I can't stop coughing!

[colemanshs]

I've taken Robatussin and Nyquil for the past week and NOTHING has helped! Any home remedies or other medicines?

The coughing is coming from my allergies (a post-nasal drip to be exact) and my throat is really agitated now. HELP! I'm desperate!

 

[dunno260]

Try some alcohol. Its a very good cough suppresant.

 

[Archmage]

Robitussin (guaifenisin) is an expectorant; it doesn't stop coughing, it just makes it more productive by loosening up the mucus in your lungs. Look for Robitussin DM (it has dextromethorphan in it, which is an antitussive). There are also cough preparations with codeine in them which are TECHNICALLY available over-the-counter in most places, but you'd have a tough time finding a pharmacy that would sell them to you.

Oh, Benedryl also has antitussive properties, and since your cough is allergy related, maybe that would help?

(Sorry. I'm studying to be a pharmacy tech right now, so... hee. Antitussive means anti-cough, basically.)

 

[colemanshs]

Haha, thanks for clearing that up for me. I was about to reach for the Webster's!

 

[dunno260]

Nyquil has DM in it and if its not helping, then I don't think any form of Robitussin DM would.

An antihistamine isn't a bad idea. I didn't think of that since its allergy induced.

But you very well may need to get to a doctor to get a script for something better than DM. If you can find something with just DM in it (nothing else) you can go with some high doses and see if it helps. I think Robitussin DM and other similar preps have 10-20mg of DM per dose, and you can safely go up from that. I don't know if it has any better efficacy, but there are people who go robotripping and go up to 900mg of DM a time to get high off it. But if the drug has anything other than DM in it, you shouldn't take more than the directed dose.

And I was serious about the alcohol .

 

[Homoerectus]

Mucinex tablets. It will cause the phlegm to break loose and you will cough it out. Ask the druggist for an OTC cough syrup and antihistimine. You may be able to buy only 2 or 3 bottles a month. You want the stuff the druggies buy to make crystal meth.

 

[looseliam]

I used to have this cough suppressant called "REM." I can't remember the manufacturer, but I know it worked!

 

[luckotheirish]

If you think your coughing is being caused by allergies (seasonal or otherwise) ask your doctor for a prescription for a nasal spray (i.e. Flonase, Rhinocort AQ, Nasonex, Nasalide, ....). These are the most effective long-term treatments.

In the meantime, the OTC product with the most DM (dextromethorphan) is called Delsym. You can try that, but I doubt that it will be that effective if the products you've already tried have given you at least some relief.

BTW, do you have any history of asthma? Your initial description of your symptoms sounds a bit like asthma. Do you ever "wheeze" when you cough? In any case, see your doctor. He can easily test you for that. The reason I ask is there are other inhalers that you can use for this type of condition. They contain the same/similar ingredients to the nasal sprays I described but are meant for inhalation into the lungs, not the nose.

I'm a pharmacist and I see these situations everyday. It's extraordinarily common.

 

[metalnoir]

I think a visit to the doctor may be in order. If you're a smoker, that certainly won't help. I have gone through periods of smoking and not-smoking; and I can say that often nothing will make the cough go away like that first cig in the morning, but that will ultimately make everything worse later in the day. There is something medically unusual about a cough which goes on for weeks. If I have a cough for a few days, it seems like an eternity. A knowledge of what the various cough medications actually do helps also (and has been addressed by one of the earlier replies). I'd suggest getting some professional medical advice.

 

[colemanshs]

*Pats colemanshs on the back*

Does this help???

Thanks buddy! That helped a lot!

To answer some of your questions, yes, I do have asthma, no I do not smoke. I use an albuterol inhaler for my asthma but haven't used it in a while so maybe that will help a little.

For the most part, my cough is a lot better. I just have coughing spells that I can't seem to get rid of. They usually come when I'm in class or somewhere there are people to point and laugh. The nasty stuff has pretty much cleared up so I'm thankful for that.

Thank you all for your advice! You guys have no idea how much I appreciate it!

 

[BenF]

Morice, A. H. et al. Opiate Therapy in Chronic Cough. The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Vol. 175, February 15, 2007, pp. 312-15.

 

[Snade]

Coughing often accompanies the use of blood-pressure medication, although the cough is more of an annoying, sharp "bark" than a sustained one. I find relief with menthol throat lozenges. At any rate, good luck in your quest for a solution.

 

[jockboy01]

Coughing often accompanies the use of blood-pressure medication

True... if the blood pressure medication is an ACE inhibitor such as lisinopril (most that end in "pril"). Otherwise, it probably isn't related to blood pressure meds.

 

[luckotheirish]

If you have asthma, you should avoid antihistamines (Benadryl or diphenhydramine, Tavist or clemastine, Chlor-trimeton or chlorpheniramine, and Dimetapp or brompheniramine). Be sure to read the ingredients list on all cough/cold products as many of them contain one of these ingredients.

Antihistamines have a drying effect in your lungs which can produce irritation leading to nagging cough. The drying leading to irritation is much the same way that dry skin itches. Your lungs "scratch" an itch by coughing. BTW, dry winter air can cause an asthma exacerbation, too.

Also, does your doctor have you on an ICS (inhaled corticosteroid) - i.e. Flovent, Advair, Beclovent, Pulmicort, etc.? These will prevent many/most of your asthma exacerbations.

You said you were feeling better. If you have another episode, I would definitely recommend you see a doctor about getting preventive treatment. You'll need your albuterol much less often, if ever.

Feel better....