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Cough that won't go

10 replies

ScruffMuffin · 19/04/2019 22:30

Hi, I am not worried about this... just getting frustrated and annoyed!

I've been under the weather for a month now, mostly with chest problems. I started feeling a bit odd and breathless and needing my inhaler more around March 20th, and a few days after that developed a fever, razor blade throat, croaky voice and bad cold. I always get a bit of asthma with colds, but was on top of it at that point. It then turned into a chesty cough, the horrible sort that ends in gagging. I'm a teacher and when it took its time to go, I just assumed it was because it was the end of a long term and I was tired. Around the beginning of this month, I had a few days when I felt almost back to normal... then I came down with a massive chest infection and a bad asthma attack. I saw the GP ten days ago, and was given a week of oral steroids and antibiotics. I was taking loads of Ventolin too, and managed to stop that after about three days of the new meds. By the time I finished them, I was so much better. I feel well in myself. But I've still got a chesty cough, am coughing up gunk a few times a day, and my exercise tolerance isn't great. To be fair, I haven't done much exercise for a few weeks, but today I went for a gentle swim and my chest hurt and I was coughing for the next couple of hours. So clearly something still isn't right, but I'm unlikely to still have an infection after a week of antibiotics, aren't I? (The original illness might have been viral, but the GP thought the chest infection was probably bacterial). I don't really want to bother anyone about it over the Easter weekend, especially as I'm well in myself, no temperature etc. But I go back to work on Tuesday, with a cough I've had since last term. Aargh. Could just use some advice really.

OP posts:
BocolateChiscuit · 19/04/2019 22:33

No advice, but I could have written your post, right down to the exact same sounding virus with the razor blade throat, croaky voice etc and i’m a teacher too! I’m thinking the exact same thing about going back on Tuesday still coughing like I was when we broke up! Confused I’m just hoping it’ll go eventually but do have days where I think it never will!

Drum2018 · 19/04/2019 22:37

You could need a stronger antibiotic. I've known a few cases this year where people have needed a second dose of antibiotics for chest infections. I'd go back to gp especially if what you are coughing up is green.

aliasname · 19/04/2019 22:38

I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on tv, so take all this with a pinch of salt.

Last year when I had a chronic cough which would not go, I did some googling. Apparently it is fairly common after an infection to get a persistent cough (something to do with the bronchial tubes being chronically irritated?) If it lasts more than 6 weeks, you should see your GP.

Right enough, the cough did eventually go. Don’t remember how long, it just very slowly improved. Having said all that, I think mine was more of a tickly cough - I don’t know if this applies to chesty ones.

ScruffMuffin · 19/04/2019 22:39

Spooky, Bocolate. I wonder if we work at the same school?!

Interesting, Drum, thanks. Not green any more, but solid-ish chunks of white. Sorry if TMI! It's been hard to tell how much is infection and how much is asthma this time around. GP asked if I was wheezy and I said I didn't really know, just didn't feel right. Lungs were all rattly but he said I was super wheezy too, so I dunno...

OP posts:
ScruffMuffin · 19/04/2019 22:41

Hmm, roughly 4.5 weeks so far, alias. I don't think it's an emergency of any description.

OP posts:
BocolateChiscuit · 19/04/2019 22:43

Hmmm I wondered the same! You’re not in the NW by any chance are you?

ScruffMuffin · 19/04/2019 22:45

No!

OP posts:
BocolateChiscuit · 19/04/2019 22:49

Haha ok! This awful thing must be doing the rounds then! I was off with the original virus. Haven’t had any time off since an op over 2 years ago but couldn’t possibly go in with that throat/fever thing! Hope we’re both back to normal soon!

CurbsideProphet · 19/04/2019 23:23

I've got a terrible cold and chesty cough. Proper green catarrh. Mine started on Monday, so I can't cope with the idea of another week Shock Sad

AwdBovril · 19/04/2019 23:29

I have a similar thing, it started a week ago. I'd go back to the GP ASAP, you might just need a longer course of steroids. If I stop taking them even just a day or so too soon, I relapse to the horrible choking coughing & I have to sleep sitting up on the sofa (so at least DH & DD can sleep). Plus, being upright is less irritating, so I cough a lot less. It's crap for the back though. I'd recommend iv you cough more at night, you prop yourself up on a couple of extra pillows, it's a bit more comfortable than the sofa unless you're massively struggling to breathe.

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