Cough with attacks feel like being strangled

[clarella]

Hi,

Trying to work out if worth going to walk in centre or out of hours. I keep getting 'attacks' of coughing so bad I struggle to breathe. My voice box and throat feel strangled and enflamed. Then I'm ok for a while and infact my lungs seem ok. Talking can set it off.

Manage to sleep bolt upright (fun when bf and cosleeping with toddler, who is completely well for once) obviously worried he'll get it but I suspect I've caught it from him as he had a.nasty green snot cold a week ago.

Earlier in week I had aches and temperatures. No true sore throat, as in tonsils fine.

It's just that when the attack occurs it's quite scary.

Treating with ibu and paracetamol and hot ribena. I tried some piriton in the night.

[clarella]

Bump?

[Matildathecat]

I was just like this with whooping cough. I had to convince my GP of this because my chest sounded clear and I wasn't coughing in the surgery. My DH had it some years ago so I knew the symptoms.

Anyway it can only be so firmed with a blood test which I had. 17 days later I had a call from my GP saying yes, I was right I then had the correct antibiotics. Actually I was nearly better by then because it lasted about six weeks.

Whooping cough is quite common but IMO massively under diagnosed because of needing the blood test.

[clarella]

I'd been wondering that. My ds is 20 months so I had the vac about 2 years ago - but was it a booster and could it wear off this soon?

[MerryMarigold]

I think ibuprofen can make breathing problems worse in asthmatics, so I'm not sure if that's best. Could try laying off it and going for paracetamol.

[clarella]

I have an appointment on weds booked anyway for other stuff. It's loosened a bit and I'm a tad phlemy - can taste the nasty taste of a bug. I wouldn't want antibi unless nec. Bit worried if it is I could have passed to lo.

[clarella]

I take ibu as I was told / read ages ago it lessens the inflammation in coughs?

[MerryMarigold]

I think it's a rare side effect, but they don't let me give it to my ds1 who is asthmatic. Here on 'side effects' (NHS): worsening of asthma symptoms by causing bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways).

[MerryMarigold]

(Ie. it's probably fine for a regular cough, but if you are finding it hard to breathe, I would assume the problem is in the airways and not the throat).

[clarella]

Ok merry, thanks will proceed with paracetamol over night, see if it helps. It's only during the coughing attack I find it hard.

[clarella]

The strangling has lessened but my lungs are full of crap. I'm very used to viral coughs but I think this is bacterial. I don't usually have the phlem.

If it's bacterial do they still like to see how you go for a couple of weeks before any antibiotics?

I had a terrible infection in my lower lung in the spring following a similar cough over Xmas. With that I didn't cough, only sounded like I smoked 100 a day.

I'm just pissed off as school starts next week and my sickness record is shocking due to infections this year.

[MerryMarigold]

I'd take the antibiotics and get it cleared up especially if there is a history and you bed to go back to work.

[clarella]

Haven't got any antibiotics yet.

I guess if still rattling like a pit of rattle snakes by my drs appointment on weds I'll ask then, unless this gets worse ffs

[MerryMarigold]

Ha ha. Our surgery says you are only allowed to discuss one problem per appointment. But then it's impossible to get an appointment because they are so busy. [sigh]

I have had a blocked ear all summer holidays (now 6 weeks+). I had antibiotics after 3 weeks, but it is still getting worse. I think they are treating the wrong end (I think the issue is sinus and inner ear). Now I have to try and get another appointment.

[Reepits]

Are you gasping for breath after the attack?

Are there hours between the attacks?

Do they get more frequent at night?

Do you bring up lists of clear mucus?

If yes to most, suspect whooping cough.

[clarella]

Reepits it was like that, wasn't bringing anything up. Voice box was swollen and felt like someone strangling me. Then totally fine. Worse at night.

But now it's moved down into my lungs, can feel it clogging up.

Good point marigold, I'm going to try to see a dr tomorrow.

[Reepits]

Tbh, my DC had it. Pone of mine had a very bad, prolonged cough, that was strangling and so many coughs he could not breath, but no vomitus. The other had it full blown.

[clarella]

Ok thanks. Poor kids, wouldn't wish that on anyone.

Well, drs just saying a cough. It's not painful anymore but quite a lot of mucous deep down. If doesn't clear by next week am to go back. Feel ok now though so fx 'just' a cough.was bloody scary and painful mind.

[clarella]

Right - now ds has same symptoms.

He's had a temperature all night and laboured breathing. He 'barked' like a seal when he got upset and tried to clear his throat, I've kept him calm on boob and propped up all night so he slept but it's not improving. Only given calpol so far due to comments about ibu - not sure if ibu could make it worse? I asked dr in tues and he said only not to if I was asthmatic.

Don't think ds is, he's 20 months. Going to ring dr at 8 and say I suspect whooping cough.

My cough is phlemy in my lungs worse when I lie down but no attacks of any sort.

[clarella]

Actually I think it's croup- can adults get croup?

[Flipflops7]

Sounds a lot like whooping cough.

[clarella]

Hi thanks for the messages, I've worked out it's been an adenovirus as my son had conjunctivitis slightly too (my eyes were sore) - it causes croup, conjunctivitis, barking/whooping like cough and also can cause a uti, which I had as I was coming down with it.

Either way a really bloody nasty virus, I'm almost ok now and lo just starting to turn the corner