Can't. Stop. Coughing.

[BirdInDisguise]

Urgh. Does anyone have any tips for treating a very persistent, very very tickly cough?

I had a mild cold (slightly runny/blocked nose and felt a bit rough) about 3 weeks ago followed up pretty quickly with a cough. Not unusual. But the flipping cough just will no go away. I'm barely getting any sleep. It's unbearably tickly to the point it makes me gag and my eyes stream if I try to suppress it.

It's mainly a dry cough, but after I've been coughing and coughing and coughing for a bit it sometimes goes a bit phlegmy. Don't feel chesty or short of breath. Not wheezy. No temp and don't feel ill. Just utterly exhausted.

I've tried lots of hot drinks, throat/cough sweets, over the counter tickly cough medicine, no central heating, moist air. NOTHING is helping and I'm desperate.

Is there anything out there I can take that might help. It's night times really that are killing me. I can tolerate it during the day.

Ty

Contact your GP. I had this and it turned out to be post viral fatigue.

@Dandeliontea123 Can a cough be post viral fatigue? I feel I'm only tired because I can't sleep for coughing. The initial cold-type virus seemed pretty mild (not Covid I don't think as did a couple of tests, both negative). And is there even anything a GP can do if it is post viral fatigue?

Yes, the GP can send you for blood tests if symptoms continue. And are you sure it was just a cold and not Covid?

Oh just saw that you had negative Covid tests. It is odd but maybe worth checking with GP.

cut out dairy as it lines your throat and will be making it worse
but also go to the gp

You have my sympathy. I had this following a relatively mild infection in mid June. Waking myself up with coughing in the middle of the night. Some nights every time i laid down the coughing would start and i had to sit up; went on for hours some nights. Violent coughing all the way through July, easing by mid August but not fully gone until September. Someone said "It's the 100 day cough."

Covonia night time and Covonia Original are good (not the ones freely available on the shelves - you want the ones they keep behind the counter. Also Ricola to suck (various flavours available but the original herbal ones are the best.)

Go to the pharmacist and ask for some cough medicine that contains codeine. It's the only one that works.

bronchostop is good - marshmallow and thyme, helps to reduce the dampness in the body. steam inhalation, vit c and d, zinc

Thanks all. I can't take codeine due to stomach issues but have bought some Covonia Nighttime. Fingers crossed for tonight... don't think I've had more than 4 hours sleep a night for about 3 weeks!

I had a prolonged cough and the pharmacist asked if it was worse when i laid down, (it was) which I had never thought about.
And he suggested a particular 'over the counter' medicine.
I also kept strepsils by the bed as that seemed to sooth it a bit as it is so awful trying to suppress a cough and the whole bed shakes...

Vocalzone sweets are the only thing that works for me. Revolting taste but really do help!