Breathing easier

Rece had his specialist appt today with the allergist/asthma doctor. The doctor is new to our pediatrics practice and she was so great. She was so understanding, and told me that Rece's "reaction" to colds was not normal/acceptable and that we can make it better. First they tested him for 20 indoor and outdoor allergies, there was zero reaction. This is VERY good news. Allergies at this point in life would be a signal/sign that he might indeed have true asthma later in life. She said what she is sure he does have is "reactive" airways. When he gets the common cold, his airways inflame and we get the horrible cough, wheezing, and the secondary infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia etc. So what she suggested was that we start him on an anti-inflamatory steroid (which we have done during colds in the past and has worked ok) on a preemptive strike type basis, from September - May rergardless if he has a cold. To cover ALL of cold and flu season. She said normally he might have to do this one or two more seasons and then he and his airways will grow and this problem will fade into history...and we will only have the story to tell about how rough he had it the first year or so. So we go back to her in August to get our meds and equipment to help us through cold and flu season, unless he gets another episode sooner and then we start and just continue it until further notice so to speak.

I feel like we have a resource now that is focusing on his specific symptoms and can truely help. I really like Rece's primary care doctor but he is really there for acute care, treat, make better for the time being and release. Maybe we will actually get to a time when if my son rolls over and coughs at night I don't loose two hours sleep laying awake with anxiety about how we are going to take time off work and how long and how bad the next cold will be.