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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Scared to give 2YO steroids for croup after seeing awful doctor

32 replies

Piratepete1 · 28/06/2016 22:53

My 2 year old DS suffers terribly with croup. He had it for the first time about a year ago. It scared the life out of us and we ended up in an ambulance after the OOH doc listened to him struggling to breathe over the phone. A dose of steroids sorted him out. He has had it 5 times in total but only needed the steroids twice so far.

He got it again last night. He was in a terrible state struggling to breathe. OOH doc listened and said to bring him in. By the time we got there at 6am he was still very wheezy but asleep as he was exhausted. Dr sent us home with instructions to go to our surgery this morning to get him checked out and to get a dose of steroids in case it is very bad again tonight.

Dr we saw today with horrid. She basically told me off for going to OOH and said I should have done to A&E if his breathing was that bad. She then said 'well he seems fine now'. I told her that he is fine until he cries, tries to eat, lies down or exerts himself.' She said 'well I haven't heard him cough so it's probably just a raspy cough. I don't really want to give you this steroid as it causes growth retardation but I will as OOH said to.' I did the explain that I do know what a croup cough is and that I would only give him the steroid if his breathing was really frightening me but she just shoved the prescription at me and ignored me then.

Now DS is in the throes of terrible croup. He has been sick 3 times with it. He's honking like a seal, panicking as he cant get his breath very well. DH is carrying him round the garden at the moment as the cold air seems to help. He is cursing me for refusing to give DS the steroid which we have right here but now I'm too scared to.

OP posts:

OliviaShoo · 28/06/2016 22:56

He's had it before. You know it works. What on earth are you waiting for? Your child is suffering and you are fannying around on the internet

OliviaShoo · 28/06/2016 22:57

Why on earth doesn't DH just take it from you and do it himself? You said to the doctor you would give it to him. You are being ridiculous.

WutheringFrights · 28/06/2016 22:58

Give him the steroid - it will make him feel better, a small dose isn't going to do any harm. What an unbelievablely stupid comment from that doctor!

japanesegarden · 28/06/2016 22:58

Steroids are not going to cause growth retardation from one or two doses once in a blue moon, only if they are given repeatedly over a longer time. If he's that bad then giving it will make a huge difference and maybe prevent something worse.
My DD is now 21, but she had croup so badly when she was 6 months that we ended up in A and E, and steroids improved her really fast. But we had to fight the doctor on duty, who wanted to put a catheter in her vein, making her scream and struggle to breathe even more, rather than just let her be for a few minutes while the steroids had a chance to work. I vividly remember how scary it was and how unhelpful the doctor was in insisting on protocol rather than applying common sense. Sounds a bit the same for you. I hope he feels better soon.

Original poster

Piratepete1 · 28/06/2016 23:07

He's a bit better after his walk outside and is asleep on me. He's better upright. I think I'll just stay down here for the night and let him sleep on me.

OP posts:

Baconyum · 28/06/2016 23:12

If he worsens again give him the steroids. She was stupid to say that, you know it helps him.

Has he been checked for asthma? Bronchiolitis?

Original poster

Piratepete1 · 28/06/2016 23:13

Yes OOH doc ruled those out yesterday

OP posts:

Cloclomomo · 28/06/2016 23:13

Feeling for you as my baby has had croup a number of times and had it again the other night. I guess some babies become really susceptible to it? x

WutheringFrights · 28/06/2016 23:14

After you have given him the steroids?!
Honestly lovely you will do yourself no favours sleeping upright with him all night, you will need your strength so you can look after him.
Give him the steroids so both you and he can get a restful night.

AlbertHerbertHawkins · 28/06/2016 23:15

Give the steroids as soon as he is awake. Croup is a narrowing of the airway (as you know) a dose it two of steroids won't stunt his growth and even if it did your priority is to keep him safe now. As a side issue, why didn't the OOH doctor give you a presciption for the steroids? If it were me I would be looking to ha é some steroids at home ready to give for the next time.

Puddleducks123 · 28/06/2016 23:16

I'm a doctor. I'd give it.

JustAOneOffToday · 28/06/2016 23:18

Croup is always temporarily better when you go outside in cooler air. This could be why your GP didn't notice any problem as you'd been outside to get to the surgery.

You can't much about with croup, give the poor boy what he needs. He hasn't had enough steroid to stunt his growth. You'd need to be on a long course for that.

Kimononono · 28/06/2016 23:19

Your with holding his medication. Get a grip and give it him.

PastaLaFeasta · 28/06/2016 23:20

Just give it to him, it works and has before, one off doses should be ok and cause no ill effects. We've been in the same position with DD who is now four and has been croup free for a while now - they do grow out of it thankfully. The last time I took her to the GP who was very concerned and helpful and gave her a ventolin inhaler which worked wonders. Some croup is thought to be allergy related, she did have allergies so it was possible and now I suspect it's asthma but unsure if the croup was linked.

As for the Dr, just ignore that, trust yourself as you know your child and have been through this before. Use the steroid and get more advice if things don't improve. You can't be too careful and we were told not to be "too brave" when DD was struggling and then admitted over night. The steroids worked like magic and she is fine a few years later. Croup is bloody scary so don't take any chances.

PacificDogwod · 28/06/2016 23:22

Croup is horrible - I've had it myself and one of my kids is very prone to it.

So, yes, to getting child upright, staying calm and cool/cold air.

And if that does not help, the absolutely give him the steroids!
If he manages without, fine, but if he is exhausting himself, treat him with the appropriate treatment. Nothing wrong with that.

Fwiw I am a doctor too.

Here's the NHS Choices advice

Oh, and it is absolutely typical of croup that things are worse at night and children seem to be not so bad during the day. Usually the first 2 nights are the worst, so it will pass. And chances are he will grown out of it

McButtonwillow · 28/06/2016 23:26

My ds gets croup and I never hesitate in giving steroids (I'm a nurse).

Hope he feels better soon

Lweji · 29/06/2016 00:57

Steroids once every once in a while shouldn't be a problem.

But exposing to the cold night air did help DS too. I used to wrap him warm and stand by the open window. Much better than steam.

Atenco · 29/06/2016 04:08

Here are a few suggestions for alternative methods of treating croup:

www.facebook.com/groups/arnica/search/?query=croup

OlennasWimple · 29/06/2016 05:01

Why on earth are you or DH not giving him the damn steroids?

Ditsy4 · 29/06/2016 05:52

Give him the steroids. My kids had croup and asthma. They have had steroids it hasn't stunted their growth.

If you have a shower then run that quite hot. Take him in the bathroom and shut the door. The steam helps. It is the moisture in the air that helps hence improving outside. Don't take him out in the winter though.
You can't muck about with croup and asthma take him to A&E if he gets really bad.

Mia1415 · 29/06/2016 06:07

Definitely give him the steroids!

MrsClueless · 29/06/2016 06:19

My son has recurrent croup. I was told ibuprofen also helps to reduce the swelling in the narrowed airwaves. Steroids prescribed by your gp aren't as strong as those given by a and e and despite us having then in we always end up at a and e. We are so regular there now we get them and can go straightaway rather than waiting an hour or so to see if they work. The first time we went though it was so bad my son was admitted for observation. I've never been told it stunts growth, just warned that its not good to have too many doses of steroids but he needs them to help him breathe so I've no concerns in letting him have it. It's a horrible infection but thankfully it clears up quickly.

AnyFucker · 29/06/2016 06:29

I hope you gave him the medication he needs.

Quietlifenotonyournelly · 29/06/2016 06:32

Sorry that you had a bad experience with the doctor, I can understand your worry op but I would give him the steroids.

My eldest DS had quite a few courses of steroids (2-3 times a year)from 18 months old to around 6 years old. He is now 24 years old, 5ft 11ins tall (above average for our family)adult.

user1465823522 · 29/06/2016 06:54

OliviaShoo Tue 28-Jun-16 22:56:03
He's had it before. You know it works. What on earth are you waiting for? Your child is suffering and you are fannying around on the internet

I have to agree with this. Regardless of how you feel about your doctor he is still qualified and trained to give this advice. And as a mother how can you sit back and watch you kid suffer with the medicine in your hand and chose not to give it to them?

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