Anybody have any home remedies for cough suppression?

[smirkymonkey]

I have had a horrible cold for over a week and nothing OTC seems to be working. I can't take anything w/ codeine in it because I am allergic to opiates and I can't take anything w/ dextromethorphan because it interacts w/ the SSNRI meds I am taking (last time I used DM I ended up in the emergency room w/ serotonin syndrome - I honestly thought I was going to die).

I have been using Vicks vapor rub and hot compresses which is soothing and seems to loosen things up, but I need something that stops the coughing so that I can go back to work. Thanks in advance!

[hlthe2b]

1. All I can suggest is honey in chamomile tea--soothes the throat

and should help some with coughing, but it surely isn't a codeine substitute.

Good luck

[smirkymonkey]

2. Thank you! I have run out of honey and Vicks, but will get some more tomorrow.

[mercuryblues]

31. hot cup of tea

with honey and a vicks cough drop melted in it. Check out the alka seltzer cold + flu.

forgot to tell you a good shot of bourbon in the tea.

[smirkymonkey]

41. Thank you!

Will have to skip the bourbon during work hours!

[elleng]

3. A cold lasting more than a week is likely more than just a cold, smirky,

so I'd see a doctor for such. (I'm not a doctor, just a mother and grandmother, and that's been my rule for 30 years or so.)

Be well!

[smirkymonkey]

4. I think you are right. I am going into the office health center tomorrow.

They will probably refer me to MGH, but I just didn't want to miss anymore time off work. Thank you elleng!

[elleng]

7. You're welcome. Good idea.

(My younger daughter got ear infections with every cold, so I got into the habit of watching and following up carefully.)

[dixiegrrrrl]

29. We thought we had a bad cold, too...it was the flu.

I haven't been sick in decades. Mr. Dixie brought the bug home after grocery shopping. horrible coughing spells, horrible congestion, then bad pain in the ribs from all the coughing spells.
Lovely christmas present, eh?
A nurse friend told me it is the flu. I always thought of flu like we were used to long ago....lower body stuff, fever, puking, etc.
nope...welcome to 2018.

People have died from the congestion part. I was getting concerned, I am not a spring chicken anymore.
Luckily, we could take a good OTC cough suppressant and decongestant.

In your situation, a doctor's advice is necessary, I think. Go...and get better.

[3catwoman3]

47. Influenza, aka "the flu," is a respiratory and body aches disease.

So-called "stomach flu" has nothing to do with influenza.

[shraby]

5. I used to put ben-gay on the chest front and back with a t-shirt on.

The heat helped loosen up the chest cold.

[smirkymonkey]

6. Oh, that's a good idea!

I will try it! Thanks!

[shraby]

10. With sore throats, I'd put it on the throat with a cloth holding the heat in.

It didn't take the sore throat away, just the soreness that comes with it.

[smirkymonkey]

42. Yes, I have been doing that w/ Vicks vapor rub.

A hot cloth over my chest and neck. I don't think it is curing anything, but it certainly makes me feel better.

[TomSlick]

8. Drambuie is a great cough syrup.

It will usually suppress a cough. If it doesn't, have a couple more and at least you'll care less.

[smirkymonkey]

11. LOL! Kind of an expensive cough remedy, isn't it?

Although I will try anything at this point! I am so tired of it. I have pulled muscles in my rib cage from coughing so hard so now when I cough it's extremely painful as well as being annoying. Thanks for the tip!

[TomSlick]

27. Oh, I don't know.....

The taste is wonderful. After three good shots, you really don't care if you cough or not.

I'm also convinced that you need to keep a therapeutic antiseptic level of alcohol in the system in the winter.

[Kajun Gal]

9. Robitussin cough medicine

It's nasty tasting, but it works. I have asthma. Allergic asthma. Was in hospital for it. The coughing drove me freaking nuts. They gave me Robitussin. It REALLY does work. Very nasty tasting, but worth it.

[smirkymonkey]

16. Thank you! I will try it as long as it doesn't have dextromethorphan in it.

This cough is really driving me crazy. Not only is it annoying, but it's painful because I have torn muscles in my rib-cage from it so it's painful every time I do cough.

