Hey Lori,

Just wondering at what stage should you see a dr for croup? I am not positive Parker has it, he woke last night saying he couldn't breathe, he had no cough though, wasn't scared, blue etc.... I 'think' I could hear some stridor (he definately had some kind of slight wheeze thing going on, breathing both in and out), but it settled down by this morning.

I actually sent him to school, cause he seems fine and was wondering if it was just a one off, but now think it may have been croup.

So do you think it will get worse today or tonight? Do they always need treatment? If it was croup, can you get a milder form, before the barking starts or it will probably just be mild? I am trying to get through to the drs and can't, so don't even know if I could get an appt today. Should I go get him out of school? lol

I have lowered his flixotide to 125mg twice a day, and no cough has come back, so maybe it is this as well? He is also not sick, maybe a slight temp at night and he says his throat is sore, but no other virus signs...I am confused, can you tell?

I would stick with the shower, etc, as long as you feel he's doing ok. Trust the mommy instinct. For the next few days, you might consider increasing the flixotide back to the sick dose. It will help if it is croup, and if it is croup, the maintenance dose you've been using may very well cause it to be a mild case.

Thanks Lori, I am sure you are right, it doesn't sound like it is bad, like it has been before. I ended up getting an appt today and the dr advised to use the redipred if he starts barking, but if he gets really bad to take him to the ER. I do usually gauge him quite well. Just never had a night of minor symptoms before, it is usually wake in the middle of the night to the full on croup!

With the steam, I swear by it, but they are saying here now that it doesn't help, that kids are actually worse off because they are burning themselves. This is a croc right? How do they really think steam doesn't work, would that be just cause some parents are pretty dumb and use direct steam on them?

Rach, I know I'm not supposed to jump on over here, but
If you're worried about the steam, try a cool mist vaporizer. Eric has gotten croupy so many times (all reflux related) and instead of running the shower (well I should say along with) I use the vaporizer on high in a small shut room, and it helps him so much.
I'm hoping this winter will go better, not only because his meds are at a better dose, but also because it's so darn humid here, even in the winter. Moisture definitely helps

lol Minnie, we use a vaporiser in his room, pretty much when he is like this. I used to have cool mist, but they are really hard to come accross here, so I just use the normal one, but it isn't 'hot' steam. It does work generally, just not too well when he has croup. But it is on tonight :)

Just to update, it seems to be croup. He was fine the next night, then last night woke up a little barky, we steamed him and he came and slept (read that as wiggled) with me. Nothing serious at all and I think it may have been worse cause Dan turned off the heater in the night. I did up his flixotide and am thinking that a wean just isn't for him just yet.

Maybe you could try again in a month or so, when you're good and out of winter. It sounds like you handled it all perfectly!