I Spent The Night Sitting Upright In An Armchair

@MALUSE (69413)
Germany
March 12, 2021 2:45pm CST
I’ve had a very bad cough for three days or rather nights. The nights are much worse than the days. Or is it already bronchitis? I’ve just studied the definitions on the net but, unfortunately, aren’t any the wiser now. I also hear rattling noises in my lungs and my chest hurts from all the coughing. I called a doctor’s practise and asked when I could come to be examined. The receptionist told me that they wouldn’t accept me after what I had told her about my condition. What? She told me that the doctor would call me later to see what could be done. He never called. I’m shocked! Yet, as I don’t have other symptoms and no high temperature, I don’t think that I’ve caught the virus Covid19. I’ll just have to go easy on myself and wait it out. When I cough - and I do that frequently and over a long time - I produce loud and horrible noises. As the house is quiet during the night, my neighbours below must have begun to hate me. If I had to listen to myself, I know I would hate me! I bay and howl and gasp for breath. I have some coughing attacks during the day, but they’re bearable. Yet, the moment I’m in a horizontal position it’s really, really bad. So, the night before last, I sat up in bed but that wasn’t very comfortable because my bed doesn’t have a headboard against which I could lean. After ruining one night sitting up, lying down, sitting up, etc., I decided to sleep in the armchair standing in my bedroom. It has a nearly vertical back and two armrests and is upholstered, i.e., nice to sit in. I stuffed several cushions behind my back so that I could sit even more upright and covered myself with my bedcover. And it worked! I woke up after about seven hours of uninterrupted sleep! I’m taking anti-cough medicine but I don’t want to find out if I can fall asleep lying in bed more easily tonight but will use my armchair-bed right from the start. I don't look forward to the coming night! ----- I have no idea why the piccie doesn't show in the list of Most Recent Discussions.
40 people like this
39 responses
Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
12 Mar 21
Ever since I got Covid a week ago, that's how I've been sleeping--or trying to sleep--since it has been the only way I could comfortable enough to rest. All of my muscles in my body are aching as though I got run over by a train, so sleep has been very hard to come by.
13 people like this
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
12 Mar 21
Oh, dear. You have my sympathy! You're the first myLot member from whom I know that they've become ill with Covid. All the best to you! Do you take any medicine and if so, which?
9 people like this
Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
12 Mar 21
@MALUSE I am only taking store-bought cold medicines and fever reducers.
8 people like this
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
12 Mar 21
@moffittjc What does 'cold medicines' mean, please? I don't know this expression.
8 people like this
WorDazza
@WorDazza (15833)
• Manchester, England
12 Mar 21
Can you not go for a covid test just to be sure? If you don't improve in a day or two you should get back on to your doctor. You might need antibiotics if it's a chest infection. Hope you are feeling better soon.
6 people like this
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
12 Mar 21
Thank you. I'll see what the coming night will bring and if my condition doesn't improve, I'll see a physician tomorrow.
6 people like this
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
13 Mar 21
I feel better today. It's nearly noon. I haven't had a coughing fit (yet).
5 people like this
WorDazza
@WorDazza (15833)
• Manchester, England
13 Mar 21
@MALUSE Glad to hear it. Hopefully it won't be long before you're feeling up to berating me for my laziness
2 people like this
Fiacre Banks
@xFiacre (12597)
• Ireland
12 Mar 21
@maluse So sorry to hear that you've been suffering; mightily displeased to hear that your doctor never bothered to call you back. No wonder that you are not looking forward to the coming night. I don't think we were designed to sleep sitting up, but if it helps that's great. Get well soon.
2 people like this
Fiacre Banks
@xFiacre (12597)
• Ireland
12 Mar 21
@MALUSE I am prone to being thusly affected each winter and it makes my Sunday performances very difficult to endure.
2 people like this
Fiacre Banks
@xFiacre (12597)
• Ireland
12 Mar 21
@MALUSE There are several people I can call on but I'm a man - I don't like giving in and doing the sensible thing! And going to the doctor is the last thing I would do.
1 person likes this
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
12 Mar 21
@xFiacre Isn't there anyone who can substitute you if you're sick?
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325854)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Mar 21
I'm sorry to hear about your cough. Vince slept in a chair three nights once before we could get to a doctor. By the time we got there, he'd had pneumonia but had got over it.
