With everything that is going around

[MarissaNicole]

I thought I would perhaps start a thread for people's recommendations on things to stay well or recovery quickly....

I had managed to stay illness free the last two/three weeks when my entire office seemed to have a whole plethora of colds/flus until Friday... now I don't know what I have (headache, dizziness, tiredness) but it doesn't seem to be improving....

I have to go to the pharmacy to pick up my prescriptions... anyone have any recommendations on things to buy? (There are so many things out there and I am such a sucker I can't tell the difference between what works and what is placebo). What works for you? Anything worth trying? (I'm talking medicines/teas/herbs/supplements etc.)

[poky]

For viruses, you're just treating symptoms, so just do whatever makes you feel better. Depending on my symptoms, I use a combination of decongestants, pain relievers, antihistimines, cough drops, cough syrups, etc., etc. Try not to take too much of the same ingredient/family of ingredients (ie never take more than one med at once without checking that they don't both have decongestants, the same pain reliever, etc.) What we keep on hand for colds/flu/alergies:

menthol cough drops
ludens wild cherry drops
vitamin c cough drops
dimeatapp syrup
nyquil gelcaps with real sudafed
dayquil gelcaps with real sudafed
benedryl
claratin
mucinex
regular (real) sudafed
vicks vaporub/vapocream/inhaler/vaporstrips/vaposteam (for humidifier)
nasal spray
various painrelievers
emergen-c drink mix

Obviously, I believe in being prepared and not having to go out to the store while sick, and in treating symptoms aggressively so I'm not quite as miserable when I'm sick.

I think it was mentioned in another thread, if my throat is *really* sore, I'll gargle warm salt water and/or drink hot lemonade; that seems to help a lot.

Sorry you're feeling icky; I hope you get better soon!

[DCJenn]

Well, when I was struck down by the flu in January, I was so sick that I actually tried my grandmother's cure of equal parts bourbon, honey and lemon juice. (warmed a bit)

Nasty but it helped. or at least it knocked me out enough that I didn't really care that I felt like crap.

Jenn

[scrub-jay]

Well, when I was struck down by the flu in January, I was so sick that I actually tried my grandmother's cure of equal parts bourbon, honey and lemon juice. (warmed a bit)

Nasty but it helped. or at least it knocked me out enough that I didn't really care that I felt like crap.

Jenn

Isn't that what they call a "hot toddy"(at least that is what my grandmother used to call it)? I agree with Jenn, the primary purpose is to knock you out, secondary is to soothe the throat a bit.

I hope you feel better soon.

[bokelley]

Those are the exact same symptoms that I had. I never got the whole flu like thing, but the tiredness and neck pain was horrible.

[Deebs]

When I'm not pregnant - acetaminophen, ibuprofen, fluids, and rest. There really isn't much to do. Just be careful with the supplements - some contain vitamins, etc that are in amounts that can be toxic (remember, supplements aren't regulated). And, I whine a lot. Don't know if it helps, but DH does it, and he's a dawkter - must be worth something!

[Vanquisher]

Cold medicines don't work for me. Seriously, it's like taking sugar pills. Remember the gold old days when PPA was on the market? That drug actually worked for me.

I am on day 8 of being sick. It sucks. I hope it goes away soooooooon.

[Meenah]

My Dad (a Pharmacist) used to dissolve peppermint in bourbon for us!!!! No wonder all of my siblings and I like our vino!

[SoonerTexan]

Well, when I was struck down by the flu in January, I was so sick that I actually tried my grandmother's cure of equal parts bourbon, honey and lemon juice. (warmed a bit)

My great-grandmother used to make us something similar for coughs with orange juice instead of the bourbon. I always thought it helped.

I've been taking Vitamin C like crazy, but that's about it

[SuzySunshine]

I don't like to take things - I think they make me feel worse, so I drink LOTS and LOTS of water.

[BonBon]

I'm with Deebs - acetaminophen *and* ibuprofen, alternating every few hours, fluids and rest. LOTS of rest.

JENN! I wish you had posted your grandma's cure-all a few weeks ago. I bet that would have worked wonders before bed. I relied on vicodin.

Sorry to anyone who has the flu - it so completely sucks.

[MrsC]

I'm on day 10 of a horrible cold. Sudafed 24 hour extended release tablets have allowed me to work since I can't take time off. With Sudafed, make sure they have Pseudoephedrine in them.

Halls Plus are great because they have more menthol than the usual Halls.

And last but no least, hot whiskey.

- Measure of whiskey (preferably Irish )
- Lemon slice
- 2+ teaspoons of sugar (superfine suger melts quicker)
- 3 cloves

Pour the whiskey into a mug or strong glass. Add very hot water and sugar to taste. Add cloves and lemon slice or a squirt of lemon juice.
It's hot and strong and will certainly help you sleep. It's said to help you "sweat it out". Take before bedtime.

[DCJenn]

Oh, Mrs. C, I'm all about the clove addition.

Yum.

Oh, Mrs. C, I'm all about the clove addition.

Yum.

My MIL swore by this too!

S is sick, sent home from the hospital too (it sounds funny saying that because that's usually where the sick people go!). I hope he can kick it soon... I am there in 5 days!

[HouseofWool]

I will third? forth? the hot whiskey/bourbon/brandy with something sweet in it. I remember having a throat so sore once that this was my only remedy - tylenol/advil did nothing. Needless to say, I had to call in sick to work.