FLU Remedies? Anyone?

[looneytune]

I've come out of bed in desperation for some advice on what I can do to feel better. I've been ill since Thursday and just getting worse and worse. Every part of my body aches like mad, I'm shivery and sweaty and my head feels like it's going to explode! Been taking paracetamol as it's the only thing we're allowed to take but it's not helping at all. I've also got a terrible cough where my chest feels like it's going to split open but I suppose the worst bit right now is my head. Any idea's?

Also, I was thinking of making some kind of hot drink with honey but not sure what to put together - anyone got any suggestions?

TIA

Juice of half a lemon and a teaspoon or so of honey.

Inhaling menthol eucalyptus is good (steam inhalation) too.

You have my full sympathy. I just had one cold or another for about 4 months. Blardy miserable.

Thanks, may have to get dh to go and get some lemons tomorrow then.

I've had colds and managed but I haven't had proper flu since I was 19 and to get through this without proper medicine in a killer

Just realised, we've got some karvol drops we put on a hanky fo ds so could put those in hot water?

Put ginger in the hot drink with the lemon and honey.

Can you take vit c? I know I did when I was pg but that was egons ago and things change - if you can take vit c to help,

Cheers for that, think dh needs to go shopping tomorrow

Right, off to do some steaming then back to bed. I just need to prepare myself for that walk up the stairs!!!

er, have you been to see your gp? you might need antibiotics if your cough is productive (ie you spit out green/brown phlegm)

Trish - Not seen a GP as I started getting worse at the end of Friday (typical!). Yes, I've been spitting out green phlegm but I thought this was just normal as I get this with colds sometimes. I must say though my chest really hurts and my head is still terrible because of my sinuses, I do tend to suffer with my sinuses!! Are you allowed anti-biotics when pregnant though? (she says wishing she'd sent off her form to get them free!!)

elderberry syrup helps. There is a brand called Sambucol. Supposedly flu damages by the cells by using little spikes which are on the surface of the virus but taking elderberry syrup stops the spikes working and stops the flu getting worse, only thing is if you are well into a bout then it may not do much now but worth keeping in the cupboard for next time. You can buy it in health food stores, holland and barraet and some chemists. We use it a lot and it seems to help.

meant to say I think you can take the kids version of sambucol when pregnant but not the adults.

looney tune, reading your last message has made me realise i have not sent mine off either - doh! pg brain.
you can take some antibiotics when pg, but i expect gp will be reluctant to prescribe. i had UTI and was given antibiotics. hope you better soon

I went to the Dr's in the end after getting NO sleep all of Sunday night, managed 45 mins from 6.30am then ds woke me up!! Anyway, it's sinusitis and she prescribed anti-biotics and what a relief. I managed 5 hours sleep last night and haven't had the awful head/face pain today thank god. Still bunged at times but such relief!

trishpops - don't worry, I told my chemist and they just ticked the bit on the form saying they hadn't seen a copy of the exemption - they must do some kind of checks otherwise everyone could lie!!

Anyway, off to bed now for some more catching up on sleep.