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?!

Benylin night time ...it will help your cough and give you a good sleep 😴

If you can (I don't know how short of breath you are) lay off the ventolin.
Sometimes after an attack I find that the blue inhaler makes me cough more. Suck on cough candy if you can get it, if not anything with a very strong flavour will probably help suppress it.

I'm also suffering from a dry tickly cough which isn't covid and I can't shift it. Trying not to cough at work is a nightmare.

After a bad chest infection, 5 lots of antibiotics i was coughing awfully for about 3 months altho i was completely fine and not ill at all

Way Before covid but even then, people would stare at me and afew told me i shouldnt be spreading my cough around

Not helpful to you, but i feel your pain

A friend of mine was diagnosed with whooping cough. Her GP said that although she had had the vaccine as a child, it did not always confer lifelong immunity. Apparently not everyone makes a whooping sound either. It was confirmed when they tested a mucus sample. Obviously I hope it isn't whooping cough as it lasts for ages but her GP said it was often confused with asthma - especially among people taking asthma medication.

I'm also wondering whether it may be whooping cough.

The symptoms can be different in adults - I had it once, it was grim.

Definitely go see your GP . After months of coughing following bad cold moved ( via one other inhaler ) to Symbicort turbohaler and started on Montelukast trial - initially the plan was just for winter months but now taken continuously . It has been a game changer here. Also saw breathing physio privately ( 3 sessions) - peak flow massively improved with some fairly simple exercises . Very grateful to GP who was really persistent to find a solution . This was pre Covid . I can only imagine what it would be like to have that asthma cough in Covid times. Good luck in finding a solution .

I had a cough like that before. It was persistent in the day and wouldn't let me catch a wink of sleep at night. The thing that finally brought me relief was Bronchostop. I tried Covonia too but on this occasion it wasn't helping. Bronchostop was like magic in comparison.
I hope you find something that helps you soon.

Have you had a blood test and sputum culture to rule out lingering infection?
Carbocistine is a lifesaver as is a humidifier at night and sleeping upright.

Just to clarify still use ventolin as a reliever and symbicort as preventer . Symbicort can be used as a reliever too .

Have you tried a prescription opioid based cough mixture? Eg. Oral morphine?

Second being checked checked for whopping cough.

@MythsandSparkles

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.

Pholcodine linctus is great for asthmatic coughs. You should still get it checked out, but in the meantime...

Ive had a cough for weeks before that I couldn’t shift, I don’t have a asthma so it’s not the same as yours but these tablets got rid of it really quickly - I couldn’t believe how well they worked. They’re herbal so wouldn’t hurt to try. www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/schwabe-pharma-kaloba-pelargonium-cough-cold-relief-tablets-60032563

@Flyingwiththecanons

Codeine linctus. {Not Pholcodine which is much less effective}

Codeine is a mild opiate that suppresses tickly coughs.

I had a lingering cough after an infection and postural drainage and percussion physio helped me (I’m not sure if it’s suitable for anyone with asthma). My cough wasn’t productive at the time but my lungs were still irritated and needed a good clear out after the infection so I could breath deeply again.

If you are worse at night and better after being outside then try a combination of antihistamines and an air purifier in the bedroom. The air purifier needs a hepa filter and uv light sanitizer. If you want to go the whole hog add dust mite encasements for your mattress pillow and duvet

Please don't take opiates for this unless you've been seen by a professional who really knows what they are doing.