WWYD? lingering sickness

[cjcouple]

ok, this is long, sorry in advance. You all might remember my son had pnuemonia (also got a call from ER that he was positive for flu A) about 3 weeks ago now. He got an antibiotics and after a good 5 days seemed to be much better. thank you all for the help. ❤️

However, what I didn't mention was I was sick the Saturday before. (fever, aches, and just generally feeling lousy). Once the ER called and said his flu test came back positive, I figured I likely had it too. which is where I need advice.

I have had a lingering cough myself since I was sick. I often do get coughs that last a while so I'm not concerned its anything serious but I can't seem to move past it!!

I still wake up with fluid in my ears, I still have a scratchy throat, post nasal drip. I'm not blocked up but I assume my throat is inflamed and irritated because of the post nasal drip/congestion in my ears.

While initially sick, I loaded up on OTC meds for about 2 weeks. I tried everything: Mucinex, Delsym, Nyquil/dayquil, theraflu, robitussin DM, Sudafed, ibuprofen, tylenol, airborne and cough drops...omg the cough drops. I have had so many cough drops that I started to get a sore on the top of my mouth!

In addition to all of that, I have pushed fluids, Popsicles, honey in tea, making soups, gargling warm salt water, cool mist humidifier, heating pad etc.

Don't get me wrong, all of these "help" but again, it's lingering. I also felt like I'd been on so many OTC meds so long that I was getting anxious over having taken too much. So I stopped almost everything last week. cough drops stayed until that sore which happened 2 night ago. they really did provide good relief.

Today, I did start taking Allegra and grabbed/started XLEAR/Zylitol spray and a multi vitamin. This is my last hope. lol

Any advice about what to do at this point? I will still gargle water, humidifier, and push fluids of course.

Oh and I was negative for Covid.

Now my WWYD part...my cousin has a baby shower tomorrow. go or skip it? I'd love to see my family (it's been a while). My aunt (cousins mom) in my godmother and she came to my sons karate demo this summer and my oldest 16th birthday so she makes a huge effort. I really want to go, but i dont want to get anyone sick. I doubt I am contagious but who knows if I picked something else up. To add, the cough at this point is more a tickle in my throat vs coming from my chest like my sons was.

tia

[VillainV]

This happens to me every. single. time I get sick. It sucks, and I’m sorry. The only thing that I’ve found to clear the congestion is some kind of exercise (brisk walk, bike ride) to get my lungs going. And time. Like weeks.

You’re probably not contagious at this point, so you are probably okay to go if you wear a mask, avoid close contact with people (no hugging) and wash your hands obsessively.

[mofongo]

I would go, you are likely not contagious. I have asthma and before covid, about once/year I’d get some upper respiratory virus that went into bronchitis. I would get pretty sick, need steroid taper pack and a shot, sometimes breathing treatment at the doctor’s but hat type of shit can linger.

[MixedBerryJam]

I *think* I would go and bring a mask with me and explain the facts (you were sick a couple of weeks ago but feel fine now and just can't shake the cough) when you got there and offer to put on the mask if anyone is uncomfortable. I *might* even time it so I'm a later arriver so most people are there when I make the mask offer so I'd only have to say it once.

That's what I would have done in the before times, without the benefit of having the mask in my back pocket.

[redhead610]

I had something early December (I think covid) and ended up recently getting an inhaler for lingering cough, that my doctor thinks may be asthma. I'm still dealing with vocal chord issues too.

For the shower, I'd maybe wear a mask but mention that you were sick many weeks ago and just still have lingering symptoms. I think a lot of people are in the same boat.

[mpm]

Wear a good mask the whole time if you go. You’re not 100% sure it’s not something new (there’s even some speculation that our rapid tests aren’t picking up the newest covid variants very well), pregnant people are at heightened risk for so many viruses, and it totally sucks getting sick while pregnant because there are limited OTC meds she could take if she gets sick. If you have any symptoms of illness, don’t risk giving your germs to her. A baby shower is not the place to be breezy about a cough.

[MrsAxilla]

Not sure what state you’re in but mine recently sent out guidelines for when you should stay home. Maybe your state has something similar? At any rate, you’re most likely not contagious.

drive.google.com/file/d/1RcdCmU4SYXwmVhJrA3Pyk0gP0MTDClkF/view

[Gato]

I doubt you're contagious. I'd probably go to the baby shower if I was feeling well enough. As I get older, cold symptoms can linger for 2+ months and I'm not staying home that whole time.

