Advice from Other Mom's About Asthma or Croup

Dear L.,
I totally understand how you feel. My 2 daughters both have asthma and both have also had the croup as well. Does he wheeze? I don't agree with the Doc just sticking him on steroids........does he use a neb? Sometimes the steroids are needed, believe me I know but just using them like that is not really going to help figure out the cause of his episodes. The last time my 5 year old supposedly had the croup it turned out to be pneumonia and she was hospitalized for 2 days. Has he had any chest X-rays? How long does it take for them to clear up? I would probably take him to an asthma center, but maybe something else is being overlooked. Be cautious of loading him up with steroids, especially if no X-Rays have ever been taken of his chest. At his age, if it is asthma, there are maintainance meds he can go on to get him under control.If that is the case, these major episodes will be alot less frequent and he will feel much better. Good Luck and don't feel alone..........this is a tough situation!!!
~ L.

Hi L.-
I suffered from asthma as a child. My attacks were often brought on by extremes of temperature, fumes, smoke, and poor air quality. My personal experience with a lot of doctors these days is that you really need to know what is wrong with you and/or your child before you go in there. Then you tell them your diagnosis and they can give you the appropriate medications! If you feel like your are being blown off or that the diagnosis is wrong, go for that second opinion. If you are able to see a specialist without a refferal, then do it! Breathing difficulties are not a condition that should be taken lightly. Plus it is scary to be giving your child a medication that you don't even think that they need. I would check with National Jewish, they are tops for asthma, etc. and also check with Children's Hospital. In the meantime, if another episode occurs I think that it would be wise to go to the ER (especially if you have on that is served by Children's Hospital) so that they can see what is going on as it is happening. I wish you the best of luck in getting the sort of treatment that you need.

Hi L.,
Here is my 2 cents. I would absoultely trust yourself, 100%. You are mom and you know your child. The doctor can only tell you his opinion based on what he sees for himself. My daughter is 26 months, and I've thought she has has syptoms of asthma since she was 6 months, our family has a strong history of asthma, my grandmother died at 61 yrs old, because of ther asthma. I have mild asthma myself, and get syptoms when I'm around cigarette smoke, flumes, or have a cold. I have a neulizer that I give myself albuterol treatments with and I have given my daughter treatments with it when I feel that she needs it too. Much like you, I have taken my daughter to the doctor several times, with a cold that is in my opinion worse than normal because of asthma symtoms and the doctor just says its a virus and I'm overly concerned. But I don't think being overly concerned is the problem, but instead the limited time that doctors have to form their opinion. If your sons is responding to the asthma treatment, then I think you should have him tested. Because, for my daughter the pediatrian has told me that she is too young yet to be tested, but if the treatment is working then its working and use it.
The steriods are scary! I would be very cautious in using them. The albuterol is ok and not harmful. But the steriods can have negatives and become less affective. If you are needind steriods on a regular basis then definately a asthma controling medication should be used instead.
I hope that helps.
T.

Hi L.,
I don't know if you have heard of Tahitian Noni juice but I have heard it absolutely works wonders for Asthma and croup. It is a yummy juice that they drink and it is supposed to help with all sorts of ailments. They have a representative here in the Denver area but I think you can probably buy it online. Here is the link to check it out-I am a big proponent of holistic medicine so I would gear towards this before continuing in steriods.
www.tahitiannoni.com
I just tried and my web browser isn't going to it for some reason but you can also just google tahitian noni and read about it. Good Luck!!

Go with your gut on this one. If you want another medical opinion, get one! I went through something very similar with my son and sometimes it just takes a fresh pair of eyes looking at your sons medical history. Good Luck!

I think that your doctor might likely be wrong. Being an asthmatic myself it is one of the worst feelings in the world when you wake up and cannot breathe.

Here is an idea that will hopefully help you out in making your decision: The next time your son is sounding 'croopy' look at the indentation on his nech between his clavicals. If the indentation is moving and he is having a hard time breathing than you need to take him to the doctor immediately. When a person can breathe normally this indentation is just that; it will not move.

Try it out and let us know. My son's "father" has two other little boys and one of them put us through h3ll (excuse the language) for about 6 months before his "father" took him to the ER. It is a good thing to watch out for.

If your son does have asthma then the steriods could help out if they are needed. Ask the asthma professional or the doctor you take him to if they are absolutely necessary. Most asthmatics can get away with just an everyday inhaler.

