Randy's cough isn't any better with the inhaler so we're going back this afternoon. I called them just to ask how long I should go without improvement and she said, "We're going to book you one today." Given his history of pnemonia and bronchitis, I'm thinking an xray might be in order. Granted, it's been years since he's had either (probably when he was 3 or 4). He had a fever of 101.6 last night and it's right around 99.8 this morning. Poor guy sounds like he's barking! Neither of my kids have ever had croup and I'm wondering if this is what it sounds like??? Can a 10yo get croup? He's seeing someone different today (MD instead of a PNP) so maybe we'll get a different perspective. Maybe he'll have a fever for them today, too. Yesterday it was normal at their office--probably because the Tylonal hadn't worn off. We're headed there at 2:20. My poor baby.

By Sunny on Wednesday, December 28, 2005 - 11:57 am:

Oh, Cat, I hope he gets better soon. Let us know how it goes at the doctor.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, December 28, 2005 - 01:37 pm:

Yikes, hope he gets better soon. Keep us posted!

By Vicki on Wednesday, December 28, 2005 - 01:51 pm:

A barking cough is a pretty good sign of croup. You usually know croup when you hear it, even if you have never heard it before. He could just have a dry, deep cough that sounds that way. Croup is almost like a seal or something "barking". It is very hard to describe what it sounds like, but there is no mistaking it at all. Good luck today. Let us know how it goes and I hope he feels better soon.

By Tink on Wednesday, December 28, 2005 - 05:01 pm:

Let us know what the doc has to say. I'm so sorry to hear that he's not showing any signs of improvement. Vicki is right, croup is hard to describe (except as a seal barking) but it's certainly distinctive and you'll be pretty sure if you hear it.

By Cat on Wednesday, December 28, 2005 - 05:35 pm:

Well apparently it's just a virus and there's nothing they can do except treat the symptoms (cough syrup, decongestant). She said his lungs sounded very clear (even though I told her both times he's had pnemonia they couldn't hear it but it showed up on xrays) and if the inhaler wasn't helping to stop using it. She did say if he's not any better next week bring him back in and definately bring him in if he gets worse. Nice, since I'm not working this week and will be working next week meaning I'll either have to take off or take a bunch of kids with me. I hate doing that. Especially since they do things like tell me his appointment was at 2:20 and to be there by 2 and it turned out his appointment wasn't until 2:40 so we sat there for an hour! Ugh. God help them if we have to go back next week. They won't be dealing with a happy Mama. Thanx for all your concern.

By Kaye on Wednesday, December 28, 2005 - 05:49 pm:

My little guy did the same thing last week. He is 7 1/2. I thought, isn't that old for croup, but had that barky cough. Got the same news from the doc, just a virus. We started giving him triminic. It took a couple of days, but he did get better. I think it was exactly a week ago that he went in and now he is almost 100%. I hope the same works for you.

By Karen~moderator on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 08:57 am:

Well, the good news is, it's NOT in his lungs. It can be so stressful when your kids are sick, especially when you have to work, and schedule their illnesses and doctor's appointments around/in between working.

I guess this is *that* time of year, when so many kids and moms are sick. I hope everyone starts to mend soon!

By Cat on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 12:35 pm:

Randy's hasn't had a fever since yesterday morning (very low grade then). He's still coughing. It's kind of a dry, hacking cough. Like he wants to "cough it up" (as I always tell the kids! lol), but can't. We'll see how he is by Sunday. Of course, the ped's clinic is closed Monday. *sigh* We're going to try to go to the movie today. I hope he doesn't cough too much and annoy too many people.

By Cat on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 11:10 pm:

Poor little guy had a fever again earlier (101). He said his head hurt and he was coughing again. I just went down to get him so he could have some cough medicine (9pm) and he's already asleep. I figured if he got to sleep without it he doesn't need it right now. If he wakes up later coughing I'll get up and give it to him then. I did notice today that he wasn't coughing so much during lunch (at Old Chicago's) or in the movie theater, but when we would go from the buildings to the car he'd cough up a storm. It was about 40-50 degrees, but the wind was quite chilly. My friend that was with us said it sounded like a croupy cough to her, but not exactly. She did say she didn't think it sounded like asthma. She's got medical training (DC) so I trust her opinion. We'll see how he is tomorrow.