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Original poster

Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough

63 replies

Kbear · 29/12/2011 21:10

Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough Cough

DD ..... for weeks now... worse the last 10 days, took DD to the doctor, he said it's a virus and gave a prescription for anti-biotics ..... er..... you ARE the doctor right?

She is nearly 13, hasn't slept properly for weeks, hardly at all for the past week, she has black rings under her eyes, is teary and sore from endless coughing. It's a high up dry cough, not a chesty cough, non-productive if you know what I mean, just endless barking.

Tonight she got a bit panicky because there was hardly time to breathe between coughs. I am going to take her back to the doc tomorrow and hope someone different is there for a second opinion, I think.

What do you think wise MNers? I am blessed with children that don't need to see the doctor often thankfully so am I over reacting? Should I just let it run its course and not worry? Seeing her getting upset has got me worried.

OP posts:
Cybbo · 29/12/2011 21:14

Could she be given some sort of puffer like the children who suffer from asthma get? Just to open her airways a bit?

LineRunner · 29/12/2011 21:20

My DS (14) has had a persistent dry cough for 3 months. Various medics have been useless.

I took him to the doctors' surgery just before Christmas, and saw a new doctor in the practice who listened to his story, his chest, to me, and then she said (rather refreshingly) 'I don't know what the answer is.'

She suggested we treat it as though it were a new diagnosis of asthma. He has tried two puffs of Ventolin morning and night for two days, and is seemingly immediately better.

I blame: the new fitted windows; all the bloody body spray that has filled his room for the past few months of puberty; and various ghastly chemical products he puts on his hair. I am jamming those windows open for sure!

In adults, a persistent cough can be a rare symptom of serious problems eg heart disease so it is always worth checking out, but that would be really, really unlikely in your DC. But if you are worried, get a second opinion and make sure you ask for a general health check up without freaking out your DD! Smile

hellhasnofury · 29/12/2011 21:22

I think you're right to take her back but for tonight have you tried warm squash with some honey if you have some. DD is an asthmatic and gets that cough sometimes, warm drinks can help her. Sitting in a steamy bathroom helps too.

whomovedmychocolate · 29/12/2011 21:25

I developed asthma in my teens - quite a few people do.

Linerunner, tell him to lay off the Lynx, not nice chemicals in there. Get him some proper aftershave if he must stink like a manwhore of Babylon. :)

Original poster
Kbear · 29/12/2011 21:26

Thanks for replies.

She has had soothing honey drink, inhaled steam, rubbed chest with Vick (my Nan's answer to ALL life's ailments and why not?, love the smell, it is soothing if nothing else), had paracetamol for throat soreness and Covonia night time medicine. She was propped up in bed after warm bath then suddenly the coughing stopped and she was asleep. I hope she gets a bit of sleep before it starts again.

OP posts:
Original poster
Kbear · 29/12/2011 21:28

She doesn't use hairspray or anything and I will tell her to lay off the spray deo and use the roll on for a while. I agree breathing in these at the best of times choke you. Also air fresheners etc. Don't tend to have them cos sets DH off sneezing at the remote wiff of an air freshener.

OP posts:
Original poster
Kbear · 29/12/2011 21:30

I know it's nothing sinister but mum's worry! She's a healthy kid usually, very active, rarely ill, but I worked out she's had this cough since at least 3 Dec, which is when she had a sleepover and I remember her coughing then.

OP posts:
whomovedmychocolate · 29/12/2011 21:32

Have you tried Sterimar - it's a nasal saline spray, you stick it up your nose, press and breathe it in and then blow your nose and tons of snot comes out - it does help reduce the amount of gunk to cough up.

Original poster
Kbear · 29/12/2011 21:35

not that sort of cough though, nothing to cough up, ITSWIM, it's a dry bark, she's coughing again already, been asleep ten minutes

OP posts:
whomovedmychocolate · 29/12/2011 21:38

If it's an unproductive cough after that time, she needs to see the GP again and have a chest xray.

BellaVita · 29/12/2011 21:38

DS1's (14) coughs used to be like this. He had to have inhalers. They keep it at bay now.

I used to feel so sorry for him. Many a time when he was little I used to sit propped up with him in his bed so he could get some sleep.

Get her to the gp.

OhYouBadBadReindeer · 29/12/2011 21:39

does she say that it is tickly? I've found an antihistamine like clarityn good for that kind of cough.

Original poster
Kbear · 29/12/2011 21:39

Went yesterday - he said it's a virus and gave a prescription for anti-biotics - I have little faith in that one - I am going to take her and hope someone else is on duty tomorrow.

