Brown inhaler and Croup

[ladybugandcatnoir]

Hi,

My ds (3) has asthma, he was given the brown inhaler to take twice a day and blue inhaler when ill.

He is so much better that our gp suggested stopping the brown inhaler and seeing how he gets on.

Not really a AIBU but the health bored doesn't seem to get a lot of traffic
It's been around 6 months and he's suddenly started getting croup every month or so.

Does anyone know if the brown inhaler helps with the prevention of croup? I am tempted to put him back on it to see if it helps but don't want to give him medicine if not needed.

My gp is on holiday and the locum won't discuss on going asthma treatment plan

[Sirzy]

I would wait until the Gp is back and get proper medical advice.

Most croup is caused by a virus so the inhaler probably won't do much to prevent attacks.

[EatTheChocolateTeapot]

I am not 100% sure but think the brown inhaler contains steroids.
According to the NHS website, steroids can be used to reduce throat swelling in cases of croups.

Could you talk to another GP on the phone?
I was told not to take the brown inhaler for too long by my GP as I was breastfeeding at the time and I think steroids are better avoided if possible.

[WigglyWooWorm]

I breastfed fine on steroid inhalers. Noone ever said I shouldn't for either child. I fed years! I have inhalers daily to manage my asthma.

[TheCuntess]

Croup is caused by a virus and it's typical this time of year unfortunately.

I'm not convinced the brown one would prevent a virus but could help asthma aggravated by the virus.

My son once had croup and an asthma attack on top and ended up in hospital.

So perhaps use the brown inhaler until the 'croup season' is over.

[TheCuntess]

Where did the breastfeeding come into it?

[ladybugandcatnoir]

thanks everyone. He had quite server asthma over a last winter and was in hospital monthly, since last Easter and the inhalers at home he has stopped having hospital managed attacks but started with the croup since before Christmas and monthly since then, we always end up in a&e for it and given a dose of liquid steroids and then after 4 hours allowed home.

I don't really trust my GP, they don't manage his asthma and the only time they have seen him is when I booked an appointment and they removed him from his brown inhaler, although the locum won't talk to me as apparently there is an on-going treatment plan, anyway that is a whole other issue. I am trying to move drs but I am on a waiting list.

I think I will put him on it, as he has just started to get a cold, and even if it helps to the point of not having a trip to A&E.

[Rightsaidmabel]

Does your practice have an asthma nurse ?
You could ask ; they can have expert knowledge and could give advice specific to your son.

[Bagel88]

The blue one is a reliever, to be used adhoc when required.
The brown has steroids to aid the reduction of issues in the airways (more long term building if you like)
If you use the blue too often the doc may change or update your prescription.

I am not a doctor, but had asthma for 20+ years

[ladybugandcatnoir]

We only use the blue inhaler when he is ill, not daily, we used to use the brown one daily as instructed by the hospital consultant but the gp suggested we stop to see how things progressed.

His asthma has so far been manageable at home, with no overnight hospital stays since last Easter.

It's just whether the brown inhaler would help prevent croup or not.

No they don't have a specific asthma nurse, it's not a very big practise.

[Sirzy]

If the gp doesn't agree he needs it though how will you get a new one when that one runs out?

Given it takes about 6 weeks for it to build to be effective it seems pointless starting it if you won't be able to get a replacement.

[TryAnotherUsername]

I don't think it would prevent croup but may help with the symptoms.

Ds had croup every year till he was 6/7 and he would have to be ale the brown inhaler as soon as he got cold symptoms (and he still does at 10).

Ring your gp, they should have an asthma nurse you. An speak to

[ladybugandcatnoir]

We have a brown inhaler here that is in date and never been out the box, if it was to help ds when my gp returns I'll ask that he is put back on it, if she says no, I'll take it from there.

[NFPPWCalhan]

Our DS has had brown inhaler everyday for 6 months. No croup in all that time. It ran out 2 weeks ago and he's just woken with croup. It definitely helps to stop virus becoming croup. Off to docs in the morning.

[kali110]

I was never told this.
As it takes around 6 weeks to kick in what's the point, It will run out before that.

Also if your gp wants to see how your son is getting on with stopping this inhaler then how is he going to be able to judge it?
What if he thinks your son is doing fine with his asthma so then only gives you the ventolin?
I think you're being silly.
You should wait to see the gp, or till you get into a new practice.