To ask how to make breathing easier with whatever this js

[emotionalmotionsicknesss]

Posting for traffic.

I’ve been ill for two weeks and it’s getting worse. It isn’t covid - I’ve tested a few times. I’ve got a horrible constant cough which is almost like barking/wheezy and I’m struggling to take a deep full breath without coughing. My chest feels tight. I don’t have a blood oxygen monitor thing.

So far I’ve tried lying on my front and doing a steam inhalation. I’ll see how I am tomorrow and call the GP if needed.

Any other tips??

A bit unorthodox but, if you know anyone with asthma, ask for a toot on their ventolin inhaler. One squirt will work. It doesn't cure it but it drastically eases the breathing issues, particularly for on a night trying to sleep.

I've just recovered from this not covid cough/wheezy/tight-chestedness and it helped me.

Sorry you are so unwell. I read on Mumsnet to try an antihistamine. It really helped my totally blocked up nose and allowed me to sleep, but everyone is different. I also had a non productive cough.

Yes you need to try a ventolin inhaler. Phone, eMail GP in the morning, in our practice the nurse is a better bet to test your oxygen flow

Prop up the head of your bed or sleep propped up, really helps my breathing if it’s bad.

Be careful with steam, it helps some people and makes others worse

I don’t unfortunately! I feel like an inhaler would help. I just can’t catch my breath properly. It’s difficult because it’s not like I’m breathing rapidly, but I just can’t take a deep breath without feeling like my chest is horribly tight.

To be fair I’m not sure if it is a dry cough - I am coughing up phlegm so I guess it isn’t, but it’s making that weird almost honking sound 🤦🏻‍♀️ so fun for my DP!

Sudafed is good, wear a scarf to warm the air before you breathe it in and use mentholated products like Vicks, albas oil and halls menthol sweets.

I have it at the moment and have now lost my voice due to the coughing, when my chest gets particularly tight I find the Vicks inhaler and a halls sweet help to ease it a little.

As PP said, prop yourself up with LOADS of pillows until you’re almost sitting up. If you aren’t taking any other meds that interact, taking some pain relief that includes codeine can help as it can suppress the coughing reflex a bit (you can get codeine linctus quite cheaply from Boots too).

If it’s getting worse after 2 weeks, I’d contact your dr tomorrow.

Night Nurse.

It’s got an antihistamine in it so it’ll knock you out so you can sleep. And it will dry up any congestion and help with the cough.

Myself and all my family have got it too and I swear by NN whenever I have anything like this. Always helps me massively.

(Although if you’re taking anything for anxiety/heart condition like beta blockers etc don’t have NN).

Please don't take prescription medication that is not prescribed for you, it can be dangerous

Keep yourself propped up, rest and GP ASAP (111 if you're struggling)

I feel your pain OP, this cold or whatever it is, is awful and my 9month DS currently has it too. It feels like my lungs are sticky. Colds go right to my chest in general but this is particularly bad. Can hear it in him too, poor wee guy.

I've been using salt spray to try and clear the gunk in my nose and sinuses, to stop it ending up in my lungs over night, and hot showers in the morning to loosen the phlegm. It comes back a while later but I do feel I'm getting somewhere with it now (can't take anything more than paracetamol as still BF). Hot lemon and honey also had a bit of an impact and got things moving...

I know there are the ££ issues, but I've found keeping the air warm makes a big difference. Also yes to Night Nurse to similar.

Few things help, multiple pillows to prop but..... Don't sleep on back, side usually better.
Vicks on your chest and wrists usually close to face.
Steam head and blow your nose like mad before bed.
Water for during the night.

You could now have a chest infection. Try and to have a phone or econsult with your GP to see if you need antibiotics.

Good point my OH wound up with pleurisy