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Chesty cough

Wightbaby profile image
17 Replies

Just back from a week's holiday and unfortunately the 3 others who were with me now have a nasty cold virus (or in the case of 2...man flu!!).

I just seem to have "the cough"......its not exactly wheezy but If i lay down, my chest feels congested and coughing or clearing my throat doesn't shift it.

My husband is taking Covonia...but reading the label its no-no for us AF folks!!

Could i use Olbas oil or inhale Vick in hot water/steam to get rid of this horrible gungy feeling in bottom of throat/top of chest??

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Wightbaby profile image
Wightbaby
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17 Replies

I've used Vicks with no problem at all. Man flu should not be underestimated it is a vile and debilitating illness.

Hi Wightbaby,

I picked up a similar cold /cough way back in January ( and I still have the remnants of it) . Given my party bag of drugs, including Warfarin and Bisoprolol, my pharmacist suggested Benylin "Chesty Coughs" non drowsy. I just take it when I need it, usually after breakfast and that sees me through the day. Doesn't worry me at night, just the first hour or so when I get up. Hope that helps.

John

Wightbaby profile image
Wightbaby in reply to

Good old Benylin.......will speak to pharmacist tomorrow......thanks

heartbeat4 profile image
heartbeat4 in reply to Wightbaby

Manuka honey natural antibiotic properties look it up. You can buy it on line.

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

To be honest I wouldn't take any cough mixture of ANY kind as all contain things you really shouldn't have if you suffer AF. The only exception would be pholcodiene for a dry non productive cough. For anything else I find doing the (steam) ironing helps a lot but I wouldn't put Vick in the steamer as it ruins the clothes.

Darned Devon weather !

Bob

cassie46 profile image
cassie46

As Bob has said above Pholcodiene (it is also quite cheap compared to other cough mixtures) is about the only cough medicine that is okay for people with AF, confirmed by my GP and pharmacist. I get a lot of chest problems and about 6 months ago started taking a good two spoonfuls of Manuka honey last thing at night. I get mine from Aldi (£7.00) it is only 5+ but much cheaper than online or other supermarkets. It does seem to help.

Cassie

Bagrat profile image
Bagrat

Inhaling "steam" obviously another misnomer for water vapour, is just as effective for loosening "gunge". I second the Manuka honey. Tastes lovely melted with blackcurrant preserve and a little water.

I know Benlyn non drowsy is safe for dogs with kennel cough but the above works too.

heartbeat4 profile image
heartbeat4 in reply to Bagrat

The blackcurrant preserve sounds good.

noviceAFIB profile image
noviceAFIB

for me, B12 Sublingual works well, stopped the coughing within 30 seconds; everyone is different, i needed about 1.2 ml; brand = Swanson

Jollies profile image
Jollies

Olbas oil and steam treatment for me x

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

I also have ‘the cough’. Can hardly talk without spasms. I’m doing Olbas & steam but not having any affect - which normally does. Just exhausting! Seems a lot around. Hope you feel better soon.

irene75359 profile image
irene75359

Try sleeping propped up - I had pneumonia and was hospitalised in February and although I was having other treatment being semi-upright there was the only thing that stopped me coughing all night.

in reply to irene75359

Same here. Lying down seems to exacerbate the coughing.

momist profile image
momist

I've just recovered from this type of cold, it lasted a full two weeks. They say, if you take the medicine it will go in a fortnight! I used Lemsip cold relief day and night tablets, a mixture of paracetamol, decongestant and caffeine, with the caffeine missing from the night tablets. These worked for me, with no ill effect on my PAF. To be fair though, my AF happens rarely, so far.

Zabadak profile image
Zabadak

Can’t believe benylin was recommended as it’s totally banned for me. Anything with a decongestant raises your blood pressure. Simple linctus, lots of hot honey and lemon, plus suck fruit gums to keep throat lubricated.

Tako2009 profile image
Tako2009

I have had the same virus exactly as you described. I had no problem using Vick and inhaling steam. I also use saline nasal spray if the gunge migrated to my sinuses. Hope you feel better soon!

kkatz profile image
kkatz

I am doing a semi related post. I am using essential oils in baths rubs & steam inhalations. Then I wondered if they are safe so I will ask the question in a sererate post.

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