Cough, cough, cough, will I ever stop?

[Ann]

Please help ...............!! I've had a very heavy head cold for nearly a fortnight now with a few days respite last week, but it all came back on Christmas Eve. I now have in addition to sinusitis, a very dry choking cough which I just cannot stop ......... been coughing all day and most of last night, I'm getting desperate as its giving me a splitting headache. I've tried all remedies which usually work for me - two spoonfuls of neat honey, Covonia cough mixture for dry irritating coughs and sucking Ricola (swiss herbal lozenges sold by Holland & Barrett which are usually brilliant) but nothing is working and my throat is so irritated I'm nearly choking. Its not on my chest at all, just tickling my throat all the time. Has anyone else got an ideas to stop me coughing please?

[Ann]

Thanks askyourgran - I haven't got any Vick in a jar to do the steam method but I do have a Vick inhaler stick which I very glamourously stick up one nostril (I have been known to do two, one in each!) - looks SO fetching! I find they are good for clearing your nose but does nothing for this rotten cough.

[emmie]

having looked through this thread seems i'm not alone, heaven help us, three weeks and it's like it will never end. Now it's turned to hacking cough, and nothing i have been given, antibiotics, cough medication has shifted it.
Desperate yesterday and called NHS direct, wasn't sure what they could advise, but had to do something so could get some sleep. will re read this and see if there is something that might do the trick.

[NoMercy]

Sounds like you've got a bit of congestion going on too. Sudafed taken at regular intervals should help.

[emmie]

NoM, it's gone one wretched thing to another, and knocked me over, started first week of december and hasn't stopped since, almost took myself off to A&E as felt as bad as it's possible to get, with diarrhoea, and feeling sick, and the coughing won't stop. I have tried over the counter cough stuff, and had antibiotics, get so hot that it's like being in a sauna, then that stops and the coughing goes on an on, so my sympathy, what's left of it, goes out to anyone who has this.

[NoMercy]

Oh you poor thing. X

I think I'd better stock up on the whisky, honey and lemons. I had a right stinker a few weeks back and really don't want to get ill again.

I hope you're feeling better soon.

[emmie]

thank you, so do i...

[carlton23]

Here`s another tip to add to all the rest of `em. Get a small pot of Menthol Crystals and put a very small pinch into a receptical and let the fumes be drawn into your lungs. Then a hot glass of honey & lemon drink to help also.

[mccfluff]

i've had a cough for about 2-3 months now, i've decided its a part of my life and he's called fred

[Ann]

Thanks to all who gave me tips last night - pleased to tell you I had a much better night's sleep with not so much coughing. I had 4 dessertspoonfuls of neat runny honey and let it trickle down my throat and this morning my cough is so much looser its easier to deal with, rather than choking all the time. I feel as if I've been kicked by a horse though (how would I know that ha ha) my ribs, tummy muscles, shoulders and pains down my legs when I cough, must have really overstretched them all, and I feel really weak, but much brighter in myself :)

[tamborine]

sip cough mix (I use venos) every time your cough to ease throat. Glad you're stronger for the fight :)