Croup experienced mommies....question

My ds has croup. I have three kiddos and they all have had it including my little guy once before. He is 3 1/2 and this time seems to be the worst one yet. My ped is really against using steroids unless it's an absolute emergency.....has anyone used mucinex or robutussin to help loosen the mucus?

We've done the bathroom thing a few times already just wondering if anyone has had experience using the meds. THanks.

Re: Croup experienced mommies....question

DS has croup about two months ago. I literally called the doc the first time I heard that terrible cough and rushed him right in. The doc put him on steroids right away and he did a 180!! He was much better as soon as we got the medication in him. The doc even told me that he could have gotten worse, being that I caught it so early on, but he never did!! I owe it to the steroids - I think it did the trick!


ETA: DS was only about 5 months when this happened.

Message edited 3/15/2009 6:37:01 PM.

Re: Croup experienced mommies....question

DS just got over the croup. My ped put him on prednisone (1 tsp. of 15 mg once a day) and I only had to give it to him 2 days and the cough went away.

My ped. does not liek giving out meds unless necessary and I do not like giving DS anything unless necessary (he is going to be 2 and only has been on antibiotics twice) but this prednisone was a life saver. Why make them suffer with the cough, KWIM?

Re: Croup experienced mommies....question

Yes DD has had it 3 times last summer from allergies. One time was really scary - but I learned how to deal with it now it isn't so bad. She gets spasmodic croup though (which I think is worse than regular croup). He has me give her musinex. My ped doesn't give steroids. I know several people who have used it for croup to. The first time I heard of everyone taking steroids for croup was on these boards.

Etd to add - also he has me keep in her a smaller room (I use her play room) with the humidifier on high all day as well as night - and we do the steam from the shower when it gets bad.

Message edited 3/15/2009 6:56:59 PM.

Re: Croup experienced mommies....question

Prednisone worked wonders (although made him crazy) after a few days he sounded so much better. I would push to put him on the meds.
However, our ENT recommended Mucinex (the child one) for congestion (not related to croup...he suggested that for him being stuffed up over the winter)