I think I'm dying

[mat777]

its been just over 4 weeks now since I first developed a hacking cough, seeming aggravated by lying down (in bed) or by humidity (having a shower). At first it was very frequent and I had fits bordering on croup like coughing but it has gradually lessened so now I just have the odd fit of phlegmy chesty cough about 7 or 8 times a day. Oh, and the past week and a half it has decided to introduce a secondary symptom of stinking cold with blocked nose etc.
No, I wasnt too bothered at first but the othr day I saw one of these scaremongering NHS adverts saying "if you've had a cough more than a few weeks, it could be cancer". No, I dont smoke and I dont hang around those that do, but it had me a tad worried. Am I dying of tuberculosis-ebola-lungcancer-manflu or should I continue to man up and ignore it? It doesnt really help that being at uni I have no idea who my GP is or where they are, and being in exam season I cant really afford to take time out and pay them a visit

[pokethepope]

How long do you think it takes to see a GP? An hour, two tops. Find your local GP (NHS Choices/PCT website/google etc) --> Register and make an appointment.

[Martin350]

This sort of thing can be worrying.

DON'T GOOGLE IT!

I work in an air conditioned office with around twenty people and there is not a day goes by when there isn't coughing, sneezing and sniffling from some of us.
A lot of bugs and stuff get around in that sort of environment.

Are you allergic to pollen?

I'm sure you could register yourself with a local GP and get yourself checked out if you're that worried.

If it was something terrible I'm sure that there would be other symptoms..?

[uk_vette]

The aircon, if you have it, is a breeding ground for bugs.

Get a phone call off to the quacks, and make the appointment.
It could be nothing, but then it could be serious.

vette

[mat777]

I'm not allergic to anything and ventilation is fresh air from an open window. I will look into GP appointments and see if any fit my exam timetable.

ETA - I've just regressed from this week's mild tickle to a full-on choking/heaving coughing fit typical of when I first had it that sounds to the people next door like im about to throw up. I've normally got the constitution of an ox so it is beginning to make me wonder if its more than just a lingering innocent cough

[Martin350]

I'm no doctor, but I'd guess at something like bronchitis (as I had it not that long ago), laryngitis or just a common cold - you can get those in summer too!

I think it's fairly normal to think everything is the worst case scenario, especially if you read the Daily Mail! I certainly do anyway, and so far I've lost a load of sleep over the years due to what have turned out to be quite minor and easily treated ailments.

But that shouldn't stop you getting it checked out, if it is an infection / virus it could be gone within a week with basic medicine.

Edited by Martin350 on Friday 1st June 02:05

[LiamB]

Also had the cough.. slowly going now.

Just take the rather disgusting cough medicine and it should go.

[mat777]

LiamB said:

Also had the cough.. slowly going now.

Just take the rather disgusting cough medicine and it should go.

I was on COVOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONIA!!!!!!!!! for 3 weeks and it did feck all.

I hadnt considered bronchitis, all the more reason to go to the doctors then. I wonder if its anything to do with the disgusting state of my flatmate's washing up piles in the kitchen spreading airborne pathogens? would explain why the symptoms massively flared up then reduced since I got fed up and put it all in biohazard bags for them.....

[Gwagon111]

mat777 said:

its been just over 4 weeks now since I first developed a hacking cough, seeming aggravated by lying down (in bed) or by humidity (having a shower). At first it was very frequent and I had fits bordering on croup like coughing but it has gradually lessened so now I just have the odd fit of phlegmy chesty cough about 7 or 8 times a day. Oh, and the past week and a half it has decided to introduce a secondary symptom of stinking cold with blocked nose etc.
No, I wasnt too bothered at first but the othr day I saw one of these scaremongering NHS adverts saying "if you've had a cough more than a few weeks, it could be cancer". No, I dont smoke and I dont hang around those that do, but it had me a tad worried. Am I dying of tuberculosis-ebola-lungcancer-manflu or should I continue to man up and ignore it? It doesnt really help that being at uni I have no idea who my GP is or where they are, and being in exam season I cant really afford to take time out and pay them a visit

Change the shower head. See if your cough goes away.

