What's in His Throat?

What about his tonsils? Does he still have them? Did the dr say anything about them being swollen? Sometimes that happens & causes swallowing problems & sounding hoarse. Good luck.

As long as he is improving, I wouldn't worry about it. If his throat is swollen or sore, it would be difficult to swallow anything including saliva. But, if he gets worse, I would go back or get a second opinion.

Before this leads to months of run around, I would call an ENT (Ears, Nose and Throat specialist). He might also have something wrong with his adnoids or tonsils. Better to be safe than sorry.
As far as a virus, the only viruses my kids have had that do the same thing are Croup and Hand, Foot and Mouth. Either way, after a week it should be gone.
Good luck.
PS. Day care is a COOTIE FARM so they will get exposed to everything (no matter how clean the daycare is).

Hi J.-

I would make another appointment, it can't hurt to have the doctor look again. Also, could it just be an inflammation of the throat caused by the virus? Maybe there is something the doctor can give him to at least make him more comfortable while you wait for the virus to run its course.

Good Luck,
K.

I once had a friend that had a problem she had dealed with since she was a child,Please excuse my spelling,my friends isophacus would literly shrenk,she would have to go get it stretched every so often,I dont rememeber what caused it.we were not very close so I never ask her.when I really think the docter should do more test,because you can only see so far down the throat,at the age of 23 I started feeling something in my throat,The docter did a upper GI ,for what reason I know he said there was nothing,it got to where I could even eat meat because it would get louged in my thoat,My vioce would get very rasby,by chance I fell backward roller skating and had a MRI on my neck,it showed that I had a cold noduole on the back left side of my thoat.I dont think you are over reacting at all!Personally I would insist on further test.

I would suggest taking your son to see a ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialists.

Good luck.

"Mammy" of 4 precious grandchildren.

Dear J.,

I don't blame you for being concerned. I wouldn't listen to
anyone & go with your heart & gut feelings. If it were me, I
would get a second opinion - what will it hurt? If it is something else who knows what could happen. Motherly instincts are usually right - do what you need to do. God
bless.

C.

Hi J.,

I would definetly take him back to the pedi. Or better yet, take him to see an ENT. My daughter went thru the same exact thing and it turned out to be reflux. (the choking and hoarseness is why I started asking questions).

Good Luck,
Debra

Okay...hopefully it is just a virus...and nothing more...but I have had some strange experiences recently...both with boys in our family. One on my side...and one on my husband's side...so it is not just genetics.

Anyways...the one boy on my side started losing weight...throwing up everything he ate and drank. At 16 months he weighed less than 15 pounds. After being in the hospital for over a month...they finally figured out what was wrong...he doesn't know how to swallow properly. That...along with severe allergies to almost every food you can think of! Anyways...he has been going to therapy to learn how to eat and swallow properly...and he has been doing MUCH better.

The other boy has similar problems...but not quite the same. He doesn't have all of the allergy issues...but he does have issues with swallowing. He aspirates almost ANY kind of liquid so his parents have to thicken everything...milk...water...anything liquid. He too has been going to therapy to learn how to swallow...but it doesn't seem to be as successful as the other boy.

ANYWAYS...I just think it is odd that all of these boys I know are having issues with learning how to eat and swallow properly. And...like I said...it is not genetic because they are totally unrelated by blood...

Like the other posters said...take him to an ENT or other specialist to get checked out. I REALLY hope that it just turns out to be a virus or something...but if not...the sooner you catch the problem...the better off your son will be! Good luck!

It sounds like you should take him to an ENT Dr. Have a second doctor exam him. It could be nothing, but with your child it is important for you to have some piece of mind. Good luck.

Hi, in my experience I have 2 theories, one, I noticed that some children enjoy their parents so much, like toys and when you jump, give googly eyes, say something, act startled they just might try to see how long you will do it AND to see how much more of it you will do. I can see a virus starting the choking problem and you reacted to the situation and he found it interesting at how he had the power to make you, as i say at my house, "squeek". The more he chokes and more you squeek. His daycare person/people, might be too busy to have taken notice when he did it at school so he wouldn't keep on doing it. My other theory is he just might be trying to drink faster out of dire thirst or eating out of a growthspert that leaves him ravashing and he isn't quite capable of swallowing the amount/texture (esp. if he has a sore throat).
Good luck,
About me, Mother SAHM, 2 steps, 2 mine, 1 ours, 12-2 years of age.

Hi,
There is some kind of croupy virus going around. I started with it two days ago. I sound terrible and I've all but lost my voice. I cough mostly at night and it comes from deep in my lungs. It has made me choke when I eat. I don't feel all that bad but I have these coughing and choking fits. It is freaking my husband out though, so I hope it is only 7 days long. I notice I am sleeping more as well, but so far I'm not aware of any change in my temperature. No fever or chills. IF you are concerned about your baby then you need to take him to the doctor for your own peace of mind. Perhaps no meds are necessary, but the doctor will know if it has gone from viral to bacterial.