5 people like this
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
13 Mar 21
@JudyEv This sounds like a tall tale to me.
1 person likes this
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
13 Mar 21
So I'm not alone concerning the sleeping on a chair!
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325854)
• Rockingham, Australia
13 Mar 21
@MALUSE Not at all. We went to an ancient village in Ireland and all the beds were quite short. We were told that chest complaints were so common that many people slept sitting up to some degree or another so there was no need for long beds. I'm not really sure if it were true or not.
1 person likes this
Reine25
@Lucky15 (37346)
• Philippines
12 Mar 21
glad that you slept soundly for 7 hours :)
6 people like this
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
12 Mar 21
Thank you!
4 people like this
Kharla Jolly
@kobesbuddy (74594)
• East Tawas, Michigan
12 Mar 21
Whenever I get congestion and coughing as you've described, I take Vick's Nyquil at night. It clears the airways and helps me sleep soundly. During the daytime I take Vick's Dayquil. It clears my breathing during the day, without making me drowsy and unable to think. It's a liquid form of medication, purchased over the counter. Hurry and get well!
2 people like this
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
12 Mar 21
Thank you for the tip! Tomorrow I'll get something. During the last days I was too lame to do something actively.
2 people like this
Kharla Jolly
@kobesbuddy (74594)
• East Tawas, Michigan
12 Mar 21
@MALUSE Vick's Dayquil and Vick's Nyquil work wonderfully! I take one dose at bedtime/one dose during the day. This makes it so much easier to get over the illness.
1 person likes this
much2say
@much2say (53958)
• Los Angeles, California
12 Mar 21
There was a time when every single winter, about the beginning of the year, I would get bronchitis. I couldn't lay flat to sleep at all, and had to prop myself up sit up to sleep. The first time I went to the doctor for that they said it was bronchitis, they gave me antibiotics and it went away. The following years I just dealt with it and it lasted 2-3 weeks. Now I drink water with a touch of apple cider vinegar every day - and I have not gotten that bronchitis since (it's been quite a few years now!). Also, post nasal drip seems to irritate the throat (it slides down to your throat, especially when you lay down) - and I know I have gotten choke attacks . . . that is when I blow my nose and it seems to get better until it builds up again. I never like to take medicine, but I was told take whatever you need to at night to help you get to sleep because the rest is essential. I hope you can get better soon . . . I know the feeling! In any case, do see the doctor if you can.
2 people like this
Always smiling
@allknowing (130064)
• India
12 Mar 21
Earlier the doctor sees you the better will it be for you to get treated and clear doubts about Covid.
1 person likes this
Always smiling
@allknowing (130064)
• India
12 Mar 21
@MALUSE Then off the counter medicines should put you right.
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
12 Mar 21
No, I don't have Covid. There are no symptoms. I just have coughing attacks.
2 people like this
Marlina
@marlina (154166)
• Canada
12 Mar 21
I am so happy for your that you finally could get seven hours of uninterrupted sleep! I know all about coughing at night as I have a problem with the esophagus, the noise you experienced I call it "my seagulls" visiting and making a racket. I'm surprised that the doc did not call you, rude of him!
2 people like this
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
12 Mar 21
His only excuse would be that he was overrun with actual Covid-19 patients. He's usually a friendly man. How does this esophagus manifest itself besides coughing? I don't know this disease.
1 person likes this
Lenore Plassman
@sallypup (57920)
• Centralia, Washington
12 Mar 21
I'm sorry you are sick. Sometimes honey and lemon helps a cough. I think you said that you don't have peanut butter but crazy as it sounds, the thick peanut butter quits my cough. I cough a lot cause of my dog allergies so I look for solutions.
2 people like this
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
12 Mar 21
Thank you. I know about honey and have already used it. I also have special sweets with honey which are meant to help against coughing.
3 people like this
Thelma
@thelme55 (76476)
• Germany
13 Mar 21
You reminded me of when I was having my coughing when I was in the Philippines. I was only able to sleep when sitting. That was horrible. I hope you will feel better soon. Gute Besserung!
1 person likes this
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
13 Mar 21
Thank you. I've prepared my 'bed' on the armchair again!
1 person likes this
Thelma
@thelme55 (76476)
• Germany
13 Mar 21
@MALUSE You are welcome. Sleep well.