[Funk]

Legionnaire's Disease. It'll clear up on its own.

[mat777]

fk! Isn't that potentilly fatal?
Actually thinking about it, we have monthly legionella tests on all the taps and showers courtesy of the maintenance people, so I thInk that could perhaps be ruled out

[anonymous-user]

Probably all the burnt food you've been eating.

Just go to th e doctor? University will find you the GP and register you, and it may even be the case that they have a GP on site. When I was at university you could book into the "health centre" any time you liked.

One further tip to stay healthy for the future once your GP has cleared you of AIDS... It's a good idea (when you're at university and surrounded by a bunch of disgusting, unhygienic and poorly nourished people who are often ill) to take a 1mg vitamin C pill everyday. Costs about £1/month if you use boots own brand and yu NEVER get ill.

[Firefoot]

I am just getting over this. Started with laryngitus, then moved down onto my chest. I had to sleep propped upright on the settee for a few nights as I couldn't lie down without my chest completely clogging up with crap.

All my upper body ached from the coughing fits. The pharmacist did give me some good strength ibruprofen and some cough mixture from behind the counter to break up the phlegm.

If you can't shift it then you may need antibiotics, but it does usually go away on it's own. If you are coughing up coloured stuff (green/brown), then you probably need trip to GP.

[Deva Link]

bulldong said:

When I was at university you could book into the "health centre" any time you liked.

http://www.bristol.ac.uk/students-health

Loads of people seem to have coughs, colds and chest infections at the moment.

[0000]

Probably just furballs from your brokeback hair.

[Cheib]

Go and see a GP ffs. Speaking as someone that got Pneumonia last year if you've got a persistant chest infection it needs looking at.

[Manks]

mat777 said:

its been just over 4 weeks now since I first developed a hacking cough, seeming aggravated by lying down (in bed) or by humidity (having a shower). At first it was very frequent and I had fits bordering on croup like coughing but it has gradually lessened so now I just have the odd fit of phlegmy chesty cough about 7 or 8 times a day. Oh, and the past week and a half it has decided to introduce a secondary symptom of stinking cold with blocked nose etc.
No, I wasnt too bothered at first but the othr day I saw one of these scaremongering NHS adverts saying "if you've had a cough more than a few weeks, it could be cancer". No, I dont smoke and I dont hang around those that do, but it had me a tad worried. Am I dying of tuberculosis-ebola-lungcancer-manflu or should I continue to man up and ignore it? It doesnt really help that being at uni I have no idea who my GP is or where they are, and being in exam season I cant really afford to take time out and pay them a visit

So let's see: You are probably under pressure with your exams and you've probably left revision until the last minute, working late and not eating well. You are at Uni so you are mixing with with people from other places and countries and will be snogging / interfering with other students (if you aren't you've misunderstood the purpose of University).

So, you're run down and exposing yourself to all manner of viral infections. Chances are your immune system is low and you are picking up viruses. Post-viral cough can last for months. It's usually worse at nights when laying down or when an irritant is present and steam from a shower could probably trigger it. Not so much because it is an irritant but because your cough reflex is heightened and when you are aware of something other than fresh air entering your lungs you tend to cough.

It is possible that you've got a bacterial infection going on too and antibiotics may help. But you would need to seek out a GP. The Uni will tell you where to find one (if there isn't one on campus).

The government has done a good job of persuading us all that having a cough for more than a few days means we'll be dead from lung cancer by Christmas. However, at University age (assuming you aren't a VERY mature student) the chances are you are suffering from what is most likely - viral infections. Finish your exams, go to Magaluf for a couple of weeks and your cough will become a distant memory. Or at least a decent STD will take your mind off it for a bit.

[anonymous-user]

0000 said:

Probably just furballs from your brokeback hair.

definitely plausible.