To med or not to med?
January 8, 2010 8:26 AM Subscribe
What do you use when you have to work with a cold?
Situation: Finally caught the cold my daughter has had this week. Mostly in my nose/head. I work at home, and have a "perfect storm" of client work to do - three companies on late January tradeshow deadlines (aka: a ton of work). Rest and sleep not an option. High productivity required.
Curious to hear what y'all use to "make it through the work day" (or in this case work weekend).
Situation: Finally caught the cold my daughter has had this week. Mostly in my nose/head. I work at home, and have a "perfect storm" of client work to do - three companies on late January tradeshow deadlines (aka: a ton of work). Rest and sleep not an option. High productivity required.
Curious to hear what y'all use to "make it through the work day" (or in this case work weekend).
Pseudoephedrine (e.g., Sudafed) as a decongestantâdon't waste time and money on worthless phenylephrine. Guaifenesin (e.g. Mucinex) to thin down the mucus and make it easier to manage. Lots of hot peppermint tea with a little honey to soothe the throat. Non-sugar-free cough drops as needed. No antihistamines or cough suppressant until bedtime, unless you really need them.
posted by Ery at 8:31 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by Ery at 8:31 AM on January 8, 2010
Also use nasal irrigation (I prefer the Mayo Clinic approach to the neti pot) so that your nose does not get stopped up. This makes you more comfortable and might help prevent a sinus infection.
posted by Ery at 8:33 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by Ery at 8:33 AM on January 8, 2010
When I'm sick and facing deadlines while working at home, I still get up in the morning, shower, eat breakfast, have a coffee, etc, to feel less yucky, if it's only slightly less. Tissues and hand sanitizer by my side, but I try to wash my hands as much as humanly possible, especially if I'm blowing my nose.
Other than that, vitamins, go to bed/get up at same time every day, ibuprofen for aches and pains, and not much else.
Feel better!
posted by futureisunwritten at 8:34 AM on January 8, 2010
Other than that, vitamins, go to bed/get up at same time every day, ibuprofen for aches and pains, and not much else.
Feel better!
posted by futureisunwritten at 8:34 AM on January 8, 2010
Water, and lots of it. Squeezing a lemon into it makes it go down better, and soothes the throat.
Halls Mentho-Lyptus cough and cold drops.
A giant steaming bowl of Chinese hot-and-sour soup is the best thing in the world for a cold.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 8:35 AM on January 8, 2010
Halls Mentho-Lyptus cough and cold drops.
A giant steaming bowl of Chinese hot-and-sour soup is the best thing in the world for a cold.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 8:35 AM on January 8, 2010
Psuedoephedrine makes me CRACKED out so I use the non-meth sudafed. Nyquil to sleep, sudafed every few hours. Plus afrin to keep my nose from running/being stuffy.
Plus lots of vitamins (they probably don't do much but it makes me feel better) including C and echinacea. I have also found that some of those homeopathic cold remedies work quite well. Probably placebo effect, but I'll take it:
Cold-FX is my favorite but it's very hard to find. I'll also use Cold-Eeze lozenges and Zicam (but not the nasal kind!)
posted by jckll at 8:41 AM on January 8, 2010
Plus lots of vitamins (they probably don't do much but it makes me feel better) including C and echinacea. I have also found that some of those homeopathic cold remedies work quite well. Probably placebo effect, but I'll take it:
Cold-FX is my favorite but it's very hard to find. I'll also use Cold-Eeze lozenges and Zicam (but not the nasal kind!)
posted by jckll at 8:41 AM on January 8, 2010
Pseudoephedrine (e.g., Sudafed)
Sudafed no longer has pseudoephedrine, which sucks because it was the only thing that really worked for me.
posted by InsanePenguin at 8:45 AM on January 8, 2010
Sudafed no longer has pseudoephedrine, which sucks because it was the only thing that really worked for me.
posted by InsanePenguin at 8:45 AM on January 8, 2010
Sorry, should have been more specific. Sudafed PE is the only OTC Sudafed available and has no pseudoephedrine in it. You can still get the good stuff but you have to ask.
