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Should I be keeping DD off school tomorrow? Please help!

150 replies

PFB1 · 14/11/2018 23:20

She's my eldest so I'm not entirely sure what the protocol is with this sort of thing.

DD has had a bad cough (only at nighttime) for the past couple of weeks. I've been sending her to school each morning as she's been her normal self in the day although admittedly more tired having been up coughing through the night. She's been fine at school but when she's got home she's been tired. Particularly tonight.

Anyway, I've put her to bed and she's having a coughing fit every 30 seconds. It's awful for her. I know that tomorrow morning will come and I'll need to wake her for school as I have every morning for the last couple of weeks. She'll be tired but will get on with the day at school. In my heart of hearts I feel it's unfair on her if I send her again tomorrow and think she'd benefit from a day of resting and possibly a visit to the GP.

My mum would only keep me off school if I was at deaths door so I'm not sure if I'm being too cautious in considering keeping her home. She's already had 1 day off since starting school in September for a sickness bug which came on one weekend. Really grateful for any advice. Thanks.

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Quartz2208 · 16/11/2018 07:41

Yes definitely dont be afraid. The first time DS had viral wheeze we ended up in hospital because I followed the 2 puffs 4 times a day plan. I left with a 10 puffs every four hours reducing down 2 puffs a day until weaned off plan!

You need to call for advice with the 10 puffs to ensure that they dont need further medical attention such as antibiotics and that you have a reducing plan

Now he has it I usually find 5 every 4 hours works

PFB1 · 16/11/2018 23:11

After a better night last night, she's worse tonight. She was coughing a lot earlier. I gave her 2 puffs (blue) at 7pm. Didn't seem to help so gave her another 2 which made a big difference. She woke up coughing/wheezing again about 20 minutes ago so I've given her another 2 puffs. No improvement yet. Should I give her another 2? I'm so sorry for depending on you guys so much just now. This is all so new to me and like I said, I'm on my own so no-one else to talk it through with.

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christmaschristmaschristmas · 16/11/2018 23:23

Poor you and your dd.

Tbh you have given her quite a lot - there is a time when you may need to take her to OOH/A&E (never worry about doing this - no one minds checking over a young child).

Is she actively coughing a lot/struggling to breathe? I think I'd be inclined to take her in after 6 puffs with no effect.
She may need a course of steroids to get this under control.

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christmaschristmaschristmas · 16/11/2018 23:24

If you look at her breathing, is she sucking in around the ribs/stomach or bottom of neck? Or does she look like she is needing to put a lot of effort into breathing? Coughing/finding it so hard to breathe she cant speak in full sentences?

PFB1 · 16/11/2018 23:27

Sorry... I wasn't clear in my last post (tired is an understatement). The 2 puffs at 7pm didn't work but I gave her 2 more and the coughing stopped. At roughly 11pm I've given her 2 which haven't worked. Do you think I just need to give 4 for it to work for her?

I live 30 mins drive from out of hours & I don't drive. I have no family or close friends here. I have a 2 year old who I'd also need to take along. Obviously my DD's health is absolutely my number 1 priority but getting to out of hours is very difficult. Do you think I should try another 2 puffs?

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PFB1 · 16/11/2018 23:29

Christmas it's literally coughing with no let up. When I do hear her breathe in between all the coughing, it doesn't sound as bad as it did on Wednesday night so I'm hoping this is all good signs. It's just the constant coughing. She's lucky to get 10 seconds without coughing. I really feel for her and wish I could do more for her.

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GiveMeAllTheGin8 · 16/11/2018 23:29

Was she given a steroid? Sounds like she needs it to get cough under control.
Give her another two puffs and take it from there

PFB1 · 16/11/2018 23:31

Was she given a steroid? she was given the brown inhaler which is steroids I believe but I don't think that's kicked in yet unfortunately.

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PFB1 · 16/11/2018 23:33

Off to give her 2 more puffs. How long should it be for me to see if these have worked?

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Dauphinois · 16/11/2018 23:39

The blue puffer should work pretty instantly. Don't be afraid to increase the number of puffs until it works( 10 puffs isn't unheard of) but the effect only lasts for a hour or two so you may find you need to repeat it more frequently.

PFB1 · 17/11/2018 00:07

Yes!!! The four puffs has worked again! 👍🏻

Sorry, I sound like I'm being dramatic but I just feel for her so much just now and I'm so pleased she's getting some sort of relief!

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PFB1 · 17/11/2018 00:08

Thanks Dophinois! I'll bare that in mind and make sure I give her more if required.

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JustKeepSwimmingJustKeepSwimmi · 17/11/2018 00:32

My duaghter is similar. I thought she had got better with motekulsat this last week but today we've had the coughing fits again. Ive twice given her 4 puffs but she is now asleep.

About 10 days ago we called nhs direct or whatever it is now in the middle of the night but they wpuldnt make an appointment for an asthmatic coughing fit. Only if she was short of breathe/wheezy. They also said to contact a pharmacist to see how much is too much!!

So i found out i was overdosing her giving her more than 10 puffs but also that out of hours wouldnt see her...

