Any suitable medication for chesty coughs?

[ICompletelyKnowAboutGuineaPigs]

Just that really.

I have had a cold/cough for awhile now and I'm exhausted because it is both worse at night and when I'm lying down. I've only recently started to feel 'unwell' (just felt a bit under the weather before) so I haven't seen a Dr. Just wondering if I can get anything over the counter.

benylin cough works well! hopefully you get well soon

No cough medicines are licenced for use in pregnancy. Not even simple linctus.
Try steam inhalation and vaporub and try and sleep propped up

i think you should go to the doctors as this cough has been going on a while, and you are starting to feel worse - it could be a chest infection.

Go to the doctor and ask. I had this a few weeks ago and it was awful, I was given simple linctus which is fine as long as you're not diabetic, but didn't actually help at all. I think you just have to ride it out unfortunately.

I've had horrible cough that has me keeping whole house awake at night for 2 wks now. No cough medicine is allowed aside from honey & glycerin so I've been drinking honey & lemon tea in bed, chucking a couple of gaviscon down to relieve the consequent heartburn then cough eases for about 10 mins to try get to sleep. I then get up & make more tea through the night when cough keeps waking me up. Plus I sleep propped up on pillows. I'm 39wks so at least I should be able to have cough medicine soon!

Ah you poor sausage, it's grim isn't it.

Steam inhalation with a bit of Vicks or olbas oil before bed was helpful for me.

Boots do own brand lozenges which unlike actual strepsils are ok for pregnancy. Also a cheap own brand lemsip type thing that is just lemon flavour and paracetamol, so ok. Not real lemsip / sudafed etc as all of those have decongestants in which you should avoid. Ask the pharmacist if you're not sure.

I have to admit I also allowed myself the occasional weak hot toddy when I was pregnant, hideously ill and snotty - lots of fresh lemon juice, grated ginger and a very small tot of whisky. I'm sure it was mainly placebo effect though so you could stick to booze-free toddys if you have a bit more self-control!

PS if you're getting up to make tea, you could make up a jar of ginger, lemon and honey and take a flask of hot water up with you, then at least you don't have to get out of bed!

I've had this too ICompletely, in fact have a very irritating cough just now! I've been to the doctors about a cough I had last year .. he said try the cough medicines if you like, but they don't really do very much. However, I did "treat" myself to some Covonia syrup and blimey, it clears the airways! I know this will sound silly, but I find it "brings out" my cough when it's just an annoying tickle (seems to make the cough more effective, iyswim) I take some before bed (or during the middle of the night) and it does seem to help. Would really recommend it, and also the Covonia cough sweets are good too. Hope you're feeling better soon.

I have the same cough and night-times are a particular pain aren't they. I'm taking Benelyn Cough as normal. It's not licensed for pregnancy but I have a couple of friends who are 'proper' scientists and one who is a pharmacist and they have all said that there's nothing in there that is known to be bad in pregancy, it's just the medicine hasn't been tested (probably because it's not worth the effort for the tiny market of preggos with a cough).

If you prefer to take a more natural route; a hot drink made with honey, lemon and grated ginger is soothing and warming and may make you feel better, as will a warm bath with plenty of Vicks rubbed into your chest (the steam and menthol combined should make your breathing feel easier).

For me the most important thing is maintaining sleep and keeping my airways lubricated. Plenty of hot drinks and keeping warm is helping but I'll be off to my GP if it lasts more than 4 or 5 days.

Thanks all. Just been to the Drs as had a horrendous night last night. Dr said cough medicine doesn't do much good so best to avoid. Wondering about trying covonia/benilyn though. Going to take myself off to bed with some Vicks. I really dislike honey and lemon but may try it...anything to feel better!