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (156271)
• United States
13 Mar 21
Sounds like bronchitis to me. Experts now say if you can wait it out, it's better. Taking unneeded antibiotics, as you know, isn't good for you...BUT if it's not going away; and you are miserable, you definitely should see a doctor. I hope you feel better soon. I've had bronchitis several times and I find the wheezing and rattling in my chest keeps me awake.
1 person likes this
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
13 Mar 21
Thanks for this comment. I'm not so keen on further medication, either. The reason in my case is that I have to take several pills for a heart condition. I'm the pharmacist's best friend!
1 person likes this
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (156271)
• United States
13 Mar 21
@MALUSE Well, I hope you feel better soon!
1 person likes this
Sexy Girl
@JimBo452020 (42629)
• United Kingdom
12 Mar 21
Hope you get better soon. I would miss you if you popped your clogs!
1 person likes this
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
12 Mar 21
Oh, I think that more than a cough will be necessary to lead to this result!
2 people like this
Sexy Girl
@JimBo452020 (42629)
• United Kingdom
12 Mar 21
@MALUSE Aye you will be around for aong time yet my friend.
1 person likes this
Gracelipstick
@Gracelipstick (782)
• Kingston, Jamaica
13 Mar 21
Hope you get well soon and I hope the result isn't something bad
1 person likes this
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
13 Mar 21
Thank you!
Gracelipstick
@Gracelipstick (782)
• Kingston, Jamaica
14 Mar 21
@MALUSE welcome
ARIES1973
@ARIES1973 (11426)
• Legaspi, Philippines
20 Mar 21
I hope you are already feeling fine now. Hot lemonade works for me when I have cough.
1 person likes this
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
20 Mar 21
Not feeling fine yet. After three nights in my armchair I slept in my bed last night because I thought the situation had improved, but I couldn't breathe well and had to cough a lot again. So it'll be back to my armchair tonight. Surprisingly, I can sleep well sitting upright with my duvet over my body. I didn't know that I could do this without problems.
1 person likes this
Sabrina Traversa
@sabtraversa (12952)
• Italy
13 Mar 21
Wish you a speedy recovery! Glad you found a way to sleep, at least. Cough, to be a Covid's symptom, has to be dry. The most annoying type of cough. Sounds like it could be the one you have, hopefully it is not Covid. Either way, physicians should be very concerned and not try to avoid you, what the heck!
1 person likes this
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
13 Mar 21
Thank you! --- Long time no see.It's always nice to see another European on the site.
1 person likes this
Marie
@Tampa_girl7 (49010)
• United States
12 Mar 21
Perhaps you should call again or even better another place. You don’t want to take a chance that your symptoms worsen.
1 person likes this
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
12 Mar 21
The next time I'll certainly call a different doctor.
2 people like this
Marie
@Tampa_girl7 (49010)
• United States
13 Mar 21
@MALUSE it makes absolutely no sense at all that you were denied a doctor visit. That doctor is definitely in the wrong profession.
Nevena Zivkovic
@Nevena83 (65282)
• Serbia
12 Mar 21
Oh, I'm sorry you have a cough. Onion tea would help you calm your cough.
1 person likes this
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
12 Mar 21
Have you tried this yourself? Does it taste as bad as it sounds? :-)
2 people like this
Nevena Zivkovic
@Nevena83 (65282)
• Serbia
13 Mar 21
@MALUSE Yes, it's my grandmother's old recipe. When he was a child, my brother had a big problem with his throat, with his tonsils, and she cooked it for him, I remember that it stinks terribly and I know that it has a terrible taste, but it helped him.
DINNERLADY
@lazydaizee (6738)
• United Kingdom
21 Mar 21
Sorry to hear you have been unwell, are you feeling better now?
1 person likes this
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
21 Mar 21
Thanks for asking. Not really. Sleeping while sitting upright in my armchair is still better than lying in bed. I have to cough less.
Claire-louise Raymond
@Lindalahughes (220)
• United Kingdom
16 Apr 21
That sounds pretty horrendous. I hope you get better soon. My mother suffers with chronic chest problems and bronchitis and pleurisy sound like likely culprits. A V shaped pillow often helps too.
1 person likes this
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
16 Apr 21
Thank you for your good wishes. Yes, I've recovered from the bronchitis and can sleep in a normal position again. Maybe your mother should have a bed like they have in hospitals where you can lift the upper end of the mattress so that the head is much higher than it can be if you only use another pillow.