Make Me Feel Better

[AmyBoz]

So, I got over strep about 2 weeks ago. Great, fine.

However, I'm sick again. My head is stuffed like you can't believe, I can't stop blowing my nose, my throat hurts, I'm coughing like a loon. I am almost positive that I keep getting sick because this is a very stressful time of year for me and my bodily defenses are down.

However, does anyone know of any over the counter medicines that are REALLY good at knocking the cold right out of you, but won't leave you down for the count? I still have a family to take care of and a job to go to tomorrow.

[toile]

Amy all 5 of us carry strep all year off and on and keep passing it.
I'm getting very annoyed.
Seems like we would be super immune to it by now.
I have had it 2 days now.

I read something online to get better fast but I'm scared to try it.
It said to either work really hard, maybe even in the heat, and you work+sweat it out in one day?
I read thats what people did years ago?

I'm still doing the drown it with water + juice thing....
Sometimes when I just cant shake it I take Coldial Silver for the health food store.
If you Google that though, there are a lot of scary warnings online.

[nodmicks]

We use oil of oregano in our house. It really helps! Hope you feel better!!!

[pip]

I have used nyquil (not sure how you spell that) and it can help clear the stuffiness and help you sleep. I would just be sure to read the label first and allow enough time for it. (Take it maybe 9 pm and get to bed) Not sure how early you get up in the morning, but I wouldn't take it late late in the evening, or you might be groggy in the morning. Good luck!

[perSue]

What works for me is taking 3 to 4 times more of Vit C (between 2000 and 4000 (or more) IU's a day... sometimes I break it up between meals. NOTE: just take it slow... too much Vit C can cause diarrhea)

also I take zinc, magnesium and a few other 'trace' elements that are helpful in colds.

These give me a boost of energy and help kick the cold outta me...

Good luck and feel better... I'm with ya... I've had a cold the past week!! (and 2 days of a fever!)

[Edna_E]

Cayenne in tomatoe juice - and, no, Snappy Tom does NOT do the same thing. I put about 1/4 teaspoon in a large glass, but I'm pretty used to hot foods - you may have to tone it down.

I also hit the vitamins heavily - A,C,E if using individual ones, but sometimes just take extra multi-vitamins about every 6-8 hours.

Echinacea seems to help as a preventative, but I personally haven't had much chance to see if it works on an existing illness.

I also am a firm believer in gargling with hot salt water, alternating with hot soda water. Similarly, rinsing your sinuses with hot salt water can do a lot to help with the discharge down the back of your throat, which is a very productive medium for germs to grow in (so you need to get rid of it).

If you end up with laryngitis from coughing so much, try hot lemonade (plain old lemonade heated up in the m-wave). Also, I vaguely remember doing something where you combine honey and horseradish sauce with a couple of drops of lemon to relieve a cough. I seem to remember that it worked well, but it's been a couple of decades since I had anything that required a cough reliever.

Good luck. If wishes help, you'll be well in no time!

[joyofsix]

Lots of tlc and Afrin nasal spray. It just clears that stuffiness without making me drag around like something you put into your system. Just don't overuse it. Sorry you're sick!

[Shoshana]

Sudafed is the only effective medication that relieves the stuffiness of a cold -- it's now kept behind the pharmacy counter (b/c it's cooked to make meth). It also comes in prescription strength. It might help a bit, and it will definitely be more effective than the non-pseudoephedrine decongestants.

Once you have the virus, there's not much you can do to hasten it along. Just treat the symptoms...

OTC cough medicine has been proven to be ineffective. Strong black or orange pekoe tea with honey is helpful for coughing and wheezing. If your chest feels tight or you're wheezing, you can steam yourself in a hot shower, or put Vicks in a pot of hot water and breathe in the steam. Take buffered aspirin as often as you can for the aches and pains. If your body is sore, ibuprofen is generally more effective than the other two OTC pain relievers (aspirin and tylenol).

Now, if anyone has a great remedy for terrible non-stop sneezing besides benadryl, I'm willing to listen.

AH choo!

Hope you feel better, Amy.

[ktsmama]

Sorry you are feeling so bad. Everyone has given such good suggestions. I just wanted to add that using a humidifier helps me.

[pip]

How are you feeling, AmyBoz?

[Darlene]

Whiskey at bedtime, for medicinal purposes of course. :drunk:
Sorry your feeling poorly Amy, you never do these cold things in a small way. :hope: Hope you feel better soon.