What remedies help with post Covid cough?

I'm going to check into the Tessalon perl. The whooping cough/ mycoplasmic pneumonia episode left me with a kind of for lack of a better description, elevated cough reflex. My lungs are clear and there's no even scar tissue or any evidence that I had the pulmonary adventure. But, if an allergy or anything triggers a cough, it'll start a chain reaction of coughing. I compare it to when a few hiccups trigger a sense of hiccups and maybe its a muscle memory or spasm reflex.

I caught COVID 3 weeks ago and am left with a heavy cough that sometimes produces flem. Is this normal, should I be concerned and how long should I expect to have a cough for?

I was in the hospital 3 weeks in January with Covid pneumonia, I have been coughing since, my doctor tried to ween me from 8mg methyl prednisone to 4 every other day, the day I didn’t take any I ended up with a fever, and in the hospital with pneumonia again. I have been out two weeks, still coughing and just read it could take 6 weeks or more of coughing to get the crap out if the lungs. My cough is looser since this last bout of pneumonia.
So prepare for the cough to linger a little.

Hi @zehri, in terms of COVID, 3 weeks isn't a long time. You may have to brace yourself for dealing with the cough for a while yet as @mkportzen shared.

You'll notice that I moved your question about post-COVID cough to this existing discussion so you can connect with others who have dealt or are dealing with this.
- What remedies help with post Covid cough? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/post-covid-cough/

I recommend reading through the past posts.

Zehri, does the coughing prevent you from sleeping at night? What helps soothe the cough?

I coughed for months (this was the original Covid virus) and 7 months later had pneumonia when it got worse. Still, 27 months later, I’m short of breath when walking so please keep an eye on it. I was kind of gaslighted until a chest CT finally showed something whereas an X-ray did not. This was the beginning of 2020 so not much information was out. No one knows why I’m still like this but I still have bibasilar atelectasis
(Partial lung collapse) Don’t give up, there’s a lot of new information and studies going on which will hopefully help you. Good luck and stay positive 🙏🏻

i got what I assume is a light case of covid at the hospital for stomach condition. When I got home, I came down with a covid. on Jan. 8th. tested negative but hubby had it for 20 days tested negative but we had all the symptoms. I went to my MD and he gave me Zpack and Prednisone. but nothing helped me cough. I just went to get tested at a Pulmonary specialist. Still waiting for results. I use albuterol puffer for some relief but I still cough so hard that a practically pass out and have become incontinent. I have an appointment with my MD in two weeks to go over the reports of the pulmonary specialist and go from there! I am frightened for I am in a mind fog and have lost all balance. I have not slept in my bed for months. Spend sleepless nights and live off Niquil!! I am praying for you and praying for answers! I am 71 and have gained mass weight from this! We must stay positive and trust in our Lord!

I saw a pulmonologist once and the first words he said when he came into the exam room were "six weeks." He then chuckled and explained that nearly every patient was going to ask how long would it be before she stopped coughing. And, assuming the person had no other issue, it would take about six weeks.

Then we got onto the exam which found nothing serious wrong and he gave me some inhaler thing to make the six weeks less uncomfortable.

Using a droll analogy, he explained that, in my case, a cold had triggered a bronchial issue and compared it to having a shag rug that got too wet. And that it took, on average, about six weeks for the flattened 'rug fibers' to fully respond and spring back into action once the damaging cause was removed.
And he was accurate. Mind you, the six week clock starts once whatever triggered the problem was no longer an issue. But knowing that the cough was on its way out helped a lot.

Im sorry that you are experiencing the dreaded covid cough. unfortunately it takes about 6 months for it to go away. the best remedy is a prescription pill called Tessalon perle. glen started it in the hospital. its fabulous. it will actually stop the cough within 15 seconds. for daily help i was told to use pepcid ac. i was also given that in hospital. It will take patience to see this thru. all covid pneumonia patients experienced this as well as other non- pneumonia severe. cases.

I second on tessalon pearls and if bothers at night, ask.md for cough suppressant with codeine. I sleep with cepacole extra strength sore throat drops and use throughout the day. Honey and lemon hot water. Nebulizer.

Hi, I am going on my 8th month coughing my guts out day and night. Doctor put me on Benzonatate, been on it for ten days so far, no good! After being tested for pulmonary function that set my asthma and coughing attacks numerous times, I am still waiting for the results. I see my doctor on the 25th. Praying he has some answers. I have been taking mass Niquil and Dayquil that helps some. Dry cough that produces nothing. Use my albuterol puffer a lot that helps somewhat but the coughing is still persisting! Honey, Hot water, Hot Liquor, tried everything. I just finished off codeine cough syrup. This is horrific. I am praying. the chest exray came out clear. Is there no cure? I am so tired of not sleeping. Zpack and prednisone doesn't work either!!