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Original poster

How to help DD

34 replies

Ivanthehoe · 11/07/2021 21:31

My DD (18) has been ill with COVID since Sunday. She has a sore, dry cough and her chest feels tight. She is complaining of an awful headache, muscle pain and she has a mouth full of mouth ulcers (fairly normal for her when she's run down but it's pretty bad this time)
I'm not worried about her medically per se as from what I hear these are pretty common COVID symptoms but the issue is that she's at the end of her tether as she's had very little sleep over the past 3 days.
I'm making sure she has plenty of fluids and paracetamol/ibuprofen as per directed dose. She's tried everything including whale music and counting sheep Smilebut she when she does drift off she's woken up within minutes because of the coughing.
I've tried getting her to sleep sitting up propped up with pillows but that's not making much difference.
Are there any tried and tested methods I'm not thinking of to help her get some rest?
I've ran her a warm bubble bath which she's in just now and was thinking of asking my brother to pick up some night nurse and drop it off.
Am assuming at some ping she'll fall asleep from pure exhaustion but it's hard seeing her so distressed.

OP posts:
SRK16 · 11/07/2021 21:37

Humidifiers are meant to be good for coughs, maybe get one off Amazon to come tomorrow? You can get some cheap ones from what I’ve seen.

Original poster
Ivanthehoe · 11/07/2021 21:41

@SRK16

Humidifiers are meant to be good for coughs, maybe get one off Amazon to come tomorrow? You can get some cheap ones from what I’ve seen.
Oh that's a good idea, thank you. Will have a wee look now.
OP posts:
Heartbeats0708 · 11/07/2021 21:43

Has she tried putting Vicks on the soles of her feet then socks on for bed? I'm not sure if it works or I just think it will but it does for me. Hope she's feeling better soon Flowers

Kittyswhiskers · 11/07/2021 21:44

Hm im not sure you should take ibuprofen with covid should you? It can make a cough worse too. Loads of hot drinks/soups for the throat and also for comfort! Hot water bottle on her neck if she can to help with the headaches. Humidifier for the cough? Hope she feels better soon x

TweezerMay · 11/07/2021 21:47

I’ve found sleeping on my stomach as opposed to my back helps when I have a bad cough. That’s just my experience though. Hope she feels better soon.

Rupertpenrysmistress · 11/07/2021 21:50

Night nurse is amazing, great for coughs and helps get you too sleep. Unless she has an existing medical condition ibuprofen is fine too. Be aware night nurse had paracetamol in it though. Hope she feels better soon.

DecorChange · 11/07/2021 21:53

Honey can help a dry cough sometimes too. Worth a shot isn't it?

landofgiants · 11/07/2021 21:57

Not covid but last time I had pneumonia I found a nice warm steamy shower was the only thing that gave any relief from the coughing, think there's more humidity than in in bath.

HamSandwichKiller · 11/07/2021 21:57

Night Nurse. That shizz will knock her out hopefully.

Honey/lemon/ginger in the daytime

Original poster
Ivanthehoe · 11/07/2021 21:58

Thanks all! Will try anything at this point.
Just looked out the Vicks and have ordered a humidifier. My brother is going to drop off might nurse on his way home from work as we're all self isolating.
I think if she could just get a decent few hours sleep it would make all the difference.

OP posts:
hellsbells99 · 11/07/2021 22:00

Night nurse or even piriton to get some sleep. Broncho Stop pastilles are great for calming a cough.

Anotherunimaginativeusername · 11/07/2021 22:02

Night nurse can be good . Also could you try pholcodeine linctus from the pharmacy? you'll need to have a chat with the pharmacist to buy it over the counter, it has a small amount of codeine type substance in it which acts as a cough suppressant. I find it very effective for dry coughs which I really struggle with when lying down when I have a cold. I don't know whether there's any reason you can't take it in covid infection. Hopefully a pharmacist can advise.

BookShop · 11/07/2021 22:02

Menthol in hot water nearby. Helps clear my nose and throat when struggling with a cough.

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 11/07/2021 22:03

Sitting up with a cough only really helps if it's a mucous cough caused by post nasal drip. Has she got a stuffed up or runny nose? If so the snoring nose strip plasters can be helpful, they hold the nostrils slightly more open and make it easier to breathe.

Sleepdeprived42long · 11/07/2021 22:14

It might have become psychological as she’ll be feeling unwell physically and mentally after the length of time she’s been unwell. If she’ll let you, go in and cuddle her in like you would when she was a child and unwell. Bit of calm and some breathing exercises might do the trick. Stay with her and help sit her up and get her back to sleep if she starts coughing again.

Deliaskis · 11/07/2021 22:30

Lying on her front will open up her airways and might relieve the cough a little.

DrNo007 · 11/07/2021 22:33

I sleep better on my side when I have a cough and keep a tissue with drops of olbas oil close to my nose as it helps dissolve mucus in the chest and sinuses.

Allmyarseandpeggymartin · 11/07/2021 22:33

Fisherman’s friends and cold water stop my coughs

Original poster
Ivanthehoe · 11/07/2021 22:35

Thanks everyone.
@Sleepdeprived42long -I think you're right, she's got herself all worked up and panicky. Have got her all tucked up and am lying with her stroking her hair like I used to do when she was a wee girl. I think if I can just get her to nod off she'll sleep.
It's such a funny age- she's an adult but still a wee girl, my wee girl. She's been a wee trouper this week but think she'd almost delirious with tiredness at this stage.
Appreciate everyone's help. Going to put my phone away for a while and try to get her settled.

OP posts:
Louisa111 · 11/07/2021 23:27

Whenever I get a cough night nurse is my saviour. It seems to cost the throat to stop the tickly cough and also knocks you out with it .. amazing stuff. Hope she feels better soon x

Louisa111 · 11/07/2021 23:28

coat that should say! Damn phone x

MikeHat · 11/07/2021 23:36

@Ivanthehoe

Thanks everyone. *@Sleepdeprived42long* -I think you're right, she's got herself all worked up and panicky. Have got her all tucked up and am lying with her stroking her hair like I used to do when she was a wee girl. I think if I can just get her to nod off she'll sleep. It's such a funny age- she's an adult but still a wee girl, my wee girl. She's been a wee trouper this week but think she'd almost delirious with tiredness at this stage. Appreciate everyone's help. Going to put my phone away for a while and try to get her settled.
Oh poor thing. I remember doing the same with adult DS last year. I second Piriton, won't do any harm but can make you drowsy.
Katie517 · 11/07/2021 23:58

Night nurse is the absolute best it’s the only thing that helps me to sleep when I am ill with a cough, nothing else comes close. But if you can get her drinking some ginger juice (or the ginger shots they do at M&S/ Waitrose) these also really help reduce coughing and boost the immune system.

Crunchyorsmooth · 12/07/2021 00:00

When DS had the horrific cough it seemed to help having a pillow under the mattress to elevate it slightly - and he was on his front to sleep. Sounds awful for your poor DD, hope she’s back to her best soon Flowers

INeedNewShoes · 12/07/2021 00:08

When I had a mouth full of ulcers from being run down with a particularly vicious lurgy my GP prescribed what I think were steroid lozenges for the mouth ulcers. They were very very effective and made the difference between being able to eat and not.

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