Postural Help

[bainbrig]

Bad dose of bronchitis. Coughing fit to bust.

Sit up straight = cough.

Lean back = worse cough.

Lean forward = bit less.

Hard to sleep leaning forward. Any helpful suggestions?

Ta

B

[jno]

zopiclone?

[bainbrig]

This might amuse.

Saw locum last week, antibiotics prescribed.

Feeling like death (no sleep) so phoned GP today.

I told him the tale and asked if there was any medicine he could prescribe just to get the cough to be suppressed long enough for me to get some kip.

GP. "Well, Bainbrig, the cough will go away when the antibiotics kick in, and we don't prescribe those sort of things. Have you tried phoning the chemist?"

Phone the chemist? Why not have a look on Amazon, or eBay?

Anyway, I DID phone the pharmacist, who was very helpful, and Mrs B has just popped up there to buy a selection of recommended bottles.

Gord.

Bb

[bainbrig]

Pharmacist recommended Broncostop and/or Robittusin dextromethorphan. I’ll try both (not together).

Also said recent flu jabs might be a factor.

[Sqad]

I am not sure how I can help here, as th information is rather scanty.
I would presume that your GP has made the diagnosis of acute bronchitis and felt it necessary to prescribe antibiotics which is not always the case.
The cough seems to be the problem and i would suggest that if it is a productive cough (plenty of phlegm) then one would be advised to sit forward, hunched shoulders and have a good cough.

Cough medicines? I have little time for, but if the pharmacist has suggested a cough mixture, then who am i to disagree?

I would go to bed, take ibuprofen 400mgs three times a day after food and wait for the situation to settle......the cough may persist for 6 weeks.

[bainbrig]

Thanks sqad.

But it’s the cough wots doing me.

Bed? Been trying to sleep in armchair for last 10 days. Lying down makes it worse.

It was the contrast in the GP’s dismissal of what to me is a major problem and the pharmacist’s attempts to help which raised my eyebrows.

I hear what you’re saying about linctus, but right now I’m as Desperate as Dan, so I’ll try the Broncho & pray.

I’ll report back. Thanks again for your support.

BillB

[anneasquith]

I'm so sorry you feel so ill and miserable. If no improvement why not phone nhs24 .?

[anneasquith]

I've seen patients actually sleep/ rest with leaning forward. Do you have a high backed chair, some soft pillows rest your face( cheek) on the pillows ?

[margarettom]

Anneasquith's answer is very good I think, but I don't have a high backed armchair so, as I have a problem sleeping lying down at the moment ( not for the same reason), I sit at the dining room table with two pillows on the table and I can get some sleep like that. I don't do it for a long time though.

[bainbrig]

Thanks anne, margaret, very useful ideas. I’ll be trying some tonight.

[anneasquith]

Bainbrig, I see Wolfgang on site, she may have some advice for you .( Bumping this op up )

[bainbrig]

Anne, that is kind, thank you.

[anneasquith]

Did you have any sleep last night ?

[bainbrig]

Oddly, yes. I started off trying the pillow technique, but it was so sore on my back that I leant back, and found the cough (while still there) wasn't quite as bad. I suspect BronchoStop, although sqad might well disagree.

Anyway, result was I had nearly 6 hours kip, which has revived me no end. A couple of days ago I was feeling very old (I am old, but don't normally feel it!)

Mrs B has also been down with same/similar lurgy, which has rendered us very low - we normally support each other, but when we're both out of action, well...

Thanks again for your kindness and interest.


BillB

[anneasquith]

6 hours sleep , excellent, If you believe the cough bottle helped, don't run out of it over the holidays. Keep warm, drink plenty fluids , I hope you both feel better soon :-))

[bainbrig]

The kindness of strangers never ceases to amaze or comfort me.