Croup With Striders-AGAIN

Posted By: BrendaC

Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/08/07 03:38 PM

We had another close call with my grandson this week--another sudden onset of croup with striders. By the time the paramedics arrived at my daughter's house, he was blacking out because he couldn't breathe. They only live 10-15 minutes from Children's Hospital and they made it there pretty quickly (not much traffic at midnight).

This is the 4th-5th time he has gone through this. His pulmonologist says it is very rare for a child to experience it this many times and she has no explanation. Going outside didn't work, shower didn't work and his nebulizer meds never work on croup.

This time the medicine they use to open his airway caused his heart to beat too fast and they had to counter with a shot to regulate his heart beat.

I am beginning to worry that something else may be going on with his lungs. Any thoughts on preventive efforts or something we might be overlooking to help him?
Posted By: Skittles

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/08/07 03:40 PM

I'm so sorry that you and your family are going through this. Luckily, my son only had croup once and it wasn't all that bad. My younger sister and brother used to get it (I never did) and mom would either take them outside or use the steam from the shower and that seemed to ease it.

I'm unfamiliar with striders - what is that?
Posted By: Countess Kiwi

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/08/07 06:07 PM

I am not sure what striders is either, but if you think something else may be going on I would try to get another doctors opinion. You might also look into whether the environment could be causing some of the issues and what can be done to eliminate or prevent those factors. Just some thoughts.

Praying for your family. I hope you receive the answers you are looking for.
Posted By: Bagweaver

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/08/07 06:07 PM

And you know for sure that it's not asthma (sp?)? My little brother had a touch when he was a baby.

What is croup with striders?
Posted By: BurntSienna

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/08/07 06:17 PM

Stridors (o not e) are simply wheezing noises. They are often heard when children are lying on their backs and having trouble breathing due to some other situation (respiratory infection or asthma or croup, as mentioned here). Doctors further classify them as "inspiratory stridors" - wheezing noises heard when the patient inhales or "expiratory stridors" - wheezing noises heard when the patient exhales.

I think this child should be evaluated for asthma by a medical professional, and possibly put on a prophylactic, everyday asthma medication to prevent these kinds of attacks before they begin. How frightening!
Posted By: BrendaC

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/08/07 06:53 PM

Need to work on that spelling, huh? Thanks for the correction.

He has been treated for asthma since he was a year old and is under the care of an outstanding pulmonologist here in Birmingham. He uses Xopenex for management and albuterol as needed. The doctor says these have no effect on croup because it is a virus. They have moved several times, so I don't think it is related to their home. He has had episodes in the winter and in the spring, so it doesn't seem seasonal.

It is so frightening because his airway closes so quickly. One paramedic told my daughter that she should probably learn how to do an emergency trach, but she doesn't think she could it it.
Posted By: someone else

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/08/07 07:00 PM

Gosh...this brings up so many scary memories. My son went through several bouts of croup, two of which ended up in the hospital. Luckily, he eventually outgrew the susceptibility towards the virus. We are now three years croup-free.
Posted By: Mom of Boys

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/08/07 07:01 PM

As crazy as this may sound my youngest son had croup once when he was a baby (now 13,) since then any time he got sick runny nose or anything he would develop the croup like cough that would make me run to the doctors with him, it was always diagnosed as a virus, his school used to send him home because of the way he sounded finally the doctor sent him to and ENT and they ran a scope down his nose into his throat, and he was diagnosed with reflux they put him on reflux medicine and we have not had any problems since, I am keeping my fingers crossed he has been cough free for 2 years.
Posted By: BrendaC

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/08/07 07:26 PM

That's definitely not crazy. One of the first tests they do when testing for asthma is check for reflux. There is apparently a strong link between the two.

I know the he was put on reflux meds at one time, but I'm not sure my daughter has been giving him those. Maybe that is something we need to look at. Thanks!
Posted By: Retired DQ

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/09/07 01:56 PM

My son had recurring croup with stridors. It was just awful, he would turn blue... He was always treated with asthma medication and it seemed to do the trick.
Sudden changes in the weather would trigger it along with seasonal allergies.

