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Original poster

17 dd and cough

17 replies

Happyinheels · 20/08/2021 19:56

Hi, just looking for other people's experiences please. My 17 YO dd had Covid about 5 weeks ago. She was really very ill with it and ended up developing a secondary infection and was on a large dose of antibiotics. I've never seen her so ill. She is normally very fit and active. We're about a month down the line and the cough is horrendous. When they say a 'continuous cough' well this is continuous. She said that her chest is in a lot of pain. I'm just worried and looking for reassurance really. We've tried ringing the doctor and it's just impossible to get through. I know nothing can be done and it's just a matter of time and I know everyone is different. But I am just wondering if anyone else has suffered longer term coughing like this and things that might have helped alleviate it. Thank you 😊

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 20/08/2021 19:58

I would be concerned about pneumonia or some other awful infection. I would do whatever it takes to get her seen by a doctor.

Porcupineintherough · 20/08/2021 20:02

Agree she needs to be seen. Can you not get through to your gp at all? There are post COVID gp clinics in some places where you can go to be seen after the first 10 days. If your gp wont see you then they should be able to signpost you there.

As its now the weekend try 111 and ask to see an out of hours gp. Or is there a walk in clinic near you?

Flowers for your daughter. Even a "mild" case of COVID can be brutal as my 19 year old nephew is discovering at the moment.

JayDot500 · 20/08/2021 20:57

Call 111.

quackinglikeaduck · 20/08/2021 21:01

Does your surgery have a web page where you can submit requests for appointments? It may not be well advertised, but it's worth looking for. If they've got a place you can submit questions where they read the requests the same day, then that would stop you having to queue on the phone.

Bennetgirl · 20/08/2021 21:46

I second 111. A gp will possibly phone you to advise what to do or they'll suggest a and e etc.

Gps are shite now but I've found 111 to be really useful this year x

ShadesOfMagenta · 20/08/2021 23:19

Can you do an online consultation with your GP?

Ouchyhurt · 21/08/2021 12:07

When I had covid my cough went on for months, I was given inhalers etc to ease. I agree she needs to be seen and 111 is your best if you can't get a GP appointment.

Original poster
Happyinheels · 02/09/2021 10:52

Hi, so sorry I forgot to come back and reply. Thank you for the responses. I rang 111 and took her to A&E on their advice. They gave her an ECG and took her bloods but really we're no further forward. The cough is still as bad and her chest is still in a lot of pain and she's permanently exhausted. She sounds hoarse from coughing so much. There seems very little that anyone can do.

OP posts:
ssd · 02/09/2021 10:54

Thats awful @Happyinheels, im so sorry Flowers

Colin56 · 02/09/2021 11:03

@Happyinheels

Hi, so sorry I forgot to come back and reply. Thank you for the responses. I rang 111 and took her to A&E on their advice. They gave her an ECG and took her bloods but really we're no further forward. The cough is still as bad and her chest is still in a lot of pain and she's permanently exhausted. She sounds hoarse from coughing so much. There seems very little that anyone can do.
I think I would ask for a referral to a respiratory specialist to take another look. Theres obviously an issue. Best of luck. Sounds awful.
Original poster
Happyinheels · 02/09/2021 11:08

Thank you. Seeing her suffering still is just awful. I feel absolutely powerless. She had a massive dose of antibiotics the first time round as she had a secondary infection. But it's so hard to see her still so poorly and to feel like no one can help or wants to help. The GP has been pretty pointless.

OP posts:
PurplePumpkinDream · 02/09/2021 11:19

@Happyinheels Sorry to hear about your poor daughter must be distressing for her and you to watch her. I know the run of the mill Covid cough is bad enough. I would make a nuisance of myself and ask to speak to a GP to see if something can be done to help her, maybe urgent referral to a specialist, she can’t be expected to carry on like that.

Colin56 · 02/09/2021 11:25

@Happyinheels

Thank you. Seeing her suffering still is just awful. I feel absolutely powerless. She had a massive dose of antibiotics the first time round as she had a secondary infection. But it's so hard to see her still so poorly and to feel like no one can help or wants to help. The GP has been pretty pointless.
I think in the meantime I would definitely look at TCM medicine - a proper Chinese Medicine specialist and accupuncture. I am not saying you should ignore conventional medicine but it will be a while before you see a speciaist. Accupuncture and TCM have good outcomes for respiratory issues but you need to go to a registered and experienced practitioner. Also have you thought of going to an asthma specialist or seeing if an inhaler from your GP would work? Even short term?
HSHorror · 02/09/2021 11:46

Could she be low on vit d?

Apr 2020 my kids both had a cough for 5w but as the weather got better and they got outside more it got better.
Other than that honey and lemon. Or as pp says an asthma inhaler.
Coughs can last a really long time but it usually not a constant cough.
Even something like nightnurse could help her get more sleep to recover

Piggywaspushed · 02/09/2021 11:55

Did they do a chest xray OP?

TheReluctantPhoenix · 02/09/2021 12:07

@Happyinheels,

If a private GP is an option, I would take it. However, if they do more bloods, X rays etc, it could cost several hundred pounds. It is what I would do, but I am lucky enough to be able to.

Otherwise, I think you really have to advocate for your daughter and not give up. Maybe try to change GPs? A good NHS GP is worth their weight in gold. Or, try another A&E in a few days, if no better. Again, they may do different tests (such as a chest X ray).

I just don't think saying that a 5 week continuous cough is 'one of those things' is acceptable. The 'wonderful' NHS is once again showing that, despite how wonderful some of the staff are (and they are), it is not fit for purpose.

Karlee30 · 02/09/2021 13:52

She needs to be seen. If you have no luck with gp then ring 111. Post viral Coughs can linger for weeks, so definitely not uncommon but they usually reduce as the days/weeks go on and not as continuous as you explain. It sounds like it's definitely worth getting checked out. I hope she's over the cough soon op. Coughs are awful!

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