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437415 tn?1211829556

Doctor or Vitamin C

I'm sick.  I have had a bad cough for 5 days now and a bit of a sore throat.  I was coughing up yucky stuff until today and now I can't cough it up anymore.  Last fall I had to go to the hospital for pneumonia and I will do anything not to get in that shape again.  Actually it's more likely this is bronchial because instead of yellow my phlegm (isn't that the nastiess word in the universe?) is green, but really really thick.  I am really not trying to gross you out I just want you to have all of the facts so you can give me some advice.

In the past when I have been sick like this I took percocets and darvocets to cover it up, which is why I ended up in the hospital.  I have only been in recovery about 9 weeks now, following a 15-17 year addiction.  I want to take Vitamin C,. drink water, and eat lots of fruit.  My husband wants me to go to the doctor so he made an appointment for me tomorrow morning.  I take 12 mgs. of suboxone a day, and although I will make sure my doctor remembers this, I know he's going to want me to take some form of cough syrup with an expectorant to get this up.  I don't think I have ever had cough syrup that didn't have a narcotic in it, and if I took that wouldn't my suboxone put me in w/d again?  Would it even work?  I'm a nurse, I know there are cough meds without narcotics, but when someone gets to the point that they can't cough it up, doctors almost always go for the ones with narcotics.  Any suggestions?  I don't want to ruin all of the progress I have made.
13 Responses
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401095 tn?1351391770
Mucinex or things with guaifessin help me...makes it break up...go see your doc as many cough syrups with an expectorant in them do not have a narcotic component...get yourself well
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
As long as the Dr says it is an infection and sinus gunk, I am not a Dr, what about asking for Z-Pak and Entex. It works for me.

My wife usually waits until she is real bad before going to the Dr too, guess it's a girl thing.

Heres to clears snot.. woo hoo..LOL
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
you can tell the doctor  " I need something to get this **** up, but I want something Non-Narcotic"  I think he will be fine with it.......tell him you tried that hydro stuff and it really made you ill, so you cant take it.  Problem solved.

Nauty............
Helpful - 0
437415 tn?1211829556
Thank you I will check in to Tessalon too.  Maybe I will just say "look this is what I will take - this is what I won't".  He's going to get really sick of me!
Helpful - 0
437415 tn?1211829556
I've heard that viscious rumor Vic!  I don't even know if robitussin is safe.  The slip that toxic stuff in and don't even tell you!  Last time I had to have cough syrup until I looked it up on line I had no idea it had a narcotic in it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Going to the doctor is best.. maybe he can give you Tessalon Pearls to take.. there are no narcotics in those... and they are easy to swollow... This stuff hangs on for forever, if you are couging up green stuff... from nurse to nurse  you need to see the doctor maybe even a chest xray to see what is going on in there... I wish you the best of luck and pray that things go well for you...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have a lot of problems this time of year due to mold and pollen and usually get a sinus infection along with a lot of the symptoms that you are describing. Please see you Dr soon, at least he will be able to nip it in the bud, no springtime pun intended, if it is and you will be feeling better soon. You do know that Drs and Nurses make the worst patients, don’t you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
try some Mucinex.......it worked well for me.  You don't need Hydro cough syrup.  robitussin expectorant works well too.  SAY NO TO HYDRO  !!!!  Only as a real last resort.

Nauty............
Helpful - 0
397118 tn?1219762250
The doctor dosn't have to give you cough med if you don't want to you need an antibiotic if you are coughing up green stuff and for how long is green? yes cough syrup will be good if you just can't stop coughing but you need a antibiotic right now.
Go seen the doctor I'm in the same boat I had a motocycle accident 11 days ago and I wont go to the doctor cause I know he will give me pain meds and muscle relaxers and I'm on sub so I'm in the same boat I'm in a lot of pain all day long.
GS
Helpful - 0
437415 tn?1211829556
Thank you guys.  In my head I really believe if I had to take a DOC I wouldn't feel compelled to take it like before.  It worries me, but at the same time there is no way I would prefer to be back where I was compared to now - even sick.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I hope you feel better!!!
I agree that you should go to the Dr. He knows what you are taking and so listen to him and get better soon!!! Best of luck to you!!
Helpful - 0
340590 tn?1290952141
well, my  opinion is meds are for sick ppl.  i understand you not wanting to take the cough syrup.  i dont know if you were here when i had my surgery, but i HAD to take my DOC no less.  i did  not abuse. i actually took less than prscribed.  and for a shorter time than the dr wanted.  point is when you are sick you have to do what the dr says to get well.  just do so responsibly.  it is not a relapse, but a necessity.  hang in there and i hope you feel better soon.
cathy
Helpful - 0
437415 tn?1211829556
By the way thank you all that messaged me yesterday.  I really really needed that and you gave me such a lift:)
Helpful - 0
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