Toddlers night coughing

[Bean1979]

My 3 year old has been coughing at night for almost 4 months now. He’s on his inhalers in the morning and evening. Every week I email the GP but they don’t seem worried. Anybody else had this?

[MELNEL]

I am very sorry for your little one. It must be exhausting for the baby and yourself. I would definitely arrange an appointment to let him or her check over. Any coughs that last over a week are not healthy. I hope that you can get help that someone sees your baby. And you also can call the Asthma nurse on this website. Check the about button to get the number.I hope it will get sorted. Best wishes and stay safe and warm 🍀🍀🍀

[MMBJI]

Hi, my daughter ( who is now 19) coughed horribly at night on and off for her first 5 years. It was just awful. We would go to A and E , she seemed to be struggling with her breathing but didn’t wheeze. Sometimes Drs were helpful, sometimes not. Now, If she gets a cold or doesn’t take her meds as she should, the night cough returns.Anyway, if memory serves, we were first given ventolin to use morning and night, then a preventer inhaler added (clenil,) over the years loratadine and Montelukast were added in, the preventer was changed to a combination inhaler. This was a process over years.

Sorry! I am rambling - my point is that there are more medications to try. Persist with the GP. Maybe try a different GP if you aren’t getting anywhere.

[Bean1979 in reply to MMBJI]

Thank you so much, I don’t feel so alone now. We tried the montelukast but he had terrible nightmares and would be screaming and thrashing around in bed. He also has no wheezing. I will keep persisting with the GP. I really appreciate your feedback xx

[twinkly29]

I am assuming his morning/evening inhalers are brown/preventer ones? Does he also have a blue ventolin inhaler?

[Bean1979 in reply to twinkly29]

Yes he has the brown one for morning and evening and a blue one which GP says only use if he can’t breathe properly, so we don’t use it.

[twinkly29 in reply to Bean1979]

Ok, firstly that's really unhelpful and vague advice from your GP. Persistent coughing especially at night is a sign of asthma not being controlled, or flaring up. Many children cough with asthma rather than wheeze.

I would give him the blue inhaler when he's coughing. 2 puffs (given a d breathed in through the spacer separately) should start to help in about 15 mins and then should last at least 4 hours. If it doesn't last that long you can give it sooner but less than 4 hours is a sign things need seeing to more urgently.

I would keep a note of when you're doing this - day or night - and go back to the GP stating how often he's needing the blue inhaler. As he's not having it maybe that's why the GP is concerned - despite it being their unhelpful advice in the first place!

Another option is to discuss with another GP or ask to speak to an asthma nurse. Or phone Asthma UK for advice?

[madamestephens]

This was exactly the same with my son the winter he was four. Numerous visits, several courses of antibiotics. Only improved when he had Montelukast added to his brown Clenil inhalers.

[Bean1979 in reply to madamestephens]

Yes he’s had 2 courses of antibiotics and weeks of antihistamine. I feel like he’s just being drugged up.

[lillyofthevalley37]

Hi I just wanted to suggest that it may help your toddler to wear a beanie hat to stop the coughing

[Bean1979 in reply to lillyofthevalley37]

Thank you, I will try this. He wears one outside, but will just keep it on him.

[lillyofthevalley37 in reply to Bean1979]

Just make sure he doesn't get too hot hope it helps

[Hidden]

You've probably got one but a humidifier can really help. Helped me with my 3 year old.Hope things get better .

All the best.

[Kitty2823]

Ask your gp for fostair. Best preventer. They gave that to my friends son when he was 2. Hoping he feels better. Best wishes.

[ALUK_Nurses Partner Administrator ALUK Asthma Nurse in reply to Kitty2823]

I'm afraid Fostair is not licensed for use in children

[ChrissieMons]

Have you tried propping him up in bed, so he nods off almost sitting up? It used to work for me as a child, but advice changes over the years. However, you might think anything is worth a try!

[ALUK_Nurses Partner Administrator ALUK Asthma Nurse]

Hi Bean1979, do you want to give us a ring on the helpline and discuss. 0300 2225800 M-F, 930-445 asthma.org.uk/advice/child/...