Servers cold

[Pilchard2]

Been a while since I last posted. I have vasospastic angina and sinus tachycardia. I've been struck down with a severe cough and cold. The cough is like something I've never had before (my daughter has it as well). It's been a long time since I've felt this ill. My worry is my breathing is being effected. I'm having to keep upright as the slightest change in angle triggers the coughing and the mucus is a nightmare. My chest in the centre feels like something is catching inside and is becoming very painful. Has anyone got any ideas how I might be able to ease this. I'm also beginning to think I may need a trip to AE.Thanks 😊 🤒

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello

I am sorry to hear you're feeling poorly.

I have vasospastic angina too.

Anything that stresses my system including infections will trigger my coronary vasospasms.

If I do get a cold, I avoid any over the counter remedies containing pseudoephedrine, aspirin or caffeine.

I use a steam inhalation and drink hot water with lemon and honey.

I suggest you talk to a Pharmacist about which cold remedies you can safely take.

Perhaps give 111 for further advice too.

I hope you feel better soon.

[Pilchard2 in reply to Milkfairy]

Thanks for the speedy reply. I shall try the honey and lemon. I will occasionally take paracetamol as I've never really been one to use over counter stuff. Will definitely try the steam inhalation. That brought back a memory of my dad doing steam inhalation with a tea towel over his head when I was a child😂. I'll let you know how I go.

[ETHEL103 in reply to Pilchard2]

This is what the pharmacist told me to do plus hot lemon fresh gi ger and a couple of paracetamol at night oh and pineapple juice.

[Pilchard2 in reply to Milkfairy]

Morning. I called 111. It took 50 minutes to get through, but once the ball started rolling, my care was fabulous. Paramedic took me to the hospital rather than wait for an ambulance. I had a score for sepsis when I arrived, so I was put on an antibiotic drip straight away. Had Meds to clear my airway, which put my heart rate through the roof (as you probably know I was telling staff about our condition🙃). Was given a chest x Ray, which showed an infection. I can breath this morning but feel like I've been hit by a ten ton truck. I think it's on the sofa with the dog today.😄

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Pilchard2]

I am glad you rang 111 and you got the care you needed.

I hope you feel better soon.

Rest well and keep warm with the dog on sofa.

Hopefully your blood vessels will behave and your coronary vasospasms don't increase too much.

[fishonabike in reply to Pilchard2]

glad to hear that you called 111 and that it worked for you - now focus on a slow steady recovery

..... and while you're in hospital tell the staff about your own condition, i bet most of them have never heard of it😀🌺

[Pilchard2 in reply to fishonabike]

I'm at home now. Have been chilling with the dog. I must admit it's draining explaining to medical people about my condition. The paramedic who picked me up has never come across it in the 6 years he's been working. 😆

[jeanjeannie50]

There is a really bad cough doing the rounds now, but I think that with your other symptoms you need to be checked out for pneumonia. I had this towards the end of last year.

I'd had several bouts of chesty coughs in previous years where I felt absolutely dreadful with heavy mucus. My Dr said to go down and see him and he'd listen to my chest, but my answer was I'm not coming down for fear of giving it to other people. I wouldn't have wished it on my worst enemy, but (and this is a warning), before my pneumonia I was told that I had scarring on my lungs. I regret not getting medication for my previous lung infections now.

Take care and if you feel the need, please seek medical advice. Ringing the NHS 111 number is wise advice from Milkfairy.

Natural aids: thyme tea (made like ordinary tea but with dried thyme and strained), add honey and lemon. Drink as required

Menthol crystals dissolved in a bowl of hot water and then inhaled.

Jean

[Pilchard2 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks for your reply and the good advice. I think I shall ring 111. Having vasospasms and my heart rate is up. I'm doing honey and lemon but doesn't seem to be making a difference. 🙂

[Tos92 in reply to Pilchard2]

I have usually found that if honey and lemon, and paracetamol is not making a difference to my symptoms, it’s often needing medical attention. It sounds like you may have developed a possible chest infection. If that’s the case, antibiotics will clear it up; however, you will need a prescription for this and I would have a doctor listen to your chest for wheezing or any other potential signs which may indicate pneumonia.