:)

I have a daughter who also had the same problems as your son with the same responses as your dr. He later told me she does have asthma but he didn't want in her medical record. It can make getting health insurance difficult, a stigma in school settings. he did after a few years diagnos her with asthma, now she is almost 18 years old and will always have diffulty finding health ins. to cover her medications, hospitalizations, and dr. visits related to asthma. Just something to think about? good luck to you and your son. V.

My son has cold induced asthma. My doctor kind of freaked out about the initial episode but I guess that's good-- even though the allergist isn't actually saying he has asthma (I am guessing it's not a good insurance thing). Our pediatrician is Dr. Beuf in Boulder. However, we were sent to a pediactric allergist.. Dr. Bock in Boulder to test for asthma.
If you want a second opinion, get it. You are the mom and you are ultimately in control of your childs healthcare.

L.

Try Xango brand Mangosteen juice. It worked for us. There is another brand made by Pure Fruit Technologies that works just as well, but I don't know the name. You can get it at most health food stores.

Hi L.,

I work with other moms who have had similar issues with their kids. They have found that converting their home to non-toxic household products has had significant effects (the fume thing is a big trigger). There is a ton of information out there that points to the stuff we all use in our daily lives that contributes to the chronic health problems we all face, not just kids. I work with a company that offers alternatives (and yes, buying green can be affordable). Here's a website where you can request some info:

http://www.MountainLaurel.FourPointWellness.com

Good Luck!

L., I know just what you are going through. Both of my boys were just diagnosed with asthma. We have a family history of asthma so it wasn't a diagnoses that their doctor fought. My youngest had croupe alot too but my understanding is that they normally grow out of that around 3. It sounds like your son's attacks are being "triggered" which is a really good indication of asthma rather than croupe. It sounds to me like you are already losing confidence in your current pediatrician which is a good indication that it is time for a change. Steroids are helpful in certain situations but be careful of the long term affects. If it is asthma there are safer and more effective prevention medications that steroids.
Good Luck, S.

Dear L., I live in your area and my son had a similar problem when he was small, our pediatrician gave us the same things, which caused some serious problems. I took my son to see Dr. Tarr, he may be a little gruff but great at figuring out what is really wrong with kids, and we haven't had any problems with my son since!

Been there done that with my younger son. They kept treating it for Croup and then one night I took him to the ER and they said I really think this may be Asthma, I went back to my DR and told them what they thought it was. She rechecked him out and agreed, send me on my way with a nebulizer machine and Albuteral, which did the trick. I would for sure get a second opinion!

Actually, I have experienced similar scenario. My son, not even 1 year old in that time, has had cough/ croup all the time, one after another. It seemed normal to our doctor. But I felt this was not normal. We went to the alllergologist and they did allergy tests and found he was indeed allergic to cats, dust mites and pollen and has asthma (despite no wheezing). He was given inhalers - both the bronchodilators and inhaled steroids. Initially we were giving him the inhalers every day, but after months of no cough, we weaned him off. Later we gave him inhalers only with colds. He is 4 now, grew out of his asthma and is very rarely sick. I think that mostly it was because of early diagnosis, followed my elimination of allergens. I gave our cat to the neighbours, got rid of all upholstery - I have all leather now, bought special cover to put mattress in so dust mites do not bother him. Got rid of carpets and installed hardwood floor in his room and family room. I was very agressive in eliminating the allergens was expensive at first, but it all payed off.
Good luck with your son. I think you should take him to the allergologist/ pulmonologist.

Hi there
My son used to get croup repeatedly when he was younger. doesn't really get it anymore... after the first couple of times i felt really bad about giving him steroids so i looked for alternative methods. what i found to work, yes it sounds crazy, is to run the shower in the bathroom (hot water only) steam up the room a lot, sit with your son in the bathroom for about ten minutes, then wrap him in a big blanket or something very warm, (his whole body, just keep his face open) and take him outside for a little while (or somewhere where is it a little cold, chilly). I did this with my son several times when he had croup and it cleared up his coughing and breathing really well. something in the steam (warm air) and then the cold after really does the trick. Good luck hope this helps. I remember those times and it defintely wasn't fun. Hope this will clear up for you and your son soon.

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Agree with the others, it does sound more like asthma. Also my daughter had croup repeatedly last winter and we found out she actually has asthma. Visit an allergy and asthma specialist--they will be able to provide solutions beyond what a regular general pediatrician can do. They have specialized experience in that area and know that it's not normal to have respiratory issues that often--even for a child exposed to lots of germies. My daughter has been much better (and hasn't had "croup") since we are able to pre-treat with an inhaler and know what's really going on with her.