Constant cough! Help me, I'm desperate. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

la petite moi · 06-29-2006, 10:54 PM

Okay, so I need SOMEONE'S help.

I've had a constant, chronic, awful cough for the past two months.

I will most likely be seeing the doctor as soon as I can for this, but in the meantime, I need your guys' help. It's getting painful to even cough, as my ribs feel like they're cracking in two.

But I just can't help it- I've taken Benedryl (to see if maybe it's allergies), and cough expectorants (Robetussins [sp?]), but they don't help for more than ten minutes. Tea helps while I'm drinking it, but then the cough comes right back.

Does anyone have some sort of help? PLEASE?

Dilbert1234567 · 06-30-2006, 12:03 AM

could be acid reflux, I had a constant cough for several years on and off, turns out it was acid reflux, I tilt my bed at a slight angle so the acid no longer entered my lungs and couldn't be happier (except the prostate infection I have now). I just piled a few of my old text books at the head of my bed and now I sleep at a slight incline (10 degrees or so)

As for stopping coughing, even if the urge is great, don’t let your self cough, try to hold out as long as you can, each time you cough, you aggravate your throat. Slow regular breaths; don’t get your heart rate or breathing rate up, i.e. no scary movies, no action flicks, no wanking. If you feel a cough coming, stop breathing for a sec, maybe it will pass.

See your doc ASAP, hopefully it’s nothing major, but I don’t want you to be a typhoid marry

Its late, I’ll try and write more if I think of anything else tomorrow.

~dil

Vincentt · 06-30-2006, 12:20 AM

I had a horrid cronic cough for a year or so. I went to a few doctors and had X-rays etc, never found out what it was.

I ended up at a chiropractor for some reason, got my neck and back poped a few times and it went away. Crazy.

Either it healed on its own or something about my bones were causing it.

Cynthetiq · 06-30-2006, 01:01 AM

mine was caused by chronic bronchitis... and my constant marijuana smoking.

see your doctor.

bermuDa · 06-30-2006, 01:49 AM

I like to check with Dr. Weil ( http://www.drweil.com/ ) for general medical concerns. He is a pretty big authority on homeopathic and traditional but effective remedies. Of course, his suggestions usually involve a trip to your local organic grocers. While you're out, I'd recommend swinging by your doctor to see what they can do for you

dlish · 06-30-2006, 02:53 AM

vincentt is on the right track!

i had a cough after i got sick. had a chest infection. i recovered well. went back to normal. but the cough stayed. ended up seeing the dr and he said its nothing it would go away. 2 months later i still had it. so i went to this quirky doctor who also happens to be a chiropractor. he cracked my back and neck and by the next day it was gone. no word of a lie. it was almost instantaneous. by that afternoon my coughing had halved.

pretty good for someone who had gone there with total skepticism. apparently he told me that it had something to do with the nervous system or something.. i dunno.. i dont remember now..but i do rememeber that it worked! see a chiro ..what have u got to lose

mokle · 06-30-2006, 02:56 AM

Could be bronchitis, allergies, lung cancer, anything... Go see your doctor, we can't really help you over a forum

I had a chronic cough last week, too. Turned out the couch I got from my sister had multitudes of cat dander on it, and I'm allergic to cats.

shakran · 06-30-2006, 04:54 AM

Let's be frank. Seeking medical advice on the internet is stupid. Even if you manage to find a qualified MD among us (I think the closest we have is a dentist), it's still not possible to diagnose you from a 3 paragraph post. instead of "most likely" seeing a doctor, go in, today, and find out what's going on. Sitting around waiting for the internet to diagnose you is literally risking your life.

Redlemon · 06-30-2006, 06:00 AM

I really like Cepacol sore throat spray. It has a numbing agent, so it works instantly, and it also lubes your throat which helps if it is a dry cough. It's the only thing that allows me to go to sleep when I have a bad cough, including prescription narcotic cough medicines.

And see your doctor.

Toaster126 · 06-30-2006, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakran

Let's be frank. Seeking medical advice on the internet is stupid. Even if you manage to find a qualified MD among us (I think the closest we have is a dentist), it's still not possible to diagnose you from a 3 paragraph post. instead of "most likely" seeing a doctor, go in, today, and find out what's going on. Sitting around waiting for the internet to diagnose you is literally risking your life.

Amen. Girl, go see a doctor nowish.

