Wet cough?

kitomd21 · Sep 4, 2008

Ellie seems to have acquired a mild form of her brother's cold! Her cough has persisted but the runny nose has subsided. Our CF doctor suggested increasing CPTs, but didn't recommend prophylactic antibiotics after I inquired about them. Does this make sense to you? Also, her cough is "wet" and it sounds like she's getting "stuff" up. I assume this is a good thing, correct?

kitomd21 · Sep 4, 2008

Ellie seems to have acquired a mild form of her brother's cold! Her cough has persisted but the runny nose has subsided. Our CF doctor suggested increasing CPTs, but didn't recommend prophylactic antibiotics after I inquired about them. Does this make sense to you? Also, her cough is "wet" and it sounds like she's getting "stuff" up. I assume this is a good thing, correct?

kitomd21 · Sep 4, 2008

Ellie seems to have acquired a mild form of her brother's cold! Her cough has persisted but the runny nose has subsided. Our CF doctor suggested increasing CPTs, but didn't recommend prophylactic antibiotics after I inquired about them. Does this make sense to you? Also, her cough is "wet" and it sounds like she's getting "stuff" up. I assume this is a good thing, correct?

kitomd21 · Sep 4, 2008

Ellie seems to have acquired a mild form of her brother's cold! Her cough has persisted but the runny nose has subsided. Our CF doctor suggested increasing CPTs, but didn't recommend prophylactic antibiotics after I inquired about them. Does this make sense to you? Also, her cough is "wet" and it sounds like she's getting "stuff" up. I assume this is a good thing, correct?

kitomd21 · Sep 4, 2008

Ellie seems to have acquired a mild form of her brother's cold! Her cough has persisted but the runny nose has subsided. Our CF doctor suggested increasing CPTs, but didn't recommend prophylactic antibiotics after I inquired about them. Does this make sense to you? Also, her cough is "wet" and it sounds like she's getting "stuff" up. I assume this is a good thing, correct?

Diane · Sep 5, 2008

I have no experience with babies and coughs, but i can tell you that a wet cough is a good cough as long as the mucus is coming up. How do you tell if it is coming up in a baby....that i dont know. I am kind of surprised since she is so young the Dr. didnt put her on something, but maybe thats what they do for babies. Maybe they try to hold off on antibiotics as long as they can. I hope someone has better answers for you. I also hope she gtets rid of that cough and your little boy gets rid of that cold soon and gets back to feeling better<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Diane · Sep 5, 2008

I have no experience with babies and coughs, but i can tell you that a wet cough is a good cough as long as the mucus is coming up. How do you tell if it is coming up in a baby....that i dont know. I am kind of surprised since she is so young the Dr. didnt put her on something, but maybe thats what they do for babies. Maybe they try to hold off on antibiotics as long as they can. I hope someone has better answers for you. I also hope she gtets rid of that cough and your little boy gets rid of that cold soon and gets back to feeling better<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Diane · Sep 5, 2008

I have no experience with babies and coughs, but i can tell you that a wet cough is a good cough as long as the mucus is coming up. How do you tell if it is coming up in a baby....that i dont know. I am kind of surprised since she is so young the Dr. didnt put her on something, but maybe thats what they do for babies. Maybe they try to hold off on antibiotics as long as they can. I hope someone has better answers for you. I also hope she gtets rid of that cough and your little boy gets rid of that cold soon and gets back to feeling better<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Diane · Sep 5, 2008

I have no experience with babies and coughs, but i can tell you that a wet cough is a good cough as long as the mucus is coming up. How do you tell if it is coming up in a baby....that i dont know. I am kind of surprised since she is so young the Dr. didnt put her on something, but maybe thats what they do for babies. Maybe they try to hold off on antibiotics as long as they can. I hope someone has better answers for you. I also hope she gtets rid of that cough and your little boy gets rid of that cold soon and gets back to feeling better<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Diane · Sep 5, 2008

