I am tho thick....I need to hear your home remedies for the flu

**PrairieRose** · 02-07-2008, 09:00 AM

started feeling really rough night before last but had youngest dd coming home so we could run an errand. My dad had lent her his car as a loaner for when her car was acting up. We had taken it to her (3 hours away) and left it. Well she now has a new car, so no need for the loaner. We had worked out on her day off (she works nights at a hospital) to come home, spend a night, get me, drive the 3 hours to her house, spend a night, sorta make a girls weekend (only during the middle of the week, since she works weekends) out of it. Do something fun, you know. Anyway, I started feeling like crud

the night after she was more than half way home. So I thought 'aw it will pass'. My head hurt, my ears hurt, my throat hurt, my head started stopping up and then my nose would run, I had bodyaches and a fever.

Anyway, I loaded up on the vit. c, garlic, started taking a spoonful of honey 2-3 times a day, taking tylenol or aspirin, sinus stuff for my head. I'm having trouble sleeping b/c of a stuffy head, but the good news is that it's all in my head not in my chest although I do cough a little it's from drainage not my lungs. Ssssoooo, I'm taking garlic 2 times per day, honey 2 times per day (really does kick the sore throat!), aspirin or tylenol, and drixoral for sinus stuff. Anyone have any good home remedies to share that might be more helpful than these things? I really don't want to go to the dr. if I can keep from it at all...but with the weekend coming up I don't want to wait and have to go to the ER either. Any suggestions?

**northernmom2boys** · 02-07-2008, 09:14 AM

I have no magic remedy but I hope you feel better soon.My whole family has gone theough it,dh and I are still coughing and it has been two weeks now
Just seems to drag on and on
feel better

**luv-my-lexi** · 02-07-2008, 09:39 AM

Sorry you are feeling so miserable PrairieRose

My dd and dh have the flu right now also. I took my dd to the Dr. and she was prescribed Tamiflu and a strong cough syrup (which the Dr. said would also make her sleep well- and she did last night). She also prescribed my husband Tamiflu, strong cough syrup and and 800 mg Ibuprofen (which would be 4 - of the normal 200mg tablets). They also gave me a prescription of Tamiflu to try to keep me from getting it. If you are not feeling any better I would definitely get to the Dr. before you end up in the emergency room this weekend.

Get well soon.

**Michelle** · 02-07-2008, 10:33 AM

I'm sorry you're feeling so poorly.

As far as the doctor's vs the ER goes--if you think you may need the ER over the weekend, you should go to the Dr. today or tomorrow. If for no other reason than to save money--I'm sure the ER visit would be more costly than seeing your Dr.

I hope you feel better soon

**PrairieRose** · 02-07-2008, 02:14 PM

I'm actually feeling better this afternoon than I did during the night and early morning. I think my fever finally broke and the honey is taking care of the sore throat (in fact it's not even an iota sore anymore). I'm still loading up on Vitamin C and drinking lots of water. I even had some oreos and milk for lunch for good measure.....(really GReat for my diet). N-E way.........

I do feel better. Thanks for the concern.

**staceyy** · 02-07-2008, 02:26 PM

We also take garlic. For stomach viruses and food poisoning we take 2 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.

**Edna_E** · 02-08-2008, 12:19 AM

I'm glad you're better. My favorite helper for a sore throat of any kind is hot lemonade (you know, like mix the concentrate with water, pour a mug, and nuke it for a minute)! Works well on - oh phooo! I just lost the word for when you can't talk, but whatever it's called, hot lemonade helps it.

**Its_Donna** · 02-08-2008, 05:01 AM

For a sore throat I always use honey in hot tea and/or drink pineapple juice.

For obnoxious coughing 9 esp. at nite rub your feet down with Vicks Vapor Rub and put on socks - it helps ease the coughing so you can rest.

Maybe old-fashioned wives tales but they seem to work for us.

**Daisygirl** · 02-08-2008, 05:24 AM

I'm going to sound like a hick, but a hot toddy made with Jack Daniels, hot lemonade and honey will make you feel like a new woman. You will sleep like a baby and it will help with the congestion.

For some reason, and it makes no scientific sense whatsoever, if you rub Vicks on the bottoms of your feet and put some socks on, this will help your congestion. I swear it works despite the fact it sounds nutty.

I am so sorry you are sick - we have all had some nasty flus here this year too. Feel better soon.

**PrairieRose** · 02-08-2008, 07:20 AM

Omgosh, I got up feeling like something the cat dragged in this morning. My head is throbbing and I'm coughing a bit. I didn't take any sinus meds at bedtime last night, thought that part was a lot better. Anyway I'm drinking some hot coffee right now and have had some sinus meds and tylenol. Gonna have some oj, honey and garlic soon too and go back to bed. I'm gonna get Gripey to get me some lemonade to make a hot toddy with and I'm about to slather the Vicks on my feet and put on socks. Thanks for the suggestions girls.

**Darlene** · 02-08-2008, 07:35 AM

Take Care Lisa & hope you are feeling better soon. That hot toddy sounds good.

**chewawalove** · 02-08-2008, 08:20 AM

Sorry you're feeling bad again.

I second several of the hints above, but also want to add a couple.

Although many people can't stand the idea, a sinus rinse can do wonders. It is a little yuck, but can give a lot of relief. Also taking Mucinex (or store brand) will help get rid of the congestion. The guiafenisin (sp?) thins the mucus, making it much easier to get rid of it. I take pretty much a double dose at my worst. I'm not exactly advising that to anyone, but the Rx dose of guiafenisin is a lot stronger than the Otc dose. I felt safe enough with a dose within those guidelines and haven't had any ill effect so far.

Good luck...hope you feel better!!