WWYD - three week cough

[CurlsLDN]

Morning! I have had a horrible cough for over three weeks. I'd never normally go to the dr over a cough but this one is not getting any better.
Symptoms are

• tight pressure feeling on chest leading to loud long coughing fits that usually don't bring anything up
  
• crackly chest/throat when I lie down
  
• generally feeling short of breath as when I breathe deeply it starts a choking coughing fit
  
• no other cold symptoms
  

To add to the unpleasantness I have some bladder weakness left over from pregnancy which I have had physio for, but three weeks of coughing fits has undone that good work so I wet myself every time I cough :(


The next gp appointment available isn't until 8th November. Should I just wait? Or would you try and see someone sooner? If so, how? I'm aware this isn't an emergency but it also needs some treatment I think

[VivienneWestwoodsKnickers]

Breathing difficulties are a medical emergency. I'd ask for an emergency appointment.

[Toast3]

Oh dear, poor you. Why don't you let 111 decide. Explain it to them and see whether they think it's an emergency or not and then act accordingly. Good luck ...

[CurlsLDN]

Although my breathing is more difficult than usual I am able to talk/walk etc - I wouldn't class it as an emergency type breathing difficulty

[myownprivateidaho]

I think it sounds like you should see someone sooner. Most GPs release same-day appointments at a certain time each day. Or your A&E might have GP appointments available.

[VivienneWestwoodsKnickers]

It sounds like bronchitis (crackling, no deep breathing etc). It may not be a lifethreatening emergency to take to A&E, but it would be an appropriate emergency for the GP IMO.

[WhirlwindHugs]

Same day emergency appointments at the GP are for things like this - illnesses that need seeing asap because they potentially need treatment. Book one of these today.

If it was a full on going blue I can't breathe emergency obviously you would go to A&E

Routine GP appointments are for stuff like prescription drug renewals, contraception appointments etc.

[CurlsLDN]

Thanks all, I appreciate having some outside perspective.
I'm going to try the walk in centre this morning

[Musicaltheatremum]

If I got a call like yours to triage I'd see you later in the morning.

[lalalalyra]

A cough for that length of time needs to be seen. Especially one that is having an impact on your breathing. You need to make an appointment that's sooner 2+ weeks away before it becomes an emergency.

[TheWitchwithNoName]

Please see the GP, I was like this for a few weeks - ended up with puemonia, pleurisy and a partially collapsed lung. Get yoursel checked out

[TheWitchwithNoName]

*Yourself

[catchingzzzeds]

You sound like me at the moment and I'm being treated for pneumonia. Definitely get checked today.

[CurlsLDN]

Gosh thanks all. Am standing outside the walk in clinic waiting for it to open now. I really appreciate all your advise, sometimes it's so hard to take your own health seriously - especially when juggling children, job etc

[eggsandwich]

Hi there, just want to say I feel your pain, I'm on week five though it has got some what better it is still there.

I went to the doctors who sent me for a chest x-Ray last week because I've had it so long and should get the result back this week, the GP said my chest is clear so that's good but I've now got a pain underneath the breast bone because of all the coughing but funny enough I don't cough when I'm lying down which I think it unusual.

At the moment I'm living off cough sweets which help, but can't wait to get rid of it, had the same issue last year as well it just took along time to go.

[CurlsLDN]

Saw the dr, who was great and very thorough. She could hear the crackling fluid in my chest but she checked all lung cavities (with stethoscope) and could hear air passing through all of them - so no infection blocking them up.
She said just to wait, and go back if it gets worse/doesn't get better.
hopefully it'll start to improve soon!
I hope all the other coughers on here feel better soon

[Babytalkobsession]

The last time I had our symptoms it ended up as pneumonia. I felt ok when resting but exhausted when walking. Look out for shoulder pain, that was a symptom. Doc couldn't hear it at all but after sharp pains in my lungs I went to a&e and I was visible on the X-ray. All sorted after a week of antibiotics.

[CoraPirbright]

I am glad you saw a doc but I would keep that other appt in the diary if I were you. Last winter I had to go to the doc with a cough - had had it for 6 wks by the time I was persuaded that it was serious enough to go! My gp gave me a steroid inhaler just to calm everything down for a couple of days as the cough had just set in and inflamed everything. You can always cancel the appt if you are starting to feel better.

[CurlsLDN]

Thanks cora and babytalk I will bear your advice in mind, especially if there's no improvement by this time next week