I have no experience with babies and coughs, but i can tell you that a wet cough is a good cough as long as the mucus is coming up. How do you tell if it is coming up in a baby....that i dont know. I am kind of surprised since she is so young the Dr. didnt put her on something, but maybe thats what they do for babies. Maybe they try to hold off on antibiotics as long as they can. I hope someone has better answers for you. I also hope she gtets rid of that cough and your little boy gets rid of that cold soon and gets back to feeling better<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

LouLou · Sep 5, 2008

first of all the use of antibiotics you are talking about is not prophylactic. That would be if you were giving her abx when she is healthy to prevent an illness. If she is coughing at all at her age she has a cold or infection. Whether it's viral or bacterial no one probably knows. My son has been to two very good centers. He is 14 months (I also have cf) and considered symptomless because he is yet to have any symptoms of cf (incl. normal sweat, vas def present). Both centers suggest for him starting an abx on day 4 of a cough. So the plan when he gets a cold is this. Starts with a runny nose. Nasal bulb suction whenever visible mucus. Squirt nose with saline. Up Vest from 1x per day to 2-3x per day. Then if head cold turns chesty with cough up Vest to every 4 hours (always albuterol before hand). If he is still coughing in the AM of the 4th day of the onset of the cough call doc. Start an abx based on last culture and get in for a new culture and for doc to listen to his lungs asap..but I don't wait for the abx rx if they can't see him that same day. They can call it in. Starts abx and continues vest every 4 hours. If abx didn't seem to be doing anything after 3 days I would call doc about possible admission for IVs.

We have only had a cough go into "day 4" twice. THe first time (age 6 mo.) we did the abx but it didn't really do anything. The cough resolved itself after 10 days. It was thought to be viral. And now we are on day 12 of cough. I waited until day 10 to call this time (dumb!) and we started abx right away. This evenign was 48 hrs. on Bactrim which seems to be doing the trick.

Personally I like having a plan so that I feel more in control and pleased with the progression of care. I know if a ball is being dropped vs. wondering if that is the course of care that should be taken. This way I'm not hte crazy mom... it's just - it's day 4 time to start abx or whatever level of the plan we are in.

Each time she gets sick it shouldn't be a different plan. Of course specifics on abx can change based on cultures but at this point I believe they should be doing everythign to prevent damage to her lungs.

You may want to talk big picture with them. Understand their approach - agree on a plan you feel comfortable with or leave for antoher center. Also if the plan isn't carried out when she gets sick then let them know instead of clamming up and steaming privately. Most centers want to help. Any organization you can offer is usually appreciated if it's presented in a clear manner.

Wet is better than tight yes. How frequent is her cough? I count my son's cough. I break the day in half. Jot the two numbers down and then do it again teh next day. This will truly anser is coughing more? ALso note if she coughs during the night. And note the type of cough...ie, wet single coughs or multiple or machine gun chain, etc.) I also count respiratory rate. YOu count each breath for one whole min. don't do 10 sec. and multiple because babies breath so variably must do full min.

I hope something here helps. And remember we might be weird becuase I have cf too. But generally I think our process could apply to any cf child.

LouLou · Sep 5, 2008

first of all the use of antibiotics you are talking about is not prophylactic. That would be if you were giving her abx when she is healthy to prevent an illness. If she is coughing at all at her age she has a cold or infection. Whether it's viral or bacterial no one probably knows. My son has been to two very good centers. He is 14 months (I also have cf) and considered symptomless because he is yet to have any symptoms of cf (incl. normal sweat, vas def present). Both centers suggest for him starting an abx on day 4 of a cough. So the plan when he gets a cold is this. Starts with a runny nose. Nasal bulb suction whenever visible mucus. Squirt nose with saline. Up Vest from 1x per day to 2-3x per day. Then if head cold turns chesty with cough up Vest to every 4 hours (always albuterol before hand). If he is still coughing in the AM of the 4th day of the onset of the cough call doc. Start an abx based on last culture and get in for a new culture and for doc to listen to his lungs asap..but I don't wait for the abx rx if they can't see him that same day. They can call it in. Starts abx and continues vest every 4 hours. If abx didn't seem to be doing anything after 3 days I would call doc about possible admission for IVs.

