My cough - need advice

[Honeyandlemonade]

I’ve been coughing for over a week.
I’ve had rattles on and off - particularly when laying down.
Now when breathing in I can feel a slight rattle at the bottom of my left lung - when I cough and bring stuff up it seems to go away , it feels like loose phlegm but I’ve never felt it so low down before.
I haven’t got a fever - but I’m just wondering if it sounds like I need to go to urgent care today or wait until GP is open again.

Call 111 and ask them. It depends on your age, other illnesses you have. Could be bronchitis or pneumonia or worse. You never know..

I’m 35, no other illnesses that I know of

I’d be surprised if they did anything at this point. I’ve been told to come back if you still have it after a month, or if there are other symptoms- fatigue, night sweats, fever, aches and chills, that sort of thing. If you can, try to sleep propped up on pillows at an angle, it might be more comfortable.

I would go to your local primary care centre if you can.

I had similar a couple of years ago and it was pleurisy. You might need some antibiotics to clear up whatever it is x

It doesn’t sound like an urgent care thing, but if you aren’t sure then phone 111. Wouldn’t waste your time going straight to urgent care unless more serious symptoms present, you will just end up waiting around and risking catching more bugs.

This is the cough that is going round at the moment I think. I had it a few weeks ago. Was coughing so hard to get to that little bit somewhere deep and couldn't get to it.

Personally I would wait to see the GP

What colour is the phlegm you're coughing up? I would go to the pharmacist first as they have a scheme in place to offer care. They should have some open today if you Google local ones near you. They can offer advice and if you need further attention/GP etc.

They do have lots of options and medicines they can offer. Hope you feel better soon.

Have you had a look at the NHS advice on coughs? I find it quite helpful for things like this where you're not sure if you need a GP. I personally wouldn't see one for a cough of just over a week with no fever and presumably no breathlessness?

I’m only worried as I’ve never felt crackles / fluid movement so low down before.
The phlegm I’m coughing up is yellow in colour , some I’m swallowing down as it isn’t coming right up. But the stuff I am managing to cough up is a sort of pale yellow. I do feel fatigued but I’m not sure if that’s because I’m up all night coughing.

I'm in the same situation OP. I'm going to phone the dr tomorrow morning. I'm also really tired.

My husband had something like this in the summer and then I did about two months ago. In each case it went on for at least two months. Both of us saw the GP but we never really worked out what it was so assumed viral. I would see the GP if you can in case you need antibiotics but it may take a while to go.

You don’t sound ill ill (from your description) so I wouldn’t be bothering with urgent care at all. GP sounds fine if you can get appointment.

I had same for 3 weeks. Total exhaustion and productive cough. It eventually went.

I have this at the moment, crackling noise in both lungs and a wheeze. My mother thinks I should get antibiotics and keeps on about seeing the doc, but I know I'm unwell but not that unwell if that makes sense. It's probably viral anyway and I'm just looking after myself with extra fluids and vitamins.

Yellow phlegm is usually a mild or old infection. If it turns green, may need antibiotics. If you just have a cough, and not unwell, you don't need to do anything in a rush. Just wait and see

Local pharmacy if you can find one open today.

I've just had this. It didn't cross my mind to go to the doctors. Not saying you shouldn't, it's up to you. Just took some lemsip and carried on. I'm saying this ti alleviate your worries btw.

I’ve got an oximeter and that’s the reading on it.
I’m doing regular steaming (head over a bowl of boiling water and towel over head)

Then don’t reply. It’s not like she’s asking a life or death question and delaying as a result, it’s a genuine query and others have managed to be polite. This is what discussion forums are for.

Got it now .Had it since Xmas eve. Lots of fluid , rest, throat sweets. It will pass OP

If tou are concerned, go and have a chat with the pharmacist or get an appointment with the Nurse Prescriber at your GP.

Is your pulse 85, or is that your sats?

Pulse 85, oxygen 98

I posted earlier this morning about my cough, I started steaming after advice on here and put vic on the soles of my feet under socks, it’s given me some relief. I saw the gp because I feel so unwell but they just said it was viral (she did also say my tonsils were fine - that’s funny they were removed about 30 years ago 😞) I hope you feel better soon