Fast breathing, not helped by nebulizer

16 mo old DD seems to catch every cold and bug that comes along, and often gets ear and respiratory infecctions. The ped had us get a nebulizer for our older son, and gave us prescriptions for DD to use with it as well. This cold, she has really fast breathing that doesn't go away after a nebulizer treatment. I counted her breaths at 67/minute, google said 20-40/min was normal. It doesn't sound like a wheeze to me at all -- I'm pretty sure I'm not hearing any wheezing from the lungs. She doesn't seem distressed, other than having trouble sleeping. I called the ped. when it happened earlier today, and of course by the time she called back her breathing was normal again. She said it was ok to give the nebulizer every two hours at the beginning if I thought it was needed. Now it's the middle of the night, and I've decided that since DD doesn't seem distressed by the breathing, she doesn't need a trip to the ER.

I just wanted to see if anyone else had experience with fast shallow breathing during a cold, and maybe some reassurance that an asthma attack is so much worse that I'd definitely know it if she were having one...

 

I hope that your DD is doing better this morning. Those are rough nights. My DS does this with almost every cold -- as well as a disturbingly high fever (around 104). It has resulted in more ER visits than I can count. A few resulting in admissions requiring oxygen. This winter he was finally diagnosed with asthma, which I expected. After speaking to an allergist (we are still waiting for our appointment with the pulmonologist), we created a sick plan and a well plan that seem to be working well. You may want to consider talking to a specialist as well.

The last time DS had rapid breathing and a high fever, I decided not to take him to the ER. He seemed to need sleep more than anything, since he hadn't gotten any in days. When I got him to the ped the next day, I was severely reprimanded. I still think I made the correct decision for my son, but I could definitely see her point. While he did get better, it could have just as easily gone the other way and then I would have been at home with a rapidly deteriorating child.

Good luck!
Jenny

 

Does your insurance let you see a specialist without a referral?
I think seeing a specialist is really the way to go for you.
The typical nebulizer treatments are way too often, so the meds aren't
the right combination or strength.

If the rapid breathing persists, please go to an ER. There might be something
else causing it.

 

If you take her shirt off and watch her breathe, you will notice if she is working hard to breathe. It is possible for her to be working hard to breathe and not look distressed. With her shirt off, if she is pulling to breathe and the nebulizer is not helping she needs to go to the ER. maybe she just has a common cold but her little body may not be able to handle it I agree with the specialist visit I would schedule her for that she may have a reactive airway and need a maintenance medication to keep her from having a problem when she does get a cold.

 

I agree with the PP that she might still be distressed if she doesn't have signs of it. The first time my son had reactive airways we didn't know and he was wearing himself out.. when we got the the hospital is oxygen was low and we had to have him admitted. The next couple of times I got better at looking for the signs and sure enough every time he's had rapid breathing he's been having an episode requiring more intensive treatment. The rapid breathing takes a lot of energy and wears them out, so it can turn badly very quickly.

 

I also agree that you should bring her to the dr. to be sure her oxygen levels are ok. I've had this happen a couple times with Ellie when she's had a cold. The 1st time her breathing was really fast, but her levels were ok. They said that the fast breathing wasn't a concern at that point. The 2nd time, her levels were low and we were rushed by ambulance to the ER and spent 2 nights in the hospital. She needed steroids. The neb wasn't working by itself. If you lift her shirt and see her stomach sucking in, especially around the ribs, then you know she needs to be seen. If she seems lethargic and not her usual self, I'd bring her in too. It's better to have the dr. tell you she is fine, then wonder and end up in the ER. Ellie's levels got down to 88 at one point. I think it needs to be 95 or higher to not go to the hospital. It's very scary. Hope she is feeling better!

 

We ended up putting on the humidifier, and her breathing improved almost immediately. She didn't have any fast breathing today, so things are looking much better.

 

I am so glad she is better!!! Poor girl, colds are NO fun!!!!