We have only had a cough go into "day 4" twice. THe first time (age 6 mo.) we did the abx but it didn't really do anything. The cough resolved itself after 10 days. It was thought to be viral. And now we are on day 12 of cough. I waited until day 10 to call this time (dumb!) and we started abx right away. This evenign was 48 hrs. on Bactrim which seems to be doing the trick.

Personally I like having a plan so that I feel more in control and pleased with the progression of care. I know if a ball is being dropped vs. wondering if that is the course of care that should be taken. This way I'm not hte crazy mom... it's just - it's day 4 time to start abx or whatever level of the plan we are in.

Each time she gets sick it shouldn't be a different plan. Of course specifics on abx can change based on cultures but at this point I believe they should be doing everythign to prevent damage to her lungs.

You may want to talk big picture with them. Understand their approach - agree on a plan you feel comfortable with or leave for antoher center. Also if the plan isn't carried out when she gets sick then let them know instead of clamming up and steaming privately. Most centers want to help. Any organization you can offer is usually appreciated if it's presented in a clear manner.

Wet is better than tight yes. How frequent is her cough? I count my son's cough. I break the day in half. Jot the two numbers down and then do it again teh next day. This will truly anser is coughing more? ALso note if she coughs during the night. And note the type of cough...ie, wet single coughs or multiple or machine gun chain, etc.) I also count respiratory rate. YOu count each breath for one whole min. don't do 10 sec. and multiple because babies breath so variably must do full min.

I hope something here helps. And remember we might be weird becuase I have cf too. But generally I think our process could apply to any cf child.

LouLou · Sep 5, 2008

first of all the use of antibiotics you are talking about is not prophylactic. That would be if you were giving her abx when she is healthy to prevent an illness. If she is coughing at all at her age she has a cold or infection. Whether it's viral or bacterial no one probably knows. My son has been to two very good centers. He is 14 months (I also have cf) and considered symptomless because he is yet to have any symptoms of cf (incl. normal sweat, vas def present). Both centers suggest for him starting an abx on day 4 of a cough. So the plan when he gets a cold is this. Starts with a runny nose. Nasal bulb suction whenever visible mucus. Squirt nose with saline. Up Vest from 1x per day to 2-3x per day. Then if head cold turns chesty with cough up Vest to every 4 hours (always albuterol before hand). If he is still coughing in the AM of the 4th day of the onset of the cough call doc. Start an abx based on last culture and get in for a new culture and for doc to listen to his lungs asap..but I don't wait for the abx rx if they can't see him that same day. They can call it in. Starts abx and continues vest every 4 hours. If abx didn't seem to be doing anything after 3 days I would call doc about possible admission for IVs.

We have only had a cough go into "day 4" twice. THe first time (age 6 mo.) we did the abx but it didn't really do anything. The cough resolved itself after 10 days. It was thought to be viral. And now we are on day 12 of cough. I waited until day 10 to call this time (dumb!) and we started abx right away. This evenign was 48 hrs. on Bactrim which seems to be doing the trick.

Personally I like having a plan so that I feel more in control and pleased with the progression of care. I know if a ball is being dropped vs. wondering if that is the course of care that should be taken. This way I'm not hte crazy mom... it's just - it's day 4 time to start abx or whatever level of the plan we are in.

Each time she gets sick it shouldn't be a different plan. Of course specifics on abx can change based on cultures but at this point I believe they should be doing everythign to prevent damage to her lungs.

You may want to talk big picture with them. Understand their approach - agree on a plan you feel comfortable with or leave for antoher center. Also if the plan isn't carried out when she gets sick then let them know instead of clamming up and steaming privately. Most centers want to help. Any organization you can offer is usually appreciated if it's presented in a clear manner.

Wet is better than tight yes. How frequent is her cough? I count my son's cough. I break the day in half. Jot the two numbers down and then do it again teh next day. This will truly anser is coughing more? ALso note if she coughs during the night. And note the type of cough...ie, wet single coughs or multiple or machine gun chain, etc.) I also count respiratory rate. YOu count each breath for one whole min. don't do 10 sec. and multiple because babies breath so variably must do full min.

I hope something here helps. And remember we might be weird becuase I have cf too. But generally I think our process could apply to any cf child.

