To go to the doctors with a cough?

[MrsSnape]

I don't usually bother the doctor with trivial stuff but I have had a horrible, barking cough for about 2 weeks. My chest/ribs are killing me from it and I have pulled a muscle in my stomach from the retching.

It's kept me awake for the past few nights, I can't manage a full sentance without having a coughing attack...I've been taking covonia but its done no good, it actually seems to be getting worse.

Is it still too trivial to bother the doctor? I know loads of people have coughs at the moment.

Could be pleurisy. I'd go to the doctor and tell them exactly what you've told us.

Work colleague opposite me has just done that. (And taken time off sick which TBH seems a bit OTT.) It was a very irritating cough - for him and the rest of us . But TBH unless it's an infection I'm not sure they can do anything can they.

Pleurisy is agony! Absolute agony. It's very hard to breathe. If it was pleurisy MrsS would know about it.

I would be worried it might be a chest infection so no YANBU as if it is you might need antibiotics to clear it up.

It's definately in the chest as I don't have a sore throat or anything, just a constant "tickle" in the chest but when I cough it really barks

Always best to rule out a chest infection.

I have had a barking cough for the same amount of time - mine is viral tho - so nothing can't be done.. try sucking boiled sweets - it helps me a bit.

If you are coughing stuff up - then agree there is a chance it could be a chest infection - so you would need anti-bi's.

coughs can last for a month

Are you feverish / unwell?

No not really unwell, just tired but I think that's down to the cough keeping me awake everynight. I'm due at the nurse tomorow for a blood test for suspected over-active thyroid.

Iggypiggy, coughs can last for months . Crap, I have had a cough for 2 weeks now and it is pissing me off.

If you have a cough for more than two weeks you are recommended to go to the docs as having it for so long more or less rules out that it's just a virus and they won't be able to do anything.

Hope it's not a chest infection.

My docs' poster says up to 6 weeks for a cough is normal. But if you think it may be a chest infection or you're having trouble breathing or you feel there's something not right then definitely go.

Seriously, after 2 weeks, you should always get it checked.

I didn't when I was a silly young student - ended up with pneumonia. If I'd gone sooner, I'd have had a week's worth of antibiotics for a mild infection and been fine on no time.

I always go if it hangs around fo ra fortnight or get one of my nursey friends down with the stethescope for a listen. It's normally fine, but a couple of times I have needed antibiotics.

If you feel bad about potentially wasting docs time (although I don't think you should!) you could always ring first and try and get an over the phone consultation with the practice nurse or doctor. They'll tell you if they think you need to come in.

Or you could ask to see a practice nurse. They are usually much more available for last min appointments.

Not too trivial for the doctor.

It sounds bad and it could be pneumonia - happened to my BIL over Christmas 2 yrs ago and he ended up off work for most of January after he left it a few weeks before going to the doctors.

I've been wondering the same cos I've started barking like a dog day and night. Oh, and then there's the cough as well

I'm asthmatic too, so I figure maybe it's time to go. The reliever isn't working but I think that's because of the phlegm (insert sick emoticon here) and the preventer clearly hasn't helped at all. Why do we always feel so guilty about going to the doctors??? I'm sure it wasn't like this when I was a kid.