[Kajun Gal]

39. Ignore the crazy replies. Robitussin. I have fractured ribs from coughing.

[Kajun Gal]

40. Honey IS good tho...

[Kajun Gal]

44. IF you have access to a Dr Tessalon Pearls. Prescription needed tho.

[tonyt53]

12. Bourbon and honey. Two teaspoons of each. Warm the honey first so it will blend well. Drink it slow.

Try that about every 2 hours.

[smirkymonkey]

18. Thanks!

Will have to wait until tomorrow evening to go out and get that, but I don't think that will go over so well at work!

[GeorgeGist]

13. warm whiskey and honey ...

any ratio you can enjoy.

[smirkymonkey]

20. Thank you!

See answer above!

[nclib]

14. I use a humidifier at night.

It loosens things up and there's a lot of coughing first thing in the morning, but then things settle down. I also sleep better. It is a hot steam humidifier.

[smirkymonkey]

21. I think that would help. It is so dry in my apartment because of the heat.

I try to keep it low, because I like it a bit on the chilly side, but it still is very drying.

[NotASurfer]

15. My mom pulled a bottle of children's cough syrup off the shelf once

The ingredients were alcohol (20% if I remember), sugar, and aspirin.

I'd asked her if her home remedy of hot tea with a shot of whiskey and a ton of honey was a good idea for children. She showed me that label, shrugged, told me it's what her mother gave her. Sugar coated the throat, and the active ingredients - aspirin washed down separately - were the same as the more expensive bottled cough syrup. Plus hot tea loosens up congestion.

So I'd say take something to address aches and pains, doctor up some tea, and see what happens.

And I second the motion to get to a doctor to make sure it's not trying to turn into pneumonia or something

[smirkymonkey]

22. I think alcohol works because it knocks you out. However, that might be just

what I need. However, I can't do that during the day when I need to work. I am going to see a doctor at our on-site clinic tomorrow. They may send me to my regular doc, but hopefully they can do something. Thank you for the advice!

[NotASurfer]

25. Mom also mentioned something called "goose candy"

Her mother made it for sore throats, apparently involved goose fat and sugar. No alcohol involved.

Mom never made that for us kids though, and even if I had a recipe, figure the odds of you having goose fat in the pantry are pretty slim!

[smirkymonkey]

28. Hmmm! Interesting.

I will have to look into that. Although they say there is something in chicken soup that is healing so maybe there is something in poultry fat that is good for you.

[3catwoman3]

17. Nurse practitioner advice here. (pediatrics)

Typical duration of "the common cold" can be 10-14 days, and sometimes as long as 3 weeks. So called "expectorants" like Robitussin, have been studied, and it's been found that staying very well hydrated does just as much, if not more, without $$ and nasty taste.

Buckwheat honey, if you can find it, is supposed to be soothing.

There is something called Tessalon Perles, which has been around forever, which can also be helpful. Here is the Web MD link to information about this product. Younger clinicians may not be familiar with it:

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-10992/tessalon-perles-oral/details

[smirkymonkey]

23. Very helpful! Thank you!

I was looking for something that wouldn't trigger any of my allergies/interactions. I will look into this.

[radical noodle]

45. I can vouch for Tessalon Perles

There is a generic now, but still the tiny yellow gelcap. I am particularly susceptible to coughs with colds and flu so have used it often. Also, try Cough Drops (anything you like the taste of... I use plain ol' Luden's Cherry) because having something going down my throat seems to ease the dryness. Mucinex is also something to try to help with a cough.

Because I have a lot of allergies, having a cold with a cough is sometimes prolonged because the allergies add something to the mix, so I sometimes take Benadryl, especially before I go to bed.

Last winter I had a long bout with a cough that started with a cold and ended up having two rounds of prednisone to get rid of it.

Hope you get over this soon.

[Kajun Gal]

46. Hall's honey lemon cough drops but they are kinda nasty tasting too.

[radical noodle]

65. I've heard they work well

but I just can't stand them. Some people seem not to mind the taste.

[question everything]

19. Slippery Elm

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-978-slippery%20elm.aspx?activeingredientid=978&activeingredientname=slippery+elm

They come also as lozenges.

Any health food store should carry them.

Good luck.

[smirkymonkey]

24. That sounds good - it also sounds like it will help my sore throat as well.

Thank you for the advice!

