Croup! Don't you just hate it :( Another 999 call.

[alirobins]

Poor Ds woke up at 11 struggling to breathe stridor chest dipping in all pale and clammy
Dh phoned nhs direct who sent ambulance staight out.
Ds treated with steroids and nebuliser observed for 6 hours had second neb then spoke about having him admitted but decided to send us home with strict orders to go straight back.
Doctor said that Ds is a bit old for croup as he's nearly 4 and that it shouldn't be a recurring problem. I always thought if you had it once them you are more likely to have it again.

Poor DS. I've not got any experience of croup but couldn't not post. It must have been really stressful for you. Hope he's ok today.

He looks all pale and tired

Well he's starting to sound all husky again

It is horrible He's had it quite a few times and I just felt sick when I heard the noise my heart sank

ds is 9 and we had a trip to A&E a couple of weeks ago because he had croup. Some kids take longer to grow out of it.

I certainly thought it was a recurring problem. That said dd2 only had it once - I'll never forget the noise though - utterly terrifying. Your poor ds - hope he's on the mend soon.

Ds is 5.2 and so far has not had a croup attack since april but before that was 3/4 times a year

We've been told that they don't diagnose it more than once and the same for Bronchiolitis. But they've diagnosed it in Tink (I think) 5 times and "not diagnosed" it a few more times, again the same with Bronchiolitis.

Oh no, Ali, poor ds

And poor you and dh. Its so scary. dd1 only had it once, mildly, but I live in dread of dd2 (narrowed airways, big time) having it.

I agree with you, I know several kids who are clearly prone to it and have it every time they get an upper respiratory tract infection, it seems.

Hope tonight isn't as bad, fingers crossed for you.

Ds is really chesty this morning and has got a wet sounding cough insted of the bark got a doctors appointment at 10.15.
Think Ds has got another chest infection.
Feeling really fed up and tearfull this morning

my ds1 had it every year till he was 6!

Much sympathy.

There is a breathing technique called Buteyko (known for helping with asthma), which I got my DS to try in desperation when he had an attack, and it worked!

When the child is struggling for breath, get them to close their mouth and take tiny little breaths 'like a mouse.'

It calmed him down straight away and got his breathing to a much safer-sounding level.

www.buteyko.co.uk

Sorry about DS, alirobins - DD gets croup and has been to hospital with it and I agree how scary it is. The last time, she didn't respond to the nebuliser and steroids, so the doctor told us to be prepared for them to put a tube in to help her breathe. Luckily, she started improving so didn't need this.

I hope your GP is able to reassure you today and if DS has got an infection, he gets over it quickly.

Have you had the heating on much? My GP said central heating takes the moisture out of the air and this can irritate the child's airways. We've found a humidifier in DD's room helps.

Anyway, hope you are feeling better now - I know how fed-up you must be.

Thanks everyone
Gp said he's now got a chest infection so on antibiotics and a course of pred.
Ds is happy watching Tom and Jerry.

fab

Glad things are on the up! Hope the antibiotics kick in quickly and he's better soon.