posted by InsanePenguin at 8:48 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by InsanePenguin at 8:48 AM on January 8, 2010
Agree with pseudoephedrine. You will be made to feel like a criminal in order to get it (at least in TX) but it's totally worth it.
posted by sanko at 8:50 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by sanko at 8:50 AM on January 8, 2010
Alka Seltzer Plus. I've always had jobs that I HAD to show up for, regardless of how I felt. And I can work on ASP. I took the fizzy stuff for years, but now I take the gelcaps and they seem to work as good as the others. I keep them on hand always and start taking them as soon as I begin to feel bad. This is the only thing that really works for me, and it works every time.
posted by raisingsand at 9:07 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by raisingsand at 9:07 AM on January 8, 2010
For daytime use, I use Alka-Seltzer Cold Plus. It doesn't make me sleepy or stupid(er), but does clear up the stuffiness and the acetaminophen in it takes care of the aches. Good luck!
posted by rtha at 9:08 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by rtha at 9:08 AM on January 8, 2010
Yes yes yes . . . pseudoephedrine all the way. I am just getting over a cold and it was pseudoephedrine during the day and NyQuil at night.
You gotta ask for the pseudoephedrine at the pharmacy but it's no big deal at all. It's so so so worth it.
posted by Sassyfras at 9:08 AM on January 8, 2010
You gotta ask for the pseudoephedrine at the pharmacy but it's no big deal at all. It's so so so worth it.
posted by Sassyfras at 9:08 AM on January 8, 2010
I sip on a big orange bottle of Dayquil. Also, I drink lots of hot tea.
posted by anniecat at 9:11 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by anniecat at 9:11 AM on January 8, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks folks. Here's the plan: Tylenol, non-meth sudafed, juice, tea... and donuts (the most important remedy). We'll see what happens. Normally, I'd never post a question about a mere cold - nothing more boring than hearing about someone's cold, but I thought it would be interesting to see the sick-at-work coping mechanisms.
posted by ecorrocio at 9:12 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by ecorrocio at 9:12 AM on January 8, 2010
Fisherman's Friend tablets will help clear out your head, but the menthol levels may drive away other humans and pets, kill plants, and cause birds to fall from the sky. Totally worth it, though.
Hot lemonade will soothe your throat.
posted by wenestvedt at 9:13 AM on January 8, 2010
Hot lemonade will soothe your throat.
posted by wenestvedt at 9:13 AM on January 8, 2010
There's no point at all in Sudafed PE. There's no evidence for its efficacy, and the anecdotes I've heard about it have all been negative. Some side effects, but no usefulness. Just go to the pharmacist and get real pseudoephedrine, or else skip it.
Decongestant spray works, but if you use it for more than three days you're at high risk for a horrible rebound sinusitis which is a lot worse (and longer-lasting) than the original cold. It also has the same side effects as oral pseudoephedrine, at least for me.
posted by Ery at 9:14 AM on January 8, 2010
Decongestant spray works, but if you use it for more than three days you're at high risk for a horrible rebound sinusitis which is a lot worse (and longer-lasting) than the original cold. It also has the same side effects as oral pseudoephedrine, at least for me.
posted by Ery at 9:14 AM on January 8, 2010
Related New York Times article about what works and what lacks scientific evidence.
posted by exhilaration at 9:16 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by exhilaration at 9:16 AM on January 8, 2010
nthing that there's no point to the non-meth sudafed, it does nothing. Just go to the pharmacy and get real pseudoephedrine (you don't need a prescription, you probably need to ask because most places keep it behind the counter now, and you will need to sign something). The other stuff is useless.
