Can't kick this cold!!!

I've had a cold since Thursday. Chest congestion, body aches, runny nose, stopped up nose, sneezing, cough, the whole nine.... I've tried every form of cold medicine there is with absolutely no relief. Been taking Mucinex since this started. Steamy showers, nasal rinse, nothing helps. I can't sleep well because I can't breath through my nose, but it's magically running at the same time so I'm constantly sniffing. I'm going stir crazy! I've spent the last four days on the couch with a box of Kleenex watching TV. If I get up to move around I get incredibly dizzy and winded. Tomorrow I'm scheduled to be at work at 7:30 and unless I literally cannot function I'm going, ! I haven't been to the doctor since I'm sure it's just some sort of virus. No fever and my mucous is still a healthy yellow color (sorry if that's TMI, ). I'm sure the only thing they could offer me was a steroid shot, which I don't do very well with.

So, does anybody have any magic remedies? Helpful hints? Anything? Or just some get better vibes?

Hi, Have you tried large doses of Vit C? We take 1,000mg of Vit C when a cold, flu starts often that will prevent it developing further.

Get better vibes coming your way!

Since Thursday? You're probably about halfway through the course then. No matter what you do, a virus just has to run it's course. It'll take 7-10 days with or without any "remedies".

I don't like that you're getting very winded and dizzy. Do you smoke/used to, or have a history of respiratory problems? (frequent bronchitis or asthma?) You should go to the doctor, especially if you have anything that already comprises your respiratory system. It doesn't take very long for one to get pneumonia - if there's a lot of coughing it could already be bronchitis.

In the meantime you could try an anti-inflammatory (aleve or ibuprofen) because respiratory viruses do cause some inflammation.

Originally Posted by Penstemon

Hi, Have you tried large doses of Vit C? We take 1,000mg of Vit C when a cold, flu starts often that will prevent it developing further.

Click to expand...

Yes! Besides vit C take vit A and D too! Some experts say they are even more important than C. I personally think the three go together as a team!
Hope you feel better soon!
Best Regards!

Oil or Oregano works for me..... knocks 2-4 days off duration of common colds, plus has killed strep on me several times. Love the stuff.

One of my instructors with a fairly weak immune system got me onto it, and since then, at the first sign of impending illness, I take it.

It doesn't seem to work as well if I'm already in full blown virus mode, but it does help prevent things from being worse.

Along with everyone else, I also increase my vit. C, substantially more than what was listed for the first day or two.

So far, knock wood, this has prevented me from getting bronchitis or pneumonia in 2yrs, which prior to, were regular occurances for me. I've had a couple sinus issues over the past winter, but thats bout it for sickies (surprisingly for me as I don't have the strongest immune system).

Anyways, thats what we do here, and it seems to help for both me and my kids

Feel better soon


ETA: Vit C is especially important if you are a smoker, as smoking decreases your vit C ( I didn't know that one till I quit smoking )

My medicine is: Mix equal parts of vinegar and honey. At the very first sign of a cold, ex: scratchy throat, sinus difficulty, start taking by the tablespoon. Take it often during the day. The secret is start early with it. Nine times out of ten, it never develops further. I don't know if it would help you now. But if what you have isn't working, try something else.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

I don't like that you're getting very winded and dizzy. Do you smoke/used to, or have a history of respiratory problems? (frequent bronchitis or asthma?) You should go to the doctor, especially if you have anything that already comprises your respiratory system. It doesn't take very long for one to get pneumonia - if there's a lot of coughing it could already be bronchitis.

Click to expand...

What she said! Seriously you don't want mess around if you're having trouble breathing.

Hope you feel better soon.

Echinacea! Vibes being sent hun, get better soon!

I've had the same thing since earlier last week and went to the Medi-Center on Saturday as I was just SOO much worse.. And come to find out I have Bronchitis and a Sinus Infection and they gave me an Antibiotic for it, and I've continued to take my Nyquil just to get through the symptoms. Last night around 5am I FINALLY started being able to get some sleep since being on the antibiotic since Saturday night, so I think I'm going the right way now.... Now if only I could go back home and go back to bed I'd be happy, but I am just taking it easy at work and not over doing it! (I'm the only employee during this time of the year - owner on vacation in other state, so I have to work!)

