OT: my 2 yr old has the croup, worried about the meds

It started yesterday so I kept him home from daycare today.  I was pretty sure it was the croup and the doctor confirmed it.   Poor guy.   This is our first battle with it so it's a little scary.  
The dr put him on predinsone.  I am worried about him being on a steroid...

any advice...... 

This site has great info on croup:

http://children.webmd.com/tc/croup-topic-overview

Prednisone is sometimes used to reduce swelling in the lungs, and kids usually do fine but it can cause some hyperactivity, increased appetite and stomach ache. 

Good old fashioned tips like using a cool mist humidifier, taking him outside to breathe cool air, and encouraging fluids usually get kids through it.

Hang in there!

thanks for the link

My kiddos have been on oral steriods before (orapred/prednisloane).  Actually one of my daughters has had to be on the stuff 6 different times in the last 4 months!!  Part of that was due to asthma/illness and the other times were due to peanut allergies and hives.

I noticed that her faced looked fuller (swollen) while she was on it and her appetite increased a little, but I didn't notice any other symptoms to speak of.  I was told that with short term use of steriods the benefits outweighs the negatives.

Sorry, this probably wasn't much help... but try not to worry too much and don't hestitate to call your doctor with any concerns you may have.  Hope your son feels better soon!

Melissa

thanks melissa... hearing another mom's experience is always helpful...thanks

In croup, the steroids are used to lessen the swelling in the upper airway which is what causes the barky cough. They will not harm your son for the short period of time he will be on it. You may see him become more irritable and have difficulty sleeping, but otherwise he should do ok.

Bless your heart, I remember how scary hearing my kids bark like that was. I would advise you to do what the doctor tells you, they've seen croup a million times. Jus****ch him and don't hesitate to call or take him to the hospital if you feel he's not doing well. You're the mom, you know your kid!

Hope he's feeling better soon.

Jenny

I'm so sorry the lil guy is sick. As a mother I understand how you hold your breath anytime they are sick. How you would take it all away in a split second just to have them well again. The humidifier is a good idea. Give him plenty of fluids and one way to help relieve symptoms and break anything up in his chest is to lay him on your legs belly down, upside down. Just sit down and stretch your legs out and lay him on your legs with his head facing down at your feet. Pat him on the back with your hands cupped. It should make a kind of popping sound when you pat him. Make it hard enough to help by breaking the flem in his chest up some but, of course not too hard. I did this with my kids and they would cry a bit at first because it was an awkward position but, then they would get comfy in that upside down position and they would lay there while I patted them. I made it a game and an exercise for my legs because I would lift them up and down some all the while patting their little backs. They would cough and it would break up a bit. My sister is a nurse and it was her idea to do this. She said that was something they did with the kids in the hospital because they were so little and when they were sick they aren't strong enough to cough much up. This may or may not help but,  if your like me... all the advice is great to help me figure out what to do. I love the many opinions because it gives me more options. My kids are almost all grown up now and I have a grandson who I can start all over again playing my nurturing roll. I love being a mom, it will always be my greatest achievement.
Take care

last year, my daughter was almost 8 months old, and had it really bad and they gave her medicine... i forget what it was now, but it was for croup... anyway, just know that there may be a chance that he breaks out from the med.  my little girl broke out really bad and they said it was not an allergic reaction, it was just from the meds :)  hope he gets feeling better!