Three years ago, in January, Matt developed a bad cough that just wouldn't quit. In fact, he couldn't stop coughing despite using his inhaler and nebulizer. Something just wasn't right and the cough was very different from his normal "asthma" cough. You know the one I mean. The one that wakes you out of the deepest sleep at 1 a.m.; the one that tightens your gut; the one that says, "Here it comes!"
Of course, it was Friday after office hours, so we had to make a trip to the Urgent Care Center and see whoever was on duty that night. Eventually, the doctor came in and began a routine examination of Matt while asking about Matt's medical history. As soon as he heard the word asthma, he set down his stethoscope, stopped the exam and proclaimed that a severe asthma episode was in progress.
"Put him on 80mg of prednisone for 6 days and he'll be fine," the doctor said.
"But it's NOT his asthma," I insisted. "The Ventolin hasn't made a difference and besides, that's not an asthma cough. It's something else."
"Asthma cough? That's ridiculous. Just give him the prednisone and he'll be fine," the doctor said. I knew from his look and tone of his voice that he was thinking, Here's another hysterical mother panicking on a Friday night.
Despite my efforts to get the doctor to continue his examination, he refused. I gave in on the prednisone (knowing it wouldn't help.) I did, however, insist that he change the dose to 35mg tapered down over a six-day period. To that, he agreed and we went home.
I should not have given in so easily.
Five days later, Matt was not better. He was worse. Along with the cough, he developed a mild fever, a general feeling of malaise and stomach problems. By the seventh day, Matt was complaining of a sharp pain in his chest when he inhaled. No hesitation, off to the doctor's office.
We were at our regular care center, but Matt's pediatrician was not available, so we saw another doctor. She examined Matt fully, asked many questions and did a lot of listening to me and to Matt's chest. She tried one nebulizer treatment and came back to re-examine him.
