Reddit mentions: The best cold & flu medicine

I posted this in another thread but hope it helps you:

I had my hemithyroidectomy done 2 weeks ago and had never been under general anesthesia before so was also concerned. Pre-op, they gave me a gown, robe, skid-proof socks to wear, put in my IV. I was able to put my curly hair up in a top knot with a silk scrunchie (no metal) so it didn't tangle (listen its the small stuff!). I was walked to the OR (it's not like on TV!), give a hair net to put on, greeted all the surgical staff and then laid myself down on the table (again - SO WEIRD!). The anesthesiologist gave me an IV "cocktail" which felt like I had one too many drinks and then I was out. I came to when I was wheeled into recovery and complained about being woken from a REALLY good sleep ;)

The surgery itself was not nearly as bad as I thought it to be (and you read a lot of the negative experiences here). My voice is fine, my parathyroids are fine and I feel so much better than I did before. As someone else stated, the sore throat is 100% the worst bit of all of it. I didn't have to stay overnight but I only had my right side removed but I wasn't sure if I would go home so things I recommend:

- Have some good numbing cough lozenges (I had Cepacol: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FWS60RG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) or throat spray (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004L4XC3I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and keep chewing ice, it'll help.

- Do not be afraid to ask for the good drugs from the nurse - it'll help to sleep a lot of the time.

- Wear comfy clothes. I was able to dress myself and lift my arms up to put things on (but they were super easy stretchy & loose clothes) but my sister had to help tie my laces as bending down wasn't as easy.

- Get some PJs that button down: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0772S54GH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

- Comfy slippers/skid-proof socks: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M24S9OF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

- Comfy pillow to prop yourself up for the first few days - its easier to sleep sitting up higher as there's less pressure on your neck. I could sleep lying flat and on my side after 4-5 days.

- An ice pack that can stay strapped around your neck. I wrapped mine in a pillowcase first then used a velcro hair band to keep it in place. I got this from Amazon (so it can be used cold or hot): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CHLS3B3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

- Silicone scar sheets for post-op (I can use them in about 4-5 weeks post-op): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P5G9PQD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

- If you're a woman, I got these front close bras so I wouldn't have to lift my arms: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KKVLP2D/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

- A good thick lip balm. I like this one from Laniege but honestly anything you like will do: https://www.amazon.com/LANEIGE-Sleeping-Berry-Treatment-Qunce/dp/B00VR0Z0I4/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=laneige&qid=1571934520&sr=8-1

- I took my Vicodin, Stool Softener (yeeeep it can cause constipation) with 1 Aleve (it's not acetaminophen) for the 1st 5 days at night only to ease my sleep but I didn't need pain meds after that.

Outside of sleeping a lot (recovering from surgery will do that), I was back to eating well chewed solids on the 3rd day post-surgery but that will all be on personal preference. You won't be able to shower for at least 48 hours so make sure to do that morning of if you can.

Most of all - good luck! You will be OK and the relief from having it out will be well worth it. I haven't had my bloodwork done yet to determine whether or not I will need medication (I know you will since its a TT) but that'll be the tricky part from what I've read. Feel free to PM me if you have more questions!

I personally took 360mg. I'm pretty slim though (125lbs, 5'10"). It was a pretty intense experience.

That said, this was my first ever trip. I would not recommend just taking my advice. Maybe create a topic here about it? I'm sure there are people willing to help you out :)

Have fun and be careful! DXM proved to be incredibly intense and is not something to mess around with :p

I DO however recommend this as a source for DXM. This is 30mg of DXM per pill. I took 360mg so that's 12 pills. I was told for my size, an intense trip would be 360mg, so I decided to do that (it was worth it). My friend who is larger takes 480mg for an intense trip. Seems like an intense trip would be around that range.

Dan Savage says on his podcast to “fuck first.” Definitely wise advice but we are being really specific with our timing, so it made sense to have dinner first...tonight we will keep it much lighter!

Make sure you get the tablets with guaifenesin only. I got the extended release (12 hour) version. I’ve been taking them twice a day, but once a day will have an impact as well. I started taking them a couple of days before my expected O and I will continue through O day (today) and the day after. I noticed a difference in CM texture pretty much immediately! I bought them on Amazon (link) but there are generic versions as well. Best of luck this cycle!!

>The placebo effect is pretty powerful.

Agree. It's almost weird how powerful it can be.

>If they start to feel better because the cold is naturally ending, many people will attribute that to a pill that they took that actually did nothing. If it's just the placebo effect, they'll still attribute it to the pill.

Agree.

>...you can probably find the homeopathic remedy Oscillococcinum next to the Tylenol PM and other actual cures.

I see this stuff everywhere.

Interesting how much money is being made in this segment. I've often wondered if a lot of it is also driven by lack of health care and/or little interests in dealing with doctors and traditional medicines.

