HELP! How can I stop/slow a cold???

[FlamesparrowThePirate]

DH and the DC have both been ill over Christmas/New Year. The DC with just basic feeling rough/colds, DH with a throat infection.

I've been rushing round doing the caring thing.

Tonight - my throat hurts, my body feels like lead, I am unbelievably tearful.

I have to drive to Cornwall and back on Friday (my grandad's funeral and I am taking my sister who has no other way to get there).

How to I stop this in its tracks?? Is it too late??

Would it be unreasonable/unthinkable to ask DH to call in sick/ask for a day's leave tomorrow so I can rest for the day??

Panicking. I've missed 5 family funerals (all the ones in my adult life) through illness, and am soooo worried - I cannot miss this one - my mum needs me.

Vit C tabs - the stronger the better.

Live in a Lemsip haze until Thursday night?
How much more would the train cost than petrol?
Does MrPirateIsQuiteNiceActually drive? Could he do it?

Day Nurse capsules - Behind the counter at the chemists.

Vit C and Zinc chewable lozenges - 1000mg of Vit C if you can get it - chew one every hour (if you get the runs, then reduce frequency as this is a sign your body is saturated with Vit C) plus take Cats Claw or Echinacea tincture in water - you should be able to get this from a decent pharmacy or else Holland and Barrat. If you can't get the chewable vit C then regular Vit C tablets plus zinc tablets. Lots of fluids. Garlic is good too. If you feel really bad take paracetamol to get you through but most "cold and flu" remedies just contain loads of caffeine and decongestants which I personally find work in the short term but then give me terrible rebound sinusitis afterwards. Try and stay away from too much meat and dairy foods as they are mucus forming. Good luck!!

Echinacea does something to get your red blood cells going so that your body fights off the infection more effectively - usually works for me. Can be taken in conjunction with things like Day Nurse, etc.

that vicks fist defence nasal spray saved me fron really bad 3 week flu that my muim and dad had - you need to get some now! before the bugs take over.

Will go rummage for vit C.

MrPirateisquiteniceactually does drive - but we have no childcare Although if I was completely incapable then my Stepmum would probably step in.

Not really feasible to drop the little flames here on the way, is it?! Sorry. xx How about take them, and they go off on a pirate adsventure with Daddy while you go to the funeral? Not a great mood to take kids in the car, but better than not going?

The vicks first defence stuff is great - send DH out for some tonight. Although don't call it first response like I did - DH nearly had a heart attack thinking I needed him to buy a pregnancy test!!

ok if you are open minded and have anything with a spout like a toy teapot or small watering can with long spout you can make something called a neti pot (they use them in india and some people who practise yoga use them for nasal washing)
use very warm water and a half teaspoon of salt, shake it to let salt dissolve, get a roll of tissue in your hand, tip head over basin and to the left, closing throat by making a 'k' sound and pour water into right nostril then blow out left nostril into sink and tissue, repeat by tilting head to right and over basin making pouring water into left nostril and out it comes through right nostril!
its barmy but it works and doesn't cost anything. its catching on in the west now for hayfever, colds and sinus problems as cold virus develops in nose. you are suppose to do this daily am and pm as a preventative but i sometimes forget and when i feel cold coming on it usually flushes it out, i would then coat vasaline or balm right inside each nostril to help as a filter
nasopure

We won't all fit in the car... (lovely thought to leave em with your though ).

I think my mum has some first defense stuff - will swipe that.

shrub... I'd end up choking

whoops wrong page try neti

i know what you mean - that poor boy, good party trick for when he is older i promise you it works though, you won't choke as you are leaning forward

vicks first defence really, really works, amazing!!

Could you send them to me via parcelforce or something?

Make em walk it - good for em, plenty of fresh air and exercise

A friend of mine swears by echinechia (sp?)

I'm starting to feel a lot better already (and only had vit c so far. Hopefully it was just where I woke up earlier than I should have (had a "quick snooze" between 5 & 7pm!)