Hacking Cough

[arjay]

A friend of mine, lady aged 50, has had a nasty cold with flu like symptoms for about a week.
She is now feeling a lot better, but has a hacking cough which is worse at night.
Have you experienced the same symptoms and an you recommend of a cough mixture for such a cough, please?
She cannot get a doctor's appointment in less than a week so I have recommended that she goes to a pharmacist for help.
Night nurse is only for ticklish coughs.
Thank you

[Canary42]

When I had a similar persistent post-cold cough earlier this year the doc alleged that over-the-counter cough mixtures were ineffective. I did find they gave some relief however. And yes, some pharmacists are very helpful in such situations IME, so she should try hers.

[Canary42]

Sorry, I missed the vital bit. I used Covonia Chesty Cough Mixture then later on Superdrug Mucus Cough - both effective but latter possibly marginally better.

But take pharmacists advice.

[ladyalex]

Hot water with lemon and honey can be very soothing for any cough.
But see what her pharmacist recommends.

[Sqad]

If OTC medicines are ineffective.........why ask the pharmacist?

I agree with the lemon/honey recipe by ladyalex above.

[penelope2]

If cough persists then ensure your friend gets a GP appointment. I learnt the hard way.

[woofgang]

I ended up with a similar cough after a cold which left me fighting for breath. The GP prescribed ventolin which sorted it in a little over 48 hours. He said they were seeing a lot of people with the same problem this year.

[Canary42]

///If OTC medicines are ineffective.........why ask the pharmacist? ///

Don't be such a silly nitpicker. I was quoting one doctor's opinion, they have been known to be wrong IME. Nothing wrong with a second opinion.

[Sqad]

Canary, I was making a general point based on your answer. as most GP's feel that OTC cough remedies are of little value.

Sorry if you thought that I was a "silly nitpicker."

[Eve]

I'd agree with honey and lemon, I had a cold recently and have struggled to get rid of the cough as just coughing up mucus still, especially at night when it builds up while you sleep.

Steam may also help also to try and free up the mucus and trying to cough it up and out where possible, sleeping propped up a bit might help with tissues on hand to help to clear the chest where possible.

I just had to ride it out, only just mostly cleared up over a few weeks. I find this hot weather doesn't help either, though partly my asthma and hayfever there.

[penelope2]

I cant stress enough the importance of getting a GP opinion if the cough persists. Like Eve^^^ 'I rode it out' but then when it re-occured I saw my GP. I am now being treated for Cancer of the Lung.

[Sqad]

penelope........let us put this thread in perspective.

\\\\has had a nasty cold with flu like symptoms for about a week. \\\

That history is extremely unlikely to be lung cancer.

She is getting a GP appt.

[penelope2]

Squad, I am merely emphasising a point that leaving it for to long can have unfortunate consequences. Also of interest, there is a campaign in the local (Rowlands) pharmacies with posters advising people to seek GP appointments if they have had a persistent cough for 3 weeks as it 'may be cancer' (their words not mine).

[Sqad]

penelope

\\\if they have had a persistent cough for 3 weeks as it 'may be cancer' (their words not mine).\\\

I know, but we are not into the "more than 3 week " territory" yet.

[penelope2]

Squad: OK.

[Sqad]

;-)

[arjay]

Thank you all for your input. I am pleased to say that the lady in question has sent me an e mail stating that she is much better.