help needed

[emmie]

have fallen down to the dreaded cold/flu, not sure which it is yet,
but need some recommendations firstly to get rid of the wretched cough, or at
least damp it down so i might sleep for a few hours at night, and ease it in the day. so far tried paracetamol/lemon, as that is all that is in the house, but not helping much, and as i have had this before, the last time went on for 5 long weeks, don't fancy this again.

[jd_here]

If it's flu then you'll be laid up in bed for quite a while. If it's a heavy cold with fever then tuck yourself up in bed with Beechams Hot Lemon and a hot water bottle. Hope you're soon better

[alid5]

Theres alot going about, drink plenty of fluids,whether it be lemon drinks, tea water etc, keeping your throat moist, esp having a bottle of water beside your bed to sip during night when you start coughing, rum hot toddy works wonders too. Hope this helps

[emmie]

thank you, couldn't handle any alcohol, and was hoping that something bought at chemists might at least ease the coughing, It usually takes it's time to get to the flu, so at the minute it's a heavy cold. Mucus is heavy and very unpleasant as per usual, that's what is making me cough cough trying to clear it. Been here before endless times, and trying to limit the damage or time spent like this, poleaxed.

[daffy654]

If the coughing is really affecting your sleep then try sleeping propped up, also use a steamer (bowl with towel method or steamer cup from chemist) before bed.
If you Google 'effective coughing technique' you will find instructions by respiratory medicine experts on how to cough 'properly'.

[jno]

sounds like a cold, at least at the moment. I used to get terrible ones, having to sleep in a chair for a night or two and coughing for a full month afterward. Then I started getting flu jabs every year and I've barely had a cold since. I don't know why, as they're not supposed to deal with colds, but there it is. You could try it one year.

[Carakeel]

If you go to the pharmacist, they will give you a cough linktus that has a small amount of codein in it, which supresses the cough. If that doesn't do the trick you need to phone your GP, who might give you something stronger or suggest something else. I have just had this with my mum and have only a few minutes ago phoned the doctor. She had been taking a Boots cough syrup that had a small amount of codein in it which helped a bit but the cough has come back. I am just about to pick up a prescription for a stronger one with a higher dose codein. Lots of hot lemon and honey is always good too. Hope you feel better very soon!

[emmie]

thank you, had to struggle out of the pit and bought some covonia, not sure it will help, but will try whatever, and if all else fails, which it has in the past, then doctor it is. This is no fun at all, and have had to cancel a number of appointments today which is a blessed nuisance.

[TheOtherHalf]

Good home made cough mixture

1 tbs glycerine and 1 tbs cider venegar and 1 tbs of fresh lemon juice. Add 2 tbs of honey. Mix with a little hot water and then top up with hot water. Add extra honey or lemon as preferred. This usually makes about 2 cupfuls of drink. Best hot, but can be put cold into bottle to keep for sipping throuh the night. Its really worked for me and a number of people Ive passed the recipe onto. Good health

[emmie]

thank you, won't be going out again till feel considerably better, so could be stuck here for a time

[237SJ]

If the mucus is on your chest and the cough sounds wet, make sure your linctus is an expectorant and not a supressant. You need to cough up everything, not keep it in. Paracetamol will help if you have a temperature or aches but if there`s no pain, you don`t really need it. It sounds like a cold, not flu (two different viruses). Steam inhalations will help. I find if I have a cold, I`m much better outdoors so a walk or two won`t hurt (when you feel up to it). Central heating can dry the air at this time of year and make coughing worse.

[HowardKennitby]

If a heavy cold stops me sleeping I use Night Nurse and find it usually helps.

[emmie]

237sj it is, and this is usual, winter's here, and i often get it, but trying not to let it last as long, hence the need for something that calms things down.
plus i have lost part of my hearing, i already have tinnitus, and this has caused the left ear to shut off, so every thing is muffled, so all in all it's a pain.

[islasmum]

You poor thing, Em - I've nothing to add apart from suggesting Night Nurse, which has helped me in the past - hope that you feel better very soon.

[tonywiltshire]

Hope you soon recover em; your discomfort is our advantage, if you go out you will not be able to comment.

In my office we have two people who come to work saying had the flu yesterday but okay today, to my mind they do not know what influenza is. Hope you only have a cold em, stay in.

[Euphemia]

Keep cosy and get better soon, Em.

[naomi24]

Em, Olbas Oil is excellent. I would throughly recommend it.

http://www.olbas.co.uk/about-olbas.ashx

I hope you feel better soon. x

[Rodge2]

Garlic capsules every few hours.

[Psybbo]

Oh dear em, that sounds awful. I know you say you can't face alcohol but a weak hot whiskey with honey and lemon mght help.
I hope you feel better soon x

[tonywiltshire]

But Rodge Garlic capsules make your breath smell.

[smurfchops]

You poor thing. Too late for echinacea, which I take before it gets bad, it sometimes helps at the first sign of trouble. Night Nurse tablet with plenty of water for coughs in the night, also fresh lemon and spoonful of honey during the evening for coughs, you could put a little brandy or whiskey in it ... paracetamol two or three times during the day. That cough is a bugger ..