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Original poster

I can't stop coughing

27 replies

Odelay · 14/02/2011 21:21

I've had a bit if a cough and cold for about 4 weeks. In the last two days the cough has taken over my life. I actually cannot stop coughing. Every other breath is a cough.

I am 15 weeks pregnant and still feeling a bit sicky at times. Every few coughs is a really violent one that makes me retch and quite often throw up.

I think it is a dry tickler cough - it's not producing anything. I have barely slept for two nights now

Have been to the pharmacist who said the only thing I could have us glycerin, which tastes nice, but doesn't seem to help

I have tried inhaling menthol stuff, which just made me sick

Anyone got any other suggestions for something that might give me some relief?

Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
Odelay · 14/02/2011 21:22

Tickler doh tickley

OP posts:
Sidge · 14/02/2011 21:24

You should see your GP.

They may be able to give you a salbutamol inhaler to help the cough a bit until you're over the virus/whatever is making you unwell.

Original poster
Odelay · 14/02/2011 21:28

I fear the GP. Am always (well the two times a decade) nade to feel like a complete waste of time

Is it ok to see a factor about 'just' a cough? I have had it a very long time

OP posts:
Original poster
Odelay · 14/02/2011 21:30

Oh for ficks sake this stupid phone

Made to feel a tomewaster. The twice a decade I go.

Doctor not factor

OP posts:
Sidge · 14/02/2011 21:33

I understood you!

Yes it's OK to see someone about a persistent cough, either the GP or a Nurse Practitioner.

TheSleepFairy · 14/02/2011 21:34

fick sake this stupid phone.

Sorry but that really did make me laugh.

Composed.

Yes you should see a doctor to help your cough.

Kat3L · 14/02/2011 21:36

I am 35 weeks and have had a tickly cough for 2-3 weeks. The pharmacist advised drinking hot lemon and honey - which is soothing but not what you call particularly effective! I've also got some glycerin pastilles to suck. I saw my midwife for routine visit last week and mentioned the cough and she said to see the GP as he may be able to prescribe something. I am going tomorrow morning. So, go for it, make an appointment and good luck.

thisisyesterday · 14/02/2011 21:36

ok this may sound really stupid, but bear with me...

have you tried to not cough?

told you it would sound stupid! I had the same thing a while ago, and i coughed so much that in the end my throat was just awful and it hurt soooooo much to cough that I was trying really hard not to do it. and as soon as I started trying to not cough as much... it got better! may have just been co-incidence though
it's horrible wanting to cough and not doing it, but it did seem to help me, i think the irritation in my throat from the coughing was making me cough more, so once i stopped doing it as much it ghot better quicker

OhYouBadBadKitten · 14/02/2011 21:51

I think it is worth seeing a doctor.
I have a horrible cough too and like thisiyesterday the more I cough the more irriated my throat gets. I'm going to try nightnurse tonight. lucky me!

Alouiseg · 14/02/2011 21:54

If its just an irritation taking something with codeine in works fantastically.

Nurofen Plus or Cocodamol are my cough stopper of choice.

Original poster
Odelay · 14/02/2011 21:55

Thanks all. Perhaps I will steel myself and see the doctor. Perhaps he might have something for sausage fingers too!

I tried not coughing last night, I felt so sorry for DP and the neighbours, but it kind of explodes out of me

Ypubadkitten I am SO jealous of your night nurse. If I didn't feel so feeble I'd wrestle it from you

OP posts:
Original poster
Odelay · 14/02/2011 21:57

Oooo I have some codeine. It's ok to take when you're pregnant isn't it?

Worth a go and even if ut doesn't make me stop coughing it might make me sleep

OP posts:
Popbiscuit · 14/02/2011 21:58

I have had this. My doctor said it was "latent asthma" brought on by a cold. Gave me a salbutamol inhaler and it disappeared overnight (don't have any kind of asthma normally). See your GP; I tried every home and over the counter remedy and nothing worked until the inhaler.

Sarahlou8 · 14/02/2011 22:10

No Odelay, not completely sure but don't think you can take codeine, and definitely not ibuprofen.
Sorry, no advice, just getting over this hideous cough that goes on for weeks myself and I take Benylin night cough - but you can't take it when pregnant.

I'd go and see the doctor. Coughs are just the pits x

OhYouBadBadKitten · 15/02/2011 08:27

Hope you had a much better night.

Night nurse was pretty effective - except it stored up all my coughing for the morning and I feel like a dopey dimwit. Still, at least I wasnt lying awake going batty.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 17/02/2011 08:30

How is everyone doing? I hope it is settling down for people. This lasts forever and ever it seems.
Yet another really bad night (and day) Trying to convince myself that I'm going to have fantastic toned tummy muscles by the end. Must be miserable being pregnant though :(

Saltire · 17/02/2011 13:56

I've had a cough for ages too. I think (well I don't think, I know) mine has upset my asthma and i cannot breathe properly either

OhYouBadBadKitten · 17/02/2011 15:02

:( thats rather rubbish saltire.

Fifichef · 17/02/2011 20:51

Cheer up folks!! I've had mine since the end of August so don't think that it's going to go quickly!! Doc not helpful. When really annoying I take anthistamine (non drowsy) tablets

OhYouBadBadKitten · 17/02/2011 22:11

how is that cheery up?????? have taken some codeine that I had stashed away for a couple of years. Still coughing but I feel a lot more cheery!

Elibean · 17/02/2011 22:18

I think I remember being given codeine when pregnant, as one of the 'safe' ones, but would check that out with someone who knows.

Spent afternoon on bus with child coughing in my face (school trip); dd2 has been coughing in my face anyway for past 10 days; no surprise then that the last day or two's tickly cough has got worse this evening Hmm

I've got some kids' benelyn somewhere...

Elibean · 17/02/2011 22:18

OYBBK: sweet dreams then Wink

OhYouBadBadKitten · 17/02/2011 22:23

lol - I didnt take them when gp gave them for pain as I didnt like how they made me feel. How strange of me.

Hmm dont think I'll get them if they are offered again. they are a bit too nice!

OhYouBadBadKitten · 17/02/2011 22:27

and on that note - off to bed. Good night :)

OhYouBadBadKitten · 18/02/2011 09:42

how is everyone this fine morning?

no better yet and now my nose is making strange noises when I blow it. I think that might be a good sign of things moving on as dd ended up with a really blocked nose before she finally started to improve.