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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:
mousysantamouse · 29/12/2011 22:00

can you ask for an appointment with the asthma nurse?
dry cough especially at night can be a sign of asthma an can sometimes just occur after a normal cold.
I have lung damage (scarring due to untreated asthma) and every time I have a cold I get this annoying cough. the salbutamol inhaler really helps.

in the meantime sleeping propped up, nearly sitting, can help as can cold moist air (open window).

and yes, go back to gp/asthma nurse. even if they don't like to label her asthmatic, she should still get treatment.

TaffyandTeenyTaffy · 29/12/2011 22:03

Do you have a real christmas tree she could be allergic to? I suffer with hay fever and am very sensitive to certain flowers and plants - so just a thought...

startail · 29/12/2011 22:06

Hot drinks. is good, teas ok, but the milk may not help. Steam, going for a shower breaks the cycle some times.
DD has a blue ventolin inhaler, dr decided the long term cough was " a post viral wheeze". Certainly colds were followed by cough at one point.
With DD1 the coughing and grunting becomes a habit. I very mean I make her sing. She's a very good, solosist grade singer. She concentrates very hard when she's singing and while we don't get a brilliant performance when she's got a cough breathing properly for a few minutes really helps.
I also used to cough my self stupid as a child, it's vile. Hugs and good luck

startail · 29/12/2011 22:07

That said hot Ribena is good. Stupid phone

Jellykat · 29/12/2011 22:18

Completely agree with all those who say you need moisture in the air, via bowls of water on radiators, and steam inhalations.. Central Heating is a very dry heat.

Original poster
Kbear · 29/12/2011 22:34

No real tree, no pets, no plug ins, she has slight eczema which is worse when the heating is on in winter but no health probs as such.

This thread is really helpful. Thanks

OP posts:
RachelHRD · 29/12/2011 23:12

I have a friend who swears by Vicks on the soles of the feet at night for coughs - might be worth a try? Sorry to hear she is suffering - persistent coughs are awful.

drcrab · 29/12/2011 23:35

No suggestions really but plenty of sympathy as I've had it myself. For last 5 weeks too. First fee weeks I had to leave my lecture as I could stop myself and ended up in the loo vomiting (from the intensity of coughing ...). It's finally loosened up and I'm getting lumps of sputum out. Thing is, it was a dry cough then a productive one then a dry one. My DS 3.10 and DD 15 months have also had them. Sad I've relied on my blue inhaler. My children have had warm water, honey and various concoctions. Oh and vicks on chest! I hope things get better soon.

Fluffycloudland77 · 30/12/2011 00:14

Is she to young for pholocodiene (pronounced folcadene so you dont make an idiot of yourself in the pharmacy)? It has codeine in it. Bloody marvelous cough suppressant if she can have it. And cheap as chips.

I had a really bad cough once after a throat and ear infection, I could hardly talk to patients (podiatrist not dr) and a mum collegue wrote it down and sent me off to the sainsburys down the road to get some.

Sometimes the simple things work best.

giraffesCanGoFirstFootingOnNYE · 30/12/2011 01:29

I developed asthma last year age 25, never had it before. Went back and forward for weeks with cough and chest pain.

Original poster
Kbear · 30/12/2011 09:40

back to see different doctor at 11.40 today - if I at least get a second opinion I will feel like I have at least tried! And I can question the antibiotics thing - I mean why take them if there is no infection? She's only had them a handful of times in her life. I honestly think some doctors have the standard amoxycillian prescription printed up ready.

Thanks all, keep you posted.

Can you hear me over the noise? cough cough cough cough cough cough cough !!

OP posts:
OhYouBadBadReindeer · 30/12/2011 10:02

kbear - wondering if it might be whooping cough? apparently the vaccine wears off in teenagehood and you dont necessarily whoop.

OhYouBadBadReindeer · 30/12/2011 10:07

(which could explain the erythromycin prescription)

giraffesCanGoFirstFootingOnNYE · 30/12/2011 11:02

good luck

Original poster
Kbear · 30/12/2011 12:55

We're back.

FABULOUS doctor. She said "she has bronchitis, I could hear her in here from the waiting room". She said she wasn't surprised I'd come back with her .

She gave DD the once over, she has the rumblings of a chest infection lower down in her lungs so said to keep on with the antibiotics (but ignore talk of virus) and prescribed Salbutamol inhaler which will open her airways and provide relief.

She said if I am worried it is getting worse over the weekend don't hesitate to call the out of hours doc. Also assume she won't be going to school next week unless drastically better. Rest required.

I am so relieved.

Thanks so much for all advice and bothering to post!

OP posts:
Sidge · 30/12/2011 12:57

Hurray! Glad you had a good consultation, and I am sure the inhaler will help.

Hope she's better soon Smile

Original poster
Kbear · 30/12/2011 12:58

top marks for your consultation Sidge!

OP posts:
Sidge · 30/12/2011 13:02

I'm psychic dontchaknow Wink

Bless her bronchitis is not nice, hopefully as she's young and healthy she'll shake it off soon.

Original poster
Kbear · 30/12/2011 13:57

she'd better, we could all do with some sleep around here!

OP posts:
LineRunner · 30/12/2011 15:06

Well done!

I found it a useful thread, too. Thanks to all. Esp Sidge.

OhYouBadBadReindeer · 30/12/2011 16:42

oh that is good news (in a funny sort of way) :)
poor kiddo, I hope she gets some relief rapidly.

mousysantamouse · 30/12/2011 17:08

great news.
hopefully she will now recover quickly with the right treatment!

BellaVita · 30/12/2011 17:18

Huzzah!! Result!

Hope she starts to feel better soon.

Winetimeisfinetime · 30/12/2011 17:31

I have just bought this humidifier ( but from Argos ) to put some moisture in the air and try and help alleviate my ds's cough. He's been using it for a couple of days and it seems to be helping. Have also tried the warm mist ones in the past and whilst they are good, they do tend to create mould and make the wallpaper peel off.

homeaway · 30/12/2011 17:39

Glad you have some answers. What might also help is for her to sit in the bathroom with the hot tap in the bath running and the door closed for a while. That seemed to help mine when they had croup.