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Original poster

Shit, croup. Should I get DD seen?

58 replies

SaunteringDownwards · 23/12/2023 05:21

DD came home from school yesterday feeling unwell. An hour ago she woke me up saying it hurts to breathe and has the typical barking croup cough. She's otherwise alright now, but I'm wondering whether I need to take her to the walk in at a&e. Her temp is 38.5 and I'm worried about not being able to get her seen over Christmas if it gets worse.

Not sure what to do. Opinions please!

OP posts:
Ladyj84 · 23/12/2023 06:58

All 3 of our things ddlers have had this but only one needed steroids. Hope you get sorted

Iamnotagingerbread · 23/12/2023 06:59

How old is your DD? The older she is, the less likely that croup will inhibit her breathing. Saying that, my DD was 6 when she had a bad bout and ended up in hospital after we went for an emergency appt at the GP. But the vast majority of cases can be managed at home, but you do right contacting 111. I find that 111 err on the side of caution anyway

User000001234 · 23/12/2023 07:00

I'd take her to A&E as the doc's is closed and you could be waiting hours for a call back from 111 (my very recent experience with my DS).

Croup can be nasty and hopefully you can get triaged quickly in Children's A&E and if it's croup get on the dex to relive symptoms.

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Loveabathtub · 23/12/2023 07:03

Just a thought, it could be whooping cough. I was told my son had croup last month. He had two batches of steroids and it still didn't clear up. After many doctors visits we were told that despite being vaccinated, it was probably whooping cough. It took a good month to go. I feel for you. The sooner you get it looked at the better.

Original poster
SaunteringDownwards · 23/12/2023 18:53

Hi all in need or more advice. She was diagnosed with croup and has had steroids but she is still so unwell. Her temp is 39 and she is so shaky and trembly. She has nodded off but is still shaking. I'm terrified it's turning into something worse. Advice would be great like at what point should I take her back in. Its the temp and shaking that are scaring me.

OP posts:
Original poster
SaunteringDownwards · 23/12/2023 18:58

Her heart is also beating quite fast but she is sleeping.

OP posts:
Iamnotagingerbread · 23/12/2023 19:02

I would call 111 again although if you have the steroids, it probably is just a case of alternating calpol and ibuprofen to keep the fever down. The steroids will help keep her airways open and thats the main thing, it will take a while for her immune system to fight the infection. It took about 5 days for my DD to recover fully from croup when she had it. I hope your DD gets better soon

Littlegoth · 23/12/2023 19:09

SD1978 · 23/12/2023 06:30

Croup can be treated with steroids- you can get a normal GP appt for that though.

You can get a GP appointment for croup and they’ll prescribe the steroids but you can’t get the steroids at any pharmacy near where I am. They don’t keep them in stock and it’s usually a next day service for ordering. I’m East Lancs. It wasn’t easy to get at my previous address on the border of west/North Yorkshire either.

I’m at either out of hours (with the toddler) or at A&E (with the 5 month old) a lot due to croup. 3 times between them in the last 2 months.

Original poster
SaunteringDownwards · 23/12/2023 19:11

I just have horrible anxiety at the moment so having a hard time keeping it together. I don't think I've ever seen her this poorly

OP posts:
Littlegoth · 23/12/2023 19:13

SaunteringDownwards · 23/12/2023 18:58

Her heart is also beating quite fast but she is sleeping.

