Bad cough causing retching and no sleep. Any suggestions?

[lifechanginglemoncake]

So I caught a cold just after Christmas which is a delight. I'm 19 weeks at the moment so could have done without it.

The congestion and snot seem to have died down but I'm left with a persistent tickly cough and a constant feeling of needing to clear my throat. Sometimes this is linked to a feeling of thick mucus in my throat which triggers my gag reflex.

Despite sleeping propped up on loads of pillows I can't sleep at all. As soon as I start to sleep I get a fit of coughing which seems to be uncontrollable and lead to gagging, retching and probably vomiting if there was anything there to vomit. This then puts a strain on my pelvic floor and I end up running to the loo (also drunk so much water to try and suppress the cough and mucus feeling that i need to wee all the time).

Any suggestions of things I can try to help. Honey seemed to work initially to soothe the throat but doesn't now the cough is worse. Got a GP appointment at 11 but on the phone they seemed to suggest this was more to rule out a chest infection (unlikely as I'm otherwise fine). Can I ask for anything to help? Could it be reflux? At my wits end now after no sleep at all. Any help welcome!!

I had this. I found the only thing to help calm the tickle and help me sleep was paracetamol - cough syrups etc were useless

I've recently had this horrible bug (35 weeks pregnant). I cracked a rib from coughing so hard for so long. Doctor gave me Co-drydamol (codeine and paracetamol) for the pain; codeine also suppressed the cough. It helped a lot. He also decided I had a chest infection and gave antibiotics, so it's worth getting checked out.

I hope you feel better soon.

Thanks both of you. Helpful suggestions.

GP confirmed no chest infection which is good news and suggested some helpful home remedies. Also prescribed some gaviscon to take in case reflux is involved.

It's been better during the day today so fingers crossed for some sleep tonight to help shift it once and for all.

Got some glycerin pastilles from Boots which the pharmacist confirmed were ok and they have helped suppress the tickle which leads to the coughing fits.

Bronchostop pastilles. They are disgusting but they work every time. No idea why but worth a try.

www.boots.com/bronchostop-cough-pastilles-10-pastilles-10181862

I have a massive L-shaped beanbag. In the past, I’ve managed to arrange myself on it in a semi-upright position, leaning forward, which has meant that the cough hasn’t done the thing where it starts because I’m lying down.

I’m not convinced it’s a good investment to make for a few days, but if you already have something like it, you might find it more supportive than many pillows, and the more upright, leaning forward position could be better than being on your back...

I’ve also had some success using four pillows, alternating left and right, so that they form a supportive v-shape, including supporting under my waist (lying kind of on my side - waist support comes from behind). The front pillows come first and third. Now, I’d need something between my knees as well.

I hope this makes sense, and I’m very sorry I don’t have anything more useful. The coughing which starts when you’re lying down is the worst when you’re not pregnant, so you have all of my sympathy.