OK lets have it... Your tried and tested cold remedies please!

[LMW1990]

Please someone save me with some tried and tested cold remedies! My head feels like it's about to fall off my shoulders it's so heavy - yet it feels like the inside is crammed with cotton wool. My throat is raw, my chest is sore and I'm absolutely freezing (sitting next to radiator, 3 layers on and a blanket).

I went to dragged myself to Boots earlier and got some Lemsip. The woman must have felt sorry for me trying to give her my Morrisons More card to pay with! She bagged up my stuff and gave me some tissues (after my 20th sneeze in 30 seconds).

So far Lemsip have done jack all.

I already have constricted sinuses after suffering through my early 20's with severe histamine allergies so I'm probably just unlucky and feeling sorry for myself. But in the interest of being able to sleep tonight - I'll try anything!

Day Nurse and Night Nurse are far better than lemsip but they are pharmacy only. Or a hot toddy works wonders for me : generous glug of whiskey/brandy, squeeze half a lemon, good squeeze of honey and chuck in some fresh ginger if you've got some. Top up with hot water and bingo. Hope you feel better soon!

I like the sound of a brandy!! Something that will knock me out preferably! Now I come to think of it, I've had night nurse before and I worked a treat - but I ain't trekking back out in this weather, it took me 20 minutes to put my shoes on from going dizzy when I looked down.

Thanks @HansSolo22

Tine is the only remedy

Herbal tea with lots of fresh lemon and honey in it! That and paracetamol to help with any pains/temperature. I always make sure to take a dose of paracetamol just before bed to give myself the best chance at sleeping.
Try steaming yourself over a basin of hot water (towel over your head) with some olbus oil in it to help your congestion and sinus!
Lots and lots of water

Urg I'm poorly for the first time since 2016 with similar sympoms.

Totally second the herbal tea or just hot water with fresh lemon and Manuka honey. Really soothing & much better for you than lemsip.

Also, Bee Propolis as a supplement really helps the immune system.

In the end though, a bit of indulging in it (as in, I'm poorly so sod the dishes) and time!

Keep warm and get better soon!

Too late for you now, but always worth making and freezing proper chicken soup.

Carcass chicken/onion/garlic/carrot/water to just cover - simmer for an hour. Drain and discard the bones/skin. Soften onions and garlic in a large pan. Add diced potatoes, carrots, celery but not essential. Add stock. Simmer for 20 minutes.

I add lemon and an egg yolk to mine .... but probably too much for some.

I use a decongestant spray to help clear my nose and sinuses - this helps with the cotton-wool-head thing too. And I drink hot black currant with soluble aspirin - the warmth is soothing, the sweetness of th black currant soothes a sore throat, and the aspirin will help bring down a temperature.

I use Benylin Original chesty couch mixture at night, because it helps you sleep as well as helping with the cough. Towards the end of a cold, I usually get a dry, thickly cough, for which I use chloraseptic anaesthetic throat spray - it numbs the throat so you don’t feel the tickle.

Chesty cough mixture - I can’t imagine what a chesty couch would look like! Or why it would need special linctus.

I advise a tasty curry (not necessarily a hot one), some alcohol if you've not taken medications and an early night. My germs invariably give up and I feel loads better the next day.

We have a family saying: keep your blood alcohol level up so the germs can't live in it. Time for wine

You need the day and night nurse capsules..doesn't cure but takes the edge off.

I like brandy mixed with ginger wine a teaspoon of honey and topped with warm lemonade it doesn't cure your cold but after 3 I find I don't care about having a cold anymore and usually drift off nicely

I swear by downing Robinson’s or Vimto cordial made with boiling water. Day and night nurse will help if you’re having trouble at night.
Other than that I’ve found it’s just a case of riding it out. Hope you feel better soon.

Otrivine nasal spray is the only thing that keeps me functioning when I’m with cold - always keep a couple of spare bottles in the medicine cupboard. For some reason, I find the sinusitis version works best.

I suddenly felt dreadful yesterday evening. I take 1 nurofen when needed and some Strefen anti inflammatory action throat lozenges. My throat was killing me but these lozenges basically numb it and I was able to sleep. Woke up this morning throat ok (thick but not sore) I've taken a couple of nurofen and seemed to have kept the illness at bay. Feeling ropey now but that's normal in the evening when I have a cold.

Day nurse.
Night nurse.
I find lemsip only works if i take before bed when i start the beginning of symptoms of a cold.
Whisky. Neat. Disaronno neat is great too.

A hot toddy made with hot lemonade, a slice of lemon and a generous glug of whisky. DM used to stir in a Beecham's powder too 😱 - drink before bed. During the day I just take paracetamol for the fuzzy headed feeling. Plenty of orange juice.

UncomfortableBadger I also agree with you about Otrivine Sinusitis spray. It's a god send and I also keep a spare bottle in the cupboard for when the next cold strikes. I love how it can completely unblock your nose and allow you to breathe clearly for hours. I always use it just before bed so I get a decent nights sleep.

Couple of cold and flu capsules washed down with a cup of fresh lemon juice, honey, 2 tsp Covonia, shot of brandy and hot water...then bed.

It will relieve the symptoms and knock you out enough to get some decent sleep which is the best treatment of all.

I actually agree about the alcohol thing. Every time I decide to take a month off I get a horrendous cold or some other infection - last time it was an ear infection which lasted for weeks. It can't just be coincidence...but once you're ill it doesn't really help. Although it does make you forget you're ill temporarily and works a treat with a blocked nose til you wake up at 3am feeling like death.

Can I also recommend effervescent vitamin C - they are very high dose and help fight colds plus improve your immune system

I use a neti pot and gargle with salt water and I find it helps with congestion and sore throats.

Onion soup.

Chop a large onion finely, fry in butter till soft and faintly golden, add shed loads of black pepper.

Stir in a tablespoon of cornflour to thicken

Add boiling water and mix well till soupy consistency and non lumpy.

You can add a bit of brandy while the onion is frying if you like.

Brilliant for clearing blocked sinuses and getting good nutrition

My expert area. I get about 4 bad ones a year.

Berocca
Day nurse tabs
Honey and lemon to drink
Before bed -
Night nurse liquid (take it early)
White tiger balm on the chest or inhale it in hot water to clear sinuses
Rinse sinuses with neilmed or a Neti pot
Decongestant tablet
Throat spray
Plus : Chicken soup, food with chilli, cayenne pepper, turmeric, garlic

Honestly? I eat meals containing onions and garlic and spices, and drink large quantities of whiskey or brandy. Take a couple of paracetomol and survive that way.

I have tried everything.. Nothing shortens the suffering, the above makes it bearable.

Oh a.d for context, I have a cold virus worth remembering around once a year, for around a week. With 2/3 days off work.