Post RSV moms: Need some advice

[asha]

Hi ladies,
As a lot of you might already know, DS2 got RSV at 2 weeks. He was in the hospital for 2 weeks, on oxygen but no medication. He did get one nebulizer treatment in the ER before they sent us to the hospital. We came home, about a month later he got the flu and started whizing. I took him to the doctor and we gave him Pulmicort in the inhaler for about 10 days. Well, then it was spring already and luckily he has been ok since then.
However, if he cries for even a couple of minutes he starts coughing and the cough sounds really really bad. As if he is sick and has a bad cough. Some times, it is just a couple of coughs, sometimes he keeps coughing.
I have asked his doctor and have not been very happy with her response. She said that sometimes kids take a little while to get over these symptoms. He needs to grow a little more and develop strength to get over it. The first couple of winters might be tough etc.
Does anyone have any experience with this? Is there anything I can do to help him get over this? There were some other doubts (heart murmur, Downs ) and we ended up doing an EKG and a kareotype. He is fine, does not have any other health problems.

Please share your post RSV experience. How has it been?
As we are getting closer to winter again, I am really getting scared. I just dont want summer to end.

Thanks in advance,
Asha

[elaineandmichaelsmommy]

Hugs mama, I know this is hard. DD had rsv when she was 4 months old and I can't imagine rsv at 2 weeks. If you're still having problems you might tell your ped. that you're still worried despite her reassurances. And that you would feel better about ds's coughing if she were a bit clearer with you and perhaps less casual about it.
DD had pnumonia 2 springs ago,but nothing since then. I'm very big about vitamins and orange juice every morning,we're also big about getting enough sleep.
Please be reassured that your child is older this year and is more resistant to the bugs out there. I'm sure your son will catch a cold or two,three. But hopefully you won't have anymore problems with severe respiritory illnesses, to avoid that I'd just be on it like white on rice. I wasn't on top of things and that's how dd's bronchitis turned into pnumonia.
You'll be ok, just remember to treat him like any other child and to let him have his space to grow. Good luck.

[egoldber]

I would ask for a consult with a ped allergist/asthma specialist. He may need Pulmicort in the neb all the time during the winter to control his symptoms. Persistent coughing with exertion is a definite RAD/asthma red flag to me. I would push the ped for a referral if you need it or just go ahead and self refer if you can. Now is the time to do a consult vs waiting until he gets his first cold.

[megs4413]

PC had RSV and was hospitalized at 2wks old as well...he hasn't had any lingering cough at all. i'd keep pushing the pediatrician if you're concerned.

Hugs!

[lisams]

DD was a young toddler when she was hospitalized with RSV. The two winters following she had to be on Pulmicort and Xoponex with almost every cold. This past winter was the first we didn't need it at all. So, with her it did take her a while for her lungs to completely recover.

She would get a cough when she ran around a lot, that slowly went away. I can't remember how long it took, but it was at least six months.

I know how scary it is. The one tip I can give is if he gets a cold, start the breathing treatments right away. It seemed like if we waited a few days to see if she needed them it made things worse. HOping you guys have a healthy winter!!

[elephantmeg]

a persistant cough is pretty normal after RSV-especially when they get it so young IME. However, blowing away your concerns is not very nice. I'd ask for a second opinion if your mommy radar is still troubled. I will say that I have had RSV a couple times (I'm a peds nurse and I'm bad about wearing my mask :( sorry to say) and for a year or 2 after that the cough after having colds was bad enough that I needed an albulter inhaler for it. HTH and that he feels better soon!

[asha]

Thanks Beth.
I was planning to call the doctor today and make an appt, so that she could hear his cough before flu season.
Well... DS2 is sick since yesterday. He was fine in the morning. Afternoon he started a cold. By evening he had a fever also. Now he has all three, cold cough and fever.
I will go see a doctor tomorrow and his ped (on vacation this week) sometime soon, after he gets better.

[asha]

Hi Megs.
I guess God decided that PC has enough other things to deal with. I am so glad to hear that he does not have any RSV stuff to worry about.

I have been following your story. I have to say I admire you all as a family. YOu have gone through a lot lately. I wish and I pray that things happen as smoothly as they can and you can move soon.

~Asha

[asha]

Thanks for the tip Lisa. I am glad to hear that there is some light at the end of the tunnel, even though it could be a long one :-(

I am hoping for the best and keeping my fingers crossed.
He is sick since yesterday. So, not doing so great now.

[asha]

Thanks Meg. I will insist on seeing another doctor. I have an appointment with another doctor in the same group tomorrow. So, I will try talking to him as well.

~Asha