LouLou · Sep 5, 2008

first of all the use of antibiotics you are talking about is not prophylactic. That would be if you were giving her abx when she is healthy to prevent an illness. If she is coughing at all at her age she has a cold or infection. Whether it's viral or bacterial no one probably knows. My son has been to two very good centers. He is 14 months (I also have cf) and considered symptomless because he is yet to have any symptoms of cf (incl. normal sweat, vas def present). Both centers suggest for him starting an abx on day 4 of a cough. So the plan when he gets a cold is this. Starts with a runny nose. Nasal bulb suction whenever visible mucus. Squirt nose with saline. Up Vest from 1x per day to 2-3x per day. Then if head cold turns chesty with cough up Vest to every 4 hours (always albuterol before hand). If he is still coughing in the AM of the 4th day of the onset of the cough call doc. Start an abx based on last culture and get in for a new culture and for doc to listen to his lungs asap..but I don't wait for the abx rx if they can't see him that same day. They can call it in. Starts abx and continues vest every 4 hours. If abx didn't seem to be doing anything after 3 days I would call doc about possible admission for IVs.

We have only had a cough go into "day 4" twice. THe first time (age 6 mo.) we did the abx but it didn't really do anything. The cough resolved itself after 10 days. It was thought to be viral. And now we are on day 12 of cough. I waited until day 10 to call this time (dumb!) and we started abx right away. This evenign was 48 hrs. on Bactrim which seems to be doing the trick.

Personally I like having a plan so that I feel more in control and pleased with the progression of care. I know if a ball is being dropped vs. wondering if that is the course of care that should be taken. This way I'm not hte crazy mom... it's just - it's day 4 time to start abx or whatever level of the plan we are in.

Each time she gets sick it shouldn't be a different plan. Of course specifics on abx can change based on cultures but at this point I believe they should be doing everythign to prevent damage to her lungs.

You may want to talk big picture with them. Understand their approach - agree on a plan you feel comfortable with or leave for antoher center. Also if the plan isn't carried out when she gets sick then let them know instead of clamming up and steaming privately. Most centers want to help. Any organization you can offer is usually appreciated if it's presented in a clear manner.

Wet is better than tight yes. How frequent is her cough? I count my son's cough. I break the day in half. Jot the two numbers down and then do it again teh next day. This will truly anser is coughing more? ALso note if she coughs during the night. And note the type of cough...ie, wet single coughs or multiple or machine gun chain, etc.) I also count respiratory rate. YOu count each breath for one whole min. don't do 10 sec. and multiple because babies breath so variably must do full min.

I hope something here helps. And remember we might be weird becuase I have cf too. But generally I think our process could apply to any cf child.

LouLou · Sep 5, 2008

first of all the use of antibiotics you are talking about is not prophylactic. That would be if you were giving her abx when she is healthy to prevent an illness. If she is coughing at all at her age she has a cold or infection. Whether it's viral or bacterial no one probably knows. My son has been to two very good centers. He is 14 months (I also have cf) and considered symptomless because he is yet to have any symptoms of cf (incl. normal sweat, vas def present). Both centers suggest for him starting an abx on day 4 of a cough. So the plan when he gets a cold is this. Starts with a runny nose. Nasal bulb suction whenever visible mucus. Squirt nose with saline. Up Vest from 1x per day to 2-3x per day. Then if head cold turns chesty with cough up Vest to every 4 hours (always albuterol before hand). If he is still coughing in the AM of the 4th day of the onset of the cough call doc. Start an abx based on last culture and get in for a new culture and for doc to listen to his lungs asap..but I don't wait for the abx rx if they can't see him that same day. They can call it in. Starts abx and continues vest every 4 hours. If abx didn't seem to be doing anything after 3 days I would call doc about possible admission for IVs.
 
 We have only had a cough go into "day 4" twice. THe first time (age 6 mo.) we did the abx but it didn't really do anything. The cough resolved itself after 10 days. It was thought to be viral. And now we are on day 12 of cough. I waited until day 10 to call this time (dumb!) and we started abx right away. This evenign was 48 hrs. on Bactrim which seems to be doing the trick.
 