Fortunately, he has grown out of it; I hope your little guy does too... it is traumatic for all involved.
Posted By: BrendaC

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/12/07 02:19 PM

I think it might be time to check with his doctor about possible allergy testing. He is getting to the age where he wants to be outside and that seems to really trigger bad attacks. He spent last Easter in the ER after being outside hiding eggs.
Posted By: Retired DQ

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/12/07 03:55 PM

That would be a trigger. It always seemed to happened from Oct-May.
Posted By: bubs63

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/20/07 10:33 PM

I know how your grandson feels. I was a croup baby I would have one ore two attacks a year until my late 20s. They got easier to handle as I got older. Once I knew when I was going to come down with the croup, for me it was always a scratchy throat, followed by a fever. The only relief I got was taking Robitussion CF Ask your doctor about that. The scariest thing for me having croup was I could breath in but not out. I am 43 know and had a bad episode about three years ago. For me it was always January February and once or twice in September. I will still get croup but not sever enough to go to the hospital. The issue is with mucus buildup in the throat that will effect your breathing. That is why cold moist air is helpful because it helps shrink the mucus.

Once I get that tickle in my throat I begin to drink a lot of orange juice. Two large OJs form McDonalds in the morning does the trick. But you have to catch it early or you will have to work through the virus.

For the record I do not have any environmental allergies, and accept for being over weight I am pretty healthy. . I played in every sport I could when I was little through high school. So in my case there were no lasting affects of the Croup. I think once you have it you will always be susceptible to getting it. I was told by my doctor a long time ago that as I grow older and my throat got bigger the episodes would not be as sever, which has been true for me.

So hang in there. Cold moist air was what helps the best, and a whole lot of coughing Hot moist air for me was the worst.

So hang in there. The little guy is in my prayers
Posted By: BrendaC

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 02/07/08 03:42 PM

Well, it has been another really tough year for my daughter and her 3 kids (all with asthma). Asthma is out of control for both my grandson and his youngest sister (9 mos). Both are going through all kinds of tests, AGAIN, at Children's Hospital to try to determine exactly what is going on and why they don't respond to treatment.

His pulmonologist is referring him to an ENT suspecting he has stenosis of the throat. Does anyone know what that is and how it affects asthma and possibly acts as a trigger for croup? I've never heard of it.
Posted By: cantley

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 02/07/08 04:05 PM

This may sound off the wall, but has anyone suggested getting a chihuahua? My son had asthma as a baby and several people suggested that a chihuahua would help with the asthma. Since we were looking for a puppy anyway, we got a chihuahua. I have no idea why, but something about them is supposed to help with asthma. My son is three now and we have not used an inhaler or breathing machine in about a year.
Posted By: B_F

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 02/07/08 04:08 PM

Wow, that does sound off the wall. I assume they suggested the short haired Chi rather than the long haired ones?
Posted By: Countess Kiwi

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 02/07/08 04:18 PM

Have they tested their living environment to see if something there is triggering the asthma, etc? Don't know if there is a testing kit or if someone could test the air where they are living, but if it were me that is something I would research as well.

We moved two years ago from a dry climate to a humid one and the kids have not used any meds or inhalers since we moved. My hubby has also benefited.
Posted By: cantley

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 02/07/08 04:26 PM

We got a short-haired Chi. I do not recall any of the people I talked to mentioning one or the other, but I am not really an inside pet person and wanted the least amount of shedding to deal with. I never would have believed it, but no other environmental factors really changed and I would say we are asthma free.
Posted By: KK

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 02/07/08 05:35 PM

My brother suffered from all kinds of allergies and asthma as a child. We were given a chihuahua by some family friends and my Mom of course thought they were nuts! He never had an asthma attack and after he reached his teens all his allergies went away except the one for walnuts (he did have years of allergy shots as a child) It sounds crazy but I thought I would report another success story! (by the way, he's 52 now!)
Posted By: BrendaC

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 02/07/08 07:54 PM

Sounds really strange, but you can't argue with facts.