I have been having the same issues with myself. Since, I don't have RX insurance, I went to the county hospital twice with the feeling of something in my throat area. I was examined and they said both times that nothing was there. That was about 3 years ago. Whatever was there has now grown larger. I feel no pain, but have some difficulty swallowing. I assume that it is a build up of flem/mucas that may have gotten caught in the esophagus area. However, I have not had any colds, flu, or viruses that may have contributed to this. I have been worried and afraid of what to do to get this problem corrected. I am still reviewing my options. I am in my 50's, and have encountered others with this issue that have seen success from the Ear, Nose, & Throat specialist. (In office minor surgery) This could be the same issue with your child and of course should not be let to linger for any length of time. A specialist could probably clear this up easily. GET A SECOND & THIRD OPINION.

Is he also congested? Perhaps he is trying to clear whatever mucus is coating his throat..? Or maybe he is swallowing funny to over-compensate for histhroat feeling raw, and is causing the gag and choke reflects? However, that being said, if a virus persists longer than you think it ought, then you should take him back in. Trust your instincts mama! Fighting off a virus can lower a child's immunity and a second infection can easily develop.

It probably is just the virus. As long as he is eating, sleeping, and peeing/pooping fine, then he's probably a-ok. If it makes you feel better, go back to the pedi just to double check. FYI... antibiotics are for BACTERIAL infections, NOT viruses. The only thing taking an antibiotic for a virus does is make it harder for the antibiotics to fight off a real bacterial infection... not a good thing!

Hi J.,
Here's my philosophy... What if I'm not over reacting! :) Its best to error on the side of caution. You are a new mom & its ok to worry when it comes to your child's health & wellbeing. I'm a 1st time mom too. Start with calling the nurse at his pedi's office. Maybe she will be able to calm your worries & tell you if what your son is experiencing is a normal part of getting over this virus. If that doesn't make you feel better, take him back to the dr. If it doesn't seem like its going away after seeing the doctor again, there is always the option to take him to an ENT doctor. As long as he isn't being given a bunch of unnecessary medication, its not going to hurt.
Best of luck!
A.

I don't think your over reacting. If your mother instinct tells you something is wrong, I'd have it checked out. Does he have GERD or acid reflux? Do you know if he swallowed anything he should not have. I would definitely get a second opinion. Even if it is nothing, atleast you have peace of mind. I would make sure they checked for croup, too. But that is usually noticed at night time.

J.,

My husband and brother-in-law both have issues with choking when eating and drinking. They've had them forever it seems and they've had to spend time in ER's and such. Finally, my brother-in-law had surgery. My husband has not pursued that avenue yet. Both have had their esophagus stretched as it has to do with that.

Your son could very well still have the virus and his throat is swollen, causing the difficulties, it could be the esophagus issue I mentioned, or something else totally.

Go with your instinct and pursue a 2nd opinion with a different dr.

Your son may be having esophageal reflux. Esophageal reflux is a quite common condition in the very young and also older folks which occurs when stomach acid that should remain in the stomach backs up into the esophagus or throat, causing irritation and often hoarseness. Often small children have it but it improves as they mature. My grandson had esophageal reflux, was on meds for several months and his problem improved when my daughhter elevated the head of his bed and kept him in an upright position for awhile during & after each feeding. I am not a doctor, but I have several family members (and I , too, have it) who have this problem but have been able to control it.

Maybe you could call an ENT, Ear Nose and Throat Dr. Might make you feel better.

I would take him back. The hoarseness and choking symptoms should be gone if your son is well. Doctors don't always catch everything. He also might need antibitoics if his throat is still bothering him. Trust your own instincts and take him back to the Dr. Hope your son gets better soon!

Hi J.. I always say that if it is bothering me then I want to have it checked out. If you feel that it is not improving the way you and your pediatrician discussed then you have to do what you think is best. Good luck and please let us know.

L.

J. us mother do sometimes overreact but in this case I am unsure. My daughter had croup and it is an attack on the vocal cords. The doctor told me that there was nothing they could prescribe and that she would get over it in a few days (which she did). Just go to webmd and pull up croup. That sounds like some of the symptoms he has. My doctor told me that several kids had come in with this during the summer so maybe that is it. Hope this helps. Note: Anytime you have a quesstion you can ask webmd and they will give you several options.

Allergies sound very likely. Just an idea

Hi J.,
If you feel as a mother that something is wrong go w/your motherly intuition.Possibly there is something else going on.
Get a second opinion and not from the same doctor.You doc should have done a throat culture to determine if it was a virus since it is in the throat.He can't possibly see down his throat just by openning his mouth. Go to the emergency room if you have a good insurance to cover it.[I recommend Seton Southwest hardly anyone is in the emergencyroom and were in an out in about an hour 1/2}.They wiil do a culture and x-ray.Or simply ask your doc to do a culture he has to obey your wishes.I hope your able to find out what it is thats causing the situation.If you don't mind i'd like to know what the outcome was that is causing your son to choke.Good Luck.

Hi J.,

We just got back from the pediatrician. My 9-month old son was having the exact same symptoms. At first, just his voice being hoarse- especially when he cried. Last night, I heard that terrible cough.

He definitely has the croup and he was prescribed an oral steroid to take for 3 days to help with the swelling/inflammation around his vocal cords. We are also using his humidifier. Good luck!