 Personally I like having a plan so that I feel more in control and pleased with the progression of care. I know if a ball is being dropped vs. wondering if that is the course of care that should be taken. This way I'm not hte crazy mom... it's just - it's day 4 time to start abx or whatever level of the plan we are in.
 
 Each time she gets sick it shouldn't be a different plan. Of course specifics on abx can change based on cultures but at this point I believe they should be doing everythign to prevent damage to her lungs.
 
 You may want to talk big picture with them. Understand their approach - agree on a plan you feel comfortable with or leave for antoher center. Also if the plan isn't carried out when she gets sick then let them know instead of clamming up and steaming privately. Most centers want to help. Any organization you can offer is usually appreciated if it's presented in a clear manner.
 
 Wet is better than tight yes. How frequent is her cough? I count my son's cough. I break the day in half. Jot the two numbers down and then do it again teh next day. This will truly anser is coughing more? ALso note if she coughs during the night. And note the type of cough...ie, wet single coughs or multiple or machine gun chain, etc.) I also count respiratory rate. YOu count each breath for one whole min. don't do 10 sec. and multiple because babies breath so variably must do full min.
 
 I hope something here helps. And remember we might be weird becuase I have cf too. But generally I think our process could apply to any cf child.

kitomd21 · Sep 5, 2008

Lauren - Thank you so much for your input! I said "prophylactic" because antibiotics aren't prescribed for a viral infection alone in those without CF. My concern was if they would put her on antibiotics to prevent a secondary infection. Being new to CF, I was unsure if they automatically begin antibiotics with anything viral..."just in case." I'll definitely ask the doctors about a more definitive plan when she has cold-like symptoms. You are 100% correct that some form of organization or plan is necessary - I'm realizing that more and more! So far, there have been many "what ifs" and "what is normal" concerns. I appreciate your words of wisdom!

kitomd21 · Sep 5, 2008

Lauren - Thank you so much for your input! I said "prophylactic" because antibiotics aren't prescribed for a viral infection alone in those without CF. My concern was if they would put her on antibiotics to prevent a secondary infection. Being new to CF, I was unsure if they automatically begin antibiotics with anything viral..."just in case." I'll definitely ask the doctors about a more definitive plan when she has cold-like symptoms. You are 100% correct that some form of organization or plan is necessary - I'm realizing that more and more! So far, there have been many "what ifs" and "what is normal" concerns. I appreciate your words of wisdom!

kitomd21 · Sep 5, 2008

Lauren - Thank you so much for your input! I said "prophylactic" because antibiotics aren't prescribed for a viral infection alone in those without CF. My concern was if they would put her on antibiotics to prevent a secondary infection. Being new to CF, I was unsure if they automatically begin antibiotics with anything viral..."just in case." I'll definitely ask the doctors about a more definitive plan when she has cold-like symptoms. You are 100% correct that some form of organization or plan is necessary - I'm realizing that more and more! So far, there have been many "what ifs" and "what is normal" concerns. I appreciate your words of wisdom!

kitomd21 · Sep 5, 2008

Lauren - Thank you so much for your input! I said "prophylactic" because antibiotics aren't prescribed for a viral infection alone in those without CF. My concern was if they would put her on antibiotics to prevent a secondary infection. Being new to CF, I was unsure if they automatically begin antibiotics with anything viral..."just in case." I'll definitely ask the doctors about a more definitive plan when she has cold-like symptoms. You are 100% correct that some form of organization or plan is necessary - I'm realizing that more and more! So far, there have been many "what ifs" and "what is normal" concerns. I appreciate your words of wisdom!

kitomd21 · Sep 5, 2008

Lauren - Thank you so much for your input! I said "prophylactic" because antibiotics aren't prescribed for a viral infection alone in those without CF. My concern was if they would put her on antibiotics to prevent a secondary infection. Being new to CF, I was unsure if they automatically begin antibiotics with anything viral..."just in case." I'll definitely ask the doctors about a more definitive plan when she has cold-like symptoms. You are 100% correct that some form of organization or plan is necessary - I'm realizing that more and more! So far, there have been many "what ifs" and "what is normal" concerns. I appreciate your words of wisdom!

Wet cough?

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