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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To go to minor injuries with DS's asthma cough as we have run out of blue inhaler?

90 replies

woopsiedaisy36 · 06/04/2024 08:51

Obviously can't go to the Gp as not open. He's had a bad cough all week, no temp or other signs of a cold. We've been on a caravan holiday this week though and the weather has been very cold and windy especially at night which is what has bought on his cough. Cough is always his worst asthma symptom at night. We usually always have a spare inhaler but because of the extra use this week it's run out. He's coughing non stop now and I can hear a bit of wheeze, is the best option our local minor injuries?

OP posts:
StMarieforme · 06/04/2024 17:42

pootlin
You’ve only just got where?

I don’t understand why you wouldn’t go to a pharmacy first.

Pharmacies
can’t
issue
an
emergency
prescription
without
111

in any case, if he regularly needs steroids, they need to see a doctor.

@woopsiedaisy36 have you considered hay fever? Is he worse in places/times where pollen is higher?

Yes
They
Can

Read the NHS rules for emergency life saving medication.

Oneearringlost · 06/04/2024 18:01

Changeusernameseeusernamehistory · 06/04/2024 17:32

He’s already on brown inhaler and montelukast. They’ll probably try him on a LABA steroid combination next but I don’t know if that’s standard escalation protocol in paeds. Needing constant courses of steroids is not good.

I actually thought the LABA steroid combined inhaler came before montelukast

Edited

Ahh yes,
Forgive me, I didn't read properly.
I think, in Paeds, its Montelukast first, then LABA.
Good he's getting a paed referral.
@Changeusernameseeusernamehistory

Changeusernameseeusernamehistory · 06/04/2024 19:18

StMarieforme · 06/04/2024 17:42

pootlin
You’ve only just got where?

I don’t understand why you wouldn’t go to a pharmacy first.

Pharmacies
can’t
issue
an
emergency
prescription
without
111

in any case, if he regularly needs steroids, they need to see a doctor.

@woopsiedaisy36 have you considered hay fever? Is he worse in places/times where pollen is higher?

Yes
They
Can

Read the NHS rules for emergency life saving medication.

then a number of pharmacies in London must be misinformed as I tried to get salbutamol for myself from pharmacies and got told I had to go through 111 for an emergency prescription.
unless they don’t consider salbutamol a life saving med,,which would be ridiculous

woopsiedaisy36 · 06/04/2024 19:43

@Oneearringlost not sure if you're still following this but hoping to ask you a question as you seem very knowledgeable. Or anyone else who has any advice. Cough has got worse this evening. He's had 8 puffs in the last hour and it's not helped. He's also had the steroids and montelukast although I know they won't make any instant difference.

I only have an adult oxygen monitor but it normally works on him. when I checked on that this morning his oxygen was 98% it's now at 90%. Should I wait a bit longer to see if the medicine helps or call 111 again?

OP posts:
Chickenrunning · 06/04/2024 19:48

When you say ‘not helped’ can you describe his symptoms? Can he talk in a full sentence? What is his breathing rate? If you look at his tummy or neck can you see the muscles there working to breathe?

dothehokeycokey · 06/04/2024 19:48

@woopsiedaisy36

I would call 111 to be sent to your nearest out of hours and get him checked.

If that amount of medication and steroids hasn't worked and he's using an inhaler that much without it working I would probably get him checked.

He may need to go on a vent system in the hospital.

Kids go down very quickly with things like this.

One of my now older dc were similar when they were very young

Chickenrunning · 06/04/2024 19:50

90% is definitely A&E territory but try not to panic as I don’t find adult oxygen monitors work well on small children.

But at this point I would be heading to A&E.

woopsiedaisy36 · 06/04/2024 19:51

@Chickenrunning his cough is now almost every 2 seconds, he can't seem to move or speak without then terribly coughing. It's a very dry horrible sounding cough. We've got him lying down at the moment to try and calm him down.

@dothehokeycokey just not sure if they will say they can't do anything else as he's on so much at the moment

OP posts:
Inmy40 · 06/04/2024 19:52

My advice would be A&E immediately. He sounds very unwell.

Ratfinkstinkypink · 06/04/2024 19:53

90% needs reviewing tonight. Good luck

Chickenrunning · 06/04/2024 19:53

If his oxygen level is actually 90% then A&E will put him on oxygen and give back to back nebulisers. If this is not a coughing fit, but a constant cough and the inhaler has lasted less than 2 hours, go to A&E.

doricgirl80 · 06/04/2024 19:54

Please call 999

GreatBigBeautifulTommorow · 06/04/2024 19:54

Sounds like he needs A+E.

4intheCorner · 06/04/2024 19:54

You don't even need to call 111. It can be done online now. My pharmacy told me about this service and it was all sorted in 10 minutes.

https://111.nhs.uk/emergency-prescription

Emergency prescriptions - NHS 111

https://111.nhs.uk/emergency-prescription

Ratfinkstinkypink · 06/04/2024 19:54

Sitting up straight is better than laying down for asthma attacks.

CormorantStrikesBack · 06/04/2024 19:57

He 100% needs to go to a&e now.

FloatyBoaty · 06/04/2024 19:58

999 or A&E if 8 puffs in last hour haven’t helped.

Our asthma plan says to call for an ambulance / immediate medical attention if a similar number of puffs haven’t brought symptoms under control.

HelenaJustina · 06/04/2024 19:58

He needs an urgent review. The medication he has been given today will not yet be effective and he is still going downhill. Good luck!

GreatBigBeautifulTommorow · 06/04/2024 19:59

@Changeusernameseeusernamehistory from Asthma UK

To go to minor injuries with DS's asthma cough as we have run out of blue inhaler?
Nursemumma92 · 06/04/2024 19:59

It sounds like he needs to go to A+E if his cough is getting worse and he's struggling. Sats of 90% need checking out particularly as kids can get worse very quickly. If you are at all unsure, call 999 as paramedics can assess and start oxygen or a nebuliser. The call handler could advise whether it will be quicker for you to take him there or for an ambulance to get to you. Wishing him and you all the best!

Sirzy · 06/04/2024 20:03

As the mother of a brittle asthmatic I am echoing others get him to A and E now please

DGPP · 06/04/2024 20:03

Call 999 or take him to A&E now. I have a history of asthma and he’s not in a good way, take him in immediately

Merryoldgoat · 06/04/2024 20:05

He needs A&E now - he’s having an asthma attack

Opihr · 06/04/2024 20:09

Another vote for A&E, immediately. Wishing him a speedy recovery.

peloton2024 · 06/04/2024 20:10

A&E. I don't have asthma and went in with a continuous cough and they put me on a nebuliser straight away