WWYD?

JennaNAaron

I've had a cough for 3 weeks now.  It was bad for a week, better for a week, and as of Sunday it's pretty bad.  It has moved into my chest and is a productive cough.  I also have a lot of sinus drainage alternating with congestion, and today a sore throat (only on one side).  I was exposed to strep at school so the sore throat concerns me.  I am 100% not a doctor person because my gut feeling tells me they won't be able to do anything about it.  Someone at church suggested minute clinic, but I'm afraid they'll just tell me to go to the doctor for a chest xray and I don't want to end up paying twice.  I'm off today, so if I'm going to do something about it....today is the day. [Poll]

elissaann26

Three weeks is a long time to have something and it not clear up.  I'd just bite the bullet and go to the doctor.  At least that way you'll know what is going on.  And if they say it is just a virus so they can't give you any meds to kill it, then ask what they recommend to help you with your symptoms.  Sometimes treating the symptoms with a good cough medicine actually makes a bigger difference than antibiotics.

KataMarie

Every time my old roommate goes to the doc for a cold they give her a z-pak.  She takes them and gets better.  But I do agree with elissa, 3 weeks is a long time.

Timscutie01

Dude this crap is visiting everyone! I had ot over Christmas but it was the same thing you described.  I sitll have a slight hint of my cough (I think it's more from smoking at this point though).  DH kept trying to get me to go to the doctor but I know my system and it was just a heinous head cold.  GL and whatever you decision is, I hope you feel better soon!

Beth0882

Back in November I was sick for over 3 weeks with something that sounds exactly like what you have.  I finally went to the doctor and she said a virus had been going around, that instead of clearing up in the normal 7-10 day range, was taking 2-3 weeks to clera up.  Antibiotics don't work for viruses but she did give me some stronger cough medicine since the coughing was making it so I couldn't sleep at all at night, and that helped me catch up on sleep.  Lots of rest (luckily I wasn't working at the time so I was able to sit on my butt for over a week) and at the end of week 3 it started clearing up.  I think if it was strep, it would probably be cleared up on its own by now, or you would be havig fevers and feeling much much worse. 

KatieBride06

i had similar symptoms and went to minute clinic after about a week of it. the nurse gave me a high dose amoxicillan (sp?) and i took that in conjunction with Mucinex, Nyquil (only if needed at night), netty pot twice a day, salt water gargles, and lots of liquid and OJ.

i'm still finishing up the antibiotic, but i can say that i feel 100% better than i did this time last week.

duke_girl

I had a cough that would not go away in the fall and wound up going to the doctor twice for it. They didn't give me antibiotics at first, but when it didn't go away with what they did give me I went back and wound up on antibiotics and steroids. Both times they also gave me Tesla pearls, which were really helpful for suppressing my cough. I'd say go!

JennaNAaron

I felt really bad today and was up most of the night coughing.  I went to the minute clinic after work and she said it's a sinus infection and probably strep.  The rapid strep was negative, but she did a swab to send away and she said it really looks like strep.  She gave me amox.  She wouldn't give anything else since we are TTC and I'm unsure if I could be pregnant.  That last part seemed to really bother her.  She just couldn't understand how I didn't know right now!  Grrr

CurbsideProphet

I hope you feel better soon. Sorry she did not understand the concept of 2ww, that is annoying.