I hate being sick

[citrinesunset]

I've been sick with this ridiculous cough/sore throat/laryngitis/congestion horror since Sunday, and it feels like it's taking forever to get over it. I'll feel like I might be getting better, but then it's a very two steps forward, one step back sort of getting better.

Things I have tried to mitigate my symptoms so I can function:

* Advil Cold and Sinus (possibly effective. It helps with headaches. Might have helped the sore throat when it was really bad).

* Vicks VapoRub (no real effect, except for irritating my skin and being very hard to wash off).

* Swallowing some honey (did it help? No idea. Tasted good, though).

* Hot tea with honey in it (this may have been helpful).

* Cough drops (Meh? I think I might be coughing too much to be able to suck on anything).

I really don't know what to expect come Saturday, which is when I'm next supposed to work. I'm actually expecting that the cough and whatnot will be manageable by then. But I'm concerned about the laryngitis. Holy shit, I feel like I can barely talk. I haven't had laryngitis since I was eight. I think I hate not being able to talk worst of all -- it makes me feel helpless and very annoyed. And I know this cough hasn't helped anything.

All this has put a damper on my last week of classes, too. I'd hoped to be able to actually make the most of the time, since some of my classes have had great discussions. Very little participation from me this week, though. I couldn't even thank my professors even, which I really like to do.

Comments

[badly_knitted]

Try steam inhaling with eucalyptus oil or vick's vapour rub - does help with laryngitis, but you need to do it three or four times a day, for maybe 10 mins at a time, if you can manage it.

Also, last time I had laryngitis, the doc prescribed an over-the-counter hayfever tablet, and it actually worked! Worth a try, possibly. I'd been voiceless for 6 weeks at that point.

[citrinesunset]

I got the eucalyptus oil tip from someone else, too. I may have to try that. I don't think I ever have before. Thanks for the advice.

I'm on day six right now, so I guess I'm still within a reasonable time frame for a cold. It feels like it's taking forever, though, I think because I really only had severe symptoms for one day. Ever since then it's been milder, but about the same.

[badly_knitted]

Hope you get rid of it soon - voicelessness ia a nightmare!

[verasteine.livejournal.com]

In case you want to try more stuff... easiest way to clear up congestion: boil hot water and add a few drops of eucalyptus oil. Pour into a bowl and hover over it with a towel over your head for about 15-30 mins.

Also, what works for me is 1000 mgs paracetamol/acetominophen and 1000mgs vitamin C taken together before bed. Helps me sleep and makes me feel more capable to face the next day. I then also take 1000mgs vitamin C in the morning, but you should really only do that if you don't take any other meds.

Also, so sorry to hear this! Nothing is more annoying than flu/colds, I am a terrible patient of them, too.

[citrinesunset.livejournal.com]

Thanks the tips and well wishes! I'll keep that in mind, especially about the vitamin C. I have been making sure to take my regular multivitamin.

I've been using an ibuprofen/pseudophedrine combo because that's what helps really well with my allergies and I have it on hand, but I don't think the pseudophedrine is that effective when I have a cold. I just noticed I do actually have some cough syrup on hand. I probably should have given that a try a couple days ago. I don't know if it's as necessary now.

It seems like the older I get, the worse patient I am. :P Right now I'm just especially cranky since I can't talk much. I get easily annoyed by that, especially when other people try to talk to me and I can't converse properly.

[verasteine.livejournal.com]

I always recommend to customers high doses of vitamin C, multivitamins, OTC painkillers, eucalyptus oil and aloe nasal spray. But you know, my job is to sell stuff :).

Pseudoephedrine? That's a banned substance over here, but I'm pretty sure you need to double check the contents of your cough syrup before you take those two together. Professional habit, sorry. In any case, anything that helps lubricate the throat tends to be good, so honey drops or licorice often work. Anything stronger, you'd have to worry about your meds interfering.

I hear you. I'm a terrible, terrible patient; people hate to be around me. When I can't breathe well, it drives me bonkers and I'm allergic to xylometazoline, so I can't take conventional nasal sprays. I always suffer terribly. *hugs* Hang in there.

[citrinesunset.livejournal.com]

Pseudoephedrine is regulated here, which means I have to get it from the pharmacy counter and show them my ID and whatnot in order to get it. It's the only decongestant that seems to work for me, and it's good for my allergies, but I try not to use it much because it can be kind of strong and make me lightheaded if I take it on an empty stomach. And yeah, I don't want to mix it with cough syrup since that also has a decongestant in it. I don't like taking stuff together, anyway. But I wasn't congested until yesterday. Up until then, it'd just been a cough, so the cough syrup might have been a better bet. Maybe I'll try it tomorrow depending on how I'm feeling.

I like non-pharmaceutical cold remedies, though. I'm weird about medications, so I like your vitamin C and eucalyptus oil ideas. I'm not a big natural remedy person, but with something like a cold, most of the aim is to build up your strength and make yourself comfortable. So I think vitamins and whatnot are totally helpful.

(By the way, between final exams and being sick, I've only just noticed that you posted your H50 AU fic! I'm totally reading it and liking it so far. :) I was going to wait till I finish it to leave a comment on the fic, but I thought I'd let you know I'd seen it.)

[verasteine.livejournal.com]

Hey, as long as you're looking out for it. People so often combine things they think are harmless which actually... aren't.

We sell 90% natural stuff, so I can tell you all about the natural options! Colds, yeah, if you throw too many chemicals at them, next time they're just worse. What I do find works for me when it comes to throat ache, btw, is mild chicken broth, because of the salt content. And now I'll stop giving you unsollicited advice ;).

(Yay! It's the stripper one with the consent stuff I told you about. Glad you like!)

[citrinesunset.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I hear you. I bet that does happen a lot. I've just always been borderline paranoid about that type of stuff.

Advice is certainly welcome. I trust your advice more than the sometimes random stuff I think of. So thank you. :)

(And yes, I was looking forward to seeing that fic.)