To consult my GP because I have had a cough lasting about 5 weeks?

[jasper]

I almost never go to the doc . believing most things run their course but this cough is still keeping me awake at night, although not as bad as it was for the first two weeks.

Seems a minor thing to bother the doc about but it is actually having quite an impact on my life , not being able to sleep.

I have tried every possible medication .

What do you all think?

[nametaken]

you must see the doc. preferably tomorrow. Good luck and hope you start to feel better and get some sleep soon.

[avenanap]

It's best to get it checked if you have had it for this long. I got told off by my GP for not taking my ds after a 3 week cough. He was fine until the day I took him though.

[paddington99]

Of course it's OK to consult the GP. This is what they are paid to do. And paid rather a lot, as it goes.

A 5 week cough isn't unusual, and they may not do/prescribe anything, but if you want a professional opinion you have every right to ask for it.

Let's be assertive, people.

[hugeheadofhair]

I had a very similar thing in December. Started with a hoarse voice, continued as cough, and finally in the middle of January got a nasty proper cold and got rid of it. Never went to the doctor, because they usually say "it's viral" and "it will clear by itself" "come back if there's no change in a couple of weeks time" etc. It's by no means unreasonable to see a gp after 5 weeks, but be prepared to be disappointed!
Hope you get well soon!

[PenelopePitstops]

yes go see the docs, my dad had a cough that lasted a year and when he finally went it was bronchitis.

[Dalrymps]

I would say go to the docs, what harm can it do?

[lucyellensmum]

jasper, we have all had this in this house. Bloody thing only just gone and i got it before xmas. Terrible. I went to the doctors only to be told nothing they could give, which is fair enough actually as it most likely a virus. I took everything from benylin to glycerine and honey. My friend had the same thing, her doctor told her not to waste her money on stuff from the chemist, just honey and lemon, hers went much quicker than mine.

[avenanap]

I'm sure he'd really appreciate the pleasure of your company for 10 minutes, then he'll nag you about having a smear and birth control. I bet you.

[Elephantsbreath]

I might be wrong but after 2 or 3 weeks the docs like to try antibiotics as the virus may have turned bacterial. Am having the same quandry myself after 3 weeks of never ending cold.

[jasper]

Good Lord Avenanap you have just reminded me I have an appointment at the family planning clinic for a smear TOMORROW!
I had completely forgotten.

Lucyellensmum that's kind of what I thought the doc would say and why I did not want to waste his time.

My GP is very thorough though. He'll probably send me for a lung biopsy

[lilolilmanchester]

please check it out. I ruined first few days of our holiday by not seeing GP before we went when a course of antibiotics would have sorted it out immediately. Good luck.

[Kewcumber]

It could be any number of things (chest infection, mild asthma, acid reflux, irritatated throat form original infection) or nothing at all - of course you should go.

[Staceym21AtLast]

i'd say go and check, although maybe not with doc, my surgery suggests for lasting coughs and colds (longer than 3 weeks) to see a nurse, maybe that's an idea!

[Kewcumber]

it transpired that my persistant cough was acid reflux cured by course of lansoprazole - I'd be be spending a fortune on Benelyn if I hadn;t gone.

[jasper]

ok ladies you win, I will make an appointment tomorrow!

[lilolilmanchester]

did you make an appointment Jasper? you know we're going to nag you til you do.....

[bundle]

i had mine for about 7 weeks

i've only just realised it's gone

i had a chest infection with a viral thing on top (bit like a whisky chaser, only nastier)

pls go & see someone!

[SlightlyMadSweet]

Deffo go and see GP.

I have just shifted my 5wk cough with a 2nd course of ABs.

My GP was actually concerned about the fact that it was 4-5wks and was ready to send me for a chest X ray of the 2nd Abs didn't shift it.

[pindy]

Did you go?

Naughty girl if you didn'y - good girl if you did

[ReallyTired]

I think you should go to you GP. If you GP decides to do nothing then you have had a professional opinon that it just has to take its course. If there is something the GP can do to help then you can get a prescription.

GPs are paid to give advice rather than potions. I don't think its a waste of time to go to a GP and not be prescribed anything.

[jasper]

oh dear.
no.
My pathetic excuse was I was looking after my 2 neices . 5 and 3 as well as my own 3 kids and did not stop all day.
My cough is now worse than ever.
I have to work tomorrow and have not slept in days

You will all need to nag me some more.

[sparklyfairypie]

RIGHT YOU IDIOT GET TO THE DRS ASAP, THIS IS ATROCIOUS BEHAVIOUR AND I AM APPAULED, MAKE A FARKING APPOINTMENT OR ELSE I WILL COME DOWN TO WHERE YOU LIVE AND DRAG YOU THERE OK????????



(was that strict enough nagging) hope you get it sorted soon x

[pindy]

NAG, NAG, NAG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go to the doctors, or else!!!!

[jasper]

SPF, that was a good start.
You are not in the army by any chance are you?

[pindy]

Yep, lots of nagging required, I think.