Antisocial Cough

[Scarlett]

I know there's nothing that can be done about coughs but do you have any remedies for this- my cough feels like an intense sharp itch and the only way of scratching it is to cough so violently that it makes me nearly sick.
This sounds horrendous and awful to people around me. But unless I cough that loudly I don't stand a chance of 'scratching' the itch. Wish I knew what causes that itch. Cough is dry and non productive.
Actually being sick is the only thing that stops it. Any advice?

[Sqad]

Difficult one...........you could try Benylin or Phensedyl or nigh Nurse.

\\\\Actually being sick is the only thing that stops it.\\\

Are you saying that the cough makes you sick (vomit)? If so, it may be whooping cough and antibiotics may be the only solution.

[Peter Pedant]

an excellent cough-suppressant is codeine which in small doses is available over the counter as co-codamol - one should be enough. its that good (30mg) comes with a free 250 paracetamol

Other olds who cough swear by pholcodine which is present in Covonia but I have never found that much good

[ladyalex]

I have found pholcodine useful, but I also find it very sedating, so, great at night but not during the day.

[Peter Pedant]

well as in all medications
you have to decide whether not to take - and cough like a horse in public or
take them and nuzzle them like a ( sedated) horse

you know like the Marvin's horse in Cat Ballou

I find codeine is worse for sedation ( and constipation ) but it all depends on how much you wanna stop coughing

[douglas9401]

I'm assured that one paracetamol caplet gives relief from most coughs.

[sandyRoe]

Are you not better coughing and clearing out the phlegm?

[boxtops]

...so have you been to the doctor yet?

[Scarlett]

Doc came over on Sat as the surgery was closed all weekend. Have me antibiotics which haven't helped yet. At the moment I wish I could make the cough productive as I am struggling to breathe in and can't 'get at' the stuff I need to cough up.

[ladyalex]

Try steam inhalations.
Bowl of hot water, towel over head, head over bowl, breathe in steam.
Usually helps.

[boxtops]

Here, we swear by Beechams All In One for all sorts of cold/cough symptoms - give it a go.