[Babushka]

26. Try this simple drink

This worked for me when nothing would stop my cough:

In a mug, mix:

- 1/4 cup of Organic Raw-unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar With the Mother 

(ACME sells this stuff, shake before using)

- Add boiling water, like for tea 

- Add 2 tablespoons of the best honey you can buy. MORE IF YOU WANT TO.

- MIX AND DRINK


DO THIS ABOUT 3-4 TIMES A DAY..MORE IF YOU CAN. COUGHING SHOULD SUBSIDE IN A FEW DAYS...

[smirkymonkey]

32. Oh, thank you Babushka! I will try this! I am desperate!

And by the way, welcome to DU!

[dawg day]

30. Get pineapple juice concentrate from the freezer in the grocery store.

Then make the juice, only use only half as much water as it says.

Drink a cup or so an hour before bed, and another when you get up. It tastes better than cough syrup, and really helps. And you can drink plenty of it, of course-- it's nothing but pineapple and water.

[smirkymonkey]

34. Really? I will try anything. I'm kind of desperate at this point.

Thanks for your advice!

[Lithos]

49. I will vouch for it too

Google Bromelain....

L-

[sdfernando]

33. Believe it or not Chocolate works great!

There is an artilcle on Good Housekeeping about this.

[smirkymonkey]

36. Oh, what punishment!

LOL! Now that is a cure I can get on board with!

[sdfernando]

38. I figured most would like it

I could give or take chocolate myself....meh

[TexasBushwhacker]

60. Yup. The darker the better n/t

[Demtexan]

35. Blackelderberry.

Comes in different forms.

Take it as soon as you start to feel sick.


Will knock out a cold or the flu fast.

[smirkymonkey]

37. I have heard of that, but didn't know too much about it.

Thank you for the suggestion!

[Demtexan]

67. You get it at drug stores and at Krogers.

It does really work.

I had the flu a few years ago it knocked out in just 3 days.

It is best to take it as soon as you can.

My Grandmother used it.

[Jane Austin]

43. Four drops of oregano oil in an Airborne solution.

(One Airborne tablet in a half-cup of water)

You can take this often and it really seems to help get rid of a nagging cough.

Also helps a lot when you first feel like you're coming down with a cold.

[Lithos]

48. Various teas and tisanes help; pineapple and salt-water gargling

My personal go-to tea is Moroccan Mint. Warm teas and mint are very soothing to a sore throat. There are some herbal things which also work, but I forget.

Pineapple has Bromelain (sp?) which helps as well.

Salt-water gargling helps because it helps break out crap on your throat - though I would avoid doing it if you're throat is very, very raw as it will likely sting a little.

Also, as others above has said, lemon/honey drops help. Watch out as some have "extra" things added. Keep to the basics.

One last thing - use something with Guafenisein (sp?) to help make your coughing more productive. You don't want to get stuck coughing for a longer time than needed. This is also where warm teas help as they help here as well.

[3catwoman3]

50. The active ingredient in plain Robitussin is...

...exactly the same as that in plain Mucinex - guaifenisin guaiacolate. Mucinex comes in a 12 hour formulation. Robitussin does not. That is the only difference, besides the much higher price of Mucinex.

As noted above, studies have shown that staying well hydrated is just as beneficial, amd more, than expectorants.

it's long puzzled me that the multi-symptom cold meds contain both expectorants, to help you cough, and cough suppressants, to stop a cough. Rather contradictory.

[smirkymonkey]

52. Yes, it is interesting. I have thought the point of a cough was to rid your body

of the virus/bacteria so that a cough suppressant was really only for your comfort, but had no medical value. I am managing to stay hydrated as I am one of those people that constantly has a bottle of water w/ me at all times. Thank you so much for your professional advice!

[rainin]

51. Three members of the family suffered from a nasty cough

that followed flu symptoms. The cough persisted long after the other symptoms subsided. All in all, the illness lasted about 14 days.

For the cough, which was nasty (I pulled two rib muscles from coughing), I put essential oils in boiling water and breathed in the steam. After a 15 minute breathing "treatment", I poured the water/oil into a humidifier.

I used peppermint oil, tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, cedarwood, thyme, oregano, camphor, frankincense essential oils. I bought them at Whole Foods because I trust them to source their products from reputable companies. I mixed them up in no particular order or used all of them.

