Persistent Dry Cough

[mandimoo]

After 4 days of constant dry coughing, I'm exhausted, can't sleep. It's just not getting any better. My ribs are killing, I've pulled a large muscle in my shoulder and can't take a big breath. I can't cough deep enough to get to the tickle. I can feel myself greying out during a fit, I don't know how I can get through another day like this, but I have to cos I've got a toddler to care for and entertain. This cough followed a fairly mild cold and upset tummy (no vomit). I've been mildly ill for weeks but gone right downhill for the last few days.

Is this just a common virus, is it quite normal and I should just grin and bear it, or should I seek some medical advice? Don't really want to sit 4 hours down the walk in centre for them to just send me packing with "there's a lot of it about".

[janbee]

Mandi, I sympathise . I've got similar at the moment. Benylin for a dry cough is good and it'll help you sleep.

[Sqad]

\\\\Is this just a common virus, is it quite normal and I should just grin and bear it, or should I seek some medical advice? \\\

Sounds like a common virus and there is little that you can do about it until it "blows itself out."

Me? what would I do?.......At least 400mgms of Ibuprofen and a swig of Benylin before i went to bed.

[solvitquick]

Dear mandimoo.
"After 4 days of constant dry coughing, I'm exhausted"...."can't take a big breath"..."gone downhill for last few days".
I'd like to think you could solve it via over-the-counter medicines but doubt it.
Viral infection lowering your immune defence and allowing bacterial follow-up? So antibiotic?
Get your GP to visit as you seem to lack the strength to visit him/her.
You cannot help your toddler by neglecting your own health.
Luv,
SIQ.

[saintpeter48]

I had very similar about 3 weeks ago and thankfully just getting to the end of it. As Sqad has said (he told me the same), it'll blow itself out. I just took a fresh lime and spoonfull of honey mixed with hot water and a Lem-Sip or Beechams, 2 or 3 times a day, plus a spoonfull of cough mixture when needed. I had a number of sleepless nights, night sweats etc but saw it through. Good luck and get well soon.

[hollie1586]

I had just the same thing as you about 3 weeks ago. I was up coughing all night every night for 7 days. Coughed so much I made myself sick and bust blood vessels in my eyes. I'm still not over it fully. Still have a sore throat everyday. It must be really hard for you having a toddler to look after aswell.

Have you tried Pholcodeine linctus for your cough? Also try Broncho Stop and to help you sleep try night nurse which has paracetamol in it too.

[Buenchico]

The relevant NHS webpage has a section on 'When to see your GP':
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cough/pages/introduction.aspx

[mazie]

What everyone else said mandi... but make sure you have your heating on low at night so you're not breathing in cold air. Hope you get better soon. Pholcodine is good for dry coughs

[237SJ]

"call an ambulance" Are you serious?

I can also recommend pholcodine. Very good for a dry cough.

[Scarlett]

the only thing I found to 'break up' my cough is the ORIGINAL Covonia. The stuff you have to ask for. They keep it under the counter. It will help the cough become more phlegmmy and easier to shift.