Bad cold - what helps?

[ForeverHopeful21]

I've had the usual sore throat, snotty nose, headache and cough for 4 days. But yesterday also had loss of appetite, shivers, achy legs & face. My tummy feels very delicate and although I've not had diarrhoea, I've had stomach ache all morning.

I took one paracetamol last night and my shivers did disappear shortly afterwards. I've been taking my vitamins everyday as usual, made sure I'm drinking lots of water and have been eating healthy (lots of vitamin c) but wondering if theres anything else I can do or take to get rid of this awful cold sooner? I'm desperate to have a good nights sleep!! I'm self employed and had to take the week off but can't afford to do the same next week. Any advice out there???

aww I feel sorry for you as I am just getting over one myself and I have been so miserable. This is how it started for me but ended with a chest infection so had to have antibiotics.
You can have simple linctus to soothe your thoat - not that it does much anyway! Try ginger and lemon tea instead.
Also you can have paracetamols 1 every 4/6 hours max 8 in 24 hours. Hope you feel better soon.

I have so much sympathy for you, as I am in the exact same boat.

Midwife has told me I can take paracetamol, but I am still wary of doing this. I am a huge worry wart about everything!!

I have just been trying to have as much rest as possible, and drinking honey and lemon. I've been ill for over a week now though, so I hope you get better a lot quicker :)

I've been horribly sick the past week as well. I think it depends what's wrong. If you're still having respiratory symptoms, congestion, sore throat, etc., I've found using a saline nasal spray has helped (I use sterimar). Also lemon, ginger and honey tea, like not the kind in the tea bag, like make it with lemon juice, grated ginger and honey. Take lots of vitamin C and zinc. And honestly, just rest. I'm self-employed as well and my mat leave is starting in a month, so I'm in mad panic mode until the end. But it's done me no favours trying to push through it. I finally just took a few afternoons off and rested and it has helped.

Thank you all. Hope you all feel better soon too! I'll get DH to pick up lemon, honey and ginger supplies when he's home from work. Clairebear I know what you mean about taking paracetamol, I prefer not to, but I'm well and truly giving in at this point.

I don't have a thermometer to check my temperature. I was going to pop in to my local pharmacy to see if I could pick one up but honestly not sure I can get dressed and drive. Feel like shit.

On a positive note, my stomach ache has gone!!

I got some honey from tescos that is a combination of honey, manuka honey and vit c. I think it’s a Rowse one. It wasn’t cheap but it’s been amazing with some boiling water and half a lemon! It’s meant i’ve managed with only 3 paracetamol in 3 days of this AWFUL bloody cold! Hope you feel better soon.

The pukka teas helped me when I was suffering. They do a manuka honey honey and ginger one and a detox one. They are obviously not medicinal but I felt they helped me cope!

After zero sleep coughing my guts up all night and wanting to rip my teeth out because the pain in my sinuses is so bad, I decided to go to the doctors.
She said she thinks I have flu (I did get the jab 3 months ago!) but there was nothing she could prescribe.

However in case it helps anyone else, she recommend the following:
-steaming with menthol crystals
-full adult dose paracetamol every 4 hours
-staying warm and rested (at first I was like yeah yeah I already know this but when I mentioned taking the dog for a walk she said not to go out in the cold air at all)

On a separate note, the pharmacist recommended:
-Saline nasal spray - the one for babies
-Leaving a wet towel on hot radiator to keep moisture in the room.
-Walking around the house every hour or so to help break up congestion.

At this stage I'm willing to give anything a whirl!!