Help! I keep coughing

[ThatLilacHedgehog]

Hi,

so I have a dry tickle cough that comes on once every 2 to 3 hours, I NEVER cough during the night when I’m sleeping. Sometimes I need water for it to stop, I’m just wondering as it comes on every 2-3 hours would this still be classed as a cough to be worried about?

AIBU in thinking I have a chronic cough

Did you type this in 2020 and only just pressed post?

OP you've been posting about this cough for months. Longer maybe. Have you not been to the doctor yet?

It’s something I’ve had for ages now

long story short I’ve been once but anxious to go back

judgement about my decision to not go to the drs aside, does coughing every 2-3 hours class me as having an ongoing dry cough?

Yes, please go to the doctor. It’s very likely nothing, I know so many people with a chronic cough and it’s not been anything sinister. Could be allergies, could be GERD. Just go to the doctor and get checked xx

Yes obviously it does

It hits the threshold for needing GP review.

If it’s solved by lying down, it’s more likely to be sinuses than chest.

If you want to try things at home; steroid nasa
spray, sinus rinsing or antihistamines.

Topical hydration (Steam inhalation), systemic hydration (drink anything except alcohol), rest, swallow hard rather than cough, see doctor.

Govto a salt cave (there may be one near you) and see if that helps. I had a niggly cough and it went after a few visits.

Yes - get back to your GP as quickly as possible.

Make an appointment with the gp. If you’re lucky you may get seen this month.

Hayfever started giving me a cough, try an antihistamine and see if that works

My brother has had every investigation under the sun for his niggly cough. Nothing has showed up. I suspect it's stress related.

If it’s an unproductive cough the doctor can give you something to help. I get a low low dose of codeine tablet. Stops my cough completely. But go see the doc this has been ongoing for too long

Go see the doctor it’s been ongoing for too long. I have an unproductive cough that meant I felt the need to cough every few seconds. Annoying. Doctor gave me a low low dose of codeine. Works a treat. One a day keeps the cough away

I understand anxiety. But surely a trip to the GP is better than worrying over something? Make an appointment ASAP & don't let anxiety win. Good luck.

My DH has had a cough as long as I have known him, 50+ years. Been to the docs a few times, never a problem they can solve. If he eats certain things it aggravates it, nuts in particular. Trouble is he likes nuts so puts up with the coughing. It is annoying though.

Or make a solution of salty water. Put some in an egg cup. Pinch one nostril. Breathe out. Dunk other nostril in salty water and slowly breathe in until the water goes far enough for you to worry you might swallow it. Hold as long as possible. Breathe it out over the sink. New egg cup full of salty water. Repeat with the other nostril. Do this 4 times a day. This will kill bacteria and viruses in your nasal passages. Can also gargle with salty water. My mother in law was a nurse and taught me this. I didn't believe her, but it really works!

The salt does wonders! Salt caves are really popular in Eastern Europe and there are some here. You just sit in a room which has salt blown into it!

Do you take rampril? I had to come off it as the coughing drove me insane. It was actually on here that I discovered it was a side effect as I hadn't bothered reading the leaflet.

I've not read your previous, but if you've had a cough for more then 2-3months (depending what you go by) it would class as chronic. But typically persisting for more than 3-4 weeks (with no other symptoms) would indicate an x-ray as part of a GP review (if there are certain other symptoms then xr can of course be much sooner!!).

I went to GP for same reason, I was asked if I suffer with indigestion (which I do). Have had a cough now for a couple of years at least! I haven’t been back.

Reflux/indigestion is a very common cause of a chronic dry cough. Often people will have worst cough in the morning, can retch with morning cough/gag brushing teeth/bad taste in mouth. Can be exacerbated by a stomach infection (hpylori) and a stool test is undertaken - although if you're medicated for you indigestion (with a ppi) this has to be paused for 2 weeks for the test to work.

@SleepyRic
Thank you. That was really helpful! I haven’t had any tests/medication. I was just advised it was the probable cause. Have just been using Renee’s/Gaviscon, but your post does reinsure it’s most likely that. Tbh I’ve just been putting up with it. 🙂

Glad it was helpful! No need to put up with it that's definitely worthy of a routine follow up appointment with the GP. Shouldn't have to put up with a long term cough like that if you don't have to.