DH horrendous cough

[justbananas42]

DH is on day 4 of isolation and his cough is really terrible. It’s practically non stop and he’s wretching occasionally as well. He also feels very under the weather, like he has a case of flu or something. He’s 44 years old and double jabbed with Astra Zeneca. I’m worried

If he can't finish a sentence due to breathlessness I'd seek medical help.

Thanks

He’s very much able to speak normally.

Thanks everyone. I’m going to bed myself now but will update tomorrow.

Rather than seeking advice on this forum or googling what to do, please use your time to seek advice from those qualified to advise. NHS 111 is there to give you research based advice and what can help your husband. You would not be wasting their time and it sounds like that would be needed given his symptoms. Even if he is sleeping now, they can advise how to help him and if/when to get him seen by medical professional. Mumsnet is not the place for advice on medical issues, more for moral support. Hope he makes a quick recovery.

@justbananas42

Sorry, yes ventilation for cough relief, not infection

Interesting the poster who mentioned codeine… we spoke to 111 today and DH has been prescribed some form of codeine that I’ve got to collect for him tomorrow.

He was coughing again last night (though a bit less than the night before) and is still feeling very weak and groggy.

The doctor said to make sure he gets lots of fluids and that he eats.

That was me re the codeine I think @justbananas42. I remembered from when my dad had had a heart bypass and then got a bad cough and he was told to take codeine to stop the coughing as it was hurting so much.

I only gave it to DS for two nights but it really made a difference - just getting a night’s sleep helped him start to get over Covid I think.

DS was weak and had no appetite for about a week. Just ate things like tomato soup or eggs and toast. And ice cream!

Hope your DH starts to improve.

Thanks @Peridot1, you were obviously on the money!

The doctor did tell DH to be aware that it can be addictive apparently (or something along those lines) so it sounds like pretty strong stuff!

Sorry to hear you are going through this.

I'm not in the UK so protocols may be different but when my DH was like this our GP prescribed cortisone tablets. They really helped DH and made a difference to his cough quickly.

Thinking of you x

@justbananas42

Thanks *@Peridot1*, you were obviously on the money!

The doctor did tell DH to be aware that it can be addictive apparently (or something along those lines) so it sounds like pretty strong stuff!

Yes, codeine is addictive but not if he takes it for a short time.

How is he now?

@elliesmummy19 Thanks for asking. He slept from about 8.30pm-1.30am last night, then woke up and was coughing on and off until about 3.30am. He then went back to sleep until 7.30ish. His cough was less non-stop than the previous night but still bad.

He was up this morning on the sofa but has gone back to bed now as he's feeling weak.

I'm having a hard time trying to persuade him to eat - he has agreed to have some soup for lunch though.

I'm looking forward to getting hold of this medication tomorrow.

I also said codeine. It's a god send but does need to be prescribed. I'm jealous he's on the sofa. I've been in my room since last Sunday as don't want to spread it around. My cough is still here worse at nigjts buy stopped taking codeine now

@disconnecteddrifter sorry you're suffering too DH's cough is also worse at night I think. In what way is codeine a god send - does it really help with the cough? I hope so.

DH says he doesn't feel like eating but is going to force himself to have some soup, as the doctor said he needs to keep up his strength

It really helps. The other thing I used in the first four days was nigjt nurse - excellent for a good sleep but does have paracetamol so you'd have to miss a dose of codeine. I've lost 8 pounds in one week as not hungry and have no taste or smell but find soups OK

@disconnecteddrifter that's great to hear, thank you. DH says he feels sick when he eats

I didnr eat for a few days to be fair as felt sick. Can he drink juices? If not don't worry he'll be able to eat in a few days

You’ve probably seen this OP but here’s the NHS ‘check list’. What to do, when to do it, when to get help etc...

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/how-to-treat-symptoms-at-home/#:~:text=Get%20advice%20from%20NHS%20111,call%20your%20GP%20surgery.

You're feeling gradually more unwell or more breathless
You have difficulty breathing when you stand up or move around
You feel very weak, achy or tired
You're shaking or shivering
You've lost your appetite

Thanks @SunShinesBrightly - DH has practically all of these We have been in touch with 111 this morning.

Good call @justbananas42

I hope he’s ok xx

I am at the same stage as your husband and I feel pretty rough. The cough has been horrendous. Hot steamy shower is the best thing I have found to soothe it.

My OH is at about the same stage and is feeling really rough. He doesn't seem to be improving like I was.
I had symptoms mainly in my head but he is complaining it's all on his chest, his cough isn't too bad but he's coughing more than I was. He's still shivery too 🤔

I tried taking some codeine I had in the medicine cabinet this lunch time for my Covid cough and it's really really helped.
Hope it helps your husband too.

Thanks for the good wishes everyone and hope everyone struggling feels better soon

Yes DH is shivery too - he slept in a jumper last night

@troppibambini6 that is so encouraging, thank you. I can’t wait to pick it up tomorrow!

@justbananas42 glad to hear you've contacted 111. DH and I had about a week of severe illness (very lucky to stay out of hospital). It took us a few weeks to convalescence but we are practically back to normal 6 weeks later (apart from limited sense of smell). So, hopefully your DH is turning that corner. We each lost roughly a stone in the fortnight we were ill, and needed a month off work. Our GP prescribed a Pulmicort Turbohaler, which is being recommended as a treatment that can potentially shorten the duration of Covid. I know how horrible it is both to go through and to witness, and I really hope your DH is over the worst.

Have you got something like lucozade or rehydration drinks if he can't eat. Worth getting something in rather than nothing?

I’ve been prescribed codeine linctus for a cough in the past. Worked a blooming treat! I had an awful cough one winter, I couldn’t breathe for coughing. And I’m asthmatic too. The doc gave me codeine linctus and I literally stopped cough almost immediately! I was astonished! It really helped me get better. I finally slept & within a few days, all good bar a bit of a bruised chest!

I used to use it for my dry asthma coughs all the time, you used to be able to get it over the counter but it got banned cos it’s addictive 😩😂

Hope your husband is OK OP. I had a horrible cough with covid but I kept my eye on my stats (I have an oxygen metre for my asthma) and rode it out. I’m very used to having horrendous coughs with my asthma so it didn’t really throw me! So long as his stats are above 94, don’t panic. My GP told that’s a low-ish but normal with covid. Still worth getting checked at the level. Steroids might help make things feel easier. If he can talk normally, that’s an excellent sign!