posted on January 10, 2007 04:11:50 AM new
I'm sorry to post this here, but I need some help. I've been sick and yesterday I went to a walk-in clinic to get some immediate help. I have pharyngitis (a throat infection) and the flu. I can deal with it, but the biggest problem I have is the cough. I am literally up all night with the cough. I'm coughing nonstop. The doc put me on some cough capsules, and although the first one I took worked real well, they didn't do much last night. I woke my little girl up because when I would doze off, she said I was moaning and groaning really loud. I frightened her! I'm on an antibiotic, but it will take about 3 days to kick in. I only have 1 full day in.
Does anyone know of any good cough remedies? I don't know what to do anymore. I'm exhausted because for the last 3 days I've hardly gotten any sleep. I'm struggling to work on my ebay business because I'm so darn tired. I suck on Hall's cough drops, but they don't help much, and I'm so afraid that I'll choke on one in the middle of a coughing fit.
Thanks for any help anyone can give me. I'm really at my wits end with this.
posted on January 10, 2007 04:44:31 AM new
Hi capo ... Thank you for the response. I looked it up to see why he didn't prescribe it and one of the precautions is depression. I suffer from chronic depression and take medicine for it. I guess I can't take terpin hydrate because of it. I bet it would do the trick though.
posted on January 10, 2007 05:07:01 AM new
Heres a whole list of ideas http://www.health911.com/remedies/rem_coughs.htm also try taking Airborne that stuff will knock a cold/flu right out in no time
[ edited by toasted36 on Jan 10, 2007 05:07 AM ]
posted on January 10, 2007 05:13:48 AM new
Diane - Your cough sounds like Bronchitis. I often get it as a result of the flu or throat infections. What has worked for me in the past is an inhaler. You can get an over the counter one or I recommend that you call your doctor and request a script for one. No amount of cough medicine has ever done the job as well as the inhaler. The fact that the cough is worse at night, tells me it's what I get. It can be maddening. I once broke two ribs from the coughing. Really, you should call the doctor on this one.
Cheryl
Summer
1995 - 2006
Gone but never forgotten.
For temporary relief, try mixing equal parts honey and lemon juice. Then, swallow a spoonful as often as needed. You may find that this will at least help you stop some of the worst coughing fits... and as far as medicine goes, it's pretty tasty too! It's all natural, so you can use it as much as you need.
******************************
posted on January 10, 2007 05:25:32 AM new
I find that good old Buckleys is the thing that work best for me. It's best only to take a cough suppressant for a dry cough, if you need to cough because of mucous, it's better to "cough it up", but something like Buckley's does help at night when you cough every time you try and lie down. Tastes awful, but worth it!
posted on January 10, 2007 08:38:49 AM new
Until you find something that works well, try at least propping yourself up to sleep. Or use a recliner chair.
posted on January 10, 2007 08:51:44 AM new
Airborne.... I am a believer!!On a recent trip to Portugal, I was the only person in our party of 7 who took Airborne. We flew and flew!! I took Airborne I was the only one... they all laughed at me... my 3 sisters and my mother are no longer laughing they have a cold I do not! My daughter and neice who flew on to the Canary Islands from Spain and the UK... (crazy flight plan those girls will do anything for flyer miles just called and they are fine as well. So not bad I BELIEVE in AIRBORNE! Bizzy I would get some Anti Biotics sound to me like Bronchitus as well. Sorry your ill hope you feel better soon.
posted on January 10, 2007 03:11:31 PM new
Thank you so much everybody! I was really feeling bad today and coughing so hard I pulled muscles and ended up tossing my cookies. I found something that helps alot. I turned the hot water on in the shower and steamed up the bathroom. It stopped the cough.
I thought it was bronchitis too, but the doctor said that my lungs were clear and there was no bronchitis or pneumonia. However, I have a feeling that it's a sinus infection. Those can be so miserable with the cough.
I did try sleeping upright last night but it didn't help. Right now, it feels like my sinuses have rocks in them. I think the antibiotic is starting to work because after that bad bout of coughing, I haven't been coughing as much.
I wanted to get out to the pharmacy today to see if I could try some of the wonderful ideas you all gave me, but I was just too sick. I'm definitely going to get some as soon as I feel better and keep them in the house for the next time (although I hope there is no next time).
Thanks again everybody. You all are simply the BEST!
posted on January 10, 2007 06:02:39 PM new
Another thought is Mucinex DM, another over-the counter drug that is 12-hour time-release. RiteAid has a generic version of it. If you go this route, make sure you drink PLENTY of water with it. If the shower helped you, you might want to try the "cure" I grew up with - a room vaporizer at night.
posted on January 10, 2007 06:28:28 PM new
I had something that sounds similiar & it hung on for well over a month. I figured it would go away & took some OTC meds/cough drops with no help at all. I never take any medication & rarely go to the doctor.
Well, I did end up at the doctor - twice! I took an antibiotic and mucinex the first go around. Then they tried steroid nasal spray & some kind of steroid pills for a few days...that finaly broke it up. I was coughing til I thought I could cough no more. I did get some relief at night from Vicks Vaporub. Also those new Sudacare Vapor Plugs are really very helpful.
Good luck & whatever you have I hope you get better quickly.
posted on January 10, 2007 11:27:38 PM new
Diane, there is a narcotic painkiller & the only one known with this side effect, it deadens the cough center in the brain & it's codeine.
Not sure it's a good idea for you because you are taking anti depressants.
Check with your doctor.
Edited:
Forgot to add: because codeine nauseats me my doctor ordered Benzonatate Caps 100MG 2 caps 3 times a day, for cough. Didn't do much good for me, but maybe worth a try.
I feel for you, been through that & it's no fun. What finally fixed me right up was cortisone, Medrol dose pack. I felt so much better the day after I started it. Got rid of that burning in my chest and some of the cough.
posted on January 14, 2007 07:16:39 AM new
Thank you all for your help on this. I finally found something that really works on the cough for me. It's new and really quiets the cough for 12 hours. It called Delsym and although I still cough, it's not anywhere near as bad as it was.
Mcjane ... I tried those Benzonatate Caps, but they didn't do anything at all. That's what the doc prescribed.
Koz ... That's sounds like a good idea! I think I'll have another ... LOL
Pixia ... My daughter has to sleep with a vaporizer in her room. If not, she gets bad headaches. The vaporizer keeps the headaches away. I guess she has sinus trouble. Her docs don't want the vaporizer running because of her allergies, but anything that works ...
Chat ... I know exactly what you mean. I was coughing so hard that I pulled muscles and tossed my cookies. I couldn't take a breath and it was scaring me! Fortunately, I'm over the worst now.
just called and they are fine as well. So not bad I BELIEVE in AIRBORNE! Bizzy I would get some Anti Biotics sound to me like Bronchitus as well. Sorry your ill hope you feel better soon.