post nasal drip

[susyp]

hi all,

sorry to post yet more about my daughter's cough!

just in case anyone had see and conquered the post nasal drip?! this is definitely what is causing my daughter's chronic cough (8 weeks now on and off - chronic at night ie only a few hours sleep). I can hear it in her throat. Doc says her chest is completely clear.

We were prescribed steriods for dust mite allergy but I read the info leaflet with the steriods after 2 doses (to see if calpol allowed) and read that they can cause severe complications if the child gets chicken pox - now chicken pox is in her class, i don;t plan to cancel our christmas playdates, she definitely has a risk of getting it. doctor didn;t warn me. 2 doses has made no difference anyway so i am taking her off them. we had 2 hours sleep christmas eve - she was slightly better last night. Is snotty but not coughing much in the day and then horrendous at night.

am kind of at wits end now!

susypx

[Fuschia]

Perhaps ask the gp if you can try an antihistamine if you are worried about the steroids? There are drugs to dry up

Mucus in adults but don't think they are ok for children.

Problem is the mucus and draining is a natural part of the immune system, isn't it ... Or if an allergy that's tricky

Dedust her bedroom, pull everything out and hoover everywhere (do you gave carpet?) and hot wash all the bedding

Hoover the mattress, put on a waterproof cover

Try one of those air filter things?

Hot shower before bed, lots of steam?

Prop up the head of the bed?

[buggie]

Remember that the info leaflet that comes with the steroids (I'm guessing it's prednisolone) is the same that's there whether its a short relatively low-dose course (as I'd suspect it is for your daughter) or long term high dose use for a chronic condition - which I think the chickenpox warning relates to.

Rather than stop the prescribed treatment, seek advice from either you local out of hours GP service or NHS direct, as over the phone advice for this is ideal, or even pop into your local pharmacy & ask to speak to the pharmacist to explain if your daughter would be at risk.

Am sure the Dr would have warned you of this if there truly was a serious risk involved.

[shaunag]

What works for me is a few drops of olbas oil on pillow,and Vicks rubbed onto throat. You could also try a Vicks plug in. It sounds like your lo has a very bad cough, so this may not work, but it has made the difference for me (and family members) between sleep and no sleep. Also propping the mattress up by putting some rolled up towels under it might help as others have suggested. You may already have a humidifier, but if not dry air irritates so you could try getting one and put a bowl of water beside the radiator in the meantime even if heating off at night (will add moisture during the day). Also, if has been going on a long time would personally ask for antibiotics.not everyone's cup of tea I know,but sometimes I think a helping hand is needed to shift a stubborn cough,and sleep deprivation is not going to help fighting any bugs off. I had a dust mite allergy as a child and was prescribed a nasal spray. Previous poster made good suggestions,but also, if you have pets,try keeping them downstairs and certainly out of Los room as hairs great fodder for the mites and I still sneeze occasionally when in a room with a dog for prolonged period even though the dust allergy v mild now. Really hope she is better soon and you all get some sleep.

[susyp]

thanks for all the suggestions - it has now morphed into a full blown cold + temperature so I think it may just be that she is continously fighting the same virus. She had such a high temperature last night that she actually slept all night - mroe or less passed out - of course I didn't as checked on her a lot!

Will definitely put some of those ideas into play - I have a feeling this cough may last the winter!

We've had some antibiotics - it still came back.

everyone seems to be ill at the moment don't they?susypx