Gothamist: Coldblooded

Palaverist

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 07:37:02 -0500

Has anyone else this year been hit by the cold of doom? My wife and I, along with several people we know, have suffered from extended colds that mutated into bouts of severe nausea and vomiting, followed by secondary infections that required antibiotics. This is by far the worst cold cycle either of us has experienced in years. As for treatments, my doctor laughed at the idea that phenylephrine is back on the market, calling it largely useless. If you want real decongestant (pseudephedrine), you typically have to beg at the pharmacy counter and sign a register, which is a useless precaution to prevent people from making meth. For sleeping at night, a good alternative is guaifenesin, which thins mucus without the strong upper effect. I'm also a fan of Breathe Right strips, which help to hold nasal passages open. And for me, in the end, it was good ol' azithromycin that finally killed the beast inside my head. It may have started as a virus, but the bacteria muscled in and took over at some point.

sogalitno

Sun, 14 Jan 2007 23:29:55 -0500

Here is a good drink: a good size chunk of GINGER Root lemons honey Slice a good bit of the Ginger Root and put into a heavy pot. Take one lemon and cut in half - use either one half cut up or all of the lemon cut in quarters. Put Lemon in pot. Add water to cover with about 2-3 inches over. Bring to a boil and then simmer until the liquid is half the original amount. Put honey in the bottom of a mug and ladle the ginger-lemon broth into the mug. Drink when still warm but not burning hot. Repeat as needed. Can refrigerate the broth - but strain it first.

Jen

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 16:18:13 -0500

What I do during this season to keep colds/flu away and also to get over it is the same. I drink an Emergen-C every morning and try to eat a clove of raw garlic in my food. I use a press and squeeze it into my soup, salad, pasta, whatever - it helps to clear you up temporarily and it just really helps your immune system. I keep pretty well hydrated normally but more hot teas while sick.

Mé

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 15:57:10 -0500

Tried and true Echinacea-Golden seal complex, Acidophilus, Emergen-c, an essential greens capsule regime, elderberry, Coldcalm, lots of tea (immunity or otherwise), lots of water, sleep like crazy! And eat lots of noodle soup (as a vegetarian, I skip the chicken). This never fails me, and I always recover quickly.

Anon

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 15:29:30 -0500

i second the cold-eeze and swear by zinc, especially zicam.

edEx

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 14:20:51 -0500

cold-eeze works well at the onset of a cold.

Kapil

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 14:10:51 -0500

Thanks for the tip, Amanda. Although skin blisters may detract from your cold symptoms, they're not the desired outcome. Will fix the post.

amanda

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 13:56:04 -0500

Uh, I've always been told that hanging your head over a BOILING POT OF WATER will give you steam burns! Boil the water, turn off the heat, take it off the burner, and put your towel-covered head over the pot. Works wonders without all that nasty blistering.

Herbert Kornfeld

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 13:45:20 -0500

Tylenol and Gatorade aand sleep work for me. But water aspirin and sleep are also recomended. I rode out the last cold without the cold medecine and I think I was better for it. Chicken Soup is also a great comfort