Anyone up?

[BigmouseLittlehouse]

Just wondering if anyone about for a chat.

My youngest woke up unable to breathe or speak - he’s 4 and I’m pretty sure it’s croup. His breathing was very laboured - still is a bit but calmed down a lot.

I rang 111 and they are sending an ambulance - I feel terrible as am pretty certain he doesn’t need one. I did say that to the operator who listened on the phone but guess as he is a child they want to be sure.

His breathing is still very noisy and laboured. He is fine in himself.

I feel bad that they will arrive and wonder what on earth.

I’m a single mum so it always feels very long when they are ill like this and it’s night. Also feeling crap myself as had a tooth extraction.

In the nicest possible way, get off Mumsnet and go and sit with your poorly child until the ambulance arrives!

I am. We are both sitting in the living room trying not to wake my eldest!

I hope the ambulance has arrived and have been able to make your child comfortable.

If he can't breathe then yes, he needs an ambulance. Hope he is ok

Might help to take him outside. Had similar experience with DS who magically improved as we were driving him to A&E - doctor said the cooler air really can help.

You’re doing the right thing - hope child gets well soon. Xxxx

Thanks - yes he did improve with the cool air. Ambulance here - suspected croup as I thought.

Sorry I probably sounded a bit uncaring/over relaxed about it ( I actually have health anxiety so am really not!) - I think it’s because he was so fine in himself and had croup a couple of times as a baby I was trying to stay calm.

Hope you both get some rest tonight, Op. Ds had croup a couple of weeks ago and he's 8. I didn't think he could still get it at that age. He had it a few times when he was younger so I recognised it reasonably quickly. Luckily his breathing has never become very laboured with it, but you were absolutely right to get your ds checked out, stridor can become very serious very quickly. Hope he's well again soon.

Ignore @PurpleDaisies! You’re on your own with an ambulance being sent for your child, you are allowed an online handhold.

Thanks @MotherForkinShirtBalls. Yes DS hasn’t had it for a couple of years - he’s 4 1/2 so it took me by surprise. Hope your DD recovered quickly - maybe there is a bug going round.

Paramedics were very nice - they have to speak to an out of hours GP to sign him off as he is under 5 - they think they may send a GP or possibly agree to me going in the morning - am hoping we don’t need a trip to hospital as his Stats are fine and he is so much better and paramedics don’t think necessary. Poor paramedics have to wait around for a call back. So think we will be up for a while yet.

Thanks @BelulahBlanca. I probably did sound a bit odd posting. It’s that thing in the night where I just felt the need to ‘talk’ to someone to stay calm.

Glad he's improved. Croup can be really scary for the child and the parent...I've been both!

We got close to calling an ambulance once for my son but then it improved dramatically. It was frightening. We always used to turn hot taps/shower on and sit in the bathroom with the steam which seemed to help.

I'm sure the paramedics wouldn't mind being called, better to check, especially with children.

Hopefully you can both get some rest soon.

Thanks @MonChatEstManifigue - yes it is scary. DS now gone past tiredness and is counting in French to our cat - appropriately for your name!

@MotherForkinShirtBalls that was meant to be your DS not DD.

This happened with my son. He was admitted overnight - I think they always do ambulance for a very small child with breathing problems.

Yes paramedics said to ring 999 next time as 111 will always refer a child with breathing problems.

DS now gone past tiredness and is counting in French to our cat - appropriately for your name!

That's so cute...bless him. I hope the cat speaks French...😹