I am concerned about their environment. They are in a really old rental house right now. She is a good housekeeper, but she can't control the roaches and I suspect that (and the bug killer) is part of the problem. The landlord won't hire an exterminator and I doubt the folks downstairs make the same effort. We're trying to locate them something else. Hopefully we'll be able to find something else soon (we have to pay all their bills; ex-husband abandoned her and the kids for drugs).
Posted By: Retired DQ

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 02/08/08 11:46 AM

Also, mold can be a huge factor. When my son was little, we lived in a slab house... not a good thing. Look into a de-humidifier to help get rid of mold.
Posted By: redsfan

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 02/08/08 01:58 PM

Stenosis is a narrowing of the particular organ. so a stenosis of the throat would be an unusual narrowing of the pharynx. If the stenosis was significant, there would be less volume for air to pass through. I don't know if this would make your grandson more likely to have an attack, but it is easy for me to imagine that it would make an attack more severe.

The narrowing might also make it easier for the membrane that creates croup to form.
Posted By: BrendaC

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 02/08/08 06:04 PM

Thanks, redsfan. I guess the steroids given to open his bronchial tubes probably also works to open his throat if this is, in fact, his problem.
Posted By: BrendaC

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/03/08 03:26 PM

Well, my little man has been to a pediatric ENT who believes that his esophagus is not properly formed. He is scheduled for the following procedures on 3/13.
1. Laryngoscopy-Broncoscopy (DLB)
2. Bronchialneolar Lavage
3. Esophagoscopy with Biopsy
4. Biopsies of his stomach and airway

If the doctor's suspicions are found to be correct, he will have to undergo another surgery to reconstruct his esophagus and possibly something in his ear. This may be two surgeries.

I am a firm believer in the power of prayer. I welcome all of the BOL prayer warriors out there to intercede for him as well as my four-year old granddaugher who will be having her tonsils and adenoids out this Thursday.
Posted By: Skittles

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/03/08 03:36 PM

Prayers are coming your way from Central, GA. Although I hope they determine the cause, I hope surgery is not involved in the cure if at all possible. I can't imagine the worry involved - even for the tonsil removal.
Posted By: BrendaC

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/12/08 04:56 PM

Please remember my little man tomorrow.
Posted By: Retired DQ

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/13/08 11:01 AM

He is in my thoughts, Brenda...
Posted By: Snow Bunny

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/13/08 02:57 PM

Thoughts and prayers from PA Brenda - I hope all goes well!
Posted By: Princess Leia

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/18/08 02:36 PM

Brenda - I hope all has gone well. Although not nearly as severe as what he's gone through (or anyone with chronic asthma for that matter), I thought having pneumonia was terrible.

After reading through this thread, I realize it was nothing!
Posted By: corkygirl

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/18/08 06:34 PM

Brenda, I just read your last post and of-course will send up some prayers for both.
Posted By: texasbanker123

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/27/08 09:33 PM

use the magnusson device
Posted By: QCL

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/27/08 09:36 PM

Brenda,
How are things going?
What did the tests on the 13th show?
Posted By: BrendaC

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/12/09 02:54 PM

Update.

My daughter got the results of Kody's latest PH studies today and the doctor has recommended fundoplication surgery. The doctor said that reflux can be managed with diet and medication up to the 4% grade. Kody's results were 13.5%. They will turn the top of his stomach upside down and sew it in place. He will be on a liquid diet for weeks before moving to a soft diet. In looking at WebMD, it appears the surgery lasts for up to 10 years. Most people visiting the site and making comments are having problems so they don't look too comforting. He will no longer be able to burp which can cause stomach pain if he eats something that causes gas. He will not be able to vomit so if he gets sick he may experience extreme nausea because he can't void his system. He may have serious diarrhea following the surgery that may or may not subside in time. Some people find that the reflux problem returns shortly after they have surgery and it can't be helped much because of the scar tissue.

