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Original poster

My cough - need advice

37 replies

Honeyandlemonade · 01/01/2025 09:41

I’ve been coughing for over a week.
I’ve had rattles on and off - particularly when laying down.
Now when breathing in I can feel a slight rattle at the bottom of my left lung - when I cough and bring stuff up it seems to go away , it feels like loose phlegm but I’ve never felt it so low down before.
I haven’t got a fever - but I’m just wondering if it sounds like I need to go to urgent care today or wait until GP is open again.

OP posts:
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BobbyBiscuits · 04/01/2025 20:13

If you've just had a cold, there's a chance the infection has passed down to the lung. But if it doesn't hurt and you've no other bad symptoms, and your coughing isn't uncontrollable and keeping you awake, then hopefully it's just the end of that virus. If you start to feel worse in next couple days then go to GP.
Take plenty water, ibuprofen and paracetamol every 4 hours. And lots of rest. Wishing you well x

Stuck1001 · 04/01/2025 20:10

Mine were clear too... and I was coughing up stuff. The Dr told me this was a sign it was viral and would resolved just took a couple of months all told).

Original poster
Honeyandlemonade · 04/01/2025 15:29

I’m still coughing and still have the weird crackling/bubbling thing.
Called GP yesterday and got an appointment with the respiratory clinic. Chest doctor listened to my chest, said they were the clearest lungs he’s heard today! Even though I was coughing up crap and I told him where I could feel the crackling, around my back etc.
He listened again and said they were totally clear??? No idea what’s going on really, but I’m not sleeping for coughing.

OP posts:
Worriedmamma19 · 04/01/2025 09:40

How are you now OP? X

Original poster
Honeyandlemonade · 01/01/2025 11:16

No temperature.
I am also on my period so that might be why my pulse is high as I’m in quite a bit of pain (typical!)

OP posts:
Zanatdy · 01/01/2025 11:14

Your oxygen is good. So that’s a good sign. Your pulse is a little high, but not worryingly so. Any temperature? I’d probably wait for GP tomorrow, but keep a check on your sats

Original poster
Honeyandlemonade · 01/01/2025 11:12

As GPs aren’t open today I’ll have to wait until tomorrow. Otherwise it’s 111 or urgent care.
I find hanging my head over the bed and coughing brings up more mucous/phlegm.

OP posts:
AlertCat · 01/01/2025 11:09

Honeyandlemonade · 01/01/2025 11:01

I’m just worried as never felt the crackly feeling in that area before

Lungs are massive. It may be that you have congestion deeper down than usual, but it doesn’t sound like it’s serious at this point (going by colour of phlegm and lack of other symptoms). That said, make a GP appointment and see what they say. And if you do start to feel really unwell, go to the out of hours place.

RedFaerieBoots · 01/01/2025 11:09

Honeyandlemonade · 01/01/2025 11:01

I’m just worried as never felt the crackly feeling in that area before

It's usually a sign to me that asthma is angry or I have a chest infection and asthma is starting to get angry.

Id get it checked. It's unusual for you, it's worrying you and your coughing up phlegm so there's a good chance you need antibiotics.

Original poster
Honeyandlemonade · 01/01/2025 11:01

I’m just worried as never felt the crackly feeling in that area before

OP posts:
RedFaerieBoots · 01/01/2025 10:33

I'm asthmatic so slightly different as I had lurgy earlier on (12th Dec) that flared up asthma. Been on steroids for nearly 3 weeks and will be starting the long process to come off from Friday.

I started coughing more on Saturday. Sunday brought up a bit of foul tasting phlegm but otherwise was ok. Monday brought up more and was coughing so much and was struggling not to cough. Saw GP -suspected tract infection so she gave me antibiotics and asked for a sputim sample.

Tuesday managed a very small sample to hand in but the coughing was so bad I genuinely wondered if I had whopping cough.

This morning.. cough isn't as bad so far. But I coughed up far more phlegm than I've done to date and it's not tasting as bad so hoping antibiotics are working.

Id call 111 tbh but if you want to hang on for GP benylin mucus is bloody amazing stuff. I don't normally rate cough syrups for anything other than helping coat throat when hacking away. Mucus relief does actually break up mucus. My dad is super impressed as well in a shocked way.

AlertCat · 01/01/2025 10:33

Honeyandlemonade · 01/01/2025 10:24

Pulse 85, oxygen 98

My limited understanding is that O2 below 90 is a trip to hospital, but over 95 is ok. Happy to be corrected though (info from a friend with an asthmatic child).

Witchywoo41 · 01/01/2025 10:28

I posted earlier this morning about my cough, I started steaming after advice on here and put vic on the soles of my feet under socks, it’s given me some relief. I saw the gp because I feel so unwell but they just said it was viral (she did also say my tonsils were fine - that’s funny they were removed about 30 years ago 😞) I hope you feel better soon

Original poster
Honeyandlemonade · 01/01/2025 10:24

Pulse 85, oxygen 98

OP posts:
TheTallgiraffe · 01/01/2025 10:23

Is your pulse 85, or is that your sats?

Ilovemyshed · 01/01/2025 10:23

If tou are concerned, go and have a chat with the pharmacist or get an appointment with the Nurse Prescriber at your GP.

Sidebeforeself · 01/01/2025 10:21

Got it now .Had it since Xmas eve. Lots of fluid , rest, throat sweets. It will pass OP

Pandasnacks · 01/01/2025 10:21

Vannymcvan · 01/01/2025 10:19

Local pharmacy if you can find one open today.

Edited

Then don’t reply. It’s not like she’s asking a life or death question and delaying as a result, it’s a genuine query and others have managed to be polite. This is what discussion forums are for.

Original poster
Honeyandlemonade · 01/01/2025 10:20

I’ve got an oximeter and that’s the reading on it.
I’m doing regular steaming (head over a bowl of boiling water and towel over head)

My cough - need advice
OP posts:
arethereanyleftatall · 01/01/2025 10:20

I've just had this. It didn't cross my mind to go to the doctors. Not saying you shouldn't, it's up to you. Just took some lemsip and carried on. I'm saying this ti alleviate your worries btw.

Vannymcvan · 01/01/2025 10:19

Local pharmacy if you can find one open today.

MissEloiseBridgerton · 01/01/2025 10:18

Yellow phlegm is usually a mild or old infection. If it turns green, may need antibiotics. If you just have a cough, and not unwell, you don't need to do anything in a rush. Just wait and see

Crockof · 01/01/2025 10:17

I have this at the moment, crackling noise in both lungs and a wheeze. My mother thinks I should get antibiotics and keeps on about seeing the doc, but I know I'm unwell but not that unwell if that makes sense. It's probably viral anyway and I'm just looking after myself with extra fluids and vitamins.

crackfoxy · 01/01/2025 10:16

I had same for 3 weeks. Total exhaustion and productive cough. It eventually went.

GuineaPigWig · 01/01/2025 10:16

You don’t sound ill ill (from your description) so I wouldn’t be bothering with urgent care at all. GP sounds fine if you can get appointment.