By the way, check out the reviews on Boiron Oscillococcinum on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Boiron-Oscillococcinum-Flu-Like-Symptoms-Pellets/dp/B00NMPLGU8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494384460&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=Oscillococcinum&psc=1#customerReviews

There's a 'diabetic friendly' cough syrup. It's called diabetic tussin. Tastes like hell but works GREAT definitely works for that quick relief while waiting for pills to kick in.
EDIT: Amazon link:
https://www.amazon.com/Diabetic-Tussin-Suppressent-Throat-Diabetics/dp/B000GCJU7Q

Have you ever heard of Zicam? It's homeopathic with the main ingredient being Zinc. Zinc has been proven to stop the reproduction of the cold virus and as a result Zicam shortens colds.

I first heard of it from my boyfriend, who is a firefighter and the guys at the department swear by it. So when I first started my student teaching experience and felt the signs of a cold coming on I used it right away. Seemed like the next day I was already better and I've used it ever since.

Zicam is available in tons of forms, here's what I use.
zicam spray!


Also you can take vit C supplements, wash your hands frequently, and refrain from touching your face while at school!

One more thing- my mentor teacher swore that he NEVER got sick because he gargles peroxide ! I don't know how much truth there is to that though!

Hopefully you get better soon!!

I should add that in addition to the rinses, I use a sinus medicine that helps tremendously! (link below) Make sure to use the night time version. The regular non drowsy versions do nothing for me, even at prescription strength. I normally get it from Costco but my Costco has not had it in recent months but luckily its on Amazon. I am sure though that you can get something similar at the grocery store. There is a very small amount of antihistimine in it (just 2mg, not enough to make me tired) I have been tested for allergies and I do not have any btw. I know of several other people who swear by this stuff for sinus related issues.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FVOWA76/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

@ /u/spencers6-94

menthol inhalers are a popular thing to have too or some of these differaction glasses to pass out and share with the people around you

if you have Snapchat or instagram, thats a fun thing to swap with people you meet. its fun to see the people apart of rave culture's "normal" lives.

Inhalers refer to well 'inhaled' medicine or whatever. In this case Vicks or other brand inhalers work. Specially if they have menthol or other strong scent. Put in your nostril and inhale. Similar to Poppers if you know about those

Balm, Rubs, Ointments, Lotions are all synonyms sort of? Kinda the same thing. You can just put a bit under your nostrils/upper lip and get similar effects. Hope it helps


https://www.amazon.com/Vicks-Inhaler-Relief-Congestion-Allergy/dp/B004MCSHNO

https://www.amazon.com/Provides-Breathing-Powerful-Medicated-Quickly/dp/B01IQDWYR4/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=vicks+balm&qid=1572305073&sr=8-2

Try using the neilmed sinus rinse. It will help flush out the sinuses and can prep your nose for use of an inhaled medication like fluticasone (Flonase). Guaifenesin can help make mucous more runny, but you need to be hydrated for it to work. When people are really sick in the hospital, I sometimes give them a vibratory PEP therapy device like this one to help break up thick mucous.

As you said, smoking will make things worse. I recommend checking out the handout provided by the AAFP for good tips on quitting.

Eating a little something, at least some crackers, if not soup, will probably make you feel better! I always love the Umcka cold care when I have a sore throat, and ginger tea.

In theory a saline type nasal spray could work for the application, but you would need to double the dose to make up for a less effective absoption method.

I've heard some people having luck with mt2 using this: https://www.amazon.com/Rhinase-Saline-Wetting-Allergy-Moisturizer/dp/B015DEYIHI/

The strict answer to your question involves probability.

There is a so-small-it's-silly probability that (even assuming mixing) no original water remains after 2 days. The probability is that each original molecule of water ends up in the drain, two days in a row. For 1L it's like tossing a coin 3x10^70 times and getting nothing but heads. That number is too small to be tangible.

At the same time there is a so-much-smaller-it-makes-the-first-probability-look-humongous chance that exactly half remains after 1000 days. (3x10^35000 tosses of heads in a row.)

The inflection point, where the probability of any of the original molecules remaining starts to be improbable happens after about 85 days of tossing half and refilling.

You can purchase a product that claims to reduce flu symptoms that consists of duck liver mashed and then diluted by a factor of 100 to 1, 200 times in a row. To apply to your example this is closer to simply emptying the glass and refilling it (figure the water clinging to the inside is one hundredth of the total) and repeating 200 times. The chance of an original molecule remaining becomes improbable after 18 rinses.

Ah, that's a good point there's a weasel word in there people are overlooking.

However:

You can overdose on dextromethorphan one of the active ingredients in Dayquil which was specifically mentioned by name by the OP.

https://www.amazon.com/Vicks-DayQuil-Multi-Symptom-Relief-LiquiCaps/dp/B005ZQP478?th=1

Take three of these packs, open them into a blender, add some nice fruit, ice and yogurt and enjoy ODing on this gross ass 50$ smoothie.

