Hello! It has been awhile since I have posted here but I could really use some insight.

My 4 year old Thys has asthma along with his reflux, he is on singulair, zyrtec, pulmicort, prevacid and albuterol. As you can see he is on alot of meds to prevent asthma flare ups. He has been fine all spring and summer I had him on only the prevacid and he had no asthma issues at all! But here comes Fall and he started with a morning cough that was very congested, which is why I put him back on all his asthma meds.

I think he eventually had a URI and then that resolved, but now he is left with this horrible cough for at least 2 months now. The severity changes from day to day, but last night it was particularly bad. It sounds junky and productive, and he gets these coughing fits that take awhile to resolve, even with his inhaler.

We are going to see the pediatrician tomorrow, but my question is would you think it would be time for prednisone to get this under control? Our doctor seems to be aggressive with medications at times and I am pretty sure she may suggest this, and I think it may be appropriate, but I would love a second opinion. I am a nurse but have not listened to his lungs recently. I don't think it is pneumonia as he has not had a fever and acts just as energetic as he always is, but this cough is horrid! Any insight would be appreciated!

Thank you!

That chronic cough seems to stick around for weeks after a good URI. I do believe, though, it is probably time for steroids. I would suggest Singulair first, but you're already using that. Yes, I believe Orapred is probably your next step. Are you using the Pulmicort twice a day? If not, that may be something to discuss with the pediatrician as an option to the oral steroids.

Thank you for your response, yes he is on pulmicort twice a day. I just hate him having to have prednisone, but I guess the damage from the chronic inflamation of asthma can be worse. We will talk with the pediatrician tomorrow. Thanks!!!!!