Cinnamon Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 My eldest,who is 16,has had a really bad hacking cough for about 2 weeks now,following a cold. During the day she can live with it,but at night she is coughing just constantly for hours on end,& is understandably exhausted We have been to the Doctor & she has been on antibiotics for 5 days with no real improvement.She was also given an asthma inhaler,which doesn't help much. Have tried cough medicines,propping up with pillows,sipping water & so forth with little success - any ideas,we are at the end of our tethers! Hubby & little daughter sleep through it,but if she is coughing,I am awake with her too,& its taking its toll on the pair of us.................................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 Steam in room at night? I used to use an old steam steriliser filled to the brim when the kids were young, also echinacea might help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 I had this last year and it seemed to last for months - it hit me most when I was on the phone, or at night - very debillitating. TBH it only went when we went away somewhere warm for a week - but obviously not a practical suggestion for DD with college etc. I'd try the steam idea - and tell her to wrap up warm - not popular with the young! Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 2, 2009 Author Share Posted November 2, 2009 Steam in room at night? I used to use an old steam steriliser filled to the brim when the kids were young, also echinacea might help Oh yes,hadn't thought of steam..... I have one of those steam inhaler things - will see if I can root it out (I may be gone some time ) She couldn't go into work on Saturday as she was so exhausted & had also lost her voice too - not ideal for a checkout girl really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 Yes, I agree that steam is the best thing. If she could do the steam cup 3 times a day (before & after school & bed?) it really gives those poor tubes & throat some pampering. I'd recommend 3 times at least even if the cough isn't there at those times, it will pay off at night. Steam at night is worthwhile if the cough is disturbing sleep. It really is a good, natural cure. Hope it does the trick Sarah. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 You can get plug in vapourisers from Boots that would be worth a try. Hope she feels better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 Sounds just like me I've been ill since returning from hols practically. I suck Strepsils at night when the tickles get me and it works every time. Aren't they expensive though The supermarket cheapies don't seem to have the same effect. Codeine is a good cough suppressant. Are cough medicines still made with that? If not a paracodol tablet before bedtime would have the same effect I suppose. Hope she gets better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 2, 2009 Author Share Posted November 2, 2009 I didn't know that about Codeine,thanks. I am off to see the Pharmacist later,so will ask if they have any over the counter medicine with it in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 Have you tried Covonia - night time . It contains a cough suppressant & really does help you sleep thro' the night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 2, 2009 Author Share Posted November 2, 2009 Thanks, I have added it to my shopping list Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 Thyme tea with honey for coughs, colds and bronchial problems - infuse 5 good sprigs of flowering thyme (or 2 level teaspoons of dried thyme) in 2.5 cups of boiling water for 5 minutes. Strain and sweeten with one heaped teaspoon of honey per cup. Drink slowly (probably more down to the steam being inhaled from the cup). I hasten to add that I haven't tried this yet, but it does sound rather nice. That's from Christina Stapleys herb book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 Have you tried Covonia - night time . It contains a cough suppressant & really does help you sleep thro' the night. I was going to suggest this. It really helped my sister when she had a really bad chesty cough during March. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 Thyme tea with honey for coughs, colds and bronchial problems - infuse 5 good sprigs of flowering thyme (or 2 level teaspoons of dried thyme) in 2.5 cups of boiling water for 5 minutes. Strain and sweeten with one heaped teaspoon of honey per cup. Drink slowly (probably more down to the steam being inhaled from the cup). I hasten to add that I haven't tried this yet, but it does sound rather nice. That's from Christina Stapleys herb book. I sip hot water with honey in it if I have a tickly cough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 Honey is so versatile - a tasty cure all (or in poultices too)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 2, 2009 Author Share Posted November 2, 2009 OK, I spent a fortune in Boots They were out of the Cornovia night,so I got Benylin Night for chesty coughs (helps aid sleep,apparently) plus the Coedine linctus (NOT to be taken anywhere near the Benylin!) The steamer has been found (yipee,only to 20 mins!), honey,lemon & ribena purchased too. Hope it works...........................we all need a decent nights sleep One slight plus is that her room adjoins the neighbours, & at least this way,as they MUST be able to hear her hacking away all night,they will realise how thin the walls are & tone down their own activities. This is an old cottage,but it is actually one cottage split into 2 small dwellings, which have both been extended out, so the adjoining walls are only 4-5 inches thick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 there is a lot about at the moment, I know this is disgusting but is she coughing up horrible green stuff or wheezy, if so she needs to see the GP or nurse practitioner. I am still seeing people who started coughing 4 wks ago, it's a horrible virus but suddenly it goes away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 2, 2009 Author Share Posted November 2, 2009 No, anything she does produce is just mucous like - nothing nasty. She saw the Doc last week & is going again at the end of this week if we don't hit this on the head in the meantime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 I'm not sure if its suitable for her age but when I last had a bad cough I took Night nurse. It knocked me out at night so I didn't cough and slept really well. Which in turn helped me fight off the cough and cold. I hope all the other suggestions are helping though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 The only other thing I can think of is slapping on the old Vicks. The warmth on the neck and chest seems to help a bit - and the pong helps to clear the airways a bit when you dive under the covers. Also an extra pillow seems to help - it's when you lay down and the stuff that's aggravating the cough settles in the wrong area. But to put it another way - it's nature's way of clearing the lungs. Even if you start to ache around the ribs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Poor love. Rosie used to get a nasty cough when she was little and asthmatic (she grew out of it) I used to dampen a hand towel, sprinkle it with Olbas Oil and pop it over the radiator in her room - worked a treat. I hope that she gets over it soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Hope that your night was better. I have had a cough for three weeks now, it is mainly tickly and dry and affects me more in the morning than at night. There is a lot of it about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Smother the vicks on the soles of the feet - worked for my little one as it absorbs through the system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 3, 2009 Author Share Posted November 3, 2009 The Benylin Mucous night really worked well last night,so I have got some of the day formula now too - fingers crossed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 I found Benylin helped me a couple of weeks ago when my cough was just at that tight painful stage. Glad that she is getting some relief. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 That's good to hear! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
