RSV, Reflux, and Pneumonia..., 5 days in the hospital...

[amberlynnie]

So thanks to all who offered up suggestions about why Braelynn was choking.
I took her to the ER Saturday morning, because Friday night she couldn't catch her breath when choking and gagging, and turned a purpley color.
She was sent by ambulance to Kosairs Childrens Hospital by the ER I went to, because they saw she had Pneumonia after doing a chest x-ray.
Once I got to the Childrens hospital, They did an RSV test, and it was positive.
The docs said that the RSV was causing the majority of the choking, but they ordered an upper GI for Sunday. They were worried about the baby having a hole between her esphagus and her trachea, and thought that might possibly be how she got fluid in her lungs.
Monday after her test, I was told there was NO hole, Thank GOD! but she does deffinately have reflux. They then ordered a modified barium swallow study to see how she could handle different textures and thicknesses of liquids. She does best with the thickened liquids.
The Doc put her on Zantac, twice a day, and she gets suctioned before each feed to clear her air ways and to prevent choking.
This afternoon we were released after almost 5 full days in the hospital.
I still have to thicken her breastmilk, but the choking is almost gone. I will have to watch her to be sure the RSV doesn't get worse, but I was told the worst has past, and that we can expect her to only get better from here on out.
Next time I will not waste my time with the pediatrician. The hospital told me that because of the time of the year, her age, and the fact that she had a cough and runny nose should have made RSV the 1st thing tested for, especially in an infant.
I will cut right to the chase and go to the hospital from now on with her if I feel that its something this important, or scarey again!
Thank God for people and doctors who know what they are doing!
I am just so glad she seems to be past the worst of it all.

[CantWait]

How lucky that they caught the reflux early on and you took her in on time. Glad everything is well now.

[ediep]

eeek! So gald you got some answers!

Sure hope things get better from now on!

[gr33n3y3z]

I'm so glad she is doing better now and it can only get better

[amynicole21]

Oh my goodness! I'm so glad that she is getting better. How horrifying. We just went through pneumonia with my 19 month old and I know just how scary it was. I am so sorry you had to go through it as well!!