Also, if you're still very early on, zinc is the only thing that has actual clinical evidence to shorten the symptoms of a cold, but only if you start taking it within a day or so of symptoms starting.
posted by brainmouse at 9:17 AM on January 8, 2010
Also, if you're still very early on, zinc is the only thing that has actual clinical evidence to shorten the symptoms of a cold, but only if you start taking it within a day or so of symptoms starting.
posted by brainmouse at 9:17 AM on January 8, 2010
As much as I think donuts are great, I do better to avoid sugary stuff when I'm sick-it makes my immune system go way down and I feel even more crappy.
Here's to drinking PLENTY of fluids.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 9:20 AM on January 8, 2010 [1 favorite]
Here's to drinking PLENTY of fluids.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 9:20 AM on January 8, 2010 [1 favorite]
I don't like to take anything that makes me feel "foggy" during the work day, so while at work, I take the following as symptoms indicate, and save (real) sudafed and (prescription) cough syrup (if needed) for when I am at home.
Tea with honey & lemon (sore throat and/or cough)
Massive amounts of water (everything)
Ricola cough drops (sore throat and/or cough -- these are magical to me)
Mucinex (Guaifenesin) (congestion -- not just chest congestion)
Advil (any sort of aches/pains/sore throat/earache)
Saline nasal spray (nasal congestion)
Also, before work and before bed, I use a neti pot or saline nasal rinse kit, which can help with congestion.
posted by tastybrains at 9:20 AM on January 8, 2010
Tea with honey & lemon (sore throat and/or cough)
Massive amounts of water (everything)
Ricola cough drops (sore throat and/or cough -- these are magical to me)
Mucinex (Guaifenesin) (congestion -- not just chest congestion)
Advil (any sort of aches/pains/sore throat/earache)
Saline nasal spray (nasal congestion)
Also, before work and before bed, I use a neti pot or saline nasal rinse kit, which can help with congestion.
posted by tastybrains at 9:20 AM on January 8, 2010
Chicken soup! And yes, there's some science behind it.
posted by SteveInMaine at 9:38 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by SteveInMaine at 9:38 AM on January 8, 2010
One thing that helped me the most was that Zicam Sinus Relief nose spray stuff that unclogged my sinuses. The inability to breathe through my nose hindered my productivity the most. I could deal with the coughing, but the sinus congestion/headache killed.
Also, warm soups/liquids. I ate a lot of good old fashioned chicken noodle soup and it just made me feel better and got some nutrition in me since my appetite was non-existent.
posted by SoulOnIce at 9:38 AM on January 8, 2010
Also, warm soups/liquids. I ate a lot of good old fashioned chicken noodle soup and it just made me feel better and got some nutrition in me since my appetite was non-existent.
posted by SoulOnIce at 9:38 AM on January 8, 2010
Neti pot + Cold FX.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 9:54 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by pseudostrabismus at 9:54 AM on January 8, 2010
Tylenol is not an anti-inflammatory. Ibuprofen would be preferable unless you have a fever and don't get fever relief from ibuprofen. My daytime cold mix is ibuprofen, real Sudafed, and Mucinex. For when you finally get to get some sleep, add the OTC sleeping pill doxylamine succinate (aka the good Unisom that isn't actually Benadryl) which is the knock-out ingredient in NyQuil.
posted by Lyn Never at 10:10 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by Lyn Never at 10:10 AM on January 8, 2010
Pseudoephedrine. Accept no substitutes.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:13 AM on January 8, 2010
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:13 AM on January 8, 2010
Ginger tea with honey - ginger is said to boost your immune system, I take several doses a day when I have a cold.
Zinc. Pseudoephedrine. Gargling with mouth wash or salt-water is surprisingly effective for me.
posted by AlsoMike at 10:42 AM on January 8, 2010
Zinc. Pseudoephedrine. Gargling with mouth wash or salt-water is surprisingly effective for me.
posted by AlsoMike at 10:42 AM on January 8, 2010
I'm a fan of Thera-Flu. Its got all the same stuff in it as Nyquil and Dayquil but drinking something warm instead of dosing with syrupy liquid is more pleasant.
Also, Mucinex! The trick with Mucinex is that you need to drink lots of water with it to make it work.