Dilbert1234567 · 06-30-2006, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakran

Let's be frank. Seeking medical advice on the internet is stupid. Even if you manage to find a qualified MD among us (I think the closest we have is a dentist), it's still not possible to diagnose you from a 3 paragraph post. instead of "most likely" seeing a doctor, go in, today, and find out what's going on. Sitting around waiting for the internet to diagnose you is literally risking your life.

Where as I agree with you that she should seek medical treatment, i think she was asking not for a cure or a diagnosis, but a way to cope with the pain and frustration until she makes it to a doctor.

and to la petite moi, I know what you are going through and I know it horrible, my last bout my senior year of high school lasted January 1 till sometime in may, call your general practitioner today, get an appointment ASAP, they may even be able to squeeze you in today. Slow, even breaths and try not to talk so much, just veg on the couch.

maleficent · 06-30-2006, 10:34 AM

Go to doctor... but..

somethings that help me when i get that rib cracking dry hack related to bronchitis...
1. coffee - black.. something about the caffeine helps me breathe easier
2. Eucalptis oil on a tissue and take deep breaths with it - and hold the breaths
3. Try slowing down your breathing and breath thru your nose... keeping the mouth closed avoids the tickle that causes the cough.
4. No talking (after you make the doctor's appointment)
5. Relax

la petite moi · 06-30-2006, 01:43 PM

Dilbert, you're right on the money about my intent. I'm seeing the doctor in less than 20 minutes now, and hopefully they'll be able to give me some insight.

Mal, coffee doesn't help longterm (and neither does tea). Aromas don't do much because breathing in deeply causes me to want to cough.

Anyway, thanks for the advice people. I went to bed last night hacking up my lung, but I've been relatively okay today. My ribs and chest hurt like a bitch though.

thingstodo · 07-01-2006, 04:29 AM

Try some Musinex with a lot of water. It gets things moving and makes your cough more productive getting out whatever is there.

Of course, that's for while your are waiting to see a Dr.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

la petite moi · 07-01-2006, 08:23 AM

So I went to the doctor, and he told me exactly what I thought he would- it's a cough leftover from my cold I had two months ago.

He prescribed me antibiotics and told me to take Dayquil, Nyquil, and Mucinex.

Dilbert1234567 · 07-01-2006, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by la petite moi

Dilbert, you're right on the money about my intent. I'm seeing the doctor in less than 20 minutes now, and hopefully they'll be able to give me some insight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by la petite moi

Mal, coffee doesn't help longterm (and neither does tea).

That was the same for me; tea would help when i was drinking it, but get much worse later when I would lie down, because of the acid reflux.

Quote:

Originally Posted by la petite moi

So I went to the doctor, and he told me exactly what I thought he would- it's a cough leftover from my cold I had two months ago.

He prescribed me antibiotics and told me to take Dayquil, Nyquil, and Mucinex.

Don’t forget to get plenty of rest, read ALL of the documentation on the medication, and make sure you ask about your BC, some antibiotics interfere with BC. Out of curiosity, which antibiotic are you on?

Rodney · 07-01-2006, 07:08 PM

Well, looks like lpm got her answer. But one other thing that can cause this is pertussis, aka the good old whooping cough. Most of us got shots for it as kids, but I got it a few years ago anyway. We had a mini-epidemic in my area; I coughed for two months, and so did some of my friends. It went away on its own, but what helped was to breath warm air and yes, wear a muffler when going out into the cold. Cold, damp air would bring on a coughing fit in a jiffy.

But I also agree with LPM's doc; one thing that keeps a coughing fit going is, the continual irritation caused by, well, coughin; it can be recursive. If you can stop the coughing for a while, even with OTC remedies, you might break the cycle.

Bill O'Rights · 07-01-2006, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by la petite moi

So I went to the doctor, and he told me exactly what I thought he would- it's a cough leftover from my cold I had two months ago.

He prescribed me antibiotics and told me to take Dayquil, Nyquil, and Mucinex.

I'm not a doctor, but I liked to play one when I was 7.

Correct me if I'm wrong, and I frequently am, but aren't antibiotics useless against a cold, which is a virus and not an infection?

la petite moi · 07-02-2006, 12:43 PM

Dilbert, I am not on BC so it doesn't matter.

Bill, I think the flu is a virus, and colds are bacterial. I am also taking the antibiotics for the cough, not for a full-blown cold.

Dilbert1234567 · 07-02-2006, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by la petite moi

Dilbert, I am not on BC so it doesn't matter.

Bill, I think the flu is a virus, and colds are bacterial. I am also taking the antibiotics for the cough, not for a full-blown cold.

