Son always coughing

[JAW21]

Hi, my son is 16months and was given inhalers back in June for suspected asthma. He has always coughed and wheezed since he vacated the womb. Constantly coughs of a night which is better when using the brown inhaler, but doctors told me only to use it when i think he needs it. Hes had a cough since 12th septemvber which a&e diagnosed as croup (He woke up from sleep gasping for air and coughing) he no longer has croup but constant cough of a night and coughing in the day how long does it take for a cold/cough to go when you have asthma? Dont feel like the gp has supported uS as inhaler was prescribed over the phone

[twinkly29]

The brown inhaler is the preventer and should be used regularly, even when well, usually prescribed twice a day. It takes a couple of weeks to kick in properly although some effect will occur before that, after which your son should need the blue reliever inhaler less (ideally rarely or not at all). The brown one only used when required (started up am/pm when having a flare) won't work as it takes time to build up, nor will it work as a quick relief medication because it's longer lasting.

The blue inhaler is the one to use for symptom relief. Ideally 2 puffs through a spacer with a mask (given the age of your son - I hope they've given this to you! ) should help and last 4 hours, although perhaps it won't at the moment if he's not been having the brown inhaler regularly. As above, he shouldn't routinely need the blue one if the brown is working. One puff should be given and breathed in before giving the second.

There is a video here showing how to give the inhalers in case it helps

asthma.org.uk/advice/inhale...

But I would call the Asthma UK nurses or your GP to discuss the inhalers and his symptoms as you need better advice than you've been given - or rather proper clarification on his treatment. The brown inhaler is not for as required.

Obviously call 111 or go to A&E if you are concerned at all but for now, I would restart or continue the the brown regularly (is it prescribed twice a day? Usually would be 1 or 2 puffs but it's better to get proper dosing advice from a GP or Asthma UK) and use the blue one every 4 hours to start with. Coughing constantly especially at night is a classic asthma symptom in children.

The Asthma UK nurses are brilliant. I'd maybe try them if it's your GP who's told you to use the brown one only when required because they shouldn't be saying that. Their details are

0300 222 5800, 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. You can also contact them via WhatsApp chat on 07378 606728.

But as it's Sunday today, do phone 111 if you need urgent advice.

[JAW21 in reply to twinkly29]

Sorry yes brown is twice before bed and twice in the morning the blue they didnt advise but i will try your method whilst i wait for more advice from Drs thanks so much

[twinkly29 in reply to JAW21]

Oh good glad they didn't say brown was for relief! Definitely keep going with the brown though and use the blue for now. If together they help it may be he needs something else on top, or something just for now to get over a flare, but hopefully til you can speak to someone the blue will help.

[JAW21]

Thank you, this is why im confused as originally this is what i was told and was doing, then at a check up for something else the Dr told me not to use it if i didnt feel he needed it bcoz its a steriod and he gave the blue one. I know its difficult for them to diagnose young children but i feel like i should get allergy test too to see if something else is irritating

[twinkly29 in reply to JAW21]

It is a steroid but inhaled steroids don't affect the body in the same way (negatively) as oral ones - and anyway whether inhaled or oral, the potential effects of those are far outweighed by actually needing them to breathe. Can't believe some doctors are still saying that actually. In an ideal world he wouldn't need any medication but.....!

Get some clarification from the Asthma UK nurses before you speak to your GP then hopefully you can use that to tell the GP that this is what you've been told by the specialist nurses. Is there an asthma nurse at your surgery do you know? If so hopefully they're more knowledgeable than the GP and might be worth using as your first port of call before the GP.

Your poor son though. Not only is it really miserable for him to be coughing so much, it's avoidable of GPs had better knowledge!

[JAW21 in reply to twinkly29]

Thank you ao much your advice is very much appreciated i will ask about asthma nurse tomorrow

[Troilus]

Hi Jaw21,

Twinkly has given you some very good advice and I agree with you when you say you would like to have allergy tests, which brings me to my point. Do you use fabric conditioner on your baby’s bedding? I only ask because strong fabric conditioners, Bold washing powder and Ariel all make my asthma worse. It’s a long shot and is probably way of the mark!

[JAW21 in reply to Troilus]

Yes i do i use fairy for the kids and bold for us adults, ive always used those brands as they have ezcema too!

[Poobah]

One of the things that helped me as a child was physiotherapy. I had brittle asthma and was really phlegmy. My mum learned how to help me with daily exercises and techniques to bring up the phlegm more efficiently. It was also an enormous help whenever I had overnight coughing fits. Your GP should be able to refer you and your son to a specialist respiratory physio.

Definitely keep up with regular use of the prescribed inhalers as results are better with regular use rather than trying to treat flare ups only.

Asthma UK are very helpful so I talking things over with one of the AUK nurses will help you get the most out of your GP etc.

[JAW21]

Thank you sk much i will speak to them before i even go back to the doctors. Thats a good idea, hes quite phlemy but he is good at bringing it up he gets broncholitus alot but its mever serious because he can clear his chest

[daleboy3]

where had your family been been prior to September 12th when the “coughing started” ask yourself had he been exposed to something that could have triggered it? other than that take him for another checkup via your doctor to see if he has picked up a virus