To want something to stop me fucking coughing!

[Flyingwiththecanons]

I DONT have covid I've been tested 5 times in the last 2 weeks lateral flow and pcr. I work frontline icu (was theatre but got moved)
And my colleagues today asked me to go home because I couldn't stop coughing.

Over Christmas I got the flu and then got a chest infection which has exacerbated my asthma to the extent I'm using my reliever maybe 8 times a day because I can't stop coughing.

It's not a productive cough and I am on 60mg of steroids a day and have been since the 27th. I've got better but this cough won't fuck off!

I'm now on
fostair 2 puffs x3 a day
Ventolin
Steroids

Is this just something I have to deal with until it stops? It's so much worse at night and early morning

I'm so embarrassed my colleagues think I'm
Harbouring covid what can I do?! Or WiBU to tell them no it's asthma go away?!

Sounds like your asthma is not under control. Call your GP, they could move you up the BTS treatment pathway.

Pholcodine linctus?

I’ve always found it brilliant for those goddamn annoying coughs that stop you sleeping, eating and generally living.

But, I don’t know if that would work with your asthma to be honest, it’s a codeine relative which can make people wheezy.

If you're taking all that lot you do really need to be at home before you add to your troubles by actually catching COVID. How long since you last upped your meds?

@Porcupineintherough I upped it all on the 27th. When my asthma attack landed me in the hospital. I think I'll be asking the GP for another note 🤦‍♀️

there was another thread about coughing a few days ago - if you can find it might be useful suggestions on there?

I gargle with hydrogen peroxide -really cheap from most chemists, 3% dilution, and you mix it with warm water.
It tastes foul, but it certainly works for me.

Apparently 'when the mucus in your mouth comes into contact with hydrogen peroxide, it creates a foam. This foam makes the mucus less sticky and easier to drain. It can also help to loosen the mucus in your throat, which can cause irritation and pain'.

Speak to your doctor about your asthma again. Montelukast is another possibility. It's not under control and you could end up with a serious infection.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4131345-please-tell-me-what-to-do-about-this-cough-at-the-end-of-my-tether

found the thread from the other day!

I dont know about asthma so sorry if this is rubbish advice, but someone gave me a Jakemans cough sweet from Boots when I couldn't stop coughing at work and I've carried them ever since. They have two flavours and come in a bag and are really cheap, 65p or so.

Try an antihistamine? See if there's a bit of an allergy involved. I have allergy induced asthma and an antihistamine works well. Obviously this is armchair diagnosis so obviously ask your GP if it's a possibility.

PPI too?

My mum used to give us a bit of raw ginger (maybe 1cm of ginger) cut up in small bits on a tea spoon with honey. It tastes a bit spicy so try to bear it for a little before drinking water. Usually helps by the next day so one dose is enough .

Codeine before bed will suppress your cough overnight. You have my sympathies OP, I coughed for 7 months after a bout of flu/pneumonia (and I was pregnant!)

Sorry that youre feeling unwell, I hope you get better soon xx

Just to add, my sister was coughing for weeks on end with nothing helping so mum gave the ginger honey solution and she stopped coughing x

Breathe steam and lots of pillows in bed

If you have tumeric powder then warm some honey and add tumeric to it to make a runny paste. Take a spoonful a couple of times a day. It hits the back of your throat a bit but really makes a difference.

I take montelukast for my asthma cough. It’s always worse after a cold etc.
It’s a bit of a marmite medicine. Either it works straight away or you find it doesn’t and it gives you some bad side effects. Maybe worth a shot?

There's also an Indian remedy that my dad always uses but you need Carom seeds. Roast them lightly in microwave then crush with a rolling pin and sprinkle in some salt and tumeric powder.
Take a pinch and let it rest on your tongue and kind of just let it dissolve into your throat.
If all else fails I find fishermen's friends cough sweets really helpful especially when the cough is relentless

Have you seen a respiratory specialist since your asthma attack?

It sounds like your meds aren't working for you right now. I find the asthma nurse to be far more helpful than GPs for this. I mean that as no disrespect to GPs of course

Asthma UK helpline with nurse specialists really helped me.
www.asthma.org.uk/

These are all amazing thank you. I'm going to call the surgery tomorrow and ask for an asthma appointment. It's been a while

What preventer are you using? I'm using the purple one - seretide. Since using it properly I haven't had an asthma attack and rarely need to use ventolin

Have you tried a humidifier? Or a wet towel over a hot radiator as a temporary one

Fostair

When I had similar it was gastric reflux. Got put in omeprasole but actually you can buy that without prescription if needs be - although I wouldn’t as you don’t know if you need it!

I got sent to an ENT specialist by GP and he spotted what it was straight away.