Originally Posted by Penstemon

Hi, Have you tried large doses of Vit C? We take 1,000mg of Vit C when a cold, flu starts often that will prevent it developing further.

Click to expand...

I second that! When I start to feel a cold coming on, 1000mg of Vit C usually heads it off at the pass.

Hope you're feeling better today and don't forget your vitamins!

You are not alone. I think whatever is going around is particularly strong this year. It took me two weeks to get over it. I am still a little congested in my chest.

I recommend lots of fluid and rest. Soup with garlic and veg will help some. But it sounds like you are doing all you can. I agree that it will just have to run its course.

Someone at work told me to cut up garlic put into a tissue and stick in each of my ears.... needless to say I didn't try it.

Originally Posted by CatNurse22

my mucous is still a healthy yellow color

Click to expand...

Sorry, but mucous is not supposed to be yellow. It's supposed to be either a light creamy beige colour or clear. Yellow and green indicate infection, which requires antibiotics.

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

Sorry, but mucous is not supposed to be yellow. It's supposed to be either a light creamy beige colour or clear. Yellow and green indicate infection, which requires antibiotics.

Click to expand...

Odd - I always thought it could vary depending the person, if they had allergies, smoked, etc. Mine is always yellow or brown - and there's usually solid brown pieces in the phlegm. (sorry if that was TMI)

It will actually cary but it doesn't mean it's healthy. You must be a smoker, which would be partly what you are coughing up. Tar buildup. It's not good for that to actually be happening. But there are gives and takes with smoking. I know DH loved smoking and how it made him feel but he is feeling MUCH better these days now that he hasn't smoked in 4 years!

Originally Posted by SillyJilly

It will actually cary but it doesn't mean it's healthy. You must be a smoker, which would be partly what you are coughing up. Tar buildup. It's not good for that to actually be happening. But there are gives and takes with smoking. I know DH loved smoking and how it made him feel but he is feeling MUCH better these days now that he hasn't smoked in 4 years!

Click to expand...

If you mean me - no way! I can't even be around smokers or anything scented. I won't even allow candles to be burnt in my home due to the residue they release into the air. I consider smoking a nasty dirty habit and had to watch it slowly kill my grandmother.

All of the stuff I cough up started around age 8 after a really bad infection and bronchitis and just never went away. Due to my respiratory system being compromised somehow - it can take as little as 3-4 days for bronchitis to set in from a virus. Which is why I'm concerned that the OP probably already has it.

Any update CatNurse? Have you went or are you considering going to the doctor?

Maybe you should see a Dr., he will probably give you antibiotics and that usually helps.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Mine is always yellow or brown - and there's usually solid brown pieces in the phlegm. (sorry if that was TMI)

Click to expand...

That's not normal either. However, as the previous poster said, if you smoke, you will tend to cough up tar, hence a brownish tinge, or even brown bits. But if you are a non smoker, coughing up hard bits of brown is not normal. Neither is yellow.

Creamy beige or clear. Yellow, yellow-tinged, greenish, brown and red are definitely not normal.

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

That's not normal either. However, as the previous poster said, if you smoke, you will tend to cough up tar, hence a brownish tinge, or even brown bits. But if you are a non smoker, coughing up hard bits of brown is not normal. Neither is yellow.

Creamy beige or clear. Yellow, yellow-tinged, greenish, brown and red are definitely not normal.

Click to expand...

Colors off "normal" are Normal for many with chronic conditions.... UM they taught this is around Jr high when I went to school ... I have many chronic issues that cause me to have lovely colors...

To the OP ...

Rest , Water ( other non carb, non caffeinated beverages preferably clear) and take OTC pain and cold as needed or directed... I would suggest a dr visit if you are not back to normal in another few days...
I love hot salt water with a touch of honey or hot water with lemon and honey