Prescribed steroids for DS's chesty cough - don't want to give them to him. Please give me some advice!

[mylittlepuds]

I normally just glance over side effects on the info leaflet and think 'hey ho' needs must.

But my God the side effects of these steroids - Prednisolone - seem extreme and I'm very nervous about giving them to DS.

It's been well over two weeks though and he still has the wheezy 'loose' chest. No temp of anything though - absolutely his normal self.

Help!

[mylittlepuds]

I think I may have made the 'juice' very erm concentrated...thank you so much. I just feel totally idiotic. I hope the doctor understands. Trying to get him in now.

[dikkertjedap]

Wheeziness is one of the characteristics of asthma. Normally inhalers will do the trick but oral steroids work much faster (inhaler has to build up, which can take several weeks, and some children find it really hard to use an inhaler even with a spacer).

The steroids reduce inflammation in the airways and will help him breathe much better. So it is really important to give them.

All medication has side effects, but that doesn't mean you get them. It is important to look out for them though and seek medical advice if necessary.

Especially people who have to take steroids over a long time period, in some cases years and years, are likely to suffer the more severe side effects, however, in spite of these it can still do them lots of good though.

[mylittlepuds]

Thank you - that's really helpful dikkertjedap. I'm going to ask about asthma this afternoon.

[libelulle]

They are alarming aren't they? Both my kids have had numerous courses of them and in DD's case I'm afraid they did send her a bit loopy - but only temporarily, and it was massively improved by lowering the dose slightly. We were also advised at that time to start montelukast, but didn't because of similar fears about side effects.

It was only when DS was admitted for a week with pneumonia that I realised just how serious chest infections can be. He is now on the montelukast and I'll give them the steroids as often as needs be. The risks of side effects are nothing compared to the risks of not taking these drugs. Uncontrolled asthma and wheeze are extremely harmful in themselves and can cause an alarming list of side effects not least growth restriction i the longer term and in the shorter term possible admission to intensive care! It's just that you don't get given a side effects leaflet so it seems the lesser of two evils:)

Having said that, if the steroids do get to be a very regular thing, it is worth asking about the montelukast as it has been a miracle drug for DS - hasn't been on the steroids or even had a whiff of hospital admissions since he's been on them. Not all childhood asthma responds to it, but if it does it is magic!

[justonemorethread]

OP Don't feel silly.
Your reaction to giving steroids is understandable.
I was given them for DD twice when she was about 3. She was constantly getting croup and chesty coughs.
On two occasions the doctor gave her steroids.

I trusted him as he always avoided medication unless strictly necessary.

He said they have a bad reputation mostly because of people who take them over a long period of time. A low dose over a short period of time being fine.

My DD felt so immediately better I was so thankful to have them. The second time she was really poorly she asked to go to the doctor to have the yucky medicine!

(She had a trial of Ventolin which a different doctor prescribed and it was like she'd been given an ecstasy tablet, her heart was racing so fast and she was so hyper! Obviously wasn't what she needed!)


She's 5.5 now and hasn't needed the since grown out of all the coughs and croup incidents and doesn't seem to have developed asthma (fingers crossed).

No effects from those to courses of steroids.

Hope your little one feels betters soon!

[mylittlepuds]

Thank you. I'm so glad I started this thread as I have to be honest and say I had no idea that wheeziness could be so very serious. I really hope I haven't done him a disservice as I'd never forgive myself.

[justonemorethread]

Of course you haven't! just add it to the list of things you feel guilty about. That way if you ever have a moment of peace you can just refer back to the list and start feeling like a proper mum again!

[BeaWheesht]

Both my kids have had two course each - one for asthma and one for croup - they work pretty quickly ime.

[mylittlepuds]

Thanks just and Bea

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

OP I'm sure you've not done any damage this time - but now you have info for the future. :)

The only thing I will say, is that if a Dr prescribes you something it will be for a reason. If once you are home, you are unsure about the medication, or worried about taking it, or feel that your condition - or your child's - changes, then please ring them to talk it through.

[Kiriwawa]

I don't think you should feel bad but I think it's worth discussing any possible side effects with the GP when you're being prescribed something (and obviously that means asking when you're actually in the surgery rather than waiting until you read the leaflet).

FWIW the only person I know who's had side effects on Prednisolone was on them for a year.

[Jojay]

Don't feel bad - the leaflets that come woth so mny drugs are terrifying.

My kids are far too medicated for my liking - numerous courses of pred., strong steroids for eczema, daily steroid inhalers, ventolin, montelukast etc etc.

It's horrible, but being them in hospital with asthma attacks, wired up to drips and gawd knows what else, is far worse. I would cheerfully feed them arsenic in that situation if someone told me it would make them better.

We are extremely lucky to have access to the healthcare we do, and the quality of life that we all enjoy is often down to that. I totally understand your concerns, but you did the right thing giving it to him

[ubik]

I'm so glad you gave them to him

If it makes you feel any better:


DD1 also gets asthma symptoms with chest infections and the first time i left her for a couple of days thinking it was just a virus and she didn't need to see doc etc

MIL (ex nurse) looked at her and told me to get her to GP that day. While we were walking to doc, DD1 told me she didn't want to chat as she couldn't walk and talk at the same time due to chest Saw GP who did a peak flow and then got her on a nebuliser.

We came home with steroids, inhalers, spacers and a much chattier DD1.

[butterfingerz]

Hi op, my ds who is 21 months has had quite a few courses of prednisolone for wheezy episodes. I know systemic steroids have quite alot of side effects, but remember some people have to take them on a permanent basis so the effects are more applicable to them. For a short course of a few days, you really needn't worry. My dp is a pharmacist so he's looked into the risks quite extensively and has reassured me many times!

[SarahGarden80]

My son (7yo) has chesty non stop coughs whole winter. We have inhalers as well, and there are not steroids, but corticoids. It keeps us going whole winter, I do not like to give it to him as well, but I cover usually december-jan-february, then he is fine all year long, starting in late december again. Try to do it that way, it will really keep you going without awake nights and terrible days.

[mylittlepuds]

Update! Had DS to doctors. She was lovely and reassured me after rambling and crying for being a foolish idiot and putting DS at risk.

His chest thank God was clear - and quite remarkably she said it could have been the steroids (one dose) already taking effect?

Anyway we're second dose in now so feel calmer. I asked her about dangers of wheeziness and she said to keep an eye on if he starts to struggle - and straight to A&E. Hopefully, hopefully, he'll be fine.

A hard lesson learned I think.

[hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman]

DD was prescribed them last week (for the ninety millionth time) and the consultant who gave them to her said they can work in about 6 hours.

[mylittlepuds]

Goodness me! That's strong stuff! Was it for her chest?

[Sirzy]

One steroid DS has works in the hour, pred kicks in within a couple of hours with him.

[mylittlepuds]

Thank you. I have really appreciated your responses. I was so, so worried.

[Jojay]

Pred works in an hour or two for my lot too.

So glad he's on the mend

[hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman]

Yes, DD has been asthmatic since the year dot, she's now 22 and regularly needs pred to control her symptoms. How is he today?

[mylittlepuds]

Hi ladies. I think he's probably the same but I feel calmer knowing that we're doing the best thing to get him better. He's totally fine in himself, just a slight wheezing. Bless him. Thanks for all your lovely messages

[Lifeisontheup]

My two DS's had lots of short sharp bursts of steroids(prednislone) for viral induced wheeze as youngsters. They are now 6ft + teenagers and haven't been to the doctors in years. They are disgustingly healthy!