[meganew]

When I had the flu a few years ago it fucked me up good and proper for a long time. I felt “better”, but my cough was awful for basically the rest of the winter. It sucked. I would absolutely go to the shower though- it doesn’t sound like you’re actively sick, just that you still feel sick (if that makes sense). I hope your body shakes it off soon : (

[Bad Dingo]

If you do go, please wear a very good mask and don't put other people in the position of asking you to wear it.

I hope you feel better soon, it sounds miserable!

[Roc A Bee]

I’d go to the shower. I’d also go to the doctor and perhaps an inhaler will help with the cough.

[sonrisa]

1) Coughs usually linger for a month for me so I understand where you are coming from

2) I would contact the hostess and the baby mom before attending and ask how they feel about it. If I decided to go, I would wear an N95 and not eat or drink inside (so I didn't have to take it off). It's probably just something lingering, but I wouldn't risk getting a pregnant person sick (just in case it's a second infection fast on the heels of the first). Even a cold during pregnancy is soooo miserable and you can't take the good stuff.

[wanderingback]

Well for my baby shower a few months ago I asked everyone to wear masks and I asked people to stay home if they had been sick within the past 10 days (there was a card insert with this info in the invite).

So since it’s been 2 weeks I think it’s fine to go. I would take a covid test today and tomorrow just to make sure and I would give the host and whoever the shower is for a heads up that you were sick 2 weeks ago, only have a lingering cough, had 2 negative Covid tests and will be wearing a mask at the shower.

Hope you feel better soon!

[nicolewi]

You can go to the shower. It's fairly common for cough to linger for WEEKS after something like the flu. As long as it doesn't seem new or different, and you aren't developing a fever, or pneumonia, you are probably fine. If it's still really bad, might want to get checked by the doctor??

Otherwise, I'd do something like Mucinex and go on with life until it finally subsides.

[macmars45]

I've entered the stage of life where colds linger (exactly like you describe yours) for 6 weeks or more. I let people know before events that I was sick x weeks ago, take a covid test the night before & day of and I wear a kn95 mask.

My NP has recommended I take allergy meds when I enter that stage of the lingering cold.

[starburst604]

This has been me every single time I get any kind of URI. I also sometimes have coughing fits from the throat tickle that lead to me dry heaving with tears running down my purple face. It’s terrible and embarrassing when it happens in public. I FINALLY figured out with my doctor that using an albuterol inhaler just when I have a cold help enormously and is the thing that will get rid of that lingering cough. It’s been seriously life changing.

I doubt you are contagious now so I’d go ahead with the family event, with a mask and lots of throat
Lozenges to keep it under control while you’re there.

[ny96]

Feb 5, 2023 10:51:05 GMT -5 starburst604 said:

This has been me every single time I get any kind of URI. I also sometimes have coughing fits from the throat tickle that lead to me dry heaving with tears running down my purple face. It’s terrible and embarrassing when it happens in public. I FINALLY figured out with my doctor that using an albuterol inhaler just when I have a cold help enormously and is the thing that will get rid of that lingering cough. It’s been seriously life changing.

I doubt you are contagious now so I’d go ahead with the family event, with a mask and lots of throat
Lozenges to keep it under control while you’re there.

This happens to me and now I’m going to ask my doctor about an inhaler. I’m at the tail end of a cold and my husband called my coughing fit disgusting the other night which led to a massive argument. I remember one time I was with a friend in a cafe when a coughing fit came on. She backed away from me because I was causing a bit of a scene. I finally went outside, but I’ve never been more embarrassed in my life.

[shinyhappy]

I would still go to the shower and make an appt to go see my doctor. The lingering cough sounds super annoying. I would think the doctor could give you something to help with that. Maybe you even got a secondary infection and need an antibiotic?

