Hi all,

Hope your all well, I do flit on from time to time, may not post anything but try to keep in the loop as much as possible, I have been threatening to come back for awhile now, but have not quite managed it as much as I would like because of one thing or another.

My post maybe a little trivial but I have tried so many things and nothing has worked so asking for advice in case you have some new ideas I may not have tried.
Now I have waffled for England, I should get on with it!!!

The twins are nearly 10 and half months now and have suffered terribly with a cough and cold since the end of November, doctors can not give me anything as its just a cold, but the cough is just not shifting, think I had two weeks respite and they got it back again, I hate seeing the girls like it.

I have bought several children's cough mixtures which have no effect, tried chest rubs and karvol but nothing seems to make a difference.
It is effecting their sleep ( bless them ) ok also mine but I am used to it now!
Not looking for a miracle cure but something maybe to ease and sooth the cough as it is so harsh.

Any ideas gratefully welcomed!
Thanks Diane

How many times have you seen the doc and when was the last time as if it has been going on since nov it is far too long to just say it is a cold. I would be asking about ventolin as a temp measure as they both may have asthma.

We have been in a few times and I know the receptionist roll their eyes everytime I call, thinking I am neurotic.
Their chests are clear each time they have a listen, though Frankie's bless her you can actually feel it if you know what I mean.
Have to go back to doctors next week for Lexie's medication review so will ask when I am in again
Thanks

Listening to the chest is fine for a diagnosis but they should be looking at other tests and things to consider as it has gone on for so long. Best of luck and don't let them fob you off !

My niece had the exact same problem Diane, she went backwards and forwards to the GP, the cough and 'cold' just would not shift.

She then went to a private maternity hospital and hey presto they diagnosed asthma and gave her an inhaler, she has never looked back. Another friend also went to the same hospital and was also given an inhaler and told that if a cough does not go after a while they will generally automatically give an inhaler.

Both children are over two, so not sure how your 10.5 month's would manage with an inhaler, but you may get a better result if you bypass your GP altogether and see if you can also seek out a maternity hospital. From November it is far too long for it not to clear up.

Do they cough in the day or just at night ?
A night cough can be asthma.
Have you tried slightly raising the head of the cot ? Put a book under to raise it.
Also, if it's a dry cough try putting a bowl of water next to the radiator as dry air can be irritating.

Please go back to your doctor and insist that both girls get a thorough examination.  My mother was told by her GP (45 years ago) that she was neurotic, she wasn't, she knew that there was something wrong with me - the GP also told her that I used to cough during the night to get her attention! I have a lung condition which could have been diagnosed a few years earlier had the GP listened to my mum!
Stamp your foot and have a wee paddy, but get him to listen to you ;-)

You can get oral ventolin for ickle people :-)

They cough both day and night.

I put them into bed before seeing the replies, but will raise their cot tomorrow. I have previously done this with the twins and also did it with my now seventeen year old as she has terrible asthma.

Will also try the bowl of water too.
Thanks

I will do, it has been a concern to me but I do get palmed off :o(

> xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Stamp your foot and have a wee paddy, but get him to listen to you ;-)

I shall be more insistant!!

Try rubbing Vick on the bottom of their feet!  It works sometimes!  :)

Ah yes I remember! Raven had this whilst out in Tenerife.
Note to self write this down so not to forget, I have become a scatter brain, thank goodness for coffee!
Thank-you

If you have a family history then even more reason for them to do more investigation.

> xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Try rubbing Vick on the bottom of their feet!

Exactly what my wonderful Mum told me!

Not read all the other posts

My son was diagnosed with mild asthma when he had a cough which lasted ages and got worse at night, he had inhalers and 18 months later I weaned him off[I was a nurse on a chest unit at the time] and it never reappearred.

Maybe a bit late but we are the same here! We have had coughs, sneezing and colds since November too.  I know this cos we love going swimming but haven't been for months because someone is always not well enough!  I never went to the docs as it is just winter bugs/colds so I treat with plenty of liquids and paracetamol.  I know it's a pain but everyone with kids feels the same at this time of year.  Our little uns are just building immune systems.

My oldest did go to the docs last week but it was sore throat and ears that she went with and he did give her ABs for it.  Then my littlest got it too and got the same ABs so those two are the only fit ones in the house! The rest of us are still snotting and sneezing everywhere.lol.  Joys of being an outdoors family.

My sisters twin girls are exactly the same!! Must be the joys of having twins that they give it to each other so easily!!

My sister swears by putting vapour rub on their feet at night and then putting socks on them.....it works for some odd reason haha but definately get them checked. One of them is on liquid ventolin.

Gosh I haven't used liquid Ventolin since the nebules came out for inhalation several decades back.

When DS was tiny he had a 'spacer' to take his ventolin.  It had a soft nose,mouth piece to breathe through.  Worked a treat and made a huge difference to his cough.

Go to out of hours doctor. Tell them you're just not happy with it, no one is getting any sleep and how would the GP like it?

They are just peoplenot gods and they guard AB's like gold dust. I have to go to GP's twice in early Jan for water infection second time he checked urine said nothing in it refer to hospital if continues.

I was due to fly out to italy in 6 days at that point to ski. So next day went to walk in clinic told different doc same story sais whilst improving not really nailingit. Got new script for 7 days, told me to take for 4 days take rest of tablets on holiday with me. He also checked urine said looked like we were getting on top of it but better to be safe due to holiday. Could have kissed the man!! Sense at last. Hospital appt for water infection indeed!!How embarassing that would have been and how spoilt would my holiday have been?

Second opinion, tell them mother knows best and keep pushing.My eldest has had to have TB jab due to a "persist cough" in a school pupil, turned out to be TB. Not saying that's what's happening in your case but honestly they need to sort it out. Is it an allergy even?