I need cough mixture that works. Now!

aliasojo

Just had eldest son at the Doctor this morning as he has had a non productive dry tickly cough for the last 3 weeks that just isn't shifting. He's now not sleeping because of it and his chest is sore.

Doctor listened to his chest and said all was ok and he just had to put up with the cough (but to come back if it was still not shifting). He said his chest was just sore because of the act of coughing rather than for any other reason. Sometimes son has coughing fits iyswim, rather than just a clear your throat type cough.

Now that's all very well to say put up with it, but the reality is that son's cough is affecting the whole house now. OH has to drive hundreds of miles every day in connection with work and he isn't sleeping much either. Nor is middle one who has slept in for work several times because of it and youngest isn't getting to sleep at night early, enough because of it. As for me, I'm at home with him and his cough 24/7 and I'm about to whack him over the head and bury him in the back garden! :rolleyes:

Ive tried a few off the counter cough syrups but they aren't even helping for 10 minutes.

Surely there must be something we can try that wil actually work?

Ideas?

flowerscotland

Ive got a terrible cough and cold atm too, and fil told me to put some honey in a cup of tea and wear a hat to bed and I wouldnt cough. I tried this and it worked ! I had been up coughing all the previous night I had about two hours sleep, and I only woke up twice that night, I was coughing as hat had fell off :rotfl:

Ive also heard about vicks vapour rub on soles of feet and then put socks on, but this doesnt work for me.

RoseFairy

The Boots own brand liquid glycerine - in blackcurrant flavour (about £1.69 on offer atm) is really good to help with a sore throat. - i say sore throat as i know that coughing so much makes the throat more sore and irritable causing more coughing. its really sweet but really works to coat the throat. worth a try

Toothsmith

flowerscotland wrote: »

Ive also heard about vicks vapour rub on soles of feet and then put socks on, but this doesnt work for me.

Have you tried rubbing it on your chest??

Just a thought.....

Meadows

I'm going back a lot of years now, but you used to be able to buy Beechams Cough Caps, that suppressed the cough for up to 12 hours, then they stopped selling them.

Several years ago while on a holiday in Holland I had a very bad cough especially at night and sore chest that would not go away, I went to a Pharmacy and was given Darolan, (Now called Daro), they are just like the cough caps and last for about 8 hours.

They work; they are great! I am frightened of running out of Daro's now, when I do get a cough again it can be quite bad. I have a work colleague who is Dutch & often visits Holland, so she either picks me some up or if I fly anywhere via Schipol airport I grab some.

Don't know your son's age, or if they are okay for children, check out this site I found on-line:
http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=nl&u=http://www.efarma.nl/pages/ItemInfo.asp%3FItemID%3D13900722&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Ddarolan%26hl%3Den

Just had a quick look at postage from this site and it is really a no-go, too expensive, but worth looking out for if anyone visits holland (up coming christmas markets maybe?).

Mutter_2

aliasojo, hi. Please don't take this the wrong way, but I was wondering.
Is it at all possible that your son may have developed a habit.? That for the first few days he did indeed have a cough, but now the cough has become a reflex action?

My husband, love him, has a habit of one short cough, maddening but I bet my quirks are worse.

As your son, you don't say his age, has been cleared by GP of any problems, why not try a bit of Mother Magic.

Hot water, lemon and lots of honey, and sipped gently. Depending on his age tell him it's a miraculous cure.

Then IGNORE.
No one in the house remark on his cough, at all.
If he coughs, say nothing.
Give the soothing drink again at bedtime if you like, otherwise do not remark about the cough.

Hope this works. Please let us know.

flowerscotland

Toothsmith wrote: »

Have you tried rubbing it on your chest??

Just a thought.....

no :eek: :eek: :eek:

omg what a genius !

Savvy_Sue

I'm with Mutter, and suggest you talk to your pharmacist as well. Dry non-productive coughs have to be treated differently to productive coughs, and there may be nothing the GP can prescribe.

Meanwhile please remember

MEDICAL ADVICE

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this: Sorry, giving or asking for medical advice is not permitted on this forum as it’s not what this site is about. While discussing medical insurance policies, cheaper ways to see consultants, cashback for alternative health treatments and how to get specific medication cheaper (legally) are all perfectly acceptable we ask you specifically not to discuss what to do in the event of certain medical problems (please see this rule on the Health Board). If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

Mutter_2

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I'm with Mutter, and suggest you talk to your pharmacist as well. Dry non-productive coughs have to be treated differently to productive coughs, and there may be nothing the GP can prescribe.

Meanwhile please remember

MEDICAL ADVICE

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this: Sorry, giving or asking for medical advice is not permitted on this forum as it’s not what this site is about. While discussing medical insurance policies, cheaper ways to see consultants, cashback for alternative health treatments and how to get specific medication cheaper (legally) are all perfectly acceptable we ask you specifically not to discuss what to do in the event of certain medical problems (please see this rule on the Health Board). If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

Yes Savvy Sue, Pharmacists are undervalued in my opinion. I offered advice based on a Mum's intuition only, as GP had cleared son of any problem. I wouldn't dream of offering medical advice, not that I have any. However hot water, lemon and honey never killed anyone, as far as I know.
Vic vapour rub or Darolan might as suggested by others, though I doubt that also.

the_rottweiler

Try a teaspoon of honey, it coats the throat and stops the tickle and its also a mild antiseptic
i have used this on both my kids and my mum, i know it works but try not to drink after taking it
The problem is even though i know it works i couldnt do it myself cos i cant stand the stuff

Valley's_girl

Hi just a suggestion get your son to sleep slightly propped with an extra pillow, I have to sleep with a few pillows because I have bronchietasis and asthma, also he could have sinus drainage which can make you cough at night when lying down.
Hope he soon gets better.
ally x