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Original poster

Cough, cough, cough, what should I do ?

81 replies

DustyLee123 · 03/12/2023 01:35

Feeling ill since Tuesday, but felt it coming on days before that. Needing paracetamol and ibuprofen, with lozengers for the throat and cough medicine. Coughing up green stuff. Went to the GP Friday, said it’s viral so carry on.
im up now because this is the fourth night where I’ve done nothing but cough and piss myself over and over. Every time I get into bed it’s cough, cough, cough. I’ve tried taking an antihistamine to get some sleep, but I’m lucky if I’m getting 4 hours in total. I can’t see how I can go to work on so little sleep, and piddling when I cough. I’ve had enough so I’ve got back out of bed for a pity party. The night is so long when you’re not sleeping.
i just don’t know what to do to make it better.

OP posts:
PencilsInSpace · 03/12/2023 02:04

Poor you, I had a cough one year that lasted for 6 weeks and left me exhausted, incontinent and feeling like I had broken ribs.

'Active Cycle of Breathing' helped - you gently wheeze up all the clag, rather than expelling it by force and knackering your pelvic floor and ribs.

Pholcodine used to be the stuff to help you sleep when you had a non-stop cough but you can't get it any more. Co-codamol would probably help but don't take it for too long as it can cause dependency.

Hope you feel better soon.

SwedeCaroline · 03/12/2023 02:08

in the same situation (waves)

hellswelshy · 03/12/2023 02:10

Not sure op but just to send my sympathy, I'm up now due to lingering cough, I've had a similar virus too, I'm nearly 4 weeks in. I've come downstairs to the sofa, laying propped up, cosy blanket and honey and lemon drink. I instantly feel better not tossing and turning in the dark trying not to disturb dh. Hope you're feeling better soon 💐

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Sholkedabemus · 03/12/2023 02:13

Codeine is a cough suppressant. Taking the odd dose helps me get some sleep, when I have a cough.

Babymamamama · 03/12/2023 02:15

Can you make up some preferably orange squash with boiling water and then sip it as it cools down. Years ago I was told it stops the cough reflex by an old school GP. It works for me sometimes. Worth a try? Also what about some throat numbing cough lozenges? Two or three pillows. Don’t lie flat either.

Sophierx89 · 03/12/2023 02:37

I could have written this exact post myself! Day 6 of 3 hours a night (if I'm lucky) can't stop coughing up the same green crap and also have a weird dripping feeling in my nose! I've had a coughing fit tonight and felt something pop in my back and now I feel sick with pain! Dd is saying we should go to A&E but think she just wants to go and be nosy 😅 I'm finding max strength lemsip tablets massively help during the day, and I know it sounds gross but just keep coughing up the phlegm because I'm finding if I swallow it down it makes me cough even more! Jakemans cough sweets are great, I've been sucking them all day aswell as just gulping back water. Hopefully we both feel better soon! 🤞

Turquoisa80 · 03/12/2023 02:45

A tablespoon of honey, lemon juice and tiny amount of turmeric in a cup of hot water is my go to remedy

Sophierx89 · 03/12/2023 02:50

I'm willing to give anything a go at this stage, thanks for the tip!

Wednesdaysotherchild · 03/12/2023 03:02

In the same boat but only been ill since weds.

mommatoone · 03/12/2023 03:06

I totally feel for you OP. I had this earlier in the year ( there was definitely a thread about people going through same) i had to get some tena ladies,it was that bad after coughing 😫. I ended up on antibiotics, but have now been diagnosed with asthma (doc said as a result of chest infection). Defo go back for 2nd opinion. Hope you feel better soon.

Lanaa · 03/12/2023 03:07

This sounds ridiculous but works for a few hours and will give you some relief. Cover the soles of your feet in a thick coating of vicks vapour rub (the cheap ones work too) then put on a pair of thick socks and go to sleep. You won't cough for a few hours.

Cockerdileteeth · 03/12/2023 04:11

Also awake coughing - week 3 here (sorry not encouraging but, whisper it quietly, it is starting to ease). Surviving on hot honey and lemon juice, and Lemsips. Rubbish, isn't it.

grumpypedestrian · 03/12/2023 04:27

I have cough variant asthma, I’m lucky if I get a month over the course of the year of sleep without coughing. Feel your pain.

Try sleeping upright, small sips of water.

Rachaelrachael · 03/12/2023 04:39

Have you tried cocodamol? Obviously don't take too many as they can be addictive, but it will stop you coughing for a few hours and knock you out.

Jack1975 · 03/12/2023 05:55

This is me, though I'm now 7 weeks with the cough. Just on 2nd lot of antibiotics and just finished a course of steroids. Still coughing, still peeing myself occasionally, still feeling like shit, oh and have lost my voice with all the bloody coughing. I've never had a cough this long and seriously had enough of the coughing fits. Good luck OP x

Sleepplease2021 · 03/12/2023 06:27

I’m 3 weeks in now & it’s very slowly beginning to ease. I found some Vicks/hot water in a bowl before bed helped a little, & at least meant I fell asleep. It’s awful though!

AutumnCrow · 03/12/2023 07:18

I'm feeling very sorry for the neighbours. They've endured me coughing till 1.30am and then it all started again just after 4am.

Falalalalaa · 03/12/2023 07:25

Lanaa · 03/12/2023 03:07

This sounds ridiculous but works for a few hours and will give you some relief. Cover the soles of your feet in a thick coating of vicks vapour rub (the cheap ones work too) then put on a pair of thick socks and go to sleep. You won't cough for a few hours.

This works, I’ve been doing it with my son all week to ease his cough.

Original poster
DustyLee123 · 03/12/2023 07:51

Thanks for your replies, it’s good to know I’m not alone!
I think I managed 4-5 hours in total. I suppose the best thing is not to stress about how many hours I’ve not had.
I will get some codeine and dark chocolate today, and try some of the other suggestions too. Thanks 🙏🏻

OP posts:
GladioliandSweetPeas · 03/12/2023 10:18

I lived in the US briefly 20 years ago and one (of many) differences I noticed re: healthcare systems, besides needing insurance, was the treatment. I had both a major car accident there & also a viral cold like yours OP. When I was told I had a viral cold, I was given a steroid injection which helped tremendously & 2 vitamin injections (I forget which). I was better in just over 24 hours.

(The level of treatment for the car accident - despite no obvious signs of injury, are indescribable. The scans led to a major yet unknown condition being diagnosed).

I don't want to derail your thread but I had to mention this as perhaps anyone reading this with private cover, could get something similar to those injections I had?? Are there private GPs?

GladioliandSweetPeas · 03/12/2023 10:19

Sholkedabemus · 03/12/2023 02:13

Codeine is a cough suppressant. Taking the odd dose helps me get some sleep, when I have a cough.

Codeine also causes constipation and is often diagnosed for IBS

Sunshineandrainbow · 03/12/2023 10:32

Have you tried broncho stop?
Or a mix of hot lemon and honey.

Sholkedabemus · 03/12/2023 10:44

GladioliandSweetPeas · 03/12/2023 10:19

Codeine also causes constipation and is often diagnosed for IBS

Show quote history

It can cause constipation but only if you keep taking it. It’s also addictive but the odd dose is fine.

YogaLite · 03/12/2023 10:53

@Lanaa is right, I discovered the same by chance with my DS (and myself), no idea how/why it works but it does!