Its left me not entirely knowing what to do at night. We seem to have such similar children. Cough variant asthma presents so differently to what I have with wheezing and shortness of breath.

JustKeepSwimmingJustKeepSwimmi · 17/11/2018 00:34

I meant to say in our case weve been told to double the brown inhaler from the dose she was on and go back in 3 weeks to see if its improved. But that doesnt help when she has coughing fits now. Shes getting scared by them :(

MerryMarigold · 17/11/2018 00:55

My son is asthmatic. The first time he coughed all night we took him to hospital and they admitted him nectar his oxygen was too low. He's been in a few times since and the amount of meds they give is astounding. You should leave 4 hours between doses, but use a decent amount to make it last. I'd definitely do 4 puffs. I was recommended using the brown after the blue as the blue will open the airway to help the brown to be be effective. It does take a couple of weeks apparently though, which is why it's not usually offered for viral wheeze. We only got it after the 4th hospital admission when they decided it wasn't just viral wheeze and was asthma. I would also get her oxygen levels measured in the morning.

Notquiterichenough · 17/11/2018 07:46

Hope she had a better night in the end.

Until the brown kicks in, I would give her as much blue as she needs, with four hour gaps. So, if four puffs is working, then give her four puffs.

Both DS2 and I present with night time coughs. When DS2 was first diagnosed, (after several trips to the doctors over a couple of years, and being told it was a toddler cough), I spent the first few nights where you are now.

When the brown inhaler kicked in, he suddenly started to sleep with no coughs. He lost the dark rings under his eyes, pale skin, and went up an entire clothes size in six weeks.

We have blips (one bad one needing steroids), but we've learned to manage his triggers.

Keep using the blue until the brown kicks in (I was told only to double the brown with advice from the nurse, but generally the first week in September, and at the start of a cold, but only for a few days).

Keep her warm. The cold air is a massive trigger for both DS and me. We have our heating on quite early, and DS has various beanbags and cushions near radiators where he likes to curl up.

Scarf if he's outside,if it's really cold.

Really feel for you. I remember those early days far too well.

christmaschristmaschristmas · 17/11/2018 12:59

If she had 8-10 puffs since 7pm last night, I think I would get her checked over at OOH. You can call 111 and speak to them about getting seen.

If she's poorly at night never worry about calling an ambulance (I know you said you didn't drive).

Hope she feels better soon!

MerryMarigold · 17/11/2018 17:29

You cab tell if they're really struggling as they can't complete a sentence without a breath. Also breaths pull in under the ribcage. Go straight to hospital after 10 puffs outdid that is the case. Nebulisers can be done there as well as jerking a close eye on oxygen levels.

JustKeepSwimmingJustKeepSwimmi · 17/11/2018 20:56

Arg onto second set of 2 puffs already. I hate the coughing. It really isnt an ambulance jobby as there isnt wheezy/shortness of breathe but the non stop coughing , so when we get to 10 puffs we're a bit stuck...

PFB1 · 17/11/2018 21:12

The four puffs are really working but I'm finding it's taking maybe 30-45 minutes after the 4 puffs for the coughing to really subside. It starts lessening after 20 minutes I'd say. Is that about right.

I'm a bit confused about what to do on Monday. I'm hoping the brown inhaler will have kicked in by then. The school will only give her what is prescribed (which is only 2 puffs 4 times a day). Today & yesterday she's had a spell of constant coughing mid afternoon which has required 4 puffs to get on top of it.

I'm guessing the school won't go over the prescription on my say so. What should I do? Any ideas?

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Notquiterichenough · 17/11/2018 21:15

Talk to the school. They'll understand asthma. Have they said that they'll only stick to the prescription?

I've had two coughing fits myself tonight, and needed my inhaler but also lots of water. Is she drinking? Once I start, my throat gets irritated and a drink does help.

Notquiterichenough · 17/11/2018 21:17

Oh, and school won't get the box or prescription - just give them a spacer and a pump with your dd's name on it in a plastic bag, and write a note. It will probably go in a box with everyone else's. DS used to insist on going to the loo in his own to use his.

PFB1 · 17/11/2018 21:18

She also has allergies and the school won't even administer piriton unless they have a prescription for it from the GP. Seems really strict so I'm assuming they'll only do what the prescription says. With it being Monday I suppose I'll just have to take her in and ask when I get there.

Yes, she's drinking lots of water. She's been asking for it when coughing so I've been making sure she's always got a water bottle to hand Smile

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Quartz2208 · 17/11/2018 21:18

I will be honest when Ds has had it I have kept him off until it stops. They wont go over prescription and when it hits he has needed more

I would however if you still need to do it go back to the doctors DS has only ever really needed it for 3-4 days

PFB1 · 17/11/2018 21:20

Oh, and school won't get the box or prescription - just give them a spacer and a pump with your dd's name on it in a plastic bag, and write a note. It will probably go in a box with everyone else's. DS used to insist on going to the loo in his own to use his.

I could try this. But I'd worry that they'd send me home with her and say they cant administer it without a prescription. I don't drive and it's an hours walk to school & back so would be a nightmare logistically if this happens.

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