Hey Lori,

I just have some questions about Parker, he has been off reflux meds since January and was doing great until about 2/3 weeks ago. We also successfully weaned him off his asthma puffers (flixotide and ventolin) for the summer. It is now getting into winter and he has started coughing a bit at night, so I think it is time to go back on the puffers.

So here is my question, with the coughing is a lot of reflux, he coughs up clear liquid and is quite uncomfortable with it. Would you treat this with both a PPI and asthma medication or is it possible that treating it with a asthma med alone will get rid of the reflux? I have the GI on Monday to discuss this with her also, but wanted to know what your idea would be.

Thanks
Rachel

Rachel,
This one's kind of difficult. My gut feeling is to say that the reflux is causing the cough, especially since you say that it's happening at night. From my personal experience, I tend to notice that I frequently have "heartburn" before I have an asthma attack. I truly believe that my reflux flares up and then the coughing starts. I'm glad that you're going to the GI soon. I think the PPI would probably help more in the long term than the puffers, but that's a call the GI can make. When I am on a PPI, I have almost no asthma symptoms. In the meantime, try restarting the puffers. They will certainly help to ease the cough.

I'm really sorry that this is all flaring back up for Parker. I was hopeful that you had reached the end.:hug: