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AIBU?

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Original poster

WIBU to call GP in morning?

31 replies

SeamusMacDubh · 03/08/2017 23:12

DS3 has developed a cough over the past few days and he is wheezing when he breathes, quite audibly. Previously, when he has had a persistent cough I've taken him and they listen for a rattling.

I don't want to waste their time and I don't want to go and be told that there's nothing they can do. WWYD? he's not lacklustre or lolling around, he's quite his usual self, a little tired because the coughing disturbs his sleep a bit but otherwise seems fine.

OP posts:
NC4now · 03/08/2017 23:15

How old is he? My DS was really poorly with asthma when he was little and the advice was to always get him checked out.
Is he sucking in under his ribs?

123bananas · 03/08/2017 23:19

They will send to A&E with a wheeze. An child with a wheeze needs to be seen asap to check their oxygen levels are sufficent. How old is your ds?

Moanyoldcow · 03/08/2017 23:20

A wheeze should always be investigated. I ignored mine for about 2 weeks - night coughing etc. Ended up in A&E on a nebuliser with late onset asthma. Doctor was very stern and said wheezes need looking at without unnecessary delay.

Original poster
SeamusMacDubh · 03/08/2017 23:22

Oh dear. Feel like. Shitty mum now BlushSad he's 3 and a half. I'll call in the morning, hopefully they'll see him and can have a good listen.

He'll probably wheeze right up until the second he sits down in front of the doctor and then they'll claim his breathing is clear as anything Hmm

OP posts:
FrogsSitonLogs · 03/08/2017 23:22

Yes a wheeze needs seeing. How old is he? Is he showing signs of having difficulty breathing? Sucking in or under ribs and neck? That won't wait and you need to go to a&e.

SabineUndine · 03/08/2017 23:23

Yep. I have asthma and got a right bollocking recently for ignoring a wheeze that got suddenly worse. Take him to A&E.

early30smum · 03/08/2017 23:24

Take him. My DS was admitted to hospital 3 times with bronchiolitis/viral induced wheeze. Better to be sure!

Original poster
SeamusMacDubh · 03/08/2017 23:26

I don't think he's sucking in under his ribs or his neck. He's asleep now, A&E sounds so extreme, is it really that bad? It would never have occurred to me (unless he suddenly and obviously deteriorated)

OP posts:
DodgyGround · 03/08/2017 23:26

Definitely get him seen.

I have never had a child looked at with a wheeze, without them being prescribed some treatment, be it antibiotics, steroids or inhalers.

You can't muck about with breathing!

DodgyGround · 03/08/2017 23:28

Cross post there op.

Is there any audible squeak/wheeze as he breathes in his sleep?

123bananas · 03/08/2017 23:29

You shouldn't wait until morning, my dd has cough variant asthma and coughing more at night means she needs her inhaler, she coughs more because she can't get enough air in.

Really take him to A&E, a child with a wheeze or any breathing difficulty is seen very quickly. They can give a course of inhalers straight away if needed.

If he seems like he is struggling to breathe, is breathing fast or sucking in under the ribs or at the base of the throat then consider calling an ambulance. Children compensate really well with breathing difficulties, but deteriorate quickly. Often with a virus it gets worse before it gets better too.

SabineUndine · 03/08/2017 23:30

The problem with breathing is it can deteriorate very very quickly.

FrogsSitonLogs · 03/08/2017 23:32

Is he wheezing now?

Original poster
SeamusMacDubh · 03/08/2017 23:37

I've been in to check on him just now, he isn't wheezing as such now, i can hear him breathing but it's not like it was at dinner/before bed where he was almost whistling. I'll ring and ask to speak to the gp in the morning, they will ask me to come in. DS has no real history with breathing problems, though he has had a few persistent coughs (they last for weeks and weeks sometimes).

OP posts:
Everythingsr0sie · 03/08/2017 23:37

Take him to A&E.

DS1 had problems with a wheeze with a cough when he was little. The first time he seemed absolutely fine but I rang NHS Direct, who heard him over the phone and sent an ambulance straight away.

After that we had a few occasions of nebulisers and nights on Childrens Ward because of coughs and colds.

Original poster
SeamusMacDubh · 03/08/2017 23:39

I'll be up with DD in the night, so I'll check on him when I see to her. I feel so naive, I would have rung the GP earlier if I had thought/realised it was warranted.

OP posts:
BoreOfWhabylon · 03/08/2017 23:42

Ring 111. They will assess his symptoms and advise you. It's what they're for.

Dancingfairy · 03/08/2017 23:42

When i had this with my son I took him to the gp and we was sent straight to a&e where he was kept in over night. He had to use a nebuliser every couple of hours. He had been coughing quite bad the night before so I was kicking myself for not seeing to it sooner thinking it was nothing. they told me if it ever happens again to bring him straight to a&e.

avamiah · 03/08/2017 23:45

Every GP has a Out of hours number.
If you call your GP's number you will be put through to a Out of hours service who will get a GP to call you back usually within the hour.
The GP will decide whether your child should be seen immediately or wait till tomorrow.

Goodasgoldilox · 03/08/2017 23:45

They won't mind you going in with a wheezing child.

It is hard to see whether it is serious or not without checking Children struggle on regardless and seem to be coping...but then suddenly get too tired and it can get very serious very quickly.

DodgyGround · 03/08/2017 23:47

I've been in to check on him just now, he isn't wheezing as such now, i can hear him breathing but it's not like it was at dinner/before bed where he was almost whistling

When you say you can hear him breathing, how do you mean? Abnormally?

MrsChopper · 03/08/2017 23:49

YWBU not to take him tonight!

Our GP sent my DS straight to hospital when he was wheezing. He nearly ended up being kept in and needed steroid inhalers for days.

Original poster
SeamusMacDubh · 03/08/2017 23:51

DodgyGround, he is breathing with his mouth open and I can hear him rather than having to listen really closely for shallow breathing.

OP posts:
avamiah · 03/08/2017 23:51

I personally would go to A&E or at least call the Out Of Hours Number.

Original poster
SeamusMacDubh · 03/08/2017 23:52

I'll call 111

OP posts:
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