Asthmatic with pneumonia - when to go back?

[igglepigglegingin]

This might sound really stupid but DD is 2. She has been admitted many many times to hospital with her viral induced asthma. Yesterday we were seen by a consultant at hospital she has steroids and antibiotics and we're home.
But this evening her colour is just so poor. She's ashen, hasn't eaten - is taking liquids. She's having calpol, steroids, antibiotics and her inhalers at the right times. She just looks terrible. Is it enough to go back?
Is it something to really worry about alone? I'm on highest alert - as all mums with kids with asthma are when their child is ill - I'm trying to look rationally at this......

I'd go back. Parent's instinct. When they go downhill, they go downhill quickly.

Usually you'll be given ward number and can self refer back and skip A&E - was this option given to you??

I'd get her seen - your her mum you know her best

Trust your gut

You're doing a great job iggle. You're not being stupid.

I'd def call the ward or return if possible. Trust your instincts

Go back, don’t mess with asthma. Hope she picks up soon.

Thanks so much for your fast replies. Sorry to be clear, I'd have to take her back in via a&e as she wasn't admitted this time... reasonable to bring her in to a&e for poor colour? I'm sat with her oximeter and she's 94 asleep and breathing ok - if it dips any lower, I'll take her in.

In that instance I'd call 111

What flightless says.

Thank you for your advice - this is definitely the hardest part. The deciding, packed hospital bags and sleeping on the floor. The limbo and trying to measure up the anxiety vs reality is exhausting. I'll call 111.

if sats 94 get her to A and E ASAP please

If she’s become ashen then sats of 94 may reflect low blood pressure/perfusion not low oxygen levels. She needs to be seen by a doctor either way. (From a doctor).

Parent instinct is a strong one - if you’re not happy take her back. My daughter used to be in and out of hospital when she was young with asthma and I always worried about taking her back but in hindsight was right on every occasion. The staff should understand that.

iggle how is your little one this morning?

I decided to wake her, sit her up and gave her more 4 more puffs of inhaler. 111 wasn't even picking up - it was incredibly busy - but as her colour improved quite rapidly, I felt a lot better about it, I slept with her and gave her puffs 4hrly whilst she was asleep overnight. She's still refusing food completely but she is drinking smoothies. My husband and I have agreed that she needs to be seen again immediately if she goes that colour again. Usually after day 2 of steroids she picks up - so fingers crossed for today.

I have a complex needs child who has lots of respiratory issues ( home oxygen, sats monitors, Bipap at night ).
Personally I don't consider 94 to be too noteworthy. It is only just on the cusp of normal range so I would do exactly what you didI i.e give treatment, try repositioning to see if that helps and keep a sats monitor on them to pick up any sudden changes.
Hope she is doing ok today. It is v scary when they start to struggle and like you I am always second guessing myself on when to go in.
Hope you both got some rest . Best wishes x

Sorry cross posted !

I hope today is much better, poor love. It's very stressful looking after a poorly child - my son has asthma.

And your child has complex needs flap so you know it even more.

Thank you everyone - it can feel very lonely in the night trying to make decisions. It's great to know MN is there to help along the way! I can't imagine how tricky it can be for you @flapjackfairy as well. We'll be going back to the hospital if no improvement today.

Just an update, we're back in hospital. She never quite bounced back at home. Thank you all for your help.

Hope she's feeling better soon.
My now 14 year old dd has asthma. Her toddler years were the hardest of my life.
I didn't have any experience of asthma and spent so many nights fretting about what to do for the best.
Dd had many, many hospital stays, including two blue light ambulance trips and I never once felt judged or criticized for bringing her when my gut told me she needed to go. (Apart from the night of her first awful attack when an OOHs doctor told me I was an anxious mother and sent us home but that's another story).
Anyway, the point I want to make is to always trust your instincts and don't feel like you are wasting anyone's time. If you feel she needs to be seen then do that.
My dd has improved so much in recent years. Still on her preventer and has the occasional attack but nothing like the Early years.

Sorry to hear that iggle. Hope she recovers soon x