croup or asthma?

[~clover~]

I'd seek a second oppinion. An asthma puffer can help with croup, but I wouldn't use it regularly unless I was sure.
My DS has had croup 5 or 6 times, my oldest is asthmatic & has never had croup...

[Caz_88]

Definately get another opinion! Croup is croup and VERY different to asthma! Croup is caused by an illness (which can be obvious or not), and is due to small airways not being able to cope with the slight swelling of the throat before or during an illness. I suffer Adult croup, due to congenital narrow airways, it is rare because as airways grow you usually stop getting croup, this isnt so with asthma. Croup is usually only present at certain times, and when watched closely, is predictable (mine is change of seasons where weather varies greatly day to day) and there are usually long stretches where the croup isnt present (not necessarily so in severe cases) Croup can be just as dangerous as asthma in its severe form, it nearly killed both me and one of my younger brothers (we both had the most severe form as kids)

Puffers can be helpful, but using them constantly can cause dependance. I feel that if you have moved interstate that it may very likely just be your DS adjusting to the new climate If your son seems to be stuck in a cycle of croup you could possibly ask for a weeks course of low dose prednisolone, this sometimes help to set me right if i get into a bad cycle.

I wouldnt worry too much, alot of kids get croup...... as long as your DS doesnt get blue lips etc during an attack. Turning on the hot tap in the bathroom and steaming up the room will help him breathe easier through the attack.

All the best for you and you son

[teresa]

thanks ladies. my GP and i had an understanding in adelaide. as soon as i heard the barky cough, gave him a dose of prednisolone and then bought him that day to be assessed. so i did the same thing here and had the GP go off his tree at me saying that i should never have done that and i am irresponsible and so forth. i am just starting to feel like a failure of a mother with this all. sorry

[~clover~]

Find someone else. Good luck. Its hard finding a supportive doctor in a new area.

[nickle730]

Find a new GP. Croup is a viral illness, asthma is a disease signified by bronchospasm (spasm of the small airways), mucosal oedema (swelling of the mucosal tissue) and mucosal plugging (mucous plugging up the small airways). Two different illnesses. Croup, as you know, is differentiated from asthma by the barking cough. And if the barking cough is present, the illness is viral - croup - not asthma.

Your GP sounds like a dill. On top of all that, to make you feel like poo for doing exactly what you have always done in consultation with your previous GP is just not acceptable.

Hope your DS is feeling better.

PS. Hey Clover, I like your quote. Did you know today is Dr Suess' birthday?!

[Feijoa Mum]

My DS gets terrible croup still at almost 4. He will have at least half a dozen episodes a year but he does not have asthma.

I would find another GP too especially if you arent feeling so good about the advice he is giving you