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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How long for steroids to kick in for croup?

21 replies

hoobalula · 12/07/2023 18:37

DS 4 has croup and asthma. Been struggling since last night, during the night he had some retractions on his stomach and neck when breathing. Dr saw him today and didn't seem too concerned as his oxygen was up to 96%. He's started to get a bit worse again as the evening draws in, which I know is common with croup. He took his first (of two) doses of steroids at 12 and I was hoping to see a difference by now but the cough is just as bad and his breathing is starting to get a bit more laboured again.
How long does it normally take to see a difference?

OP posts:
Original poster
hoobalula · 12/07/2023 18:57

Anybody?

OP posts:
Hotsausage2 · 12/07/2023 18:58

Normally within half an hour. They have reduced how much they normally give now so it may be he needs the higher dose.

TimeToRecover · 12/07/2023 19:00

If breathing is laboured take him to A&E kr ring 999

Original poster
hoobalula · 12/07/2023 19:00

@Hotsausage2 ah ok, he has had them before in the winter and I thought he had been given a bigger dose last time but thought I must have been mistaken. It's not made any difference to the cough at all

OP posts:
TimeToRecover · 12/07/2023 19:00

*or

stargirl1701 · 12/07/2023 19:03

Within 24 hours and huge improvement within 48, OP.

If he's still not right, go back.

Original poster
hoobalula · 12/07/2023 19:03

@TimeToRecover it's laboured in that I can hear a wheeze and his tummy is still pulling in slightly but not quite as bad as it was during the night last night. Should I wait and see if the steroids kick in any more or if they haven't worked already will they not work at all?

OP posts:
Original poster
hoobalula · 12/07/2023 19:03

@stargirl1701 that's good to know thank you?

OP posts:
Original poster
hoobalula · 12/07/2023 19:04

Sorry pressed question mark instead of !

OP posts:
TimeToRecover · 12/07/2023 19:04

I personally wouldnt risk it…

ZMum22 · 12/07/2023 19:06

My wee one had croup and the best thing we were told to do is take her on a walk… the fresh air immediately helped the wheeze.

conflicting advice but my mum is a nurse in a paediatric ward and she says a steamy room so pop him in the bathroom shut all the doors and windows and put a hot shower on

hope he is better soon

Omm · 12/07/2023 19:09

My DS had to have 4 doses before it cleared up, they were very nice and understanding in the A&e, i would take him just in case

Raindancer411 · 12/07/2023 19:14

My 10 year old got another bout in Jan just before he got covid (he seems to get it in the lead up to a cold, but hadn't had it for since just before covid). The last time he needed to have a nebuliser with adrenaline in, and that helped him. Usually the steroid kicks in within 30 mins but didn't work last time.

sammielouise · 12/07/2023 19:19

My 4 year old suffers from croup regularly and responds quickly to steroids, we have been told by paramedics and doctors that at the first sign of wheeze and sucking in at the ribs, to go to hospital. It can turn nasty very quickly.

Covidisdrivingmecrazy · 12/07/2023 19:20

It used to work almost immediately (but we got liquid dexamethasone). They've moved away from the steamy room advice but my nurse mum seated by it. Best results we had were taking him out to go to a and E and fresh cold air helped more than anything. My sympathies it's so horrid for you and for them. Mine 14 now and still gets a croup cough with colds but nowhere near as bad

sammielouise · 12/07/2023 19:21

ZMum22 · 12/07/2023 19:06

My wee one had croup and the best thing we were told to do is take her on a walk… the fresh air immediately helped the wheeze.

conflicting advice but my mum is a nurse in a paediatric ward and she says a steamy room so pop him in the bathroom shut all the doors and windows and put a hot shower on

hope he is better soon

We were told firmly in A&E that this shouldn't be done? Cool air outside is good, but to avoid steam as it can do more harm than good. Used to be advice though!

Original poster
hoobalula · 12/07/2023 19:50

Thanks all. I'm going to see if I can sort childcare for other Dc and get him seen

OP posts:
stargirl1701 · 12/07/2023 19:57

I think you are right to do so. Your intuition is worth a great deal. Trust it. The docs would rather see a child than not.

kayserah · 12/07/2023 20:07

Hope he is better soon. I think you’re doing the right thing by taking him back

Outwiththenorm · 12/07/2023 20:10

DS4 improved within an hour - Dr also told us to walk him around the medical centre in the fresh air while we waited for the steroids to kick in. If they hadn’t worked she said to go to A&E.

Shopper727 · 12/07/2023 20:10

I would get him seen, I’ve seen children very poorly with croup and I think if you’re worried best to take him in for review.
Hope he’s on the mend soon op

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