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

[quote justbananas42]@careerchangeperhaps will the doctor assess him over the phone or in person?

He’s been ill for 12 days now.[/quote]
No idea. Speak to 111 and they'll decide whether he needs a phone or in-person assessment.

Op please don't wait for him to ring 111. You can ring on his behalf and at least get advice.

The doctor will call first and go through everything with him and will then advise what can be given. They will ask about the cough, whether it’s a dry cough or a chesty cough and if he’s bringing up phelm and if he is what colour is it, clear is fine, but yellow or green could indicate infection. Also is he wheezing or chest crackling. I don’t think you can take codine for longer than 3 days. Have you tried nightnurse for nightime, vics vapourub and hot steamy baths are good. I think the temperature and oxigen stats are ok. I would ask as the cough isn’t getting any better if they could prescribe some antibiotics. They may also get him an appointment at a walk in clinic to check him over.

Hi everyone, I rang 111 and a doctor called back half an hour later. I explained everything I’ve said here, that the codeine wasn’t working and she said to try over the counter medicine like lockets and also to drink warm water!

She asked me to do another temperature and oximeter reading and he got 37.9C and 93/92 on the oximeter. She then asked if he was lying down, which he was, and asked me to do another reading when he was sitting up. I did and he got 95/96/97! I didn’t realise he had to be sitting up for readings.

She said he’s not at the level where he would need hospitalisation and it’s about managing his symptoms at home to the best we can.

She also said that I should be isolating - I said I didn’t need to as I’d had Covid very mildly a few weeks ago and was now out of my isolation period. But she still said I should?! I’m so confused!

I just don’t understand - if codeine doesn’t work then what good is a locket going to do?

Some of the cough might be caused by post nasal drip, soothers etc can help to stop that. Also warm water will stop the mucus being stripped from his throat which will make the cough worse/make it more sensitive.

I had laryngitis, bronchitis and then pneumonia in succession a couple of years ago and managing the nasal drip was the worst part.

Glad to hear you got to speak to a doctor. I would go to chemist and speak to pharmacist and try and get something to help the cough. My adult son swears by apple cider vinegar, just a few drops in a juice, helps with coughs and relieves congestion. With regards to you isolating, I think GPs and test and trace are telling everyone to isolate where they can. Obviously it not the current rules. Regarding oxigen levels, they also go up after you’ve moved around, I suppose any movement helps.

She didn’t seem concerned at all about the oximeter reading once he’d sat up and got the higher reading.

I just don’t see the point in me isolating when I’ve just had Covid - it doesn’t make any sense?

I’m really concerned the doctor has minimised this somewhat. I feel so stressed

Oh gosh op hope you're okay. How is he now?

His oxygen levels seemed ok to the doctor. That’s the most serious issue with Covid as far as I know.

The cough is horrible. The codeine isn’t like an antibiotic which works on getting rid of the cough it just helps suppress it. Lockets and similar will help sooth his throat which is probably sore from coughing. Sipping warm water or warm Ribena will do similar.

I agree that pottering in the garden wasn’t the best idea. It seems part of the illness that people feel a bit better and do too much and end up taking two steps backwards.

When DS had it he lived on Apple juice, ice cream and soup for a few days. Hadn’t the energy to shower. Etc.

Get DH to keep sipping liquids and sucking lozenges to keep his throat lubricated which will gradually help.

It will just take time I think. He needs to just rest and let his body heal.

I know it’s stressful and awful if you are not sleeping either. Can you get ear plugs?

I would feel relieved after that assessment. I didn't realise about the sitting up for oximeter either! So temp not to high and oxygen levels are fine. He still has that horrid cough but I don't think you need to feel so stressed. Stock up on the lockets and Ribera etc and just do your best to muddle through.

You don't need to isolate as long as you are double vaccinated. Nor do the DC.

Bless you OP it's so confusing and worrying isn't it? I'm glad he's had at least something of an assessment.
Are you managing to get any rest today? Any chance of you catching up on some sleep? Everything's so much worse when you're over-tired.
Wishing you all well.

Just seen your other thread, honestly, that doctor is so wrong! You don’t need to isolate.. what a weird bit of advice to give.

I’d keep an eye over the weekend OP & honestly, contact your GP on Monday if he’s no better. I know a few people given steroids for severe covid coughs/lower than liked oxygen readings. A doc should also be checking for a possible chest infection. Particularly after 12 days of fevers. It doesn’t matter if it was 37.9 on her call, it’s been over 38 most of the time from your posts 🤷🏼‍♀️

I’m not overly convinced by this GP. It may well be that your husband just needs rest & time but he’s clearly not very well & could possibly do with checking over! Her covid advice was bizarre.

Are you double vaxxed? I hope your dh was attentive as you are when you had Covid! He'll be fine OP

This is very soothing and great for coughs. Mix cinnamon and honey, add hot water,lemon and extra virgin olive oil. It tastes good too.
Use Ceylon cinnamon if you can.

Thanks. His temperature is up to 39.0C tonight

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/how-to-treat-symptoms-at-home/

@justbananas42

Thanks. His temperature is up to 39.0C tonight

I'd be tempted to call 111 again and speak to a different doctor.

Poor you and dh. Don't hesitate to call them back if you feel he is worse.

My friend got inhalers and stuff when she had covid.

My friend got inhalers and stuff when she had covid.

He says his breathing is fine, but honestly it’s hard to know with DH

If you are double jabbed you don't need to isolate so she is giving you the wrong information and that itself would make me want to speak to some1 else. When covid first started they said if there was no improvement after 10 days likely hood would be you would end up in hospital (don't want to scare you).
I had a friend who called ambulance for a high temp with covid they came out and done a full assessment she didn't need hospital turns out she hadn't taken anything to bring temp down but might be worth doing that.

I'd be tempted to call 111 again and speak to a different doctor.

OP, I'd do this. 39 degrees on day 12 is not great. Something's going on. He may be able to get stronger meds (steroids?). Thought the earlier doctor's approach was v strange, given his oxygen levels 92 - 97 and no-one's seen him at all.

(Sometimes medical folk call it wrong. When I was in labour, midwife on phone said, from how you're talking, you sound like you're quite early on. Wait an hour and call us again. That didn't feel right. We went in. By the time I got there and was examined, I was 10 cm and ready to push.)

When covid first started they said if there was no improvement after 10 days likely hood would be you would end up in hospital (don't want to scare you).

Is this true?! I’m now really, really scared

His temp is back down to 37.2C now - that must be the Nurofen working. He’s not been taking them regularly - I think we should keep taking them every four hours.

@LatinforTelly thanks. I know, I can’t quite believe she recommended throat sweets! He’s gone from being prescribed codeine (quite strong medication I believe) to throat sweets. That cannot be right. I did mention steroids but she didn’t seem to know what I was talking about.

DH adamant he just wants to relax on the sofa this evening but we will call 111 again in the morning if needed.