Persistent cough..8 weeks!

Had a dry hacking cough for 3 weeks. Drove me absolutely mad. Tried pholcodine.. Rubbing vicks on chest. The lot. Still there. Then I read to mix a teaspoon vicks in hot water and inhale 5-10 mins and also try mixing lemon juice I tablespoon plus 2 tablespoons honey and hot water twice or 3 times daily and drink.... 2 days on.. Works a treat. Try it. Only thing that worked.

I once had a persistent cough, and it was caused by my blood pressure medication - a Beta Blocker. The Doc had no answers so I said I would stop my BP meds rather than endure the cough.

Then he decided to put me on a new and expensive BP medication, an Ace Inhibitor called Avapro. The cough went away.

I realised later he had simply needed an excuse to proscribe the expensive drug. It is on the generic list now, but back then it cost the government a fortune. (Patients only pay a fixed amount for our meds here, however expensive)

Yuk, 'post nasal drip' that's a conversation stopper

Think you've hit the nail on the head, there. Same with me and it's all round the ENT department. Coughs, reflux [lovely word that ] balance problems etc. As if all the valves are wearing out....[oh and there's the oh so glamorous 'post nasal drip' ].

D'you think it's an age thing? I never had this problem until a couple of years ago, then like GA and others every time I catch a cold I'm left with a cough for months.

nanaej I do hope that you continue to improve. I'm also still struggling with a cough that I've had for weeks. Last year I started coughing in November and it went on beyond the end of February; this one seems the same. Aaargh!

And subtheraputic doses of antibiotics ....if you're a mouse (though I suppose these might affect your gut bacteria too?) [ fat mouse emoticon]

Oh well, there is an article in the FT today about some Chinese research. haven't read it yet but apparently your gut bacteria are really to blame if you are fat. If you are a mouse.
Nice to know that it is all someone else's fault isn't it?

Hope you're fit and well soon nanaej

Just in case any of the J's think I was being tetchy that was supposed to be a joke!

Glad that there are some slight improvements.

When I was in a similar situation a few years ago with a prolonged cough, my GP gave me an inhaler and it helped lots - I do not have asthma at all, but it did the trick for me. I have not used it since.

hi again everyone... new antibiotics and some steroids too! Feeling slightly more with it today.. can concentrate enough to read a few headlines in the paper and listen to a programme on the radio... so hopefully on the mend! mind you am shocked by jeni's suggestion that eating too much makes you fat.... surely bad science? [fschock]

I did google it and found the majority of medical opinion was 'no' but there was some anecdotal evidence. But nice to know its all in my head!

'Eating too much makes you fat' ??

Oh, come on......!

Ben Goldacre needs to be informed

How about 'eating too much makes you fat!'

That's got to be myth, isn't it?

i like that one jeni I guess the grain of truth is that eggs contain no fibre whatsoever, so if all you ate was eggs you would be a bit bound.
I rather like the ones addressed to breastfeeding mothers that go:
broccoli will give your baby wind
or even
fizzy drinks will give your baby wind!!!!!
Oh and mushrooms will give you thrush. (as in crazy candida diet - everything from the yeast/fungus/mould branch of life will encourage candida to gallop through your guts and give you every symptom you care to suggest.)

It's nonsense! The same as eggs are binding!

It's a myth.

Horrid subject i know but does anyone know if there's is any truth in the theory that dairy foods can be 'mucus making'? I feel that if I have cheese in particular then it seems to affect me in this way. I've not had the time or energy to run a scientific-type test but have a suspicion it might be true.

nanej I don't want to be a prophet of doom, but my DD (37) had pneumonia in October after flu and a cough that wold not clear up. Her first course of antbiotics made no impression on it and she needed more powerful horse-balls. Please see a doctor and have a blood test.

nanaej - this sounds truly grim - I do hope that you will be well soon. rest up and drink lots - and take paracetamol - it's good stuff and makes you feel better. Get better soon.

Just be warned - my cousin (mid 40s, lives in Cumbria so healthy climate) is just recovering from TB. No idea how she caught it, and it took about a year of 'unwellness' before it was diagnosed.

So if you don't get better, keep bothering the doctor.

There has been a public information advert on from time to time over the last few months. It states clearly that an adult who has an unexplained cough that does not go away MUST see doctor.

nanaej keep warm ,my cough is easing of now ..been puffing on my inhalers seems to have helped ,thank god take care

Hi all,
Thanks for all your tips which I will try. To add to the cough I believe I now have flu as I suddenly developed aches, fluctuating temperature and cannot concentrate on anything and just want to sleep, generally feel awful! Made myself get up at about 4:00 as cannot bear to be in bed 24 hours a day. Last night was bad as I could only breathe through my mouth so kept needing to drink, then needed to go to the toilet! So much to do & if this is flu will have no time to do it

I had a cough, that lasted 8 weeks, about two years ago. A productive cough during the day but a tickly one during the night, it had me demented. Chest was clear. Coughing leaves you weary.