I wonder if somebody can give me some advice for my 78 year old
mother. She seems to be in fine health during the day. However, at
night (often between 2:00 to 5:00 in the morning) she will wake up and
get an uncontrollable coughing spell. If she takes some Benadryl it
will usually stop within 20-30 minutes. But the Benadryl often leaves
her shaking for a while. She has also tried Claritin, which sometimes
helps. But not always. She suspects that the problem is somehow
related to a sinus drainage, which is causing the coughing. But so far
no doctor has been able to pinpoint a cause.
Thanks!
Wayne Allen
Manuel - 10 Mar 2004 17:28 GMT
It's a little risky to give you some advice when we do not know the
condition or medical treatments of your mother. You should ask your
physician or your pharmacist (physically).
Dextrometorphan is quite safe and efficacious. Cloperastine is also a good
choice (it has also a (mild) bronchodilator action, whic can be useful in
the elderly).
Sorry for misspelling if any.
> I wonder if somebody can give me some advice for my 78 year old
> mother. She seems to be in fine health during the day. However, at
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Wayne Allen
Ljohan514 - 19 Mar 2004 14:32 GMT
Perhaps she has acid reflux. It usually worsens in the middle of the night
because you are lying down, and it seems to increase post-nasal drip. Both the
drip and the acid itself can cause coughing spells. Many of our "allergy
patients" have been sent to GI doctors recently and put on Prilosec. It might
be worth trying.