I need a Mummy's opinion - Do I need to find help?

[CajaDeLaMemoria]

I'm orphaned, and have just moved three hours from "home", so I don't know where to turn really.

I was fine yesterday morning. By mid-day I was coughing whenever I stood up or went upstairs - a really deep, chesty painful cough. It got worse through the day, and last night was horrific. I cough all the time, my throat is so sore, I can't drink and it hurts to talk. My chest is making horrific noises...my DP was getting up to check on the cat a lot until he realised it was me making the noises!

There's a kind of echo after I breathe about half the time, and I feel dreadful. DP is on long shifts at the moment but bought me strepsils, soothers and Benylin chesty coughs yesterday, none of which have done anything yet really.

It doesn't feel like a normal cough...I feel like death. DP is at work until 11pm tonight, and I've got no car at the moment. Not that I could drive if I did, feeling like this. It's a half an hour walk uphill into town. I've got no idea where the nearest doctors is.

Does this just sound like a more severe form of something that will pass on its own? I can't believe how bad I feel.

[Poledra]

Sounds like you have a good-going chest infection. Try calling NHS Direct maybe - they should be able to direct you better than I can.

[Poledra]

Oh, and it probably will pass on its own but it could take some time. My DH gets bad chest infections, and it can take him a week easily to be fit for anything.

[AlmostAHipster]

I think you need to go and register with the nearest doctor - get a taxi if you have to.

[CajaDeLaMemoria]

The NHS Direct is a good idea - I'll call them now and see what they say.

I've got a variety of health problems from birth so I'm used to being ill, but I feel just so ill. Nothing is working. I'm lying on the floor at the moment to try and soothe my chest, but it's so loud and painful.

Thank you for replying...MN is a great place for finding some wisdom!

[EdMcDunnough]

Try and get the number of a GP, say you can't get anywhere, you need someone to call out to you.

It could well be a chest infection and you might need antibiotics. Take something which will reduce your temperature, that should make you feel less dreadful. (paracetamol, ibuprofen)

You need to be seen really.

[nannyof3]

Could be whooping cough or pneumonia.. Don't just leave it, u MUST go somewhere

[larrygrylls]

I would go to A&E if it is that bad and you have no easy access to a GP. You just cannot mess with breathing. If you can get a taxi, do so, if not, call an ambulance. If you are being forced to lie on the floor, you are probably ill enough to need treatment.

[magso]

I think you need to see a doctor.
NHS direct can get a doctor to call you back and if they feel you need to be seen should be able to able to tell you how and where.
If you have a very sore throat you could use soluble pain medication in place of your usual pain/ fever medication. Gargle with it before swallowing. make sure it is part of your dose not extra though! Check your temperature and see if it comes down.
You sound like you have just moved house. Are you a very allergic person? If it is warm outside can you breath better outside? Don't go out if it is cold. Are you struggling to breath? If you are then you must get help. (I am not a doctor)

[magso]

If you are on the floor and struggling to breath call for an ambulance (999 in uk) now.

[fuzzpig]

Please get it checked out. It might pass on its own (as lots of my chest infections have in the past) but it might not - my most recent one took 3 rounds of ABs and some steroids to shift. I also had stronger painkillers because breathing hurt so much.

Good luck x

[showtunesgirl]

Are you coughing up anything?

This sounds pretty grim OP, get thee to a medical person now.

[tabbycat15]

How are you now? Did you get seen by a Dr?