Well the common cold is a virus, and the flu (Influenza), is also a virus. However Gastroenteritis is commonly called "stomach flu" or "24 hour flu" but should not be confused with influenza. Even if the original problem was a viral infection, all the coughing may have gotten your throat raw and torn up enough to become infected by bacteria.

SparklingDot · 07-03-2006, 03:13 PM

My SO and I have been coughing due to recent colds, and the weather in our area isn't that great. (good old Bako in the summer) My mom told me to drink lemonade and juice with vitamin C (generally stay hydrated) to help with the cough, and its been working. Try to avoid fluctuating temperatures and dust. Be careful of smoke from fireworks on the 4th.

Hope you feel better!

shakran · 07-03-2006, 05:58 PM

LPM, you should check with your doctor as to why he prescribed the antibiotics. If it's a cough from a cold, they won't do anything. If it's something else, he needs to tell you that instead of making up the bit about a cough from the cold.

A lot of doctors like to prescribe antibiotics as a "feel good" medicine so patients think they're getting something out of the doctor's visit. It's not only dishonest, but it costs you extra money, and it adds to the problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

maleficent · 07-03-2006, 06:01 PM

I'd agree -- if it's bronchitis,which is a dry hacking cough, a shot of tetracycline can knock it out- but the regular oral antibiotics - don't do squat except contribute to lovely yeast infections...
(least inmy cast that's what works)

Rodney · 07-03-2006, 10:19 PM

The primary infection may have been viral, but it may have caused a condition -- say, clogging of the sinuses -- that leads to a secondary, bacterial infection in those areas. The doc may suspect something like that in the case of a cough; what if throat/chest rawness from all the coughing supported a bacterial infection?

la petite moi · 07-03-2006, 10:55 PM

He said the antibiotics are to break up the mucus in my chest.

ShaniFaye · 07-04-2006, 08:34 AM

thats wierd, thats what guafinessin(the ingredient in Mucinex)is for

<------- is a chronic bronchitis sufferer...have been since I was a kid...AB's have never helped with mucus problems

Dilbert1234567 · 07-04-2006, 09:07 AM

the mucus may be the result of a bacteriological infection,

saltfish · 07-06-2006, 09:31 AM

My father ended up having the same thing that lasted for nearly two years. After 30-some-odd doctor visits he was sent to an allergist. He then learned that his cough was the result of severe food allergies. All he needed was a change in his diet.

He's been relatively cough-free for nearly 2 months.

Toaster126 · 07-06-2006, 05:37 PM

The cough could also be from irritations caused by throwing up. I have a friend who was bullemic who had a cough towards the end of her time having an eating disorder.

la petite moi · 07-06-2006, 09:10 PM

I'm not bulimic.

Plaid13 · 07-06-2006, 09:23 PM

i bet its a allergy. i used to cough for a couple years nonstop thanks to allegys. from the sounds of it your doctor is a quack might want to go to a allergist. from my expericance coughing that isnt a dry cough is allergy related or pneumonia and if it was pneumonia most likely even a quack of a doctor would of noticed it. i know about quacks i have been to plenty of them. you said you took benedryl but for how long? thats the sort of thing you need to keep taking a while. even if it stopped your allegys you would need to take some sort of decongestant as well. Cleriton D is what i started taking that finaly worked for me. was perscription back then but its over the counter now.
Whatevers wrong i hope you get it figured out soon.

la petite moi · 07-06-2006, 09:54 PM

Well, guys. Thanks for all your advice. I'm going to get my antibiotics tomorrow, probably. The cough has pretty much gone away. I only cough here and there. I'm pretty much just going to take the antibiotics, and it's not like they can hurt my immune system eh?

TotalMILF · 07-07-2006, 02:11 PM

I had the same problem a couple months ago. I had what I thought was a lingering cough from a cold, but the doc ordered some bloodwork just to be safe. He called back a few days later and it turns out I had mono. Nothing you can do for that except treat the symptoms.

LPM, I wouldn't take the antibiotics unless you KNOW that it's a bacterial infection, and that you would definitely benefit from taking them. The side effects can be worse than the symptoms that you already have, plus there is a growing concern regarding drug-resistant bacteria. Check out this article from webmd:

Quote:

Fewer Unnecessary Antibiotics Prescribed,But Overuse of Potent Antibiotics Now a Growing Problem

By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Medical News
Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD on Monday, March 31, 2003

March 31, 2003 - Many doctors are heeding the call to cut back on the unnecessary use of antibiotics to treat viral illnesses, such as the common cold. But a new study shows that another disturbing trend in antibiotic prescribing habits has now emerged -- overuse of potent broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Antibiotics are among the most frequently prescribed medications and are designed to treat infections caused by bacteria. But some types of bacteria can develop a resistance to antibiotics, which render the drugs ineffective in treating that type of bacteria.

