UPDATE: DS has the croup! (long)

[mommy_someday]

DH and I sat next to the monitor listening to DS's horrible breathing and going to soothe him every 30-45 minutes when he would wake up coughing. Eventually, we decided we should take him to the ER just to find out if he needed more than home remedies. I couldn't diagnose whether or not he had stridor since I've never heard it before.

We got to the pediatric ER around midnight. They saw us quickly after we arrived. All of the nurses flocked around him, saying how cute he was and how content he seemed despite definitely having the croup. The ped on call examined him and said he most certainly had stridor and prescribed steroids by mouth and a nebulizer treatment of epinephrin. He took the medicine like a champ but struggled a bit with the epi treatment. They had to observe him for an hour after the epi because sometimes the swelling returns. They called it 'rebound'. Around 1:45am the ped checked him and said he was rebounding. She checked him again after fifteen more minutes and decided to admit him overnight for observation.

DH went home around 3am to get some stuff for us (we hadn't planned on staying at the ER). More than two hours later, he hadn't returned and I was starting to panic because we're less than 20 minutes from the hospital. My nurse called my house and DH had apparently been too tired to drive back and decided to stay home to nap awhile. I was relieved that he hadn't been in an accident but absolutely furious that he had left me at the hospital with a sick baby hooked up to tubes and wires and didn't bother to call and let me know he wouldn't be back for a bit. DH finally waltzed in just before 9am and was completely taken aback that I was upset. It didn't help matters that I hadn't gotten a single wink of sleep because Luke was in bed with me and his breathing was so loud that I couldn't help but be conscious of it. DH got several hours of sleep AND a shower, so I was really ticked off. There was a lot of crying involved - on my part and Luke's (he didn't get much sleep either).

Around 10:30am, Luke's breathing was sounding better, so I sent DH off to ask about discharging us. A half-hour later we were on our way home. Luke has napped sporadically and poorly, so he's super fussy right now. Not that I blame him...poor baby. I'm hopeful that he'll get a good night's rest tonight and tomorrow will be a much better day. I've been up now for about 32 hours so I'm hoping for some sleep myself. ;) Thanks to everyone who responded with stories, advice and support. It meant so much to a worried mama. Thanks for listening!


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I did a search already so I read all the stuff on humidifiers, running the shower, walks outside in cool air, elevating DS's mattress, etc. But I still have a couple of questions.

My baby medical book says specifically to use a humidifier rather than a vaporizer. DH and I went out and bought one, but I'm just curious about what the difference is.

Also, the medical book says that we're supposed to sit up with him all night and monitor his breathing. If your DC had the croup, did you do that? Why or why not? We're going to the ped on Monday, unless things worsen and I have to take him to the ER.

Thanks for any insight.

Oh Erica! I am so sorry that Luke is sick!
I *think* the difference between humidifiers and vaporizors is the heat factor.
Someone else may be able to elaborate.

DD hasn't had croup so I can't help you with your other question.

I really hope Luke is feeling better really soon though!!

Christy
"My Mommy" to Maddy born 06/09/04
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[AngelaS]

I always use warm mist, which my ped says works better than cold mist, but because of the risk of burns from the hot steam,she has to recommend cool mist.

When my kids get croup, I always take them right in for steroids. Usually about 48 hours on steroids (like 3 doses) and they're fine again. :D

[randomkid]

Vaporizers use heat while humidifiers are cool mist. DD had croup and I took her to the after hours ped clinic since it was a weekend. As soon as I noticed the croupy sound, I took her. They gave her Decadron which decreases the inflammation. She was better in just a couple of hours and the croup was gone in a couple of days. I did use the humidifier and checked her at night, but didn't feel like I had to sit up with her since she had the Decadron. By the time she went to bed that night, it was significantly better.

Croup can be scary and I would advise that you see the ped if it's not better. The concern is that the airway gets too swollen for good oxygen exchange.

Do you have a walk-in ped clinic near you? I would suggest that over the ER any day!

Good Luck,

DS1 had the croup around 6 mo and the ped gave him some sort of steroid shot. The only advice we got was to use a humidifier and stand in a steamy bathroom. We didn't "monitor" his breathing, you could hear the kid a mile away. After a few days it was gone. All we got was that one shot and I kept him by the humi or in the bayhroom, that was it. Our ped said it was a bad enough to get the shot, but not so bad that I had to give him any breathing treatments. I guess if it seems like DS is having trouble breathing I'd take him in, if not a humi should be good till Mon.

[mommy_someday]

Thanks for the responses! I don't have a walk-in after-hours ped clinic nearby that I'm aware of, but I will double check the phone book. Does anyone know if putting eucalyptus oil in the humidifier will damage it? I saw that as a suggestion when I searched and wasn't sure if it was hard on the humidifiers. Jeez...there is so much to know with these kiddos!

Thanks again!

[JulieL]

that sucks! i'd call your ped's after hour # and ask for his advice - croup can get dicey.

[lmintzer]

Oh, how awful. We went through this with Jack at 9 months. Actually, COLD air is better than hot air if they are having a hard time breathing. If you are somewhere cold, bundle him up and take him outside for a few minutes.

You need to seek immediate medical attention (the ER) if Lucas is really struggling. You'll know--if his breathing sounds labored and you see the skin around his ribs actually sucking in (or"retracting"), then he's struggling too hard. When Jack got like this, he literally could not cry out or make any sound. I'm not sure that happens with every kid, though.

If you have a good baby monitor, I wouldn't think you need to sit up with him. But you could sleep in his room just to make sure.

Let us know how he does, poor little guy. Jack actually wound up needing a shot of epi. (ETA: maybe it was a steroid shot--I having a really tired night and can't remember).

[marit]

DS is 6 months old and already had croup twice! First time we were on Vacation in Canada. Second time was about 2 weeks ago. What they need to feel better is COLD and HUMID air. If he starts sounding bad, you can take him for a walk outside, the cold air does wonders. I dress him really warm at night, do not turn on the heater in his room (so it gets pretty cold) and run the humidifier. If he really has difficulties, you can hold him and open the freezer door! here is some really cold and wet air for you. If he starts "barking" take him to the ER.

When we were in Canada, the ER doctor told me that croup sounds worse than it really is. Of course I wanted to kill him. But now, after our second round of croup, I have to admit he was right. Oh, and also, I was really depressed when he got the steroids the first time (we managed without it the second time, it was a milder episode) but I have to admit it REALLY helps.

Good luck,

[nov04]

Steroids will reduce the severity and duration of the croup. we've never had it (knock on wood), but that will be the first thing on my list if we do.