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Original poster

persistant cough after the flu

20 replies

crispyduck · 26/12/2008 00:15

I have had cough for about 3 weeks after having the flu especially at night

any tips would be great to ease this?

OP posts:
Dragonbrandybutter · 26/12/2008 00:18

i got the GP to prescribe me an inhaler which helps me when i've got a cold, especially at night.

scrooged · 26/12/2008 00:20

If you've had it for three weeks then it's best to pop to the GP. They normally tell patients to go if they have had a cough for this long.

Original poster
crispyduck · 26/12/2008 00:22

I have been back to gp, got antibiotics for an ear infection, yet the cough still persists

OP posts:
scrooged · 26/12/2008 00:24

I get moaned at if I don't take ds back with a three week cough.

Is it chesty/dry? Does your chest feel tight when you cough? Does the coughing come in bouts (lots at a time?)?

CharCharGaboriaInExcelsisDeo · 26/12/2008 00:26

I have this, been coughing for 5 weeks. I've been prescribed an inhaler but it's not helping massively. I'm using it 4 times a day as that's how often the doc told me to use it, how often can you use them does anyone know? Mine is really chesty.

scrooged · 26/12/2008 00:28

Two puffs is the norm but you can increase it to 3-4 at a time if you need to. If you need to use in hourly then I would contact NHS direct.

Is your cough chesty with a fever?

CharCharGaboriaInExcelsisDeo · 26/12/2008 01:00

I don't have a fever, I'm still very mucusy though (sorry!) It's very loose in the morning and throughout the day but by the night it's drier but hacking. I feel sick all the time. The inhaler doesn't seem to ease the wheezing much between uses. I still get breathless doing things like emptying the washing machine. I assume that's down to the cold I had though. Sorry for hijacking your thread cd

scrooged · 26/12/2008 01:03

Have you tried a chesty cough medicine? They can help. Are you coughing up blood?

CharCharGaboriaInExcelsisDeo · 26/12/2008 01:06

I've tried honey which soothed m throat but the bit irritated by the cough felt further down than the honey could get iyswim. No blood, just mucus that changes between bright and pale yellow which I believe is normal?

scrooged · 26/12/2008 01:07

Yellow isn't normall. Clear/white is. Pop back to the GP and get him/her to listen to your chest. You may need some antibiotics to shift it if you have had it for this long.

CharCharGaboriaInExcelsisDeo · 26/12/2008 01:19

Oh right. I thought yellow was ok. Gp had a listen to my chest on 22nd and said she didn't think it was a chest infection just a viral wheeze. She was rushing me a bit though. Had 4 puffs of inhaler about 10 mins ago and it hasn't done anything. It feels like I have cottonwool in my chest and throat. Thanks for your help

scrooged · 26/12/2008 01:22

It's OK. Things change, what's there now may not have been there when you went to see her on the 22nd.

It sounds like you need to get some medical attention if the inhaler isn't working. I think you should give NHS direct a call now as it sounds like you are finding it hard to breathe.

Go on, give them a call. Have you got the number?

CharCharGaboriaInExcelsisDeo · 26/12/2008 01:25

That's true I suppose. It's not that hard to breathe really, just a bit of an effort. It doesn't feel any worse than the other day. Got DD on my knee as I woke her up by coughing and now the cough is keeping her awake.

scrooged · 26/12/2008 01:27

Breathing shouldn't be an effort at all. Give them a call, you may need a nebuliser which will help. Is there someone to look after DD if they send you to the hospital for treatment?

CharCharGaboriaInExcelsisDeo · 26/12/2008 01:31

Really it's not that bad. I've been like this all day so I'm sure I'll be ok til tomorrow. DP's in bed, he's had a bit of a drink and I've had a few too. DD would be really upset if I left she's still bf and teething badly. I'll go to the walk in tomorrow morning.

scrooged · 26/12/2008 01:34

It will make you feel so much better if you call them as soon as you can and get some treatment. If your chest is tight and the inhaler isn't working then you can up the inhaler, a nebuliser is like a huge dose of the inhaler you have, however it can make your heart beat faster.

I really do think you need to call NHS direct if your chest's tight. You won't be getting the right amount of oxygen in your blood so will be feeling ill.

CharCharGaboriaInExcelsisDeo · 26/12/2008 01:41

My chest doesn't feel tight, it just feels like it's harder than normal to inflate my lungs and move my muscles if you get me. It's hard to explain. DD's just drifting off now on my lap. I couldn't disturb her like that. I think I'll be ok tonight I'll go as soon as I get up in the morning, I don't think it'll get any worse. Thanks for taking the time to advise me

scrooged · 26/12/2008 01:44

So it's tight then. I know what you mean, ds is asthmatic, I've had asthma etc and used to work in a hospital. What you are describing is a tight chest, when it feels like you can't breathe in properly.

Please call them if you feel worse. I hope you are feeling better soon.

Original poster
crispyduck · 26/12/2008 11:02

thanks scrooged
I am going to see gp in between xmas and new year if this persists
it is not chesty but tickly cough, clear phlegm
I may ask about inhaler or nebuliser, I am not asmatic, dos this matter?

OP posts:
CharCharGaboriaInExcelsisDeo · 26/12/2008 13:06

I'm not asthmatic afaik cd but I was still given an inhaler. I think it helps relax and dilate your bronchi etc so it's easier for you to breathe.

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