Ammonia smell in coop-first time owner

[DizzyLizzie]

I think the doctor has used confusing language with you. He probably has croup (infection in larynx and bronchial tubes?) but this might have been difficult to shift if he does have asthma.

 

My little boy has had croup every year since he was born (he's just turned 3) and it's relly frightening for all concerned. We have spent many n ights in a steamy bathroom with him. You need the window open too - the cold fresh air, steam and being upright all help to clear it - which is why kids are very often a bit better by the time you have rushed to the out of hours doctor in the middle of the night.

 

We bought a warm air steam humidifier - it was quite expensive (about £40?) but has helped when he is croupy and has helped all of us when we have heavy colds.

 

I think there are some nasty bugs about - we have all had a nasty cold which has been like croup (even for us grouwnups) - I certainly felt like someone was sitting on my chest.

 

Trust your instincts - if you think your son needs to go to hospital in the middle of the night, take him - don't wait til the morning.

 

Hope he gets better soon.

[Cate in NZ]

Oh Gina, I do wish I'd seen this earlier, but I've only just logged on.

How is Stefan now?

Asthma is very difficult to diagnose in little ones, they simply can't do the required breathing tests to make a firm diagnosis, which is probably a good thing because you don't want a definite diagnosis of a potentially long term disease made inaccurately, especially since a good percentage of those that develop asthma symptoms under 5 "grow out" of them in childhood. (The inverted commas are there because the potential for the disease to return is always there, and it does come back often in adulthood, usually at stressful times).

That said his symptoms do sound to have an asthmatic element to them, so I'd definitely go with the salbutamol. Do you have a spacer device with it, either a volumatic or aerochamber to help him take it, at his age he wouldn't be able to use the device on it's own.

As Snowy said salbutamol is a bronchodilator, it relaxes smooth muscle, so if there is any muscle constriction there it will relax it and open up the airways again. The steroids (have you got them in inhaler or tablet/ medicine form?) are to get rid of swelling and to dampen down the immune response, and are important in acute asthma care. There is a lot of anxiety around steroid use, but in the short term they are vital in an acute attack. Long term homeopathy can be an excellent option, but please if Stefan is unwell stick with the steroids for now and explore homeopathic alternatives when he's more stable.

Steam, fantastic, like everyone else has said.

Do you know about AsthmaUK? Fabulous charity, great helpline and a wonderful source of advice........http://www.asthma.org.uk/index.html Do check them out

Errrm, what else, laryngotracheal infection

Basically a fancy medical term for an upper respiratory infection involving the trachea & the larynx, possibly also the epiglottis, croup is a type of laryngotracheal infection. It may respond to antibiotics, but not necessarily if it's viral in origin. It shouldn't however be a long term condition..... it will get better . I think that maybe the GP meant that there's nothing more he/she can do right now, it's probably about treating symptoms, observing closely, administering appropriate medication and waiting for him to recover from it. But, but, but, please if he gets any worse get him to A&E.

I'm sure I've forgotten something, can't remember all the way back to the original post right now, but if you've got any questions about asthma give me a shout or speak to asthma uk. But please if he gets worse, do take him to A&E if you're at all worried.

Take care Gina, {{{Big Hugs}}}

[Lesley]

Lots of really good advice on here Gina - I hope you manage to resolve the problems with Stefan and have a better night.

 

Big hugs

xxx

[theherd123]

Oh Gina you and the OH must be so so worried

 

How is the little soldier now?

 

I dont really know what to say and im not at all qualified to give any advice, but...... i can send lots of hugs and love your way.

 

Do let us know how Stefan is getting along

[Popcorn]

Thank you all SO much for you advice. The NHS direct links have been fantastic, and I do remember the Dotor saying the word 'croup' now I've read it in your posts.

 

I had no idea about steaming. I've got a facial visasauna which is on in Stefan's bedroom and I've put some wet towels on the radiator. I can't open the windows as it sounds like World War III here outside with all the fireworks. I've put a towel under his matress and I've put some books under the cot legs to raise him up a bit.

 

I was interested to read about the saltpipe, but Stefan being only 16 months, is too young. We have a big job getting the volumatic over his mouth for anything longer than 10 seconds - although after two weeks of this he is getting so much better with it.

