Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To go to minor injuries with DS's asthma cough as we have run out of blue inhaler?

90 replies

woopsiedaisy36 · 06/04/2024 08:51

Obviously can't go to the Gp as not open. He's had a bad cough all week, no temp or other signs of a cold. We've been on a caravan holiday this week though and the weather has been very cold and windy especially at night which is what has bought on his cough. Cough is always his worst asthma symptom at night. We usually always have a spare inhaler but because of the extra use this week it's run out. He's coughing non stop now and I can hear a bit of wheeze, is the best option our local minor injuries?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Orangeanlemons551 · 08/04/2024 06:57

Hope your little one and you are all ok x

Oneearringlost · 08/04/2024 06:46

Yes, echoing above posters...do tell us how he is OP. We're thinking of you.

TotHappy · 08/04/2024 00:53

Yes, how is he?

Bakersdozens · 08/04/2024 00:28

how is he doing OP?

Oneearringlost · 07/04/2024 22:59

@woopsiedaisy36
So sorry I haven't seen how things deteriorated for DS.
You had excellent advice.
Just for any future scenarios like this... I would have advised giving him 10-15 puffs of his salbutamol via a spacer. ( I really hope you've been given one) over 5 minutes, while either waiting for ambulance, or if you can get him taken by someone else, with you in the back, to hospital. This is roughly equivalent to a nebuliser. It'll give him the jitters a bit and send his pulse rate up, but this is a temporary symptom and outweighed by the need for quick, urgent help.
Sats of 90% are lowish but not catastrophic.
They may give him IV steroids, possibly IV antibiotics, more oxygen and keep him in.
On discharge, he'll need a really comprehensible asthma self management plan ( well, a plan for you, his Dad, and school etc...he'll need spare salbutamol inhalers with spacers for all these different places...cubs? After school clubs?
He'll need a tweak of his brown inhaler...( BTW, do you ALWAYS remember to give it to him religiously, morning and evening? This is so important and stays important even when his asthma seems under control).
Make sure you ask, ask ask and really understand what they tell you in the paed asthma referral appt. If in doubt, make an appt with your asthma nurse specialist practice nurse, if you have one)
So sorry to not have been available when things really kicked off yesterday OP.
It must have been really scary, awful for you.
Sending thoughts and very best wishes for his swift recovery.

Crunchymum · 07/04/2024 10:22

I hope to God you took him to A&E after he got worse??? Honestly.

You seem very reluctant to take him, they won't refuse to see him because he already has medication, they'll be concerned as his medication isn't working for him and they'll be able to offer him acute medical support.

FeedMeSantiago · 06/04/2024 21:21

After A&E he then needs an urgent asthma review with his GP or asthma nurse, he may need a longer course of steroids than 5 days and sounds like he needs a better preventer than the brown one.

FeedMeSantiago · 06/04/2024 21:20

He needs A&E and treatment for an asthma attack as others have said.

Changeusernameseeusernamehistory · 06/04/2024 20:30

There are things they can do beyond meds so what he is already on isn’t going to stop them - it will inform next steps but they won’t turn you away because he’s already on XYZ meds

Changeusernameseeusernamehistory · 06/04/2024 20:26

woopsiedaisy36 · 06/04/2024 19:51

@Chickenrunning his cough is now almost every 2 seconds, he can't seem to move or speak without then terribly coughing. It's a very dry horrible sounding cough. We've got him lying down at the moment to try and calm him down.

@dothehokeycokey just not sure if they will say they can't do anything else as he's on so much at the moment

A&E will help you. They helped me. Go as soon as possible.

Changeusernameseeusernamehistory · 06/04/2024 20:25

GreatBigBeautifulTommorow · 06/04/2024 19:59

@Changeusernameseeusernamehistory from Asthma UK

@GreatBigBeautifulTommorow sorry, I’m not the OP.
@woopsiedaisy36 Asthma UK guidelines above - I think A&E is the right call

1Crazyplantlady · 06/04/2024 20:24

I would call 999 now OP, nurse here with an asthmatic child and asthma myself. He needs seeing now, hopefully the steroids will kick in and start helping soon (24 hrs or so) but he may need more support like oxygen, and nebs until that happens. You need to be assessed in hospital. Good luck, hope you get him seen soon

dothehokeycokey · 06/04/2024 20:17

I def think he needs a and e.

I would just go now op

Lying down will make it worse.

Does it sound like a dry horse cough?

Whooping cough is similar and my youngest was blue lighted to hospital with the same symptoms as your saying.

He will get seen very quickly.

They will put him on a nebuliser which will open his airways almost straight away.

Smurf123 · 06/04/2024 20:11

A&e he sounds like he could use a nebuliser

Bakersdozens · 06/04/2024 20:10

I agree, please take him to A and E right now - and I also agree, sitting upright leaning forward might work better for him

peloton2024 · 06/04/2024 20:10

A&E. I don't have asthma and went in with a continuous cough and they put me on a nebuliser straight away

Opihr · 06/04/2024 20:09

Another vote for A&E, immediately. Wishing him a speedy recovery.

Merryoldgoat · 06/04/2024 20:05

He needs A&E now - he’s having an asthma attack

DGPP · 06/04/2024 20:03

Call 999 or take him to A&E now. I have a history of asthma and he’s not in a good way, take him in immediately

Sirzy · 06/04/2024 20:03

As the mother of a brittle asthmatic I am echoing others get him to A and E now please

Nursemumma92 · 06/04/2024 19:59

It sounds like he needs to go to A+E if his cough is getting worse and he's struggling. Sats of 90% need checking out particularly as kids can get worse very quickly. If you are at all unsure, call 999 as paramedics can assess and start oxygen or a nebuliser. The call handler could advise whether it will be quicker for you to take him there or for an ambulance to get to you. Wishing him and you all the best!

GreatBigBeautifulTommorow · 06/04/2024 19:59

@Changeusernameseeusernamehistory from Asthma UK

To go to minor injuries with DS's asthma cough as we have run out of blue inhaler?
HelenaJustina · 06/04/2024 19:58

He needs an urgent review. The medication he has been given today will not yet be effective and he is still going downhill. Good luck!

FloatyBoaty · 06/04/2024 19:58

999 or A&E if 8 puffs in last hour haven’t helped.

Our asthma plan says to call for an ambulance / immediate medical attention if a similar number of puffs haven’t brought symptoms under control.

CormorantStrikesBack · 06/04/2024 19:57

He 100% needs to go to a&e now.