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Maybe a wedge under her pillow to keep her head up. My husband takes an allergy pill before he goes to bed because of post nasil drip.

Could be BP medication gives her a tickle and its more noticeable at night. Mom had her BP changed.
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It's hard to suggest a solution without knowing the cause, but I'll toss out some that spring to mind - Acid reflux, Post nasal drip, a side effect of some medications, dry air... am I hitting on anything you haven't thought of?
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The cough could have any number of causes. It sounds as if you have already tried most of the obvious approaches, such as changing her position, using a nebuliser, anti-asthmatics and so on. There is a particular cough - described as a dry, irritating cough and they're not kidding - that's a common side effect of some heart meds; some patients find alternative meds improve it; it's worth asking your mother's primary physician to review her px, if you haven't already.

For you: consider ear plugs. And I am not trying to be funny. If your mother uses a call button or alarm if she needs you during the night, you should be able to find one that works on light rather than sound.

Could use some sleep... ya think? I've read your profile and your answers - welcome, by the way - and I am wondering how long and how safely you can sustain this situation. Two full-time jobs, no respite, and now no sleep.

What happens if you break?
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anonymous885003 Feb 2019
I am not sure either, but I the hospitals wanted a snf in the beginning to try therapy. Both places that were recommended by the HOSPITAL were literally death traps. 1st one gave her meds they knew she was allergic to she wouldn’t fall out of bed (no rails allowed) the 2nd one I called the ambulance myself 3 times because she was SEVERELY dehydrated and ended up having a feeding tube put in because there she went catatonic and stopped talking and eating. So, with me she talks and laughs and I can get her to eat to supplement the feeding tube feedings. But you are right the no sleep thing is getting to me.
I will check about side effect meds though thank you 😃
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She may have congestive heart failure and the cough could be b/o excess fluid that accumulates in her lungs. Is she on a water pill? That’s a clue.
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A cold air humidifier might help as as will a swipe of Vicks under nose, and believe it or not on feet, with socks over. I thought the latter was b.s. no, it does work

Some things which work do survive. The Vicks on feet with socks is one of.
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You say she is bed ridden. Is she in bed all day too, or is she moved perhaps to a recliner? Does she cough during the day if she is in the same bed.

Is she over weight?

Have you talked to her doctor about this? I hesitate to suggest medication, without knowing if the takes and Rx. Speaking of that does she take any pills only at night? Some medications cause a terrible tickle in the throat.
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anonymous885003 Feb 2019
She is in bed all day. I am still waiting for a mesh sling for the hoyer lift. She does cough some during the day, but it is mostly at night. She is elevated, the doctors know they suggested allergy pills and a humidifier. I got both of those. But the coughing continues. We even made sure her tube feeding stops 2 hours before sleep in case she was aspirating a bit when she relaxed.
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Mom has always had sinus issues...drippy nose and post nasal drip causing a cough. I’ve just started giving her Sleepytime Tea for Sinus at night and it seems to dry her up pretty good. Might be worth a try.
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Try a vaporizer and elevating her head.  If she has an adjustable bed, raise it that way - or try using pillows. ((Hugs))  I know how exhausting this can be.
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Talk to her doctor because an all night cough was a sympton of asthma in my young son He had no other signs - no wheezing or shortness of breath - but the all night coughing made us both nuts and sleepless until he was diagnosed and used an inhaler before bedtime. Problem solved! Coughing is often a symptom of asthma (which can start at any age. I was diagnosed at age 50), COPD, or congestive heart failure. Over the counter meds won't help with any of those but often an inhaler or inhaled steriods will.
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Can she turn on her side? Maybe getting her off her back could help.
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anonymous885003 Feb 2019
I have to move her to prevent bed sores. She can’t move on her own.
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