Fluey/coldy thing

[mazzywoo]

Good morning everyone.
Has anybody else had a bug that starts like a heavy cold with a cough that goes on for ages?
Mine started 2 weeks ago and I felt quite poorly. As I was seeing my GP for another matter, I asked her if she could have a listen to my chest and she said it was clear. However, I am still coughing at night and wonder if anyone can recommend a cough medicine that might help me to get some sleep. There's so many to choose from!
Sorry to moan and groan but it's making me feel miserable!
Best wishes, Maz x

[jd_here]

Have you tried Famous Grouse? Ususlly workd for me!

[Sqad]

It may well be that your "flubug" has sparked an attack of asthma.......not uncommon.

But getting back to the cough, an inhalation spray called Plusvent would be an answer but it is only available on prescription and is expensive, so that your doctor would be loathed to prescribe it.

So it leaves us with over the counter medications........nothing to choice between Phensedyl, Benylin, Night nurse......however, the "recommended dose" on these cough medicines are hopelessly inadequate....so double the dose to be taken at night.

[mazzywoo]

Thanks for the replies-Famous grouse sounds good :)
Sqad-I will try OTC meds and if they fail to work by next week, I will return to my GP
Maz x

[jno]

I used to get colds that left me coughing for a month afterward. I personally doubled the national consumption of Soothers during that period.

I eventually started getting flu jabs, and I've hardly had a cold since. I know they're not supposed to have anything to do with colds, but they've helped me; and I know other people who say the same.

[murraymints]

mine lasted 3 weeks..mum 5 weeks....you are not alone...not much you can do ..lots of fluids..water of course paracetamol for temperature...honey drinks ..I take manuka in water with lemon helps soothe throat a bit

[daffy654]

Cough medicine is a waste of time, it usually prevents you coughing which means your phlegm pools in your lungs and can become infected. If you must use medicine make sure you get an expectorant medicine as that will help you to get rid of the phlegm.
To sleep better at night use a steaming cup and sleep propped up.

[mazzywoo]

Thanks so much for your advice everyone! So I guess it's a case of putting up with it until it goes :(
Sqad, if you're still around-if it were asthma, wouldn't my chest feel tight? (it doesn't).
Thanks again all xx

[douglas9401]

I feel your pain mazzywoo, I'm just left with the cough now, the worst of the manflu has passed. You're the first person I've heard of with the same symtoms as I had.
I've found Olbas Oil on a tissue at the bedside plus one paracetamol every two hours during the day with one last thing helps with the cough. The paracetamol thing was a tip from a cancer patient some years ago, always seems to work.
Be well. :)

[Sqad]

daffy...the Dr examined her chest and said it was clear, so there is nothing to cough up and expectorants would be a waste of time.

Coughs which are non productive are useless and can be very tiring and exhausting, but over the counter medicines often contain a suppressant and an expectorant.

The value of OTC medicines is their sedative effect, if taken in the correct dosage.

[murraymints]

wotcha Sqad..how you doing?..got my xmas pressie in yet?...excuse the aside...

[Sqad]

mazzymoo......the absence of wheezing doesn't rule out asthma.

[daffy654]

You can still have phlegm without having a chest infection sqad.
I'm not exactly ignorant of things pertaining to the lungs!

[Sqad]

daffy...I didn't say that you couldn't.........but can you have phlegm on the chest with normal sounds on chest auscultation and yes I know that you are "up on chests"

Hi! Murray...yes I have got your pressy, but I need to fit it on you myself.

[chas2008]

yep , got one of those nasty coughs, had it over a month now and i usually throw of colds & sniffles quite quickly...NIce to see its not just me

[daffy654]

Your chest can sound completely clear even if you have phlegm. I always get told my chest is clear despite the fact I cough up phlegm dozens of times a day.
Clear just means not infected to most doctors.

[murraymints]

Sqad...checking for flights now...

[Sqad]

daffy....we will have to agree to disagree.

[smurfchops]

That dry cough can go on for weeks and weeks mazzy, I take honey with a squeeze of lemon and a tot of brandy before I go to bed (good excuse eh?) and it does help. Have a Night Nurse tablet as well and paracetamol during the day every four hours with plenty of fluids. Yes it will go eventually even if you don't think it ever will !

[Eve]

I find Covonia really good though I can't use many of the over the counter ones if they contain the sugary glyceriny type stuff as it just comes straight back up, don't know why but pointless me buying them.

I've had productive coughs when a doctor has said my chest is clear of infection when I've been checked in case it's my asthma playing up as it only really bothers me now if I get a bad cold.

I find propping myself up a bit helps and making sure I get anything I cough up out. For dry tickly coughs someone gave me these herbal cough drops that you put in a glass of warm water and drink and they worked really well.

[mazzywoo]

Hi everyone.
I got some Covonia yesterday and had a better night's sleep. This morning I feel heaps better-the cough definitely isn't as bad :) The only problem now is the extremely painful and tender intercostal muscle which I must've strained whilst coughing! Heigh-ho!
Thanks again for all your helpful replies
Best wishes, Maz xx