My son is 4 and a half and has always been a bit of a snorer. I have noticed his snoring has got louder and his breathing more obstructive in the last 6 months, maybe longer. He has had two ear infections in the past year which I believe have triggered the obstructive breathing . He is a mouth breather day and night and in the last 3 months has started having definitive pauses or apnoeas when sleeping. He has had many colds as children do which has difficult to determine if the noisy and obstructive breathing is due to being within a period of being unwell. We visited the GP last week and he has been referred for a sleep study.I have joined this forum as I am so anxious about his breathing that it is affecting my own sleep as I am so worried when I can hear him gasping for breath. His weight has not changed in the last 6 months, he has started suffering nightmares recently and he is still in pull ups at night although been dry during the day for 2 years. I believe this may all be related to sleep apneoa and he likely needs tonsils and adenoids removed.
I am looking for support as I am so worried about him having prolonged apneic episodes that I now want to sleep beside him to keep a close eye. Therefore keen to share other experiences of children with obstructive sleep apneoa. Although currently undiagnosed I am confident this will be the outcome of the sleep study.
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GCD01
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Has he been seen by an ENT specialist? With the caveat that I am not medically trained but simply a mother/grandmother who has experienced similar with children/grandchildren - this sounds more like a sinus/adenoids problem which is resulting in the waking problem.
Hello, no only the GP who has made a referral for a sleep study which I believe will lead to an ENT referral. I am worried about time frame before that happens because in the meantime he can't breathe sufficiently at night. Its so hard watching him become disturbed during sleep and gasp for breath I don't know how his wee body can cope with it.
It is horrible having to watch your child suffering. You could shorten the process by going to see an ENT specialist privately. Both my sister and another family member were investigated by ENT during the sleep apneoa diagnosis process. But they are both adults and the waiting wasn't so distressing.
Don't worry about the pull ups. My son, who was otherwise perfectly healthy continued to wet the bed until he was 10. We tried everything, I worried myself to distraction. Then, when he went away skiing with his school he suddenly stopped. He's 47 now and would be very cross if he knew that I had told you.😉
Hi, your post had made me think about my five year old grandson who is a mouth breather, has cold after cold and still wears a pull up at night. Not sure about the snoring but will speak with my daughter. He naps sometimes during the day if given the opportunity.
I hope things get better for your son and all will be well. Our older grandson had to have his tonsils removed when he was around five.
Thank you for your kind words. Sorry I didn't mean to focus so much on the pull up part. Just wondered if his brain was so focused on breathing during sleep it wasn't holding his bladder. Overthinking it probably!Can I ask what led your older grandson to have tonsils removed? Was it obstructive breathing and how long between diagnosis and procedure? Thank you x
Grandson had one really large tonsil which did obstruct breathing. I recall our daughter changing his nappy when we were out somewhere and he just couldn’t breathe. It was so scary. She sat him up quickly. He was like it from around a year+ and then had tonsils removed aged 5. So much better now.
Don’t worry about pull-ups, our daughter just thinks the youngest goes into a deep sleep and doesn’t wake up to pee. He’ll be ok in time.
hi, I just wanted to add a very warm welcome to the lung conditions forum. Having sinus issues myself that was my first thought although I've always been a nose breather with my jaws & teeth tightly closed unless forced to mouth breath with severe bunged up-ness.
I too would suggest an ENT specialist, as an adult with extreme headaches caused by blocked sinuses (the cavities are quite large in face and forehead I noticed on the face & head), the matter trapped was so thick it couldn't escape down the unnaturally small tube to nostrils. I'm not sure but I think most kids and adults have post-nasal drip especially if they're prone to sinus issues or colds.
You could call the forum'forum's helpline to speak to a professional , they are very good. The number is 00300 555 280 & open uk office hours. Wishing you & your son the very best and I completely understand your anxiety & need to be near him at night, I did just that with asthmatic son for years holding him in a sitting position to ease the incessant coughing & be there if he was frightened.
PS my grandson also wore pull ups until well after 4 years old so definitely don't worry about that. At just 7 he still insists on wearing pants under his pyjamas (because 'it feels best'). × P
That’s reassuring peege. Our grandson just sleeps through and doesn’t wake to pee. No pull up = wet bed. It’s no drama and your grandson is right to do what feels best.
Thank you so much for this info and I will certainly call that helpline. I just need some reassurance and not sure I can cope with waiting a long time for him to be seen for sleep study/ENT. Not sure how long the list is at the moment. I just want to be beside him at night bit not good to shove hubby out!Yes thank you re pull ups info too! X
I don't know where in the UK you are based; no need to reveal that! However, do bear in mind that under NHS guidelines you have the right to request your son to be seen anywhere in the UK you want him to be seen. Given your worries about your son's increasing incidence of intermittent/laboured breathing issues, you might like to think about getting in touch with Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital and asking them about treating him there. It's close to Russell Square tube station in London.
Children from all over the country are seen at GOSH for good reason. it is very likely the best children's hospital in Europe.
Whatever your choices, I hope your son receives a good diagnosis and effective treatment soon. Meanwhile, do try not to worry excessively. Your little boy's brain has already shown that it will not hesitate to jolt him awake if he stops breathing during sleep, even if his breathing remains laboured.
PS. Don't give the bed wetting a second thought. If a little body is struggling to breathe, the brain is very busy sorting that out. Breathing has a very high priority indeed. Other functional controls will take lesser priority if there's a breathing problem. Some temporary loss of bladder control function is nothing to worry about under such circumstances.
Hi GCD01 and welcome to the site. I hope you dont have to wait too long to see ENT and can get the help you need for your son. It must be a huge worry for you and sorry I dont have any advise , sending hugs x
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