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Children's health

How bad does a wheeze have to get before seeking medical help?

16 replies

EmmaPr · 26/10/2008 21:46

Our DD has been wheezing all day and have generally been unwell with a temperature. Her wheezing tonight in bed has been bad and she can't really talk in sentences, she is coughing alot and her breathing is shallow and quick. I have read a bit on the internet and i think she may have a viral wheeze. She is prone to asthma, we've been told be her allergy doc, because she has a couple of food allergies and mild eczema.
I hate hearing her breathing like this, but don't know if it's actually normal. She has a ventolin inhaler already and it helps for about 5 mins then the wheezing returns. Anyone with a similar experience? (I am probably worrying too much because my DH's brother died from an asthma attack 4 years ago, and I'm petrified that if I leave my DH, she may develop a full blown attack).

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shelleylou · 26/10/2008 21:50

I would take her to OOH its the shallow rapid breathing that would do it for me. It could a number of things. From the sounds of it you are very worried so just take DD. If it turns out shes ok youll have the reassurance you need and advice on what to look for etc and best way to treat the symptons she has

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ledodgy · 26/10/2008 21:52

Take her to A&E she probably need steroids and nebulising. The rapid breathing needs sorting. This has happened to ds1 a couple of times and it is definately an A&E job. Go now.

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EmmaPr · 26/10/2008 21:52

Sorry what's OOH?

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ledodgy · 26/10/2008 21:53

Out of hours but don't go there they'll only send her to A&E. Go to A&E.

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NormaBatesFelcher · 26/10/2008 21:53

Out of hours

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foxinsocks · 26/10/2008 21:54

out of hours = ooh..I would also go to A&E tbh. The not being able to talk in sentences is also a big worry sign.

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NormaBatesFelcher · 26/10/2008 21:54

really if ventolin is only working for 5 mins they will be happy to see her in A&E

go now

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CapnJadetheKnife · 26/10/2008 21:55

out of hours.

I always judge it by whether they can speak, i.e. complete a sentance. If they can't and they are not getting enough relief from an inhalor to do so (for much longer than 5 mins) then she needs to see a dr.

(not dr but am asthmatic as is dp - not being able to speak properly is one of the 'start to worry' signs for me).

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EmmaPr · 26/10/2008 21:56

Thanks everyone. Will go now.

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ledodgy · 26/10/2008 21:57

Good you're doing the right thing she will improve greatly when they treat her at the hospital.

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NormaBatesFelcher · 26/10/2008 21:57

Good luck

Let us know how she is

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EmmaPr · 27/10/2008 11:38

Thanks for all your advice last night. I took DD into hospital straight away and they admitted her immediately. She was nebulised and put on a course of steroids and stayed overnight. She is in (with DH) today and under observation but is much happier, as are we.
We have been told that it is too young to diagnose her with asthma (she is nearly 3) but she has a viral wheeze and this is likely to happen again in the future. If anyone else is reading this looking for advice, the signs to look out for are needing the blue inhaler more regularly than every 2 hours, shallow rapid breathing, not being able to finish a sentence, and using the tummy muscles to breathe (tummy is heaving, and the hollow of the neck is going in and out). If this is happening, they need to go into hospital.
Am so glad I acted on my instinct that it was more than just a wheezey chest.

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ledodgy · 27/10/2008 12:04

I'm glad she's much happier today.

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NormaBatesFelcher · 27/10/2008 15:58

Glad she is happier. It is wonderful what a nebuliser can do

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TinkerBellesMum · 27/10/2008 16:09

Tink was diagnosed with asthma at 21 months because she was so ill - monthly visits to A&E requiring nebulising - they got to a point where they said they couldn't ignore it anymore. Her last x-ray showed her lungs are badly scarred from the amount of infections she's had and from being intubated at birth.

The advice we were given is 10 puffs of Blue and if that doesn't improve things to ring 999.

I think it's good advice for all "asthmatic" children or even adults for that matter. If 10 puffs doesn't clear it you know that it's serious and need help as soon as possible.

I'm glad that she's being treated well now, it may be worth you pushing for a referral to a paed's chest specialist depending on how often it's happening.