Steph is inclined to follow the doctor's recommendation because she wants so much for Kody's asthma to improve. He has been on bed rest for five weeks this winter because of his asthma and the weak condition of his lungs. The doctor indicated that children usually do better with the fundo surgery because they heal more quickly. But I have to admit that the side effects and potential risks scare me and I'm not sure he will be better off. I lean toward diet restrictions and maybe even a chiropractor. Let's give it 6 months and see if he improves. Surgery is always still an option if other non-invasive measures don't work. But I'm not the Mom and I know I don't have the final say.

It breaks my heart that he might have to go through this. Please pray that God will bring my daughter the resources she needs to make this difficult decision and do what He knows will be in Kody's best interest.
Posted By: Snowgirl

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/13/09 09:23 PM

Sending caring thoughts and prayers your way.
Posted By: Comply 101

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/16/09 09:11 PM

I apologize for this being a general statement for anyone that has medical problems that can't be solved, but this is my suggestion. Get to a big city and a big city doctor. I have seen more people misdiagnosed for ailments that were discovered immediately when taken to a specialist in a large city. That may not be possible for some people, but it is scary what some doctors don't know. I will be praying for you.
Posted By: BrendaC

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/16/09 09:34 PM

You are so right. We are fortunate to be in Birmingham. Whenever I go to the doctor, I am amazed at how many people we have waiting to see our doctors from all over the southeast. Thanks so much for your prayers for my little man.

Kody went for a second opinion this morning. This doctor couldn't believe the extent of damage to his stomach and esophagus as evidenced by the pictures taken during one of the tests (where they implant a camera for two days). She concurred with the other doctor that the surgery was necessary. While my heart is breaking at the thought of this, I guess I am just going to have to resign myself to the fact that it is going to happen.

Thanks to the everyone for their prayers and please keep lifting him up. He has a long, hard summer ahead of him.
Posted By: BrendaC

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/30/09 08:50 PM

**RANT WARNING**

Well I attended Kody's first baseball game this weekend and I now have a very clear understanding of why this precious child has bleeding ulcers. His stepdad screamed at him from the minute we arrived at the ball field until we left. Kody could do nothing right in his eyes.

I thought Kody was going to start crying when he struck out. He hung his head so low and slumped off the field. He wouldn't even look in our direction. He didn't have to though because I am sure he could hear his stepdad screaming at him the whole time...hit is straight, son....what are you doing...oh my God, keep the bat straight. I wanted to take the nearest bat and end the suffering for us all.

Thank the Lord my husband did not attend this game. You would have to help me bail him out of jail for murder. After the next game, I may need my BOL friends to bail us both out. And believe me, it WILL be premeditated.

So I guess Kody will be undergoing this difficult surgery in 4-6 weeks that probably won't help at all, because the problem will still be there. I think I'm going to cry.
Posted By: Countess Kiwi

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 03/30/09 09:11 PM

Oh, I am so sorry. Maybe this should be mentioned to the doctor to see if stress could be an underlying cause...if that hasn't already been considered.

Bring some duct tape next time...if nothing else it might rip a little skin off when he tries to remove it from his mouth.
Posted By: Kathleen O. Blanchard

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 04/02/09 12:45 AM

Hey, I had a fundoplication about 15 years ago, long before they could do the mini-surgery they do now. I have a huge scar, but who cares? Wish it had been available years before. I have not had a day of pain since. It was like a miracle. It was worth being able to eat only tiny amounts at first, etc. My esophagus was bleeding from all the damage. I still have no major issues. I can tell it has loosened up a bit, but what a change this made in my life.

I can't vomit, etc. (sorry for being gross) but well worth giving that up for occasional discomfort. No more excrutiating pain, no bleeding, I was heading quickly for cancer from the irritation. It had gone on from when I was a kid and they couldn't do this stuff!

I have asthma and it did make things worse because the acid spills over in the throat and gets into the lungs and bronchial tubes. Get the surgery!!!

