Ridiculous cough - urgent help needed

[Tory79]

Ds (2) has been ill for the last week, running a temp on and off, lethargic when he has a temp, cold, streaming nose and a cough.

Took him to the drs yesterday, nothing on his chest, throat sore but clear, probably has a viral infection causing the cough/cold. Also may have an ear infection for which he got anti biotics.

He has always been a bit prone to coughs, and they have always been horrible horrible sounding coughs, even when he's not been particularly unwell in himself. Ie the kind of coughs that make people turn and stare in horror in the street (yes this has happened) however this cough is just beyond awful, mainly for its persistence. He just cannot stop coughing. Literally. I put him to bed last night, he slept from 8-10, then started coughing, woke and came in with me and coughed solidly from 10-5. I kid you not. And this has been pretty much what's it's been like every night for the last week. He is coughing a lot in the day but not for such prolonged periods.

Now here is the worst bit - we fly to Florida on Monday.

Help!!!!!

Ds3 (7) had terrible coughs as a baby and toddler. He still does but not nearly as bad. A viral cough can last 5/6 weeks. The only thing that helps ds is ibuprofen syrup. I give it half an hour before bed and the difference is amazing. Ds was only 8 days early but both his lungs collapsed after birth and he was in NICU with chest drains. I have always blamed his chestiness/croup on this but he is outgrowing it.

Hi Jinty. Is ibroprofen better than calpol/liquid paracetamol for a persistent cough? Is it the anti inflammatory affect?
My 4 year old off to school today and still coughing like a heavy smoker. Problem will be tiredness later too.
Will give calpol or Ibroprofen before he goes...

Trying kids nurofen this morning...
Temperature ok I think [no thermometer] but this wretched cough!!

Ds3 doesn't seem to be able to take calpol, he vomits as soon as I give it. I have tried various different flavours of infant paracetamol with the same (lovely) effect so I always give ibuprofen now.

Calpol was the only thing available when ds1 and ds2 were little so ds3 is the only one I have ever used ibuprofen with. It really does make a difference to his cough and he sure can cough.

Giving really early easy to eat tea as my 4 year old pale and tired with grey under eyes. Cough still there. Needs good nights sleep...[so do I]!
Apprently ok at school but needed water near by.

Hope you have a better night.

Thanks Jinty. Coughed on and off and then load of phlegm up 5 am. Seems ok now [bit of cough] but know tiredness will hit him later. Will do docs again before the weekend if continues. Hope stops though!

My son suffers with similar thing,

I find the following things help,

Hot squash with honey in morning and evening
Boots g!ycerin lemon and honey cough medicine
Manuka honey straight off a spoon

I would be careful with ibuprofen as this is not recommended for asthmatics and asthma could be an underlying cause :)