Croup

[shishnfips]

Dd (4) has had this since Wednesday. First GP trip was Thursday where no action required. Went back today after a particularly awful night and croup has been confirmed and been given 3 days of steroids. She can go a few hours playing really nicely and then will get stuck in a nasty cycle of coughing. This is SO much worse at night. On top of the steroids I'm doing calpol and vicks on feet. How much longer is this likely to last? It's horrid seeing her struggle and tbh, I'm totally exhausted. She'll definitely stay off school on Monday at least.

Anyone? She and I are both broken from lack of sleep. My heart breaks for her coughing every 30 seconds throughout the night.

Cool air? Lots of drinks, warm honey and lemon. If she starts to develop the stridor again take her back to GP/A&E.

Is it definitely croup? I only say this as my two year old was bad before xmas. He has brittle asthma anyway so he always gets bad off respiratory illnesses. However it took two ambulances and 2 gp visits before he was rushed in hospital with double pneumonia a chest infection tonsillitis and ear infections. They were adamant it was croup but never was. Croup in older children shouldn't be as severe should only last a couple of nights

Her chest has been checked twice. She has no temperature, ran downstairs to play just now, it's just this frankly awful cough.

When you say steroids, assume she's been given dexamrthasone?

Two doses max should sort out croup (my son has had it multiple times - without stridor but with those awful coughing fits you describe).

Is it worth getting her checked again for bronchiolitis? You don't always get a fever with that I don't think.

Hope she's better soon

No prednisone (sp) for three days. We've been to the GP twice since Thursday. I'll rebook again for tomorrow. She's fine in herself I don't understand how she can be playing fairytale bingo right now with such an awful bark.

Apparently drs dont like giving out dex as its more expensive. I have to fight tooth ans nail for them to give it to my son as he projectile vomits off the pred. Just keep an eye on your lo as my son started like that. No temp or anything. Then about 6 days later was in a very very bad way . I mean couldnt keep him conscious kinda bad

Oh lord, tell them you want dexamethasone - it's what they give in a&e for croup and usually stops the cough within an hour!

Some GP's won't give it, but you could find out who will (usually a&e, unless you have an affordable private GP locally)

Honestly it's a godsend!

My mum had her last night because I desperately needed some sleep in order to go to work this morning. Yup, worst mum award. She said she coughed quite a bit around midnight but otherwise slept 8-6. One more day of pred. Seems she's getting cold symptoms too now, blocked/runny nose.

Glad she seems to be on the mend!