Hi! My 18 (almost 19) year old son has been coughing so hard he has been throwing up. He was so bad last night my husband bought him Nyquil, something we have never had. He loved it 'cos he passed out. But he kept waking up. This mornng my husband came home with Dayquil for him. He loved it. He says he would have never made it through three hours of lessons today without it (he's a swim instructor). So he's had plenty. But now it doesn't seem to be helping, he is back to throwing up. We've pulled out the vaporizer for him. Does anyboby have any great ideas to help him? I can't believe he's made it to this age and this has never happened before to him (or my 16 yr old). Oh, he's been drinking hot things, mostly cocoa. Thanks folks!!!
Hi! I want to thank everyone for their help. He's still miserable but nearly as much as when I wrote. He hasn't thrown up again and he gave up the Nyquil and Dayquil. He has taken some Sudafed for his head stuffiness. All this drug taking is a testament to his misery, he's the kid I have always had to argue with about Tylenol. I especially appreciate the tea and honey reminder. He actually will often make himself tea at night (chamomile) and I've always suggested it for sore throats and general miseries. Poor kid, he didn't want to tell us we were out, hence all the hot cocoa. I didn't even realize how much he had had. My focus had been on my daughter who injured her back Saturday and couldn't walk and he didn't want to bother anyone. I feel bad, really bad. Lesson learned, just 'cos they're grown up doesn't mean they're grown up. But I truly appreciate you all for waking me up. Oh, and we are going to try the Alka -Seltzer next time we are desperate!
I wouldn't have him drink Cocoa. Instead, try hot tea with lemon and honey. A humidifier for his room would be beneficial at night. I hate Nyquil, it just makes me feel worse and doesn't help my symptoms at all. Have him try Mucinex, or AlkaSeltzer Cold and Cough. If he has been coughing that bad for more then a week, I would take him to the Doctor's, especially if he isn't coughing up mucous. He could have an upper respiratory infection.
A doctor sounds like the only option here.
Honestly, if its gotten that bad to where its down in his lungs, he needs to see a doc so it doesn't turn into pneumonia. Good luck!
he sounds like he has , at the very least, an upper respiratory infection-maybe bronchitis, perhaps pneumonia-eek-he needs to see a doctor. Good luck!
If he's coughing so hard he's throwing up, then take him to the doctor. He probably has a ton of drainage that has begun to well or cake in his bronchial passages. The NyQuil will suppress his cough for a short period, but it isn't an expectorant nor is it an antibiotic and if he has an infection, he will need one. If he is an instructor and is around kids, he REALLY needs to go to the doctor. If he is contagious, he is spreading germs to his students.
It's very possible he has whooping cough (pertussis). There have been a lot of outbreaks lately. Anytime someone coughs so hard they throw up, a doctor should consider the possibility of pertussis. Antibiotics in the first couple of weeks can help lessen the severity and make him less contagious.
Take him to the doctor. Sounds like more than just a virus.
Have him drink Hot tea with honey. The honey will help coat his throat and help the cough. Cough drops are also a savior.
I prefer Alka Seltzer Cold instead of Nyquil because it makes me feel less drugged.
Hi!
I hope your son is feeling better. I know others have said it, but hot tea with honey will help and we always use Delsyn cough syrup. It gets rid of coughs quickly and helps a lot.
Good luck!
I'm thinking he may have the flu or something along those lines? Does he have a fever, aches or any other fatigue. Or is it just the coughing that triggers the gag reflux to throw up?
I would suggest a cool mist humidifier. Is he congested? If so, the draining from his sinus' could be causing the cough. I would have him take Sudafed (behind the counter) to clear up the sinus' if that is the case. Otherwise I agree with "I Love My Boys" Hot Tea w/honey is always a good one to help coat your throat.
If it doesn't go away soon - I would call the Dr....
Best of Luck!
I know I'm late responding, but please let him know that when you have a ton of coughing and phlegm, the WORST thing you can drink is something containing milk (like cocoa.
And studies have shown that a teaspoon of honey can be just as effective as cough medicine in stopping a cough. But if you are going to go for a cough medicine, get one that is both a cough suppressant AND expectorant (Robitussin makes a good one).