Antibiotics tend to work better on a bacterial infection, rather than a viral one.

I hope you feel better soon. I know how exhausting and unsettling it is to have a non-stop cough.

[Pilchard2 in reply to Tos92]

Thanks for your reply. Trying too get through to 111 now. The cough, mucus, raised heart rate and spams don't make for a good night's sleep. Luckily I still have a sense of humor. 😊. Will post again when I know what's happening.

[Pilchard2 in reply to Pilchard2]

I went to AE as the amount of mucus was interfering with my breathing which got quite scary. My experience at the hospital was great and I was well looked after. It makes so much difference when people show genuine concern. Anyway turns out to be a chest infection. I'm 57 and that's the first one I've had and I hope I never have another one!! Thanks 😊

[Pilchard2 in reply to Pilchard2]

I have a mild chest infection and really don't want another one. Do you get the crystal ls from the chemist?

[Tos92 in reply to Pilchard2]

What antibiotics were you prescribed with?

I’m not sure what medication you are referring to in terms of picking it up from the chemist.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Pilchard2]

Yes, buy the menthol crystals from a pharmacy or health shop.

[Pilchard2 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Morning. I went to AE as I was so blocked up I was struggling to breath. You see all these stories about the care in the NHS not being at its best but it was the complete opposite for me yesterday. The staff were caring and the best thing of all they had a sense of humour (seems to be lacking these days). Even though I was hooked up to a drip I was in and out in 5 hours. Its nice too be able to breath today. Still feel rough though. I don't want a repeat of it that's for sure😂

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Pilchard2]

Drink plenty of fluid to thin the mucus, I read recently that's what you should do.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Pilchard2]

Glad to hear that you had such good service at your hospital.

[Yumz199725]

Yeah definitely get checked out sounds like what I had I literally coughed for 9 hours non stop safe to say didjt get any sleep few days later I was being admitted because they thought I had a virus in the lining of my heart and every time I coughed my heart rate would increase to over 170! 😳 And the mucsu was so thick it got stuck in my throat stopping me from breathing which was the worst feeling ever! So I really hope it's nothing serious hope you feel better soon ❤️

[Pilchard2 in reply to Yumz199725]

Morning. That was a mirror image of what I was going through. It is frightening when your so blocked up you can't breath. I ended up going to AE. The staff were amazing. It turned out to be a MILD chest infection. If that was a mild one I hate to think what a bad one was like😊. I'm now armed with my antibiotics 🤣

[Yumz199725 in reply to Pilchard2]

Do glad you went to A&E. Only a mild chest infection! That's an understament aw. Glad you have antibiotics are you at home or in hospital??

[Yumz199725 in reply to Pilchard2]

What antibiotics did they put you on? I was on about 3 sets of coamixclav 500mg took about 2 months to shift it properly and that was after I was in hospital for 2 weeks.

[Pilchard2 in reply to Yumz199725]

I've been lucky as I'm back home and on the same antibiotic. Feel completely wiped out. My children look after me very well😁

[Valentina98]

Morning.

Nothing more to add as you've had lots of good advice.

With the honey and lemon try adding some ginger (that helps me) and as I'm half Scottish maybe a hot toddy 🤣

Hope you feel better soon

V x

[gladliz]

Sorry to hear what you have been through. I've had it twice but not quite as badly as you with the mucus. Started just before Xmas, bit of a sore throat, lost voice then , cough, cough, cough, couldn't sleep lying down, dreadful. Xmas day saw me at emergency Drs at hospital getting antibiotics. Being on Warfarin they messed up my INR readings so extra blood tests. Thought I was all done and dusted then got it again in February, 😡 not quite as bad, more like a heavy head cold this time still coughing but didn't go to Drs just sat it out. Think I have recovered now but not holding breath 😊 Fortunately clear for C19 both times. Hope you feel better soon.

[Pilchard2]

My mum is 85, and she's had it. The cough injured her back. My daughter is getting over it now, but I'm the one who has to throw the chest infection into the mix🤣