Recently, the number of these antibiotic-resistant bacteria has grown dramatically, and doctors have been advised to use more appropriate strategies when using the drugs.

Although several studies have looked at antibiotic use in hospitals in promoting antibiotic resistance, less is known about antibiotic use in the doctor's office. In this study, researchers looked at trends in doctors' habits in prescribing antibiotics to treat infections seen during an office visit from the early to late 1990's.

Researchers say the good news is that the use of antibiotics to treat illnesses commonly caused by viruses, such as colds and sore throats, that do not respond to antibiotics has decreased. But the use of powerful, broad-spectrum antibiotics doubled from 1991-1992 to 1998-1999.

"The troubling news is that when doctors do turn to an antibiotic they are increasingly turning to broad-spectrum agents. These often provide little or no advantage over narrow-spectrum antibiotics when treating things like respiratory infections or sinusitis," says researcher Michael Steinman, MD, of the San Francisco VA Medical Center, in a news release.

The findings appear in the April 1 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Researchers say these new, broad-spectrum antibiotics are also much more expensive than their older counterparts and usually cost about 10 times more than narrow-spectrum varieties for a typical seven-day course of treatment.

In an editorial that accompanies the study, Richard E. Besser, MD, of the CDC says that apart from the economic implications of the overuse of potent antibiotics, there are also serious public health consequences.

"Using these agents when they are not indicated reduces their effectiveness when they are needed to treat other infections," writes Besser. "We must consider these drugs as precious, limited resources because for many [antibiotics], once resistance becomes prevalent in the community, there may be no going back."

Researchers say the study suggests that efforts to encourage more appropriate use of antibiotics to prevent the growth of antibiotic resistance should focus not only on when the drugs should be prescribed but also on which antibiotic should be used.

Linky

Hope you feel better soon!

06-29-2006, 10:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
la petite moi Filling the Void. Location: California	Constant cough! Help me, I'm desperate. Okay, so I need SOMEONE'S help. I've had a constant, chronic, awful cough for the past two months. I will most likely be seeing the doctor as soon as I can for this, but in the meantime, I need your guys' help. It's getting painful to even cough, as my ribs feel like they're cracking in two. But I just can't help it- I've taken Benedryl (to see if maybe it's allergies), and cough expectorants (Robetussins [sp?]), but they don't help for more than ten minutes. Tea helps while I'm drinking it, but then the cough comes right back. Does anyone have some sort of help? PLEASE?

06-30-2006, 12:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
Dilbert1234567 Devils Cabana Boy Location: Central Coast CA	could be acid reflux, I had a constant cough for several years on and off, turns out it was acid reflux, I tilt my bed at a slight angle so the acid no longer entered my lungs and couldn't be happier (except the prostate infection I have now). I just piled a few of my old text books at the head of my bed and now I sleep at a slight incline (10 degrees or so) As for stopping coughing, even if the urge is great, don’t let your self cough, try to hold out as long as you can, each time you cough, you aggravate your throat. Slow regular breaths; don’t get your heart rate or breathing rate up, i.e. no scary movies, no action flicks, no wanking. If you feel a cough coming, stop breathing for a sec, maybe it will pass. See your doc ASAP, hopefully it’s nothing major, but I don’t want you to be a typhoid marry Its late, I’ll try and write more if I think of anything else tomorrow. ~dil __________________ Donate Blood! "Love is not finding the perfect person, but learning to see an imperfect person perfectly." -Sam Keen

06-30-2006, 12:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
Vincentt Addict Location: Tokyo, Japan	I had a horrid cronic cough for a year or so. I went to a few doctors and had X-rays etc, never found out what it was. I ended up at a chiropractor for some reason, got my neck and back poped a few times and it went away. Crazy. Either it healed on its own or something about my bones were causing it. __________________ .

