Thread: persistant cough and no sleep

So even though I dont feel as sick as I did on Monday and my throat doesnt hurt anymore, I still have a terrible cough. I've been lying awake since 10:00, coughing my head off. I already took Robitussin, but it doesnt seem to be working. I dont know what to do. I'd really like to sleep, but I would love to stop coughing more. Any suggestions of what I can do?

Depending on the cause of your cough - if it's from post-nasal drip, you could use nasal lavage or neti pot. You could try a humidifier next to your bed, if your throat is dry. At the recommendation of an urgent care doctor, I also sometimes use honey (Keep a bowl & spoon by your bed, with maybe a tablespoon of honey, and lick a tiny amount off the back of the spoon occasionally- it coats your throat)

I have frequent sinus problems that result in a massive cough, if I don't do something about it. I used to get 2 sinus infections a year. Since I started using the nasal lavage, even while I have to limit my use of medications while pregnant, I think I've gotten 2 sinus infections in the last 5 years.

Hopefully something helps, because exhaustion and sore throat do NOT make pregnancy more enjoyable!

Have you tried soaking in a warm bath? Or maybe sitting in a steam shower? Whenever I feel like crap I do those things to try and feel better.

Also, have you tried Tylenol Cold? That might help.

I hope you feel better and I wish I knew what else to say to help get you feeling better.

Amanda, what is a nasal lavage? I have heard of the neti pot, and for some reason I'm scared to use one! LOL I think I'm going to have to break down and go buy one today. With the exception of yesterday, I've been drinking hot tea with a spoonful of honey and lemon juice in it, it might be helping a little.

Katie, I take a steaming hot shower every morning because I have terrible congestion and, TMI, I have to hack up all the mucous. I guess I'll just have to take one at night too and see if that will help. The shower does clear me up for a little bit, I guess that's better than nothing. When I talked to the nurse the other day, she only said that I could take Mucinex or Robitussin. It does say on my list of medicines that I can take Tylenol Cold, but I'm not sure if my dr will allow me to take it or not.

Thanks girls for your advice. I finally fell asleep (sitting up because it was the only way I didnt cough) at about 3:00 (central) this morning and then didnt wake up till noon, I hate sleeping wierd hours. Anyway, thanks for listening to me complain!

I'm glad you got some sleep finally. I was going to suggest sleeping more upright or at least more propped up to help. Seems like things drain better that way and it lessons coughing. I prop my kids up when they have coughs that keep them up.

At least you got some sleep! I hope you're able to get some more so you're not miserable!!!

try sleeping in a chair for now, lying down will set off the cough.

I'm slowly getting over an almost 2 week long cough sigh, I drank lots of green tea (since I kept just filling it up it was more like flavoured hot water haha). Hubby likes to drink just hot water with lemon and honey

feel better

If you are nervous about the neti pot, I might recommend waiting to try the lavage. The lavage is sold right next to the neti pot, and it's a plastic bottle with a little straw, so you push the water up from the bottom, instead of sort of "pouring" it in. Whatever you do, just make sure the water you use is filtered - people have had problems using tap water, if there are any contaminants in it.

Amanda, I saw that straw thing, but didn't really look into what exactly it was. I did get the neti pot, and although it is a little awkward to use, it really cleared me up!!

I ended up sleeping almost straight up in bed, with 4 pillows propping me up. I realized that the overhead fan was causing some of the coughing too, so luckily my husband said he could live without it on. I fell asleep within the hour and only woke up once coughing (which I had to get up and pee anyway) so I took some more Robitussion cough suppressant. I think I am definitely getting better. I'll be using the neti pot again today to get rid of my gallon of mucous!

So glad you're starting to feel better! I sometimes have to sleep propped up, but that's because LO decides he needs to push his way into my ribs and I can't breath ha!