Exactly what it sounds like;)... The skin between each rib is pulled in with each breath, so you can see the whole ribcage. It usually shows first in the little divet between the collar bones, when it gets a little worse, you can see it at the bottom of the ribs, and then everywhere.
DS can regularly be found running up and down the hallways asking incessant questions when he's in a state that would have most kids looking semi-comatose. I didn't realize just how odd it was until my second started having asthma attacks. Younger DS is a rag doll, or else asleep at 86%... Or was until he was about 4 mos. He hasn't had any significant attacks since then, but I suspect it's still true.
While I'm at it... OlderDS's first asthma attack lasted from three months until about 2 yrs 9 mos, and what we were calling attacks were just exacerbations of one single attack. Don't ignore a "happy wheezer" or a cough. Kids can adapt to amazing things, symptoms have to go away, or they can be self-perpetuating.
I can't overstate how important it was for us to get a respirologist. They're the ones who are going to suggest you try a peak-flow meter early, or write a note you can show the emerg dr. So you don't get sent home too early. Also, that's how our younger son got better treatment right off. Only th e resp. Was ok with prescribing meds at two mos. Not even the pediatric emerge dept was willing to treat him at all. we were just supposed to watch and wait... Like with our older kid. And the docs dont't realize how important the referral is because they think of asthma as basically benign (which is true, just that doesn't mean inadequate treatment is ok)