[expectantsteelerfan]

I've been to my dr. twice for 'other' appointments than being sick after having bronchitis back in October, and both times I called ahead and said 'I have post-nasal drip with slight cough and no other symptoms, negative covid test, am I ok to come in for this appointment?" and they say yes, and then I get there, and the dr. and I talk about what I'm there for, and then before I go she does a quick exam because that's what she always does (and I always suck on a cough drop any time I'm in a public place, pretty much anywhere, because just walking from outside where it's cold to inside and then sitting is enough to make me start coughing if I don't. I find the Ludens non-medicated ones sometimes are enough to help stop the scratchy throat/need to cough feeling without hurting my mouth), so I tell her I have a cough drop in if it's still there, and that I have post nasal drip, and she'll look and be like, yep, you've got some clear fluid draining down your throat.
I asked at both appointments if there was anything else I should be doing to clear this up, but since I already take 2 allergy meds daily in the morning, her only advice was to add benedryl at night.
But I feel your pain. It's embarrassing to feel fine, and then walk into like my kid's orthodontist appointment and then all of a sudden start coughing and not be able to stop and have the whole waiting room looking at me. I don't avoid going out because of it though because this has seriously been all winter for me.

[macmars45]

Feb 5, 2023 11:29:09 GMT -5 ny96 said:

Feb 5, 2023 10:51:05 GMT -5 starburst604 said:

This has been me every single time I get any kind of URI. I also sometimes have coughing fits from the throat tickle that lead to me dry heaving with tears running down my purple face. It’s terrible and embarrassing when it happens in public. I FINALLY figured out with my doctor that using an albuterol inhaler just when I have a cold help enormously and is the thing that will get rid of that lingering cough. It’s been seriously life changing.

I doubt you are contagious now so I’d go ahead with the family event, with a mask and lots of throat
Lozenges to keep it under control while you’re there.

This happens to me and now I’m going to ask my doctor about an inhaler. I’m at the tail end of a cold and my husband called my coughing fit disgusting the other night which led to a massive argument. I remember one time I was with a friend in a cafe when a coughing fit came on. She backed away from me because I was causing a bit of a scene. I finally went outside, but I’ve never been more embarrassed in my life.

My face turns bright red (think fire engine) when I have coughing fits. The most recent one I had in public was at work. I grabbed my water bottle, backed up & turned away from people.

My H said it hurts him to hear me cough so violently.

Next time I have a lingering cough I'm going to ask about an inhaler.

[icedcoffee]

I’d go to the shower. I’d also go to the doctor. I tend to get colds for weeks at a time So I understand things can linger but I think you might need a steroid or abx at this point.

I had a cough that lingered for over 6 months. It was making me vomit . I went to about 4 different doctors—allergists, ENTs, primary. No one knew. I had so many tests run. Finally the ENT threw her hands up and put me on a steroid and abx as a Hail Mary. It went away 3 days after starting.

[cjcouple]

thank you all...I didn't mean to disappear. I crashed a bit early and had the shower first thing. I called my aunt and found out a bunch of them have the same thing. lol

Anyway,I'm definitely going to ask about an inhaler for lingering colds.

Someone earlier also mentioned light walks and exercise to help lungs and I have been walking my dog almost every day. My DH took him when I was down but I started walking him again 2 weeks ago. Except Friday/Saturday since we had negative wind chills. Even my pup was doing his business quickly and running back inside with me in toe holding his leash. 🤣

I think the xlear & allergy med are helping already after 2 days.

[starburst604]

Feb 5, 2023 11:29:09 GMT -5 ny96 said:

Feb 5, 2023 10:51:05 GMT -5 starburst604 said:

This has been me every single time I get any kind of URI. I also sometimes have coughing fits from the throat tickle that lead to me dry heaving with tears running down my purple face. It’s terrible and embarrassing when it happens in public. I FINALLY figured out with my doctor that using an albuterol inhaler just when I have a cold help enormously and is the thing that will get rid of that lingering cough. It’s been seriously life changing.

I doubt you are contagious now so I’d go ahead with the family event, with a mask and lots of throat
Lozenges to keep it under control while you’re there.

This happens to me and now I’m going to ask my doctor about an inhaler. I’m at the tail end of a cold and my husband called my coughing fit disgusting the other night which led to a massive argument. I remember one time I was with a friend in a cafe when a coughing fit came on. She backed away from me because I was causing a bit of a scene. I finally went outside, but I’ve never been more embarrassed in my life.

When the coughing fits start I’ve figured out that very hot water will help calm that tickle. Like very hot water like you use to make tea. So if I’m in work and I feel it starting, I run to our lunch room and draw some hot water from the water dispenser and sip that while I ride it out. But it’s pretty scary when it’s happening, feels almost like my throat is closing off. So bizarre. It happened to me once on a plane and I was so embarrassed, I just ran and locked myself in a bathroom until it was over.