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Original poster

Croup - here we go again?

19 replies

Violetroses · 07/08/2013 07:01

DS3 (19 months) has twice been hospitalised with croup Sad, and it looks like it's coming back again.

We've had two disrupted nights and he's started this barking cough out of the blue. He's been out of sorts during the day, but no cough or temperature evident.

It's exactly what happened before, when it developed into full-blown croup, leaving him with sky-high temperatures and struggling to breathe.

Last time the hospital staff said there was nothing that could be done to stop it, and it "had to run its course".

Has anyone any better advice/experience? I'm thinking lots of drinks, keeping him warm and limiting our activities today......

I'm pretty sure the GP can't do anything (ie it's viral, so no antibiotics).

OP posts:
Morgause · 07/08/2013 07:03

Steam helps. I used to have saucepans of water boiling and threw a wet towel in the tumble dryer. Or ran a very hot bath and wafted the steam around.

FrauMoose · 07/08/2013 07:06

I second steaming. Running the hot tap in the bathroom, shutting the doors and windows...

MrsHoarder · 07/08/2013 07:10

I sat up holding ds upright all night the time he had it. But knew dh could take over so I could sleep the next day. And can the gp give you the steroid the hospital does?

KrazyKurls · 07/08/2013 07:18

We have steroids at home for DS, he has had it dice 6 months - he is now 5 and we are beginning to see it ease.

Nothing stops it for him except steroids, occasionally they haven't worked and adrenaline has been given.

I do second holding him upright, I've see DS's O2 stats go from 81% to 95% just from sitting up! The car journey to hospital usually sees some improvement with sitting up and cold air.

It's horrible and scary and hope things improve soon!

lunar1 · 07/08/2013 07:23

Ds2 is going through it for the third time ATM. It's horrible to see him struggling to breath. I'm just great-full that I have been able to keep him at home this time.

Sirzy · 07/08/2013 07:24

Open a window fresh air is fantastic for croup.

Other than that not a lot helps DS other than steroids in a and e.

Mummynotmum · 07/08/2013 07:39

We're with you too! DD has it now. She and DS have had 5 middle of the night a and e trips between them because of croup. This time it wasn't as bad and I got her to the gp who gave us the steroid meds. But it's bad again this morning. Cold fresh air seems to work better for my 2 than steam. So scary though. Hmm

throckenholt · 07/08/2013 07:46

Calpol to keep temp down. Moist atmosphere - so bowl of water (with karvol drops in it ) by the bed, damp towel draped near the bed, bed or matress propped up so not sleeping flat on back.

If he starts coughing badly in the night - try fresh air, or steamy room (sit in bathroom with shower or hot tap running).

Daytime in my experience they are usually fine - croup is worst when lying down at night. Usually it only lasts 2-3 nights.

Original poster
Violetroses · 07/08/2013 08:02

Oh thank you so much for your replies!

I will make a GP appointment, then, and see if I can get some steroids - they worked like magic last time.

Will spend a lot of time outside ( he's always happier outdoors anyway), and will be prepared to spend all night with him on my knee again tonight.

Poor boy - it's horrible, isn't it?

When do they grow out of it?

OP posts:
BeaWheesht · 07/08/2013 09:14

Ds (6) has never had croup and I didn't realise how horrible it is until dd (2) woke up rasping for breath and a temp of 39.4 having been fine all day, it was horrible.

Steam didn't seem to do much for dd but cold air did and she has needed steroids every time too.

cornflakegirl · 07/08/2013 09:55

DS (nearly four) has also had croup several times including a couple of hospital admissions. He has a (blue) asthma reliever inhaler (salbutamol) that was prescribed (for something that I thought was croup but turned out to be slightly different), and last time we were in hospital the paed told us that giving 10 puffs of the inhaler is about the same as the steroid dose they give in hospital. We tried it the time after, and it helped, although I did still have to take him to a+e for steroids, and then the time after that it got us through the night completely, and the croup didn't come back the following night. So maybe see if your doctor would prescribe an inhaler?

(The other thing the paed told us was that croup is worse between midnight and 2am because that is when the body's production of natural steroids is at its lowest. So if you can get through that point, the body has a better chance of recovering by itself.)

We were also told to avoid cold air with croup as it aggravates it?

Sirzy · 07/08/2013 09:58

Salbutamol isn't steroid based so it can't be the same as a dose of steroids. 10 puffs in pretty much the same as one nebuliser though.

Everyone I have spoken to about DS and he croup has said cold air and it works!

blueberryboybait · 07/08/2013 10:05

My DD2 has regular horrible episodes of croup and has had lots of A&E admissions occasionally by helicopter. We were advised to give calpol and a dose of piriton at the first sign of an attack and it seems to work. We have managed to space attacks right out and have been admission free for the last 3 months.

cornflakegirl · 07/08/2013 13:28

Sirzy, yes sorry, that was what I meant. DS has sometimes been treated with a nebuliser as well as some pink steroids

Have never tested the cold air thing - just had a doctor and a nurse independently tell us that it was a bad thing. Croup is so horrible that I am scared to do anything that might make it worse!

Original poster
Violetroses · 07/08/2013 13:40

Oh my goodness, blueberryboy that must have been so scary for you all Sad.

The GP took his temperature, checked breathing etc, and said what I expected really, that he's not critical and she wouldn't be giving us steroids. I don't blame her a bit, especially as he couldn't stop laughing at the antics of his silly older brothers (looong 40 minute wait in waiting room banished my lectures about good behaviour!).

He's sleeping at the moment and I'm hoping he'll recover without his breathing getting really compromised this time.

Thanks so much for all the support - Mumsnet is so useful! Thanks

OP posts:
Sirzy · 07/08/2013 15:29

Cornflake - prednisone is the pink steroid. DS has that for his asthma but is given dexmethazone for croup when that happens.

Violet - hope you have a better night tonight

Original poster
Violetroses · 08/08/2013 15:04

Thanks all - was surprised to find we had a good night. Just two wake-ups, but he went down after sitting on my knee for a few minutes' cuddling.

Not sure if it was the copious quantities of fresh air, the steamy bath, the vitamin syrup or calpol, but either way he seems much better now!

OP posts:
MrsHoarder · 08/08/2013 15:10

Glad to hear that!

whatsleep · 09/08/2013 16:19

Best thing I ever found for croup is one of these put it on for half an hour before bed or keep on in the room out of reach....far better than trying to create steam with a shower. Has worked for all my friends children too so worth a go

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