It's the Coffin they carry you off in

[Infinite Grace]

My dad used to say, "it isn't the cough that carries you off, it's the coffin they carry you off in..." I say all that to say I am sitting up tonight after my counseling practicum in Grand Rapids (over 2 hours from Traverse City), and an hour long phone discussion with my dear friend jlv, and after an hour long attempt at sleep. Why am I up? Coughing. I can't stop coughing. When I lay down it gets worse. I have had a cold now for almost 2 weeks. Everytime I think I've beaten it, it comes back with a vengeance. Man, do I need sleep.

I have to work at 8:00 am tomorrow, so I've got to get up about 6:45 am. That's only about 3-1/2 hours away. Lord hear my cry...I cry out to you for sleep. May what little sleep I get tonight be refreshing. Lord hear my cry.

I just needed to tell someone, and since everyone else is probably sleeping...

[ozark]

It is hard to sleep when you can't stop coughing. There is a new over the counter product that has worked wonders for me in such a case. It is called MucinexDM. If you try it, be sure to get the DM not just the regular.

[lucinda]

Ed,

I feel your pain. I too have not had a well rested night of sleep in a few weeks. Although I am not coughing, I am suffering because I can't breath! All I want is a clear nostril to breath in and out of...:(
I have taken allergy medicine to help combat my affliction but to have only 1 or 2 days of relief. As soon as I step out into the great outdoors, I sneeze which causes watery eyes, blurred vision, and irritability. It consumes me worse at night when all I want to do is sleep. It's sad to admit but I have gone to different measures for some relief. I have bought nostril openers...lol. I have slept with my face pushed against my pillow to help hold one nostril open. I have even slept on my couch sitting up because for some reason I breath a little better. Ohhh for the day to breath freely.

[Infinite Grace]

Well, last night again I began to experience the coughing as I laid down to sleep. Frustrating. But, my all-knowing wife said to me, without pity, "get up and drink some water," which I did. I drank two 16 oz. tumblers full of water. The coughing stopped, and I went right to sleep.

Of course, the flip side of that was that I awoke 1/2 hour before the alarm with a very full bladder. After relieving that stress, I was able to snooze again for 10 or 15 minutes before having to get up.

Water is the trick for coughing, I wonder if it might help with your breathing (dryness???). Seriously, most Americans do not drink enough water - we are chronically dehydrated. Try to get 2 liters a day minimum of just water, lay off diaretics; e.g., caffiene and alcohol (not making any accusations...), and see if that helps.

[lucinda]

Weeeellllll, (hick-up) what you mean by alcohol? (hick-up)....:D

Thanks for the water advice. I will give it a try...
By the way, I don't drink except for special occasions...

With love,
Lucinda