My little boy always ends up tachycardic with croup and fever. It’s common but if you are worried go back. I always think I’m making a fuss, but he’s been admitted overnight 3 out of 4 times I’ve taken him. Hope she feels better soon x

Littlegoth · 23/12/2023 19:15

SaunteringDownwards · 23/12/2023 19:11

I just have horrible anxiety at the moment so having a hard time keeping it together. I don't think I've ever seen her this poorly

Honestly just go in if it doesn’t feel right. Hospital will give my toddler paracetamol based on weight rather than pack dose and that is more effective too x

whateveryouwantmetosay · 23/12/2023 19:18

So sorry to hear about your DD, OP. My youngest had croup soooo many times. One Christmas he was 1 and we were abroad and I had to find an English speaking doctor on Xmas day. Ds needed nebulizer treatment, steroids, cough meds, and antibiotics. This all made him better but he was soooo aggressive (out of character) and overall miserable due to the steroids. I think based on what you are now describing, it's the steroids causing the shaking. Is her temp coming down with calpol and neurofen?

SerCrispin · 23/12/2023 19:21

@SD1978 yes because the GP will be open over the weekend...-

Terningbay · 23/12/2023 19:21

How fast is her heart rate and breathing? I would just take her back in if you’re worried though

blackpanth · 23/12/2023 19:22

Take her back in. Hope she gets better soon x

amyshep · 23/12/2023 19:27

If her temp is 39 after calpol and ibuprofen the take her back to ED to be seen or you risk her having a seizure (A&E triage nurse)

crackersforcheese · 23/12/2023 19:27

My little boy used to get croup monthly, it was awful, I sympathise op!
I found cold air best to help open the airways, he also has a steroid inhaler which definitely helps! Keeping them sleeping upright helps in a V cushion. It usually takes my little one a good week to stop coughing and settle properly. Alternate calpol and nurofen to combat other symptoms xxx

Justtryingtounderstand · 23/12/2023 19:30

@SaunteringDownwards - is anyone with you or are you on your own?

I have health anxiety around my kids so know how hard it is and how much you try to second guess yourself. If you are very worried about her please just take her in

As others have said the steroids keep the airways open, but won’t make the underlying infection get better more quickly so she will be fighting that. It may be the temperature that is causing her to shake ( I don’t think it’s common side effect of the steroids). But in any event if you feel something is not right then take her back to A&E. don’t feel bad about this.

To reassure yourself is her temperature coming down with the calpol/nurofen?

Lots of hugs - my youngest used to get croup and could be really unwell with it. We ended up in an ambulance on several occasions. It’s a horrible feeling when they are poorly.

Original poster
SaunteringDownwards · 23/12/2023 19:37

We haven't tried nurofen so DH has gone to get some. Not on my own but DH never worries about anything so never really know what to do. Temp is now 38.5 so come down a bit. She really just wants to sleep so don't want to upset her by putting her in a cold taxi when she's exhausted unless I'm positive she needs to be seen again but she is just so unwell and it all happened so quick. She went to school fine yesterday.

OP posts:
Original poster
SaunteringDownwards · 23/12/2023 19:38

Thanks all for talking to me and helping me navigate this.

OP posts:
Original poster
SaunteringDownwards · 23/12/2023 19:39

The thing is while the cough sounds croupy she really isn't coughing very much at all. Just raspy breathing and sounds congested.

OP posts:
Greentomatoes21 · 23/12/2023 19:44

Get the neurofen into her and alternate calpol at two hourly points so that she is overlapped. Loose clothing, bed sheet not duvet. The shaking and sleepiness are most likely fever related and will settle when it comes down properly with both meds inside her. If not, get her seen.

Flower35214 · 23/12/2023 19:44

Have you checked her breathing to make sure she's not sucking in under her ribs etc? Sorry she's feeling so poorly. My boy never had the shakes after taking the steroids so could be the temp? Take her back if you need to, don't feel bad!

Original poster
SaunteringDownwards · 23/12/2023 19:48

No sucking in. Her breathing really isn't too bad at the moment. She's autistic too so struggles so much being ill and it's so hard to know what to do for the best. She is sleeping for now.

OP posts:
crankit · 23/12/2023 19:48

@SaunteringDownwards I've always found nurofen better than calpol for a fever to be honest , was also told by doctors it is better for temps.
Don't suppose you've got a blue inhaler ? Seems like she could do with one