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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what you do when you start getting a cold?

63 replies

loveyouradvice · 22/02/2018 07:23

Just that really .... I can feel it coming, "tight nose", phlegm building up....

Is there anything I can do? Or just let it run its course?

Ideas so far from DH and me so far:

  • lots of Vit C
  • bit of extra sleep
  • don't go to the gym...

Love not to have a humdinger - what do you do?

OP posts:
janinlondon · 22/02/2018 08:32

First defence. Your body just eliminates excess vitamin C in urine.

ChalkItDown · 22/02/2018 08:42

Half a bottle of wine and the hottest curry I can manage (loaded with garlic, chilli and ginger).

I figured it out when I went through a phase of not wanting to go to work so if I felt a bit off I’d indulge assuming I’d be having the next day off.

I was always right as rain in the morning. to my utter disgust

Only time my colds ever developed since I started doing this is when I was pregnant and couldn’t drink.

PeerieBreeks · 22/02/2018 08:45

Vicks First defence
Elderberry syrup (pukka, sambucol or neals yard)
Infra red sauna

And diffusing neals yard organic defence essential oil blend as soon as anyone had the signs of a cold

ginghamstarfish · 22/02/2018 09:00

Used to live abroad - their solution was to make a drink of hot lemon and mint, drink it and get into bed with all the quilts and blankets you have and sweat it out. It always seemed to work!

9GreenBottles · 22/02/2018 09:02

Echinacea fizzy tablets in water. Use them for a couple of days.

Original poster
loveyouradvice · 22/02/2018 09:34

Oh wow... does First Defence really work AFTER you've started getting a cold? IF so, going to go for it....

Also rather love the vampiric raw garlic... will give that a go

And lots of Vit C which is all Ive ever done - and fancy having NightNurse for tonight and getting some great sleep!

OP posts:
EverythingIsAwwwwsome · 22/02/2018 09:42

Yes the earlier you take it the better. Go get some!

FuckyNellYaBastad · 22/02/2018 09:48

First defence works I think 36 hours after symptoms appear? It is brilliant - that and 15-20 drops of echinacea tincture a few times a day in a teeny bit of water.

My dd is 21 now and I’ve been using it since she was 4 - I can’t remember who advised me but it has been excellent. Apparently though these days you can’t give it to under 14s!! What a load of tosh Grin

FuckyNellYaBastad · 22/02/2018 09:50

In fact echinacea in this house is called ‘drops’ Smile

Bobbiepin · 22/02/2018 09:51

Don't skip the gym unless you're dying. You might be able to sweat some of it out. But otherwise, tissues, orange juice (or kiwis) and big girl pants.

LemonysSnicket · 22/02/2018 09:52

Gargle with salt water and rinse my nose with it too. Drink hot orange juice and buy paracetamol. Book a doctors appt for in a few days in case it turns into tonsilitis.

Original poster
loveyouradvice · 22/02/2018 13:35

Fab guys thank you - bunged up to the eyeballs with raw garlic, Vit C and First Defence.... fingers crossed!

OP posts:
drumandthebass · 22/02/2018 19:12

Double dose of berocca and hot water with honey, lemon and fresh ginger - swear by it !

MadisonMontgomery · 22/02/2018 19:19

First Defence, loads of vitamin c, hot bath and an early night with a hot water bottle. Also I put vicks on my feet and then socks, my nana swore by it (although logically I know there is no scientific basis!)

I work in a GP practice and get no end of patients coughing all over me, and this works every time to fend the germs off.

gingerbap40 · 17/11/2018 21:44

Apparently nowadays you have to persuade a pharmacist to give night nurse to you. I get the flu jab from my gp now though . You can get it at boots for £12. A pharmacist would not give night nurse to me now because I am on medicine for mental health problems which would interact with it . Last time I took it I fell asleep almost instantly for 3 hours which I was happy with.

BillywigSting · 17/11/2018 21:48

I eat a couple of spoonfuls of honey, drink a bit more water, get a lot more sleep and stock up on cold and flu tablets

Howhot · 17/11/2018 21:53

Am I the only one who just gets on with it? I have to admit I find it surprising anything works once it's started and it's not just a coincidence? The worst of a cold only lasts a couple of days for me anyway.

PickAChew · 17/11/2018 21:56

The flu jab won't protect you against the common cold. It's a different virus.

Twofurrycats · 17/11/2018 22:01

I love first defence. Slightest itch of throat or nose and I'm squirting up my nose. Seems to either stop colds dead or shorten them loads. Otherwise beechams lemon and honey powders or whisky, hot water, lemon and honey. Not at the same time .

Nutkins24 · 17/11/2018 22:02

I take a vit c and echinacea tincture. I’m sure it’s totally psychological but it nearly always wards it off!

TheSmallAssassin · 17/11/2018 22:04

First Defence has worked brilliantly for me whenever I have started taking it at the very first "ooh, my nose/throat feels a bit funny" signs. Just had a cold last week that came on full blown seemingly overnight and it didn't help (though I only took it for the first day, because I thought it was too late). People at work must think I've got shares in Vicks because I'm always extolling its powers.

Fingers crossed it does the trick for you, OP 🤞

spiderplantsalad · 17/11/2018 22:04

I get the tubes of fizzy vitamin C and have two or three a day, and try to sweat it out with hot water bottles. I also get paracetamol and tissues though, and whinge a lot.

Going to try the raw garlic next time. I look forward to it. I admire this sort of no-nonsense approach. Do you have to mash it up or are slices ok?

I had my flu jab last week and I've not been well since. Never had a jab that's left me feeling so bad.

spiderplantsalad · 17/11/2018 22:05

Peel a clove of fresh garlic, crush and swallow (quickly) and drink a glass of water to chase it down.
Sorry, I obviously didn't read properly.

Deadringer · 17/11/2018 22:06

I do nothing, it's just a cold.

londonrach · 17/11/2018 22:07

Before dc...straight to bed. Be gone by time i woke. Now...not so easy but bed as soon as possible