Also seconding the chicken soup remedy. Not the canned stuff though, it's full of sodium and gross.
posted by dchrssyr at 10:50 AM on January 8, 2010
Also, Mucinex! The trick with Mucinex is that you need to drink lots of water with it to make it work.
Also seconding the chicken soup remedy. Not the canned stuff though, it's full of sodium and gross.
posted by dchrssyr at 10:50 AM on January 8, 2010
Throat Coat tea is nice to make sore throats temporarily go away. It was brewed for me extra strong, with a ton of sliced ginger, honey, and lemon juice in the water. It tasted terrible, but it made me feel like I was at 95% for maybe 8 hours.
I also swear by Cold-EEZE to shorten the duration. I drink tons of fluids, keep myself as warm as I can tolerate, and take Ibuprofen regularly.
posted by emilyd22222 at 11:15 AM on January 8, 2010
I also swear by Cold-EEZE to shorten the duration. I drink tons of fluids, keep myself as warm as I can tolerate, and take Ibuprofen regularly.
posted by emilyd22222 at 11:15 AM on January 8, 2010
Tylenol + phenylephrine is exactly the wrong combination as far as I'm concerned. Dunno how you got to there. Naproxen Sodium (aleve) + Pseudoephedrine (real Sudafed) is where it is at.
posted by Justinian at 12:35 PM on January 8, 2010
posted by Justinian at 12:35 PM on January 8, 2010
Response by poster: Lyn Never:
Tylenol vs. Ibuprofen: can't take Ibuprofen due to an ulcer condition.
Fake Sudafed: It's what's in Dayquil. But have not used it yet...we'll see. Real Sudafed really whacks me.
I think the donuts did the trick. To quote Mr. Simpson: "Is there anything donuts can't do?"
posted by ecorrocio at 12:41 PM on January 8, 2010
Tylenol vs. Ibuprofen: can't take Ibuprofen due to an ulcer condition.
Fake Sudafed: It's what's in Dayquil. But have not used it yet...we'll see. Real Sudafed really whacks me.
I think the donuts did the trick. To quote Mr. Simpson: "Is there anything donuts can't do?"
posted by ecorrocio at 12:41 PM on January 8, 2010
Generic Afrin nasal spray (just as good as the brand and much much cheaper) plus a pain reliever for your sore throat will do you right if you can't handle the real sudafed.
That stuff is seriously amazing - 2-3 squirts + 60 seconds and you're clear as a whistle. You can't use it for more than three days, or you'll run into bounce-back congestion, but it's perfect for what you want.
Saline nasal spray is good as a follow-up to moisturize your nasal passages.
Keep both hot and cold drinks on hand - I always seem to want both tea and something cold. Drink lots!
posted by clerestory at 2:26 PM on January 8, 2010
That stuff is seriously amazing - 2-3 squirts + 60 seconds and you're clear as a whistle. You can't use it for more than three days, or you'll run into bounce-back congestion, but it's perfect for what you want.
Saline nasal spray is good as a follow-up to moisturize your nasal passages.
Keep both hot and cold drinks on hand - I always seem to want both tea and something cold. Drink lots!
posted by clerestory at 2:26 PM on January 8, 2010
Contrary to Homer's infinite wisdom (in jest), fresh fruit will do you more good than donuts. The vitamins, minerals, and natural sugars of fruit are much better to you and your immune system than the refined sugars and high fructose corn syrup of donuts.
posted by DeltaForce at 9:10 PM on January 9, 2010
posted by DeltaForce at 9:10 PM on January 9, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
I bought a giant thing of Dayquil - the generic doesn't seem to work for me, but the real stuff does. Take that once every 4 hours.
I got a giant thing of water and kept chugging it and refilling it.
I kept buying Odwalla smoothies and juices. They were what was available, and the natural sugars in them kept me going.
I also took warm showers pretty often to knock out whatever crud was in my nose - just blow it all out when you're in the shower.
Not pretty, but it works.
posted by SNWidget at 8:30 AM on January 8, 2010