Feel-better remedies for colds?

[Bettacreek]

I have been coughing and hacking like a crazed hyena for the past few days. I feel like I've been stampeded by 2,000 head of cattle (twice) and then had the rancher stuff my sinuses with 30 gallons of yuck. My throat is itchy, and is sore (in a weird way it almost feels bruised, not like the usual sore from coughing so much), plus my lips are sore from being dried out from breathing through my mouth. I've been taking Mucous relief, cough syrup, tylenol, phenol (sore throat spray) and my inhaler, as well as getting a HOT shower about every 2-3 hours. I tried drinking hot tea, but it made me sick, lol. When I sleep, my sinuses will all drain to one side, so I'm clogged in one side and then the other side will be dry and hurt like heck. I haven't really been able to eat too much lately, if not for the fact that I can't chew because I can't breathe with my mouth closed, then because it makes me sick. I CAN drink lots of chocolate drink, nibble on microwave pizza, drink minor amounts of cool water and larger amounts of warm water, without turning my stomach or suffocating. So... any ideas on how to make myself just a tad less miserable? It would be much appreciated, lol.

 

[arabookworm]

peppermint tea helps. if you can't drink it just breath in the vapor that comes off of it. it'll help clear out your sinuses.

and btw, I feel your pain. I have basically the same thing going on right now.

 

[Silkie's Grandma]

U might want to avoid the Chocolate milk. Generally dairy products agravate a upset stomach & encourage mucous. (espically chocolate)

 

[kbarrett]

Sorry to hear you're under the weather. It's been a rough season for us around here, DS is in kindergarten and I feel like bathing him in lysol when he gets home. The hot showers you're taking are a favorite for me, helps me breathe and feels good on hurting muscles. For sore throats I like to mix salt in warm water and gargle, it tastes gross but does give relief and helps to heal. For the drainage issuses I like to confiscate most of the pillows and prop myself almost in sitting position up to sleep, I seem to cough alot less when I sleep that way.

 

[Bettacreek]

I have to admit, it's not chocolate milk. It's like yoohoo, but Weis brand. It's called "I like chocolate" and is a water based chocolate flavored drink, that's not at all healthy for you.

I have tried relaxing on the couch (using the arm rests) and it does seem to help, but I keep getting antsy. I'm sore and can't seem to settle down. I think my body is rebelling from sleeping forever and a half with a fever, lol. Salt water can't possibly taste as bad as the cough syrup that I've been choking down, so I'll have to try it.
Peppermint tea sounds amazing, shame I don't have my own plants up to harvest.

I'll have to see if Walmart has some pure peppermint tea.

 

[cristy17]

Lots of orange juice

 

[rooster0209]

I feel for you. I am just coming out of that same exact stuff. I know you are just miserable. I still have the sore throat, bit of a cough and runny nose....but I can breathe!

I exceded the daily amout of benedryl just so I could have a few moments of normal breathing. I had so much Vicks rubbed on my throat, chest and nose that DH said he almost got nautious from all the 'fumes'. Nyquil barely worked. I drank so much ice tea, orange juice & hot choc that I was in the bathroom constantly. I kept halls cough drops or vit c drops in my mouth while I slept. Its tricky to do but I haven't choked...yet. The vapors helped me breathe so I could get a bit of sleep.

Good luck and I hope you get to feeling better soon

 

[Bettacreek]

Lol. I fixed my sore throat. Granted, I can't feel my mouth or my throat at all, lol. I was checking to make sure that I didn't have any peppermint or even spearmint tea or SOMETHING similar. I found my clove and spearmint oils (couldn't find the peppermint). I figured, hey, I can make tea with this stuff, so can't be any different if I just put a tiny drop of each into some super hot water, stir like crazy and slug it down before it seperates. A burning mouth and throat for a few seconds, and now a numb tongue, lips and throat later, I now know that it doesn't quite work the same in water from the tap, lol. Oh well, for the moment, my throat is cured.

 

[cat]

whisky.... more whisky....honey, lemon, hot water with a splash of... you guessed it, whisky!

It may not heal you, but the time will pass quicker in an alcoholic haze and you just won't give a dang about the pain

hugs from across the pond

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Heat honey up in the microwave an mix it in to some bourbon an drink it. Also get a donut pillow to sleep face down in.