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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to just not take anything when I'm feeling unwell

47 replies

lexiepix · 28/02/2015 21:24

So I've got an unpleasent cold, I take nothing for it as most of the cold stuff im sure is just placebo shit full of sugar, colours and artificial flavours that long term does god knows what.

Sister is saying I'm making "life hard for myself" by doing this. But she is down the doctors almost every week with her dh or two dd (perfect reason why there should be a small charge). Her dh today went down with a cold to get the doctors to prescribe antibiotics in case he's still feeling unwell on Monday....

Aibu to just refuse lemsip and lockets?

OP posts:

OrinocoTheWomble · 28/02/2015 21:44

Just that surely if you feel rubbish taking something will help. What I've listed above has really helped me, not loads of it, but it helps. No idea if you have children, but you'd give a child Calpol, give yourself something and have a good nights sleep.

Showy I am scared of Sudafed now. That made me very ill and paranoid and I felt absolutely dreadful. I am sure it was Sudafed with a blue label.

MooMaid · 28/02/2015 21:45

I usually take paracetamol and separate sudofed tablets friending on how I'm feeling. Paracetamol to generally help with aches and pains but I don't bother with other cold and flu remedies. Currently pregnant so only vicks and rest in bed when I got a cold a month or two ago. It made me realise how much I miss the ability to just pop a few tablets when I'm at my roughest!

MooMaid · 28/02/2015 21:46

Friending? I'm meant depending, bloody autocorrect

ghostyslovesheep · 28/02/2015 21:47

yes Paracetamol - lowers your temp and eases pain

Ibuprofen eases pain and inflammation

Decongestant - unblocks your nose and dries up snot

these are factual evidence based remedies - I think yabu to say they don't work

entirely up to you not to take them

Original poster

lexiepix · 28/02/2015 21:48

How do I do a nasal flush? Just pour warm water in a side at a time?

I don't even know what sudofed is, is it the stuff used to make ice?

OP posts:

AdoraBell · 28/02/2015 21:48

It depends on what you need To do really.

When my DDs were younger I would take paracetemol To avoid a fever so I could still look after them, DH was working abroad and then travelling extensiley.

Now they are 13 and it's still summer holiday I've Spent the last four days letting my fever deal with the cold that has turned into a chest infección, it's clearing up and the DDs have survived feeding themselves. Now I'll use paracetemol for the pain if I need it.

I also avoid the nasty tasting cold remedies in favour of the Lemon and honey/ginger as mentioned above.

Smartleatherbag · 28/02/2015 21:50

If you don't want to take anything, don't. I do. It makes me more comfortable while my body fights the virus. It's no big deal either way, but don't go on about it, it's annoying and dull.

GuiltyAsAGirlCanBe · 28/02/2015 21:51

Paracetamol is best for a cold. Nota great painkiller , but clinically proven to relieve the general crap felling you get. Also some evidence it may also shorten the duration.

Ibuprofen is not so great, as it's anti- inflammatory properties may make the immune system less effective.

Buy yourself a 19p box of paracetamol from the supermarket and don't be a martyr!

OrinocoTheWomble · 28/02/2015 21:52

I always find when I am feeling ill, a really good massage helps. Can you ask your DH/DP/a friend to massage all around your shoulders/neck/back. That helps relieve congestion - especially if you don't want to take stuff.

Sirzy · 28/02/2015 21:57

I don't take anything generally but I am also not going to suffer when a couple of Paracetamol will take the worst of it away.

People who are martyrs to the illness (not saying you are) are just as frustrating as those who think they need to visit the GP for every sneeze.

soontobemumofthree · 28/02/2015 21:59

No YANBU I drink more hot drinks and have a fairly low threshold for taking 1 or 2 paracetamol but you don't have to take anything or do anything.

AdoraBell · 28/02/2015 22:01

I used Sudafed once. On the box it said "may cause drowsiness" in my case it should have said "will render user unconsocious".

DH uses it a lot when he can Get it. Not sold here so he stocks up when he can.

SurlyCue · 28/02/2015 22:10

How do I do a nasal flush? Just pour warm water in a side at a time

I boiled the kettle and let it cool to luke warm. Added salt. Stir and put it into a bottle with a sports top. You know that you can squirt with? Then tip my head to the side over bathroom basin and gently squirt up one nostril til it is coming out the other one (some gunk might come out-this is good) then i swap over and do the other side. Once im done give my nose a good blow to clear out all the crap. It can be a bit uncomfortable as the water will go down your throat too but its bearable and worth it. Do several times a day. The effect it had on my sinusitis was amazing. Such relief!

SurlyCue · 28/02/2015 22:12

Oh and a hot HOT (as hot as you can bear) flannel on your forehead/cheeks and massage to get the gunk moving really helps too.

DutyFruity · 28/02/2015 22:13

My cold remedy is berocca, lots of water, hot steam (towel over bathroom hand basin) and paracetamol if needed.

I've never seen any benefit from lemsip etc so don't bother with them.

RJnomore · 28/02/2015 22:16

I very rarely take anything. The exception is lemsip max if I have a really bad cold or virus. It's paracetamol and soothing hot drink.

Lockets, cough bottles etc - waste of money.

The only time I've had antibiotics in the last 15 years was genuinely life threatening.

I don't expect a medal though.

Showy · 28/02/2015 22:20

Orinoco, yes to blue label Sudafed. Oh lordy. I felt so bloody anxious and wound up on it. It was the oddest thing.

I have done the sinus wash thing and it is fabulous but due to a very overactive gag reflex, I hate doing it.

Nationaltrusthandbook · 28/02/2015 22:22

We used to rave all night on Sudafed back in the day ha ha!

daughterofliz · 28/02/2015 23:10

I don't take anything for a cold either. I don't normally feel ill when I have a cold, the main symptom is a runny nose, and I'm not convinced taking something to dry it up is really good for you.

maddening · 01/03/2015 00:21

I don't give a shit what anyone takes but it's fucking irritating it when the chap at work is moaning about his headache or cold (and is particularly narchy and unpleasant with a headache) but doesn't like taking anything and constantly whines about feeling ill - fine don't take anything but stfu about it then! He invariably gives in about 3pm and then mithers people for spare painkillers etc

lertgush · 01/03/2015 00:22

I remember a child-free jobless friend telling me the best cure for most illnesses was to go to bed, not to take medications.

Oh how I laughed.

meandjulio · 01/03/2015 00:27

a) I wouldn't diss the placebo effect.

b) Nothing wrong with plain paracetamol at 16p a packet if you don't like Lemsip - I hate it myself. For me, Nurofen Cold and Flu is like a miracle cure - why wouldn't I take it?

c) If you have to function, you might as well function at something like a normal level, if taking a pill will get you there. It's bloody hard to function at anything like normal level if you are ill, even if you think you are doing as well as ever.

d) If you don't have to function, by all means just go to bed and sleep it off if you can. That's obviously the best option if it's available.

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