my 7 yo daughter had pneumonia last april since then she has had a cough i have taken her to several different

Question

doctors she has been diagnosed with asthma currently she ia taking albuteral, prednisone, pulmicort, and zithromax. her peak flow meter has stayed the same 150 she went to the doctor today nothing has improved the dr said to finish antibiotics continue all meds and changed the dosing of her prednisone she has to take that 2 tsp twice a day for 5 days then 1 tsp twice a day for 5 days then 1/2 tsp twice a day for 5 more days 15 days total. My ???? is where do i go from here if nothing improves in a week b4 her next appt...... remember we have been dealing with this for 10 monthsn a nasty wet cough.......please help with info......thanks

Answer 1

I would agree to aggressively treat the "asthma' with oral steroids- has she had a chest x-ray- is there a persistent pneumonia?- or bronchial cyst- maybe pulmonary function tests could be helpful (a more sophisticated "peak flow" to accurately measure asthma symptoms- may need a specialist-pulmonlolgist-- )also sinusitis could be contributing to it- dx is with a CT scan of the sinuses- is there an allergen in the house- smoke? mold? i f she had "walking pneumonia- Zithromax would treat it-(but not necesssary a sinus infection). Could she have GI reflux (which can exacebate the asthma)
So in conclusion- I would order a cxr, finish the steroids (as the Dr. ordered), if still coughing get a sinus film-- if all negative refer to a Pediatric Pulmonologist- Good Luck

Answer 2

it is probably "walking" pneumonia, (son had it and didn't know it for three months!) however, if things don't improve you can ask for a test called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, rhonchi, rales may be present and appear to be recurring respiratory infections (but isn't), or obstructive asthma that does not respond to treatment. Individuals with alpha-1 may develop emphysema during their thirties or forties, without a history of significant smoking (although smoking greatly increases the risk for emphysema). A1AD also causes impaired liver function in some patients and may lead to cirrhosis and liver failure (15%). It is the leading cause of liver transplantation in newborns.

Answer 3

Pneumonia can damage the respiratory tract if not treated properly. It seems to me that there could possibly be adverse interactions with all the drugs that your daughter is taking. Or if nothing has improved, the drugs aren't appropriate for the problem. Get a second opinion.

Answer 4

millions or billions microorganism are always around us and the naked eyes withou a microscope can hardly see them. A little cold or dry air also cause coughs. Healthcare facilities equip with very powerful purifier system. So, breath near a HEPA air purifier, optimal temperature/humidity. 20x20 fan tapping with Hepa air conditioner filter for fresh air intake.
Pumpkin, steamed onions, Omega-3 fish oil and vitamin B6 are very heathy for lung in long term, and consult with doctor about the dosage for her age.

Have her to check with better medical center that they may have more experience with her case.

Answer 5

go to different hopitals and the best ones u can think of 1....a specialist is the best