do I need to go to the doctor for cough?

[AuntieMaggie]

I've had a cough for about 2 to 2 and a half weeks now. At first I had a sore throat and was a bit wheezy but for the past week or so its just been a cough thats dry most of the time but every now and then I cough up some phlegm. I've got asthma but throughout this my peak flow has been fine.

Should I go to the doctor or persevere? Its more annoying than anything!

[noddyholder]

I have this too and it has been 10 days. Rang the doctor and it is going around and is a virus. I feel ok ish but the coughing is affecting my sleep. Last night i trawled google and found this remedy. Cover feet in vicks put on socks and go to bed. I slept for 7.5 hrs no coughing and dp and I were amazed as I have been keeping everyone awake. I am still coughing a bit today but much better. Apparently 2 nights of this does it! I think if the phlegm is dark or bloody and you have a temp then it has become bacterial otherwise its a waiting game. Huge sympathies though I have found it really disruptive x

[AuntieMaggie]

did you really put it on your feet? how does that help your chest?

weird as it sounds I'll try it tonight (have been putting it on my chest but that obviously is the wrong place!)

Thank you - hope you feel better soon I'm trying to decide if I feel upto aerobics tonight or not...

[noddyholder]

I know I think dp egged me on as I have been coughing so much at night and we are desperate for sleep!Aerobics! I couldn't but you must be feeling ok if you can even consider it! I think the feet absorb things I also have had it on my chest and throat and have been eating honey etc. Have you found any remedies? Cough medicine made me feel groggy

[Tourelles]

Have had the same thing, for 2 weeks now, using covina night time cough mix (knocks you out) and the day one, so fed up with it went to drs this am and was prescribed penicillin, she said there prob is some bacterial virus there too. Anyway, Holidays next week so hope it works, I feel a bit better already...

[AuntieMaggie]

ok so I tried the vicks thing last night and its been worse today :( but maybe that means its bringing it out so it'll be gone soon right?!?!

[kunahero]

Auntie are you on any medication?

Ramipril and some other anti hypertension meds can cause similar coughing.

These persistant coughs can drag on for weeks. I'd say about four weeks is enough time for it to go on its own and then of to gp for further investigations.

Hope it clears up soon

[AuntieMaggie]

I am but nothing new...

[AuntieMaggie]

Well finally went to the doctor and it turns out its reflux! The pharmacist gave me a different brand of metformin last time which i started taking at the same time this started - although they have the same active ingredient the list of other stuff in the new one is a lot longer. i noticed they had distinctive taste but didn't think anyyhing of it.

I guess that explains the nausea and why putting vicks on my feet didnt work!

Thanks for all your help :-)