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Original poster

Ideas and thoughts on this illness?

18 replies

Inmy40 · 27/09/2023 08:51

My teenage Dc has been unwell for 2 years. Everytime he gets a cold or virus he has a two week non stop cough. By non stop I mean every second non stop. It is absolutely horrific. He’s off school for ten days every time he gets a mild cold. When he’s asleep there is no cough at all. We have literally seen 20 gps every time he is ill. Massive practice who all say no infection every time.

He has tried everything. Every single cough medicine, preventative inhalers, ventolin, steroids, nose sprays, antibiotics, steam, nebuliser. Nothing eases it even for a second apart from when he’s asleep.

we saw a respiratory consultant who did tests and ct scan of his lungs and throat. All fine. When he doesn’t have a cold there’s no cough so somehow the virus triggers this cough? Not asthma as inhalers don’t prevent or ease it.

We’re seeing the GP again this lunchtime just to check there’s no infection which I don’t think there is. No temp etc. what on earth can I ask them for? They don’t have anymore options? Any ideas? Many thanks

OP posts:
parameciumparty · 27/09/2023 09:19

It'll be a post viral cough caused by inflammation. A steroid inhaler would settle it down if you can persuade anyone to prescribe him one. Other than that, you just have to wait for it to go.

Original poster
Inmy40 · 27/09/2023 09:47

Would that be the brown inhaler? It did nothing the last time. I feel so sorry for him. Non stop coughing for ten days every time he gets a cold. I can’t send him to school, the kids treat him like he has the plague and the teachers send him out of class. I’m dreading sitting in the doctors later. I know it’s not covid but everyone around him will think it is. It is awful. Poor kid.

OP posts:
parameciumparty · 27/09/2023 10:19

Yes, the brown inhaler can help. It can take a few days for it to fully go though.

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Original poster
Inmy40 · 27/09/2023 10:30

thank you. Maybe he needs to try that one again. I’ll ask the GP later when we go. I’m hoping for a miracle solution but i don’t think we’re going to get it unfortunately

OP posts:
ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 27/09/2023 10:35

Is he on any medications? Sertraline did the same to me.

Original poster
Inmy40 · 27/09/2023 11:11

No nothing at all. He’s fine and healthy with no cough between the colds but once he gets one that’s it at least ten days non stop coughing, off school. The non stop coughing really wears him down and he gets miserable that he’s at home bored because I can’t take him anywhere because everyone looks at him in horror

OP posts:
Cornettoninja · 27/09/2023 15:09

I think it’s worth talking to the GP about ENT or gastro reasons for the cough. It’s great that respiratory causes have effectively been ruled out but that isn’t the only avenue to explore.

it’s also worth saying that other peoples reactions aren’t his problem. I know it’s much harder to pull off as a teenager but there’s no reason he shouldn’t be doing his normal activities when he feels well enough.

Original poster
Inmy40 · 27/09/2023 15:27

He’s very sensitive to how people react to him when he’s coughing. That link is amazing thank you. Yes I think this is what it is, he’s irritated his throat which then goes into a cycle of chronic cough. Thank you. Gp confirmed nothing sinister, didn’t prescribe anything, wouldn’t refer him.

OP posts:
ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 27/09/2023 15:34

He needs to see speech therapy. That’s who l was referred to when l had a chronic cough.

Drinking every time you want to cough is also helpful. ( not alcohol!)

MyEyesMyThighs · 27/09/2023 17:07

Of course he'll be sensitive if this started during Covid and coughing was not remotely okay, poor kid. Is it chesty or very much just in his throat? Is it exacerbated by exercise?

Is there a psychological element, do you think? Anxiety over coughing making him cough more?

Has he tried antihistamines, I get an itchy throat post virally which seems to be histamine based.

Heatwave2023 · 27/09/2023 17:10

Does gaviscon help clear it?

InterFactual · 27/09/2023 17:55

When DS had a brown inhaler they said it takes a good few weeks to work, so if he was using it short term during every cold it wouldn't help. It would be the blue inhaler for quick short term relief.

That being said if the cough disappears at night and doesn't disturb his sleep it could be psychological. I don't think reflux and other gastric issues go away at night, lying down makes them worse so that only leaves irritation that he's fixating on a bit too much.

brieandbacon · 27/09/2023 18:38

My son was prescribed a low dose of codeine. He was also given a blue asthma inhaler when he had an episode. His was brought on by exercise but the codeine did stop it. He grew out if it.

brieandbacon · 27/09/2023 18:39

It was also brought on by viruses. He used to cough for weeks after a virus

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 27/09/2023 19:33

Yes, l was going to say Codeine.

INeedAnotherName · 27/09/2023 20:01

Is it actually his respiratory system causing the cough or a post nasal drip, ie catarrh, or even a form of reflux? Is his throat dry and irritated so little sips of water help?

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