I bought shea oil to make a lotion with essential oils for a chest rub. Look online for instructions. It's important not to overdo.

I bought ricolla losenges at Whole Foods after realizing that the ricolla losenges at Walmart had different ingredients that I didn't want.

Eventually, the cough went away. I hope you get well soon.

[smirkymonkey]

54. Thank you! That is helpful!

I am probably going to WF tomorrow night after work so I will try this. I just need some relief. Thanks again!

[rainin]

56. One caution I forgot to mention.

Be careful with the breathing "treatment". Some essential oils can be irritating if you get too much. I made sure everybody moved into the steam slowly. You don't want to move in quickly and get a breath of steam that's too hot and irritating that makes you cough. Move slowly and the experience is very soothing.

I wish you well, my friend.

[Cracklin Charlie]

53. Sore throat?

1 teaspoon salt in 8 ounces of warm water.

Gargle and spit.
4 times per day.

[smirkymonkey]

55. Thank you!

[shraby]

64. I do that too. It also cuts any phlegm.

[rainin]

57. My hot tea of choice is Throat Care, available at WF. n/t

[mbusby]

58. Hot tea, lemon, honey...

...and a shot of Jack Daniels.

[smirkymonkey]

59. Thank you!

LOL! A lot of people seem to be suggesting hard liquour. I think that would work in the evening, but might be a problem during work hours.

[BigmanPigman]

61. I have had non stop coughs for 30 years.

I tried everything. I choked on cough drops since I coughed while I had them in my mouth. I would cough so much (dry, tickle) that my earrings came out of my ears often and broke as they crashed to the floor. This happened in all environments too. It is allergies sometimes. Sometimes it is worse. When I became an elementary school teacher I was sick ALL THE TIME! Colds, not the flu, were part of it since I got flu shots. One year I thought I had pneumonia or bronchitis (again) and ended up in the hospital since I lost 1/3 of my blood internally and the doctor told me I was well enough to return to school after being off two days. I almost died. It was a form of pneumonia that made my body destroy my good red blood cells somehow. GO TO THE DOCTOR! If they do not correct it, go to a different doctor.

[smirkymonkey]

62. Oh dear! I am so sorry for your situation.

I hope you have some relief soon. Please take care of yourself. I am planning to go to a doctor tomorrow. This has just been going on for too long. Thank you!

[BigmanPigman]

63. I had three packed red blood cell transfusions

and 25 pounds of IV fluid pumped into my body for three days in the hospital. I was so swollen I had to wear flip flops in Winter. My ankles went "in" like dimples. It was beyond "cankles" calf/ankles.

Really though, drink a ton of water and gargle with warm salt water and get to a doctor. Climate Change has screwed up a lot and everyone has bizarre allergies more and more often. I know how it is, I pulled muscles in my back and chest and had to sit up in bed to sleep due to the non stop coughing year in and year out. A lot of it is environmental. I feel your pain and I have 100% empathy. The coughing finally stopped after I became ill with two other/different things and had to stop teaching and got out of that environment.

[Bayard]

66. Respiratory Infections

I have asthma and chronic bronchitis, so anything nasty does a number on my lungs (even with a flu shot). I know if it goes longer than a week, its probably going to take antibiotics to knock it out.

I recently started going to a new pulmonologist, and he put me on Benzonatate. Along with the steroids and antibiotics, it knocked things out pretty quick. My husband only needed to take a few of the benzonatate, and his cough cleared up in a few days.

I have used zinc in the past, and it seemed to shorten sick time.

[Jane Austin]

68. Last bronchitis I had my internist gave me Benzonatate, too.

And I agree it really helped.

[donkeypoofed]

69. Manuka Honey is what you need!!

It is one of nature's miracles, truly. Whenever my family has a cold,sore throat or other illness, I get them to eat a tablespoon full of this magic honey. It works every time!

Also - colloidal silver is incredible and will really help you out. It's expensive though if you don't brew it yourself but it will work,and quickly too!

Also try Oil of Wild Oregano. Place a few drops into a bowl of steaming hot water, place a towel over your head and breathe it in. Works amazingly well.

Good luck!

[mopinko]

70. i use cbd oil for congestion that comes from my asthma.

takes a few days to work, tho you will get some relief the first day. i take it at night so i can sleep well. brings fun dreams!