06-30-2006, 01:01 AM	#4 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	mine was caused by chronic bronchitis... and my constant marijuana smoking. see your doctor. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

06-30-2006, 01:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
bermuDa don't ignore this--> Location: CA	I like to check with Dr. Weil ( http://www.drweil.com/ ) for general medical concerns. He is a pretty big authority on homeopathic and traditional but effective remedies. Of course, his suggestions usually involve a trip to your local organic grocers. While you're out, I'd recommend swinging by your doctor to see what they can do for you __________________ I am the very model of a moderator gentleman.

06-30-2006, 02:53 AM	#6 (permalink)
dlish Currently sour but formerly Dlishs Super Moderator Location: Australia/UAE	vincentt is on the right track! i had a cough after i got sick. had a chest infection. i recovered well. went back to normal. but the cough stayed. ended up seeing the dr and he said its nothing it would go away. 2 months later i still had it. so i went to this quirky doctor who also happens to be a chiropractor. he cracked my back and neck and by the next day it was gone. no word of a lie. it was almost instantaneous. by that afternoon my coughing had halved. pretty good for someone who had gone there with total skepticism. apparently he told me that it had something to do with the nervous system or something.. i dunno.. i dont remember now..but i do rememeber that it worked! see a chiro ..what have u got to lose __________________ An injustice anywhere, is an injustice everywhere I always sign my facebook comments with ()()===========(}. Does that make me gay? - Filthy

06-30-2006, 02:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
mokle Psycho Location: Alberta, Canada	Could be bronchitis, allergies, lung cancer, anything... Go see your doctor, we can't really help you over a forum I had a chronic cough last week, too. Turned out the couch I got from my sister had multitudes of cat dander on it, and I'm allergic to cats. __________________ Mokle "Your hands can't hit what your eyes can't see" -Ali

06-30-2006, 04:54 AM	#8 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	Let's be frank. Seeking medical advice on the internet is stupid. Even if you manage to find a qualified MD among us (I think the closest we have is a dentist), it's still not possible to diagnose you from a 3 paragraph post. instead of "most likely" seeing a doctor, go in, today, and find out what's going on. Sitting around waiting for the internet to diagnose you is literally risking your life.

06-30-2006, 06:00 AM	#9 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	I really like Cepacol sore throat spray. It has a numbing agent, so it works instantly, and it also lubes your throat which helps if it is a dry cough. It's the only thing that allows me to go to sleep when I have a bad cough, including prescription narcotic cough medicines. And see your doctor. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

06-30-2006, 10:34 AM	#12 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	Go to doctor... but.. somethings that help me when i get that rib cracking dry hack related to bronchitis... 1. coffee - black.. something about the caffeine helps me breathe easier 2. Eucalptis oil on a tissue and take deep breaths with it - and hold the breaths 3. Try slowing down your breathing and breath thru your nose... keeping the mouth closed avoids the tickle that causes the cough. 4. No talking (after you make the doctor's appointment) 5. Relax __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

06-30-2006, 01:43 PM	#13 (permalink)
la petite moi Filling the Void. Location: California	Dilbert, you're right on the money about my intent. I'm seeing the doctor in less than 20 minutes now, and hopefully they'll be able to give me some insight. Mal, coffee doesn't help longterm (and neither does tea). Aromas don't do much because breathing in deeply causes me to want to cough. Anyway, thanks for the advice people. I went to bed last night hacking up my lung, but I've been relatively okay today. My ribs and chest hurt like a bitch though.

07-01-2006, 04:29 AM	#14 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	Try some Musinex with a lot of water. It gets things moving and makes your cough more productive getting out whatever is there. Of course, that's for while your are waiting to see a Dr.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

07-01-2006, 08:23 AM	#15 (permalink)
la petite moi Filling the Void. Location: California	So I went to the doctor, and he told me exactly what I thought he would- it's a cough leftover from my cold I had two months ago. He prescribed me antibiotics and told me to take Dayquil, Nyquil, and Mucinex.

07-01-2006, 07:08 PM	#17 (permalink)
Rodney Observant Ruminant Location: Rich Wannabe Hippie Town	Well, looks like lpm got her answer. But one other thing that can cause this is pertussis, aka the good old whooping cough. Most of us got shots for it as kids, but I got it a few years ago anyway. We had a mini-epidemic in my area; I coughed for two months, and so did some of my friends. It went away on its own, but what helped was to breath warm air and yes, wear a muffler when going out into the cold. Cold, damp air would bring on a coughing fit in a jiffy. But I also agree with LPM's doc; one thing that keeps a coughing fit going is, the continual irritation caused by, well, coughin; it can be recursive. If you can stop the coughing for a while, even with OTC remedies, you might break the cycle.

