Coughing at night… I’m so exhausted!

Sorry to hear that. 
my SO was troubled with a long lasting cough the other year. Sleeping in a chair or with a bunch of pillows helped. In a different room was even better, that way we both got some sleep. 

About five years ago I had a night cough that I couldn't get rid of. I eventually went to see the doctor who suggested I try an inhaler. He gave me the prescription, got the inhaler, that night two puffs on it and cough just disappeared. I'm now classed as having mild asthma and have a review every year. I have never needed the inhaler at any other time. Not saying this is what you have but it certainly sorted out my night cough.

I have something similar, especially if I try a quick bit of a run or ride. I have a hard memory foam pillow and use it to help prop me up. Just sleep awkwardly like that. 

If you are asthmatic I assume you are already on inhalers ? The one that worked for me was a red/white inhaler

 

Doesnt sound like your infection has fully gone or you have bad scarring which can take months to adjust to

 

Os your house damp, or something in it that is irritating your lungs ?

 

Try inhaling steam before you go to sleep and get as much crap up as much as possible 

Posted by: larry

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I’m going to contact the Doctor again but wondered if anybody had found a solution? Do I just sleep in a big armchair?

Do both, well, sleep propped up. I have extra pillows and one big one that i use when i get a cough like that, been a couple of years though, Covid times. Also used it to stave off some of the effects of the apnea. (Reflux)

 

Posted by: larry

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Oh I’m also a bad asthmatic if that matters. Cheers 

Yes, in that case definitely go to the Drs. Or as above, try a puff on the inhaler before bed. I've done that too. But I'm only mildly asthmatic.

 

I also have olfactory hallucinations. The smell of roast dinner is ok but cigarettes is horrible. Neither are real and I'm going with sinus issues due this "illness".

Thanks all, I use my combined asthma meds before bed and have doubled my doses as advised by the doctor, will try the steam and armchair sleeping tonight! Just so hard to function on so little sleep 😩

Follow up with the Dr as it sounds like residual stuff going on there.

I usually get, twice each year, a cold/cough and have found putting 3" blocks under the head end of the bed leads to a significant reduction in the amount of coughing and hence increase in the amount of sleep I get. MrsN was less enthused but it doesn't affect her sleep.

I tried this after finding being propped up on cushions on a settee reduced the coughing, but it was not easy to sleep for any length of time.

 

is it caused by some reflux (often the case) or a nasal drip? The latter for me and beconase was a gamechanger. it takes a week to kick in and its genuinly lifechanging. Downside is its rotted the inside of my nose so nosebleeds are common

Seasonal asthma / allergies here. Massively improved with Symbicort Rapihaler which I use PRN. Combination of super hot days and some kind of allergen/irritant during the summer months. 

Ever tried a supplement called N-Ac? (N-acetylcysteine)? Was prescribed for me when I was in Germany a few years back and picked up and bad tickly dry cough. Also had OABs so hard to guage efficacy but it might be worth d/w your GP?

N-Ac for Breathing Issues

Sleep sitting up is really helped with those v shaped pillows.

I hope you had a better night OP. I was diagnosed with an asthma cough 10+ years ago and as suggested above I would get a GP consultation. Also, replace any feather pillows, at least in the short term, as these can be an irritant

Oh I’m also a bad asthmatic if that matters.

It does. What medications do you have - preventer/reliever and have you increased your doses temporarily? GP or asthma nurses at your GP may be worth a call to ask.

NAC mentioned above is not currently licenced for asthma treatment in the UK, looks appealing (as someone with asthma bordering on COPD), but with the common side effects listed, looks like something to be treated with caution.

I struggling with coughing and sleeping when I have a cold, I've found that propping myself up with 4 pillows is the best solution. Hospital style: one underneath, two placed end up on ontop, and a final one across the top. I also find trying to keep my eyes open as long as I can, if I'm just lying there coughing, helps me fall sleep.

Just to add, co-codamol acts as a cough suppressant. Might be worth a couple of OTC tablets an hour before bed.