EDIT: I should add that while stress never helps, a fundoplication is used to correct a physical abnormality that keeps the bottom of the esophagus open, rather than opening and closing normally. All of the acid in stomach then comes up into the esophagus and throat. It is a serious problem. Acid does not belong in the esophagus and throat.
Posted By: BrendaC

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 04/02/09 01:58 PM

Kat - That makes me feel much better. One of my concerns from reading the horror stories in the Web MD blog is that he will never be able to eat normally again. Is that just an uncommon side effect for a few unfortunate people? I worry that if he has a coke or something a little spicy two years from now he will be in excruciating pain.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience.

We will probably have to push the surgery back again. His asthma flared yesterday and he had to go back on steroids.
Posted By: Kathleen O. Blanchard

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 04/02/09 02:08 PM

Initially, you have to eat small amounts and make sure to chew thoroughly to get very small pieces. That gets better over time but you really can't ever "overeat". I was also advised to always take pills while standing up, and so forth so they have the best opportunity to get down to the stomach and not get stuck. This is because the esophagus is held in a fairly closed position rather than opening and closing.

For me, the excrutiating pain came BEFORE the surgery because the continual acid in the esophagus had burned away the lining and the esophagus was bleeding. You don't want to go there. Also, stomach cells start to attach in the esophagus (Barrett's Cells) and can cause cancer.

So many times I had to have procedures postponed because of asthma flaring up. One time, shortly before my surgery, the hospital (Temple in Philadelphia) had the head of pulmonary do my endoscopy because I had bronchitis. They didn't want to postpone anymore but needed to be very careful because of the bronchitis.



Posted By: BrendaC

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 04/02/09 08:18 PM

It sounds as if you have not had an easy time of it either.

He had biopsies of his stomach and esophagus a few months ago and then knew that the "same day" procedure wouldn't be same day for him. They don't even try that anymore.

My daughter just called and his pulmonologist has put him back on bed rest and he can't play baseball. He is so sad. She said if he gets better this week he may be able to go outside for a short time for Easter. If not, he'll probably be back in the hospital. They aren't using steroids so that they won't have to postpone the surgery. The doctor said that is going to be the only thing that will even possibly help him.
Posted By: Kathleen O. Blanchard

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 04/02/09 10:54 PM

That was the decision in my case and I am sure it was harder for a child in your case. They had tried all the treatments, experimental drugs, etc. Everything stopped working eventually and the bronchitis was so tiring.

The doctor told me they usually have to do this surgery on older people, so the need for needing it redone is not usually an issue!

I have never regretted the surgery.
Posted By: BrendaC

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 05/05/09 02:21 PM

Update - My little man is now on ELEVEN meds for his stomach, sinus infection, allergies and asthma. He seems so depressed, it just breaks my heart. We kept him this weekend and he didn't eat but about 2-3 bites at lunch. He doesn't seem to have the energy to walk across the floor. The appointment with the surgeon is this afternoon.
Posted By: BrendaC

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 05/05/09 08:07 PM

Kody's surgery is 5/21. He will go straight into ICU for minimum of 3-4 days due to the current condition of his lungs.
Posted By: BrendaC

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 09/14/09 07:21 PM

UPDATE

It has been four months since Kody's fundoplication surgery. He was very good about staying on his liquid diet, but is thrilled to finally be able to have food that is not too lumpy. He misses his shrimp, but that is a small price to pay. He has lost 20-25 lbs and is actually getting skinny.

He went to his pulmonologist today and she was amazed. There was no evidence of asthma in his tests. He has gone from being one of the most heavily medicated patient she had to being on NOTHING for his asthma or stomach. She commented that she had never seen that type of reversal in a condition.

Fall and winter have historically been his worst seasons, so we'll see what happens. He is to rely on albuterol if needed, but they are going to try to avoid any maintainenace drugs right now. It would be so wonderful to have a year without a crisis.

Thanks to everyone for their prayers for my little man. God heard and answered.
Posted By: RR Jen

Re: Croup With Striders-AGAIN - 09/14/09 07:35 PM

So glad to hear a good update!! smile