Should I see a GP with these symptoms?

[user3939202]

I had a chesty cough at the beginning of October which lasted around a week. About two weeks later it came back but the cough was not as bad as the first one. I still have the cough and have a coughing fit once/twice a day where it feels as if there is a huge ball of phlegm stuck in my throat and my airway is blocked.
Also if I eat something with a sharp taste like salt and vinegar crisps it aggravates the back of my throat and causes me to cough until my throat feels clear or until I drink some water.
I also feel breathless at times and tired.
Should I see a GP? I don't want to waste their time if it is just a bad cold.

I wouldn’t see a GP at the moment but why not pop into your pharmacy and see if they have any recommendations

Do you have a temperature? How do you feel in yourself?

Sound like it would be investigated as asthma.
How debilitating do you find these symptoms?

No temperature, I feel tired and breathless. My energy levels are definitely lower than normal.

i have this too! have had 3 rounds if antibiotics, steroids and an inhaler as been 6 weeks of it! felt loads better christmas eve, today its back and a walk with the dog has left me exhausted, coughing and feeling like i cant swallow again…someone solve this for me and OP

@passmethebiscuit did your GP say what they thought it was?

chest infection which turned into mild pneumonia but not been back since its come back…cant face anymore antibiotics.

I have something very similar to this. Quite severe regular coughing fits in attempt to clear phlegmy throat. Been going on for three weeks, but worse over the last few days. Feeling ok otherwise. Watching with interest.

I've had a horrendous cough since October, probably the worst I've ever had. I think it's whooping cough (without the whoop, which is common).

If you are worried or feeling very unwell then you should see the doctor. That’s why you pay taxes. It’s ridiculous that people are worried about bothering them. Do they have an on line system? I find this a better option as you can tell them the issue and then they can make the call as to whether you need advice over the phone or an appointment. I usually find they text quite quickly with an appointment.

Your pharmacist will tell you to see your GP. You’ve given it time to clear - see the doc. You might need antibiotics

Standard protocol now for a cough over 3 iweeks is a chest x ray (assume following up the lung damage Covid is doing), maybe go and they will refer you which will ease your mind on what’s causing it.

This could actually be reflux. Are you bringing anything up when you cough?
That said, I would arrange an appointment with the GP surgery (might be a GP or nurse). I'm a HCP in this area by the way.

The ball of phlegm at the back of the throat sounds a little like a post nasal drip? I think you need to be investigated

Yes, go to your GP. It isn't a bad cold lasting since October. You may need a referral to ENT and as someone else said it may be reflux.

I've had something similar to this since mid November and I'm going to make an appointment. When I wake up on the morning I have an hour or more of violent coughing that has caused me to be sick a couple of times. I will also cough regularly throughout the day, mostly coughing up yellow gunk.

Yes....this is why you pay your taxes. If go for the simple reason the NHS state if you've had a cough for more than 3 weeks then check it out and also the breathlessness. They might require a xray if your lungs.

is it the 100 day cough? it's going around at the mo.

also, the vinegar sounds like it could be reflux, you need to see gp for that. and do loads of lifestyle changes.

is the mucus clear or yellowish?
https://www.healthline.com/health/snot-color#snot-color-chart

Yes contact your GP, it sounds like you might need antibiotics. If you're going for a face to face consultation wear a good mask. You wouldn't want to pass what you have on to anyone else there, and also you don't want to pick anything else up whilst you're there, sounds like you're struggling enough as it is :-(
It's also worth buying a pulse oximeter so you can monitor how much of a problem the breathlessness is.
Really hope you feel better soon.

I had a bad chest infection which lasted over a month. Needed two rounds of different antibiotics but eventually I am better. I also had x ray (lungs were clear) and was given an antihistamine too to help relive the mucus symptoms and coughing fits. Maybe see a GP and suggest that? There's a very persistent chest infection going round at the moment t

Treat yourself for silent reflux and see the gp. ENT and digestive issues can be aggravated by colds and cause all these symptoms. Simple changes to diet over a few weeks can make a huge difference. Water intake is also a big factor. A persistent cough should never be ignored so def see the gp on that count.

Yes.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cough/#:~:text=See%20a%20GP%20if%3A,because%20of%20chemotherapy%20or%20diabetes

I have worked in a pharmacy - they would tell you to see GP. Pharmacy mostly provides symptom relief or signposts to other healthcare providers. They can relieve some of the GPs load, they are not there to replace GPs.

I have had mild pneumonia and it took months and several courses of antibiotic + one lot steroids to clear.

Oh me too. I'm ok until I go outdoors and the cooler air hits my lungs, or if I talk. And thank god for Tenas!