Cough

[driverdale1]

For the last 3 days ive had a cough which i cannot seem to get rid of..im sure its cold/flu related and i feel like ive tried everything but i just cant get rid of it, cough so hard sometimes i feel like im going to black out, have had around 5 hours sleep in the last 72 hours and im absolutely shattered....any help or advice please?

[Sqad]

Just cough during the day, but at night take Benylin or Nightnurse before you go to bed, but double the recommended dose.

[murraymints]

Make up a lemsip add two teaspoons Manuka honey...dash of whisky or brandy.....prop yourself up a wee bit in bed....hope you're better sooooooon...

[slaney]

Why double the recommended dose sqad? And which preparation?
Some, Night Nurse for example, contain 1000mg Paracetamol per dose
http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/19915/SPC
- you surely don't mean to double this?
I would strongly advise against doubling the dose.

[Sqad]

slaney......Benylin....the recommended dose is inadequate.
Paracetamol 2000mgms in one dose at night only is in my opinion acceptables.

[slaney]

I disagree, sqad -not only is it potentially dangerous but, even worse, ineffective.
For some analgesics there is a "ceiling level" above which one gets no better pain pain relief, but merely an increase in side effects. For paracetamol the ceiling level is 1000mg , for Ibuprofen 400mg. For pain relief there is no point taking more than this.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/574279

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2886920/figure/i0003-3006-57-2-67-f02/

[Sqad]

slaney...I have read your links and also your comments and i respect them.

However i have always answered the questions on AB as it they applied to my family or friends and give my opinion accordingly, based on my experiences.

I try and advice each question individually and this comment from the OP decided my answer.

///i feel like ive tried everything but i just cant get rid of it, cough so hard sometimes i feel like im going to black out, have had around 5 hours sleep in the last 72 hours and im absolutely shattered....a////

I have always been an advocate of "Personal Communications" (if they still exist) rather than scientific published papers.

I do not question or disregard your answer, but my opinion is also given in good faith.

Unfortunately, two people with medical qualifications have given an answer which is guaranteed to confuse the questioner.

[beejaybee]

If it`s only a cough, try KilKof. It`s the ONLY thing I`ve ever found that helps me when I have a cough. You can get it in Home Bargains where it`s cheapest to buy.

[slaney]

Driverdale - I am prone to this kind of cough myself, and I usually follow the guidance in the NHS website, taking the recommended drug doses.
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cough/Pages/Treatment.aspx
Also, as murraymints says, propping oneself up in bed at night can help.
If it doesn't clear soon, or you develop any other symptoms, get in touch with your GP.

Sqad, 1. You say you have read my links (and I could provide many others) and you "respect" them, but you don't believe them. Is this correct?

2.If you don't believe there is a ceiling level for paracetamol of 1000 mg in one dose, what are your reasons?

3. To answer your last sentence, I felt obliged to intervene as I was worried that too much paracetamol might be taken by the OP.
Neither of us know what other medication driverdale is on.
I have every sympathy for his situation, but cannot see how taking a dose that is above that usually recommended, and which will not give him any better pain relief, will help.

[Sqad]

\\\Sqad, 1. You say you have read my links (and I could provide many others) and you "respect" them, but you don't believe them. Is this correct? \\\

No, I didn't say that i don't believe them........please indicate if i am incorrect.

I do not feel that i need to follow their edict, based on my and other Drs experiences.

\\\.If you don't believe there is a ceiling level for paracetamol of 1000 mg in one dose, what are your reasons? \\\

Again, I haven't said that there is a ceiling dose...please again indicate where i have.

I have said that a night a nightime dose of 2000mgms is acceptable based on my anecdotal evidence gained fro experience and other practitioners.

You ultimate paragraph is to the point and please DO intervene, as you have done in the past, to offer an alternative view to my advice.

[aelmpvw]

i'm often puzzled by the 'daily recommended dose', how can it be the same when i am twice the size of my wife?

[pixie373]

This might sound unhelpful- but you might be surprised. Assuming you don't have asthma, try a tissue dunked in vicks on your bedside table. It is very effective at stopping coughing.

[driverdale1]

Thanks everyone...i think i should have mentioned that i already take a lot of medication for other long term illnesses i have..ive been getting various things from chemist, cough bottles, pills and lemsip type drinks..nothing works...i had it 2 years back, i coughed so hard i burst a blood vessel in my eye...doctor basically told me to ride it out.