 

The steroids have definitely calmed things down. I dissolved them in water and syringed them into his mouth. He took it no problem. He's gone off to bed OK, but is still coughing and is having bouts of restlessness and crying.

 

I also thought about Whooping Cough. He is up to date with his jabs. I wouldn't recognise it though, and I trust the Doctor would have picked up on that over the past few weeks while we've been back and forth.

 

Thank you all again for being so helpful. I was so worried today. I couldn't get hold of OH at work, my mobile has packed up so couldn't ring anybody whose number I hadn't memorised (a lesson there!) and with being so very tired being up for the past 24 hours, I couldn't think where to go for some advice. I hope if something does happen in the night, we make the right decision. It's hard to know how serious something is when he can't talk to us.

Edited November 2, 2007 by Guest

[chelsea]

Fingers crossed Stefan will have a restful night and you aswell.

 

My sister's youngest had croup quite badly when he was younger and she was very scared sometimes. He did grow out of it though and he is perfectly fine now.

[The Dogmother]

Gina, I've still got Rosie's old spacer device if you need it to attach to the inhaler - makes life a lot easier.

[Popcorn]

We've got one thank you Clare. Well, we've got a volumatic - clear plastic vessel that clips together in the middle, with a rubber mouth piece - if that's the same thing?

[bellekatz]

thats what we had for my son when he was born with asthma - sort of outgrew it after 5 but now hes growing like mad ( aged 12/13) he does get the odd attack. Hope you have a better night and the towels and steam stuff work - there's nothing worse than worrying about children so hope he gets a quiet night so you can rest too............

[Blackrocksrock]

My son had croup when a child - it was scary at the time but he only had it the once. LAter on he developed Asthma and had 2 inhalers - 1 for prevention and 1 for attacks. He also had a spacer thing but was older than Stefan - he outgrew the asthma as he grew older and only carried it for trips in case or skiing or any exercise - he is now 30 hale and hearty and is a hunting, shooting, fishing type of guy and is always outdoors no problem and no inhaler.

I would say that if you are worried then go to A & E as asthma is a killer and needs to be brought under control and its better to be safe...

I am not trying to frighten you but if you are worried then let someone else worry for you.

take care

 

susan

[Popcorn]

Had a much better night last night. The steriods have really helped, and the inhaler making a marked improvement since he took them yesterday. He was only up once at 4.30am and we gave him his inhaler (and a cuddle) and he went back to bed until 6am. I don't think I slept too well. Worried incase I didn't hear him when he needed me.

 

I'm going to start the bathroom steaming today too and see if that helps at all, and we're going into town this morning to have a look at a humidifier. the wet towel on the radiator certainly worked too. It was very moist in his bedroom last night.

 

I can't tell you how much better I feel for reading all of your posts. I feel ontop of things a little now.

[Egluntyne]

Smashing.

[Snowy]

That's great news Gina!

[Mrs Frugal]

That's great news Gina! I hope he's all better soon.

[Guest]

Best wishes Gina

[xScrunchee]

Good news

[Paola]

Glad you had a better night My daughter used to scream like mad when I put the mask over her face but the docs pointed out that she was taking in good lung fulls because of the screaming

[Nicola H]

I hope Stefan gets better soon, glad that you all had a better night.

[pepe]

Just caught up with this, I do hope Stefan is better soon, I,m currently doing a first aid paediatric course, and the barking cough is a classic croup cough, so you are deffinatley on the right track with the steam! best of luck and keep us posted

[chelsea]

Glad you all had a better night.

[kazaddress]

hi popcorn.

 

Im not sure if its of any comfort, but i went from colic to whooping cough, which i had untill the age of 3.

 

It was due to Athsma, but im fine now (did grow out of it).

 

not sure if its the same thing, however my granddad built an extension in the house to put me in, as i kept the whole family awake with my coughing

[bellekatz]

Glad you had a better night and hope things continue to improve for Stefan and you.

[theherd123]

Im so glad you slept a little better and Stefan is showing signs of improvement

[Karen & co.]

Sorry to miss this I'm glad Stefan is on the mend My eldest used to get croup alot as a littlie but he did outgrow it , and is now a hale and hearty 6'3" 15 year old

 

karen x

[Lesley]

I hope you've had another settled night with Stefan, Gina? - and hope your wallpaper stays on the walls