07-02-2006, 12:43 PM	#19 (permalink)
la petite moi Filling the Void. Location: California	Dilbert, I am not on BC so it doesn't matter. Bill, I think the flu is a virus, and colds are bacterial. I am also taking the antibiotics for the cough, not for a full-blown cold.

07-03-2006, 03:13 PM	#21 (permalink)
SparklingDot Insane	My SO and I have been coughing due to recent colds, and the weather in our area isn't that great. (good old Bako in the summer) My mom told me to drink lemonade and juice with vitamin C (generally stay hydrated) to help with the cough, and its been working. Try to avoid fluctuating temperatures and dust. Be careful of smoke from fireworks on the 4th. Hope you feel better! __________________ 17 seconds is all you really need - Smashing Pumpkins

07-03-2006, 05:58 PM	#22 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	LPM, you should check with your doctor as to why he prescribed the antibiotics. If it's a cough from a cold, they won't do anything. If it's something else, he needs to tell you that instead of making up the bit about a cough from the cold. A lot of doctors like to prescribe antibiotics as a "feel good" medicine so patients think they're getting something out of the doctor's visit. It's not only dishonest, but it costs you extra money, and it adds to the problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

07-03-2006, 06:01 PM	#23 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	I'd agree -- if it's bronchitis,which is a dry hacking cough, a shot of tetracycline can knock it out- but the regular oral antibiotics - don't do squat except contribute to lovely yeast infections... (least inmy cast that's what works) __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

07-03-2006, 10:19 PM	#24 (permalink)
Rodney Observant Ruminant Location: Rich Wannabe Hippie Town	The primary infection may have been viral, but it may have caused a condition -- say, clogging of the sinuses -- that leads to a secondary, bacterial infection in those areas. The doc may suspect something like that in the case of a cough; what if throat/chest rawness from all the coughing supported a bacterial infection?

07-03-2006, 10:55 PM	#25 (permalink)
la petite moi Filling the Void. Location: California	He said the antibiotics are to break up the mucus in my chest.

07-04-2006, 08:34 AM	#26 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	thats wierd, thats what guafinessin(the ingredient in Mucinex)is for <------- is a chronic bronchitis sufferer...have been since I was a kid...AB's have never helped with mucus problems __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

07-04-2006, 09:07 AM	#27 (permalink)
Dilbert1234567 Devils Cabana Boy Location: Central Coast CA	the mucus may be the result of a bacteriological infection, __________________ Donate Blood! "Love is not finding the perfect person, but learning to see an imperfect person perfectly." -Sam Keen

07-06-2006, 09:31 AM	#28 (permalink)
saltfish !?!No hay pantalones!?! Location: Indian-no-place	My father ended up having the same thing that lasted for nearly two years. After 30-some-odd doctor visits he was sent to an allergist. He then learned that his cough was the result of severe food allergies. All he needed was a change in his diet. He's been relatively cough-free for nearly 2 months.

07-06-2006, 05:37 PM	#29 (permalink)
Toaster126 Extreme moderation Location: Kansas City, yo.	The cough could also be from irritations caused by throwing up. I have a friend who was bullemic who had a cough towards the end of her time having an eating disorder. __________________ "The question isn't who is going to let me, it's who is going to stop me." (Ayn Rand) "The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers." (M. Scott Peck)

07-06-2006, 09:10 PM	#30 (permalink)
la petite moi Filling the Void. Location: California	I'm not bulimic.

07-06-2006, 09:23 PM	#31 (permalink)
Plaid13 I want a Plaid crayon	i bet its a allergy. i used to cough for a couple years nonstop thanks to allegys. from the sounds of it your doctor is a quack might want to go to a allergist. from my expericance coughing that isnt a dry cough is allergy related or pneumonia and if it was pneumonia most likely even a quack of a doctor would of noticed it. i know about quacks i have been to plenty of them. you said you took benedryl but for how long? thats the sort of thing you need to keep taking a while. even if it stopped your allegys you would need to take some sort of decongestant as well. Cleriton D is what i started taking that finaly worked for me. was perscription back then but its over the counter now. Whatevers wrong i hope you get it figured out soon.

07-06-2006, 09:54 PM	#32 (permalink)
la petite moi Filling the Void. Location: California	Well, guys. Thanks for all your advice. I'm going to get my antibiotics tomorrow, probably. The cough has pretty much gone away. I only cough here and there. I'm pretty much just going to take the antibiotics, and it's not like they can hurt my immune system eh?