Croup Sufferers

[sugar n spice]

I was wondering who has kids that suffer croup. Both my boys do. My oldest just had it and now my youngest had it, its worst in winter. I think im the queen at treating it but its horrible listening and seeing your kids suffer through it. My youngest gets it real bad. Love to hear from other mums or dads that have kids that get this

[sopolicha]

I have spent a few nights in a steam filled room with my DS.

It can be a bit scary with the gasping for air, coughing and vomiting etc.

When he had is first bout, I was asleep and honestly thought there was a strange dog barking inside my house.

[FourAngelKisses]

Jacob had it when he was about 2, by the time I got him to the hospital, it had cleared up. The nurses said that the cold air would have cleared it up. Cold air is apparently the recommended treatment now rather than steam. Or at least it was 7yrs ago.

[sugar n spice]

I find cold air makes it worst, i treat it with a vapouriser, heater in their room and pillows under the head to raise them.

Ethan had his first bout when he was about 18mnths
sheldon had it when he was 9mnths and was addmitted to hopstial for wk for observation, adrenalin and steriods

[sopolicha]

I agree about the cold air. If it is going to come on, it is going to come on in the evening just as it gets dark and chilly. It is always worse at night.

[sugar n spice]

yep it hits at night and in the early hrs of the morning:(

[GypsyOnTour]

OMG :yelclap:
Im so glad I found this thread! :thumbsup:
I had posted a thread yesterday but under General Health Issues - regarding Severe Group. I was hoping I could have any advice or ophinions regarding our little one mathew's severe croup and dealing with hospital treatment. The tips and ideas so far suggested in this thread have been great! I'll make sure I save it and look out for now responses - thanks for posting it sugar n spice - your a lifesaver! :smiliedance:
Cheers
Jude

[jazzak]

My little man had it very bad when he was about 6 months old ! poor little tike ended up staying in hospital for 3 days cause he couldnt breathe properly, he is how 14 months and he got it again a couple of weeks ago doctor gave us some redipred (steroids) and that clears it up! it very scary especially when you think they are going to stop breathing

[sugar n spice]

Jude glad you found some advice, Croup is scary but as long as you keep them warm and comfortable that is a very good start. Hope you little one feels better soon:hugs:

[Ky]

My dd who is now 5 still suffers from croup although very mildly now - just a persistent yet not painful cough at night. When she was small, we had to take her to the doctor each day and put her on the nebuliser as well as giving a combination of prednisone and liquid ventolin.

At the time, we lived in a very cold part of NZ and it was discovered by the doctors that the families that didn't have a car and had to walk to the hospital usually arrived with thier child well again! It is said that the cold air reduces the swelling in the bronchii and lessens the trauma on the child.

I have taken this to heart and ever since, if Bella has croup, I have sat outside with her all wrapped up in blankets and it has only taken about 20 minutes each time to get her to a state where she can sleep peacefully again!

Now that our kids are out of the baby stage and can regulate thier own body temperature, we no longer heat thier bedrooms, rather, we put a lot of blankets on thier beds which keeps them warm while at the same time they are breathing the icy air which keeps thier lungs in good working order so to speak!

I never had any sucess with the steamy room or vapouriser ... the only person the vapouriser works with in our house is me and only when I have pneumonia (legacy of being very a prem bub in 1969!) which is too often!

I know that every child is different, but I would encourage you to give the cold air method a try ... I was sceptical at first, but tried it and it really worked ... I would just rug her up and go for a walk! No more steroids for my little girl!:smiliedance:

[FourAngelKisses]

At the time, we lived in a very cold part of NZ and it was discovered by the doctors that the families that didn't have a car and had to walk to the hospital usually arrived with thier child well again! It is said that the cold air reduces the swelling in the bronchii and lessens the trauma on the child.

Thankyou....I knew that the nurses wouldn't tell me a fib when I had the proof of the cold air working sitting on my lap, cough free after 2hrs.