with some sea salt warm water can help irritated throat if cough is from constant drip in back of throat as well as honey with lemomn and tea with honey and lemon

Well I could have written your post! My dd has had this lingering cough...on and off again too...along with ear infections. Finally the third ear infection I was like no more antibiotics! So this article has some amazing ear infection info such as pressing your doc for more information when an ear infection is diagnosed, when to get antibiotics (after fever has been so high for so long, etc).

DD had a nebulizer with albueterol meds. Her coughing spells were more of a dry cough that sounded pretty tight...the meds helped loosen things up. I actually only used 2 doses.

Also, I had the doctor prescribe ear drops that numb the pain instantly which helped in the transitional time before the ibuprofen kicked in. No antibiotics needed for the most recent ear infection for her ... it took about a week to resolve, with day 4-5 being the most painful and ibuprofen days. But those are the days I always run to the doctor anyway, so I guess I never truly waited it out before.

I don't know if any of this helps or if your dd's cough is even similar but I wanted to throw you some info that helped us.

[WI Mama05]

DD3 has ended up needing albuteral AND a steroid for her seemingly chronic lung inflammation this past year. Her coughing has been helped tremendously with this treatment.

From the people I've spoken with, it's been a rough year. DD3 apparently needs the steroid inhaler to help heal her lungs, keeping the albuterol as needed only. She also has upper respiratory congestion that won't go away, but no fever so

There are a few massage techniques you can try to help drain her sinuses. this is a good description.

[ChristmasGirl]

could you see an pediatric asthma specialist? with the ongoing problems, it may be time.