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My cough won't go away?

In mid-February I went to see a doctor at a walk-in clinic (I have no insurance and very little money). I was diagnosed with bronchitis and put on an antibiotic and a codeine-based cough syrup. The severe symptoms, including tightness in my chest, are gone... but the cough hasn't entirely left.

I suffer from frequent (once an hour or more) coughing fits. Primarily it's triggered by a tickle in the throat. The cough starts simple, but quickly becomes wet and raspy sounding. Sometimes a little phlegm comes up, not always. I've been taking Mucinex, which has had very little effect. The codeine cough syrup is gone and regular cough syrups don't do much good at night when I'm trying to sleep.

I can't afford to go to the doctor again... any ideas what the cause is and what I can do about it?

Update:

I forgot to say that I was also on Proventil. Its gone, as is the antibiotic and the codeine.

I was worried that it was pneumonia, but the doctor said it didn't sound at all like pneumonia when she listened to my chest.

3 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    If you were already diagnoses with bronchitis, then you know what it is. Sometimes bronchitis takes a long time to totally leave your system. I hope you don't smoke! Smoking or being around smoke will only make things worse!

    Now here are some home remedies to help until you get better. But remember, if in time this does not go away, you really need to be rechecked!

    Home Remedies From the Cupboard

    Almonds. These little cure-all nuts have loads of vitamins and nutrients, and they are said to help everything from mental acuity to sexual vitality. Rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium, almonds are especially known for their healing powers in respiratory illness. So when you're down with bronchitis, eat them in any form (except candy-coated or chocolate-covered). Sliver some almonds and garnish your veggies. They're good in a citrus fruit salad for a little added crunch or rubbed in a little honey, coated with cinnamon, and roasted in a 325 degrees F oven for 10 to 25 minutes.

    Honey is a natural remedy for the coughing bronchitis causes.

    Honey. To relieve the cough that comes from bronchitis, slice an onion into a bowl, then cover with honey. Allow to stand overnight, then remove the onion. Take 1 teaspoon of the honey, four times a day.

    Home Remedies From the Refrigerator

    Lemons. These help rid the respiratory system of bacteria and mucus. Make a cup of lemon tea by grating 1 teaspoon lemon rind and adding it to 1 cup boiling water. Steep for five minutes. Or, you can boil a lemon wedge. Strain into a cup and drink. For a sore throat that comes from coughing, add 1 teaspoon lemon juice to 1 cup warm water and gargle. This helps bring up phlegm.

    Onions. These are expectorants and help the flow of mucus. Use raw, cooked, baked, in soups and stews, as seasoning, or any way you like them.

    Home Remedies From the Sink

    Water. Lots and lots of it. The more you drink, the more your mucus will liquefy. This makes it easier to cough out. You can also use water for a steam treatment. Fill the sink with hot water, bend down to it, cover your head with a towel, and breathe in the steam. Add a few drops of eucalyptus, peppermint, or rosemary oil, if you have one of them. These help clear and soothe the respiratory passages.

    Home Remedies From the Spice Rack

    Bay leaf. Ancient Romans and Greeks loved bay leaves. They believed that this simple herb was the source of happiness, clairvoyance, and artistic inspiration. Whatever the case, it does act as an expectorant and is best taken in tea. To make the tea, tear a leaf (fresh or dried) and steep in 1 cup boiling water.

    Warning! Bay leaf tea should not be used during pregnancy, as it may bring on menstruation.

    Another bronchitis remedy with bay leaf is to soak some leaves in hot water and apply as a poultice to the chest. Cover with a kitchen towel. As it cools, rewarm.

    Ginger. This is a potent expectorant that works well in tea. Steep 1/2 teaspoon ginger, a pinch of ground cloves, and a pinch of cinnamon in 1 cup boiling water.

    Mustard. The warmth of an old-fashioned mustard plaster relieves symptoms of many respiratory ailments, including bronchitis. Take 1 tablespoon dry mustard and mix with 4 tablespoons flour. Stir in enough warm water to make a runny paste. Oil the chest with vegetable shortening or olive oil, then spread the mustard mix on a piece of cloth -- muslin, gauze, a kitchen washcloth -- and cover with an identical piece. Apply to the chest. Keep in place until cool, but check every few minutes to make sure it doesn't burn the skin. Remove the plaster if it causes discomfort or burning.

    Savory. This potent, peppery herb is said to rid the lungs of mucus. Use it as a tea by adding 1/2 teaspoon savory to 1 cup boiling water. Drink only once a day.

    Thyme. This herb helps rid the body of mucus, strengthens the lungs to fight off infection, and acts as a shield against bacteria. Use it dried as a seasoning or make a tea by adding 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon thyme (it's a very strong herb, so you don't need much) to 1 cup boiling water. Steep for 5 minutes and sweeten with honey. If you have thyme oil on hand, dilute it (2 parts olive or corn oil to 1 part thyme oil) and rub on the chest to cure congestion.

    Hope this helps some!!!

    Source(s): LPN
  • 1 decade ago

    You might be having an allergic bronchitis. Use bronchodilator inhalers like 'Atrovent' or 'Proventil'. They would definitely help you breathe easy and you would have a good night sleep.

    Take some anti allergy tablets like Zyrtec.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Could it possibly pneumonia? How is your breathing?

    Source(s): Personal experience
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