Stubborn Cough Not Going Away

Updated on June 17, 2011
S.G. asks from Redmond, WA
7 answers

Hi All,
I know my question is very simple but I am going crazy with this cough comeing back to me every 2-3 weeks since Jan this year. Sometimes it starts with cold and runny nose, sometimes sore throat and sometimes cough. But I am tired of getting sick every other week and when this does happen, it last for more than 2 weeks. Also it leaves me exhausted to do daily chores.
Not to mention that I have my 2.5 yrs old son to take care of and sometimes he also catches the same symptoms from me. I have never been such sick in my whole life but from this Jan onwards only. I did went to urgent care once and also when to my physician. They check me and send me home without any medications as these are symptoms of cold and cough spread out this year. I also got my physical done 2-3 weeks back and everything is normal.
So now my question is Can anyone recommend any over the couter medicine for this cough and cold. Right now I am having cough sometimes with mucus and sometimes dry. And this time its the same with my hubby and my son too.. All have been sick for more than a week and some nights were horrible. Till now we have been doing home treatments like humidifier and honey lemon and ginger.
As my son is 2.5 yrs old, So we have been giving him Hyland's Cold and Cough $ kids. I also started taking Mucinex from last 3 days. But everything's the same.
So please advise me any over the counter medicine for me. I really need it to take care of my son :(
TIA
S.

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B.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

When it recurs over and over the physician should be looking for an underlying cause. More than likely it is allergies which I have heard are worse this year than ever. So even if you haven't had a problem in the past it could be a problem now.

Have you tried taking an allergy medication? Claritin/Loratidine is over the counter and does not cause drowsiness. At night when you are ready to fall asleep you could also take Benadryl. If this helps than you know you are on the right path.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from New York on

Have you had a chest x-ray? If not get one. Then see an allergist. OTC Allergra might help you too. I cough a lot from allergies - these isn't much you can do about it.

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T.S.

answers from Dallas on

We have been taking a nutritional supplement since last year, and it has dramatically helped our immune systems. When we do get sick now, it is very short lived. It is safe for children as well. My mom started taking it too for similar reasons as what you described. She was getting sick a lot and it would last for weeks, sometimes months. Often it would turn into a serious case of bronchitis, and she'd be out of work for a month! Once my mom saw how great my husband, kids (3.5 and 2.5), and I were doing, she decided to give it a whirl last September. She has not been sick since! Let me know if you'd like some info about it! Hope you are feeling better soon.

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K.N.

answers from Boston on

One more mom in the "sounds like allergies" camp. Since it's been going on since January, I'd consider indoor allergies, like dust. Allergies also make my daughter very draggy and sometimes kind of nauseous.

Exactly as B D suggested: Claritin helps take the edge off for me and for my daughter. Benadryl at night, too.

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J.A.

answers from Seattle on

I agree with the Allergy. My daughter and son have the same problem. They are now both taking Zyrtec and it has gotten so much better.
I was told my the kids Ped that a lot of her kids that have never had allergy trouble are having it this year. My daughter has indoor and outdoor and my son is outdoor.
Claritin is also a good one.

L.G.

answers from Eugene on

I went to the health food store and got Elderberry Syrup and it killed the cough in three days. I took it until the bottle was gone. The Latin name is Sambucus
Nigra. It breaks up mucous and soothes the lining of the throat.
When I had asthma I used the lozenges which I bought overseas. Good ones aren't made here.
Another good remedy for lingering colds and infections is Ribus Nigrum known as Black Current in English. Often called Cassis it's French name.
Get a copy of The Herb Book by John Lust. It is one of the best ever written on herbs found in North America. It's full of health information and details about the plants. It is written so any reader can understand it easily.

While I am a homeopath I cannot recommend these mixed remedys put out by the homeopathic maker. They are like a a tank brought in to plow a field.
Can't do the job because there are so many remedys in one pellet. No good homoepath would do that to you.

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S.H.

answers from Portland on

Holy Cow I could have written this post myself. I just came from my 3rd followup with my dr where I have been trying to get rid of a cough since about January. My kids are basically through it but I have had it for ever. We don't smoke and my lungs sound good so we are focusing on a bad allergy and I'm inclined to agree at this point since a strong 180 mg dose of Allegra + inhaler for about 2 weeks + Sudafed as needed seems to be helping to dry me up slowly. After another week I can ditch the inhaler and Sudafed and see if just the Allegra keeps it away.

I would highly encourage you to see a Dr and to followup. My trouble was that I avoided the follow up because I thought the things I was doing at home were working but inevitably it would come back. I would also strongly encourage you to take your son as well. First things first. Are the lungs clear and does it really appear to be allergies... THEN you can determine what might dry up that mucus and keep those allergies at bay with as few side effects or possibly natural remedies as possible. Even if you think you are getting better - be sure to follow up until the cough is completely gone. Chances are if it is allergies it will be back next year so take it from me - don't live in misery this long (I wish I had taken care of myself earlier).

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