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cough variant asthma??

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Posted 12/10/2006 1:01 PM (GMT -6)
 

Hi, I'm new here and would love any info. anyone can give me.  My daughter is 6 and has cough variant asthma.  Which means she doesn't wheeze or have "normal" asthma attacks.  She just coughs all the time.  It is a very deep barking cough that is very loud!  It gets ten times worse at night, sometimes to the point of vomiting.  She is currently taking Singulair, Pulmicort, and Zyrtec.  This combo seems to work pretty well until something triggers it or she gets a cold.  The coughing affects her at school because it is very disruptive to anyone around her and she can't concentrate.  Is anyone else experiencing these symptoms?  We have tried using albuterol and zopenex in her neb during these times, but it doesn't help.  Sometimes it makes it worse!  She has had an allergy test done and her major triggers are mold, dust mites and pollen.  I would really appreciate any suggestions.  We would love to have a good nights sleep!  Thanks!

Posted 12/10/2006 2:19 PM (GMT -6)
Hi and welcome :) My son has that type of asthma as well. Right now he is on Asmanex, Albuterol, Singulair (sometimes) and occasionally Allegra. His coughing has subsided somewhat but he stills coughs. He is just getting over a cold but I found that at night when he would coughing bad from his cold, I would give him Vicks Cough and Cold medicine and miracously his coughing eased significantly. Have you tried giving your daughter an Otc cough medicine?
Posted 12/10/2006 4:43 PM (GMT -6)
I have tried so many OTC meds! This may sound awful, but a few weeks ago I gave her a 1/2 tsp. of my older daughters rx cough med. It was from a while back and I just happened to have a little left. It worked! Of course that's probably because it made her so sleepy because it contained codeine. I told the doctor and she said she doesn't like to prescribe cough med. for asthmatics. And I told her that when you or your child hasn't slept well in a few days you'll try anything! But that was a one time thing because it's all gone. So now we'll just wait it out like we ususally do. I just wish there was something I could give her that wouldn't make her tired, but would stop that awful cough! Maybe someone will see this and be able to give me some tips! Thanks so much for responding!
Posted 12/10/2006 7:38 PM (GMT -6)
Dear Jessdud: If your daughter is allergic to dust mites, do you have her pillow & mattress encased w/protector? Using a simple saline nasal spray will also help since this will just cleanse the celia (tiny hairs in the nasal air passages) and keep the dust mites from "hanging around." Running a humidifier in the room will also help. Talk to her teacher if there are any plants in her classroom since she is allergic to pollen. If the teacher uses chalk, make sure your daughter is not close to the front of the room (dry markers are much better for children).

Now that it's winter, a lot of people use fireplaces. Fireplaces, scented candles, BBQing w/brickets should be avoided by asthmatics. Also if you go to a fast foot rest (such as Burger King) who cooks on open fire grill, the smoke is absorbed by food and not good for asthmatics. Asthmatics' airways are always slightly inflammed (not enough to be aware of) and trigger control is number one priority. An ounce of prevention is definitely worth a lb of cure w/an asthmatic.

Good luck & hope your daughter feels better soon.

The above info is for educational purposes only and not meant as medical advice.
Posted 12/11/2006 5:15 PM (GMT -6)
Hello how are you? Sorry, to hear how the coughing is effecting your daughter. That must be so frustrating at times for her and the family. I don't know alot about that type of asthma. My son, has asthma, but his is pretty much under control with pulmocort now. Best wishes Maybe you need to switch doctors for your daughter. Maybe there is better medications out there you haven't tried with your daughter yet. Pulmonologist they are good doctors for lung problems. Does your daughter have a peak flow meter? monitor that carefully. Best Wishes for you. Brandi.
Posted 12/20/2006 7:07 PM (GMT -6)

I have a 5 year old daughter who recently spent a week in the hospital due to the cough variant asthma.  She coughed for 2 months straight and was miss-diagnosed with sinus infections and allergies until we went to see a very aggressive pediatric pulomonogist.  My daughter was getting so little air that she could barely speak.  She had to take interviness steriods to get the inflammation out of her chest and have the neb. treatments every two hours while she was in the hospital.  The steriods made her CRAZY, which apparently they do to most children, but in the end it jump started the recovery and it has begun to lead us to recovery.  She now is on Xopenex every 8 hours and Atrovent every 8 hours (alternating) and she does a flovent inhaler 2x per day.  I hope this helps!  I wish I found this site sooner! 

Also leading up to the hospital stay my daughters behavior had become quite out of control.  I was told she was not getting enough oxygen and that made her a bit on the aggressive side.  Best of luck.

Danielle

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