OP posts:
BastedTurkey · 29/12/2011 21:40

When DD had similar we took her to the docs who said her nose was running a lot and that it was aggravating her throat and gave us antihistimines.

Seemed to help, but not sure if thats the same for your DD

DreamingOfAWhiteChristmas · 29/12/2011 21:42

Your poor DD. Mine is similar, but 15 months (and coughing for 3 months). All upper airway, she sounds rattly but has had her chest listened to and does not have a chest infection so no antibiotics. My DH is a GP and he is considering trying a salbutamol inhaler with her to give a bit of airway dilation and see if that helps.

The theory is even if there's no infection, all the coughing means the mucous membranes in her airways will be sore and inflamed, so bit of dilation may help ease symptoms and let it recover, even if your DD is not asthmatic

NB I am not a medic, so have no idea what I'm talking about, but it does make sense to me a little, and may be worth asking the doctor...?

Original poster
Kbear · 29/12/2011 21:42

She has no other symptoms, nose not running or blocked, no cold/flu symptoms, no sneezing nothing.

I have to admit I googled and hit on asthma but I'm not a doctor - but the doctor I saw thinks antibiotics are the cure for a virus .....

OP posts:
Original poster
Kbear · 29/12/2011 21:43

I appreciate your opinions, it's good to get other people's ideas

OP posts:
HattiFattner · 29/12/2011 21:44

we are on week 5 of this cough. Non productive for about 3 weeks then BAM - major asthma attack, steroids, anti-biotics, ventolin day and night, felt like it was becoming more productive, but didnt ever get there. Barking like a seal!

Last night he had best nights sleep for weeks, we put a thick wet towel on the radiator in his bedroom. Tonight he is back coughing like a goodun. Im at my wits end with it all.

LineRunner · 29/12/2011 21:45

whomovedmychocolate Grin I am thrilled to ban Lynx forthwith! (I got him some Ralph Lauren Polo no. 4 for Xmas.)

OP, also think about any sprays you have used recently around the house - for fleas, cleaning, air freshening - I'm coming up witth a few potential culprits apart from just the Lynx myself.

My kids grew up with massive drafts coming into their bedrooms and were incredibly healthy. My DS has only developed this cough since I got UVPC windows fitted.

LineRunner · 29/12/2011 21:48

Agree with Dreaming. My DS is not likely to be asthmatic but the inhaler treatment is allowing the best recovery - while we eliminate the trigger.

Hatti - so sorry. You need full-on medical support.

Sidge · 29/12/2011 21:51

Antibiotics for a virus? Errr, ok Hmm

Persistent dry cough with no fever, no sputum, no other coryzal (cold) symptoms is possibly an allergy, possibly asthma, possibly transient bronchitis (but you usually get a more productive cough with bronchitis).

If you came to see me I'd give her a salbutamol inhaler to try for a few weeks for symptomatic relief, and suggest regular paracetamol, steam inhalations, no pets in the bedroom, no smoking in the house, no plug ins, no aerosols and the bedroom window open a crack. Having a bowl of water near a radiator can reduce air dryness (which can aggravate coughs).

Hot water, glycerine, honey and lemon is soothing.

johnworf · 29/12/2011 21:54

This autumn/winter has been particularly bad for coughs and bad chests. I am told it's because the weather has been so mild and not cold enough to kill off the usual chest bugs.

My DD2 had a cough for 2 weeks and I was told it was just a virus (both at the walk-in centre and the GP). By the third week she could hardly catch her breath and it turned out she had pneumonia. We spent early two weeks in hospital whilst she recovered.

I'm in no way saying that is what your DD has but if a cough is lingering for that long, I really would be seeking a second opinion and certainly a chest xray/sputum test.

She must be shattered physically from all that coughing Sad

johnworf · 29/12/2011 21:55

Sorry, hadn't realised no sputum. Whoops Blush

DreamingOfAWhiteChristmas · 29/12/2011 21:56

oh, sidge, sounds good, my DD is getting a bowl of water near her radiator right now!!!!! (we are a no pets/aerosols/plug-ins household and her window opens onto a flat roof extension so I'm afraid of the baby-nappers Hmm -yes, I know, I know...) . Maybe the window can be open a crack on its vent setting- if I wasn't so scared of waking said baby I'd try now!

Sidge · 29/12/2011 22:00

Dreaming if you can't/won't open a window a crack, then leave her door open slightly. Rebreathed/recyled air is very dry and irritating so a bit of fresh air can help.