Edit: I have been informed you might need to use 6 or more packs to OD on that particular chemical and you might OD long before on some of the other ingredients so don't try and use this recreationally, it'd be bad.

I would definitely recommend the little red liquid gels - http://www.amazon.com/Special-pack-ROBITUSSIN-COUGH-GELS/dp/B003LZQ47O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343179108&sr=8-1&keywords=robitussin+cough+gels

A lot of drug stores like walgreens and CVS also carry generics of those.

The most important thing with the Mucinex is to get the kind that’s ONLY guaifenesin (i.e.: without a decongestant). Here’s a link to the one I take: Mucinex 600mg Extended Release Tablets

DOSE: 1 tablet 1-2x/day, (12hrs apart if 2x).
Keep in mind, all the studies involving guaifenesin have been with 600mg 1x/day so that should be sufficient.

WHEN: I start at the beginning of my predicted FW (I use the Flo app to predict), usually CD 7/8 for me, and continue until the end of my FW (2 days past ovulation).

TI: Every other day at beginning of FW until 4 days before predicted ovulation then every day until FW is over.

NOTE: I wasn’t kidding about giving it to my partner too. He takes it 1x/day on the same days as me. Some studies show improvement to sperm motility for men taking guaifenesin soooooo why not lol.

You can do honey in tea. I also liked Zarabees daytime honey drink (can't do the nighttime one, it has melatonin in it).
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ANJPQS8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ZwpOzbS1V5Q9F

You can also take Mucinex if you think thinner mucus would help. Benadryl or unisom are ok sleep aids for pregnancy.

I had a really bad cough a month ago and had a couple of times where I really peed myself. I wore big pads to bed so that the little spurts of pee wouldn't make me get out of bed to change underwear. The cough made my asthma worse and I had to use my inhaler more than normal. I hope you feel better soon!

I'm sure it depends on the underlying cause of the sore throat, but here is what I've found to help:

• Gargle salt water
  
  
• Drink a mixture of hot water and lemon juice
  
  
• If you can't stand the lemon juice, drink tea and honey or really any warm liquid
  
  
• Consider trying this product (I get it at the grocery store)

DANGEROUS!

This is what your friends need to be taking if they desire to get high on DXM.

I wish he would of issued a statement as to why he took Umcka. Did he take it as cold medicine like it's sold by Nature's Way on Amazon?

http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Way-Umcka-Original-Alcohol/dp/B00185OHAK

Or did he take it consistently when he wasn't even sick knowing it would give him some sort of advantage?

If the latter -- you gotta be real careful with that shit or things like this can happen.

I remember using tubes like that in mexico when i was little and I had a cold. They had menthol and were used to unclog your nose. There is nothing unique about the delivery method.

Looks like Vicks makes them

https://www.amazon.com/Vicks-Inhaler-Relief-Congestion-Allergy/dp/B004MCSHNO?th=1

Here are sixty-eight. Here's a review of the whole field. Even if I don't list individual preparations, can you find a single source for a homeopathic remedy being pulled from the shelves for inefficacy? I can't. The closest I can find is when the remedy turns out to not be as homeopathic as claimed. But even if that were happening, would that be a good thing, really, when it's replaced with other similarly-impossible homeopathic preparations?

Furthermore, at a certain point, absence of evidence is evidence of absence. It's been over two hundred years, and not a single homeopathic remedy has ever been demonstrated to work beyond a placebo, and it's not like we haven't been trying.

But if you really care about specific claims:

Amway claims that, if you join Amway, you can be rich! Except they are a pyramid scheme, or close enough -- the average Amway distributor makes $1400/year. They are still in business -- that Dateline article was in 2004, and Amway is still doing quite well. This is hardly the only running scam like this, and ought to be enough to disprove your original contention.

Back in Homeopathy, there's Oscillococcinum, which has again and again... not been shown to work. There have even been class action lawsuits -- plural -- over the fact that it was labeled as having the ability to cure the flu, and does not. But it's also in stock now, get it by Tuesday if you like.

Ultimately, I think this is shifting the burden. The burden should not be on the skeptic to show that a remedy doesn't work -- after all, all the homeopath needs do at that point is keep selling the same sugar pills and claim they came from a different plant that I haven't proven false yet. The burden should be on the person trying to sell something as "medicine" to prove that it actually treats something better than a placebo. Doesn't mean they shouldn't be allowed to sell them, but I think it's reasonable to have a separate section of the store for wholly-unproven remedies.

These are the mucinex pills I use: http://smile.amazon.com/Kirkland-Signature-Relief-Guaifenesin-Expectorant/dp/B0028K154A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1420729785&sr=8-2&keywords=kirkland+guaifenesin

They're really cheap but they definitely have that gross mucinex taste. They work really well though!!

Check this out instead. This is purpose driven for what you're doing.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CCHPC1R/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_1rwQBbQD5AZCW

Freeze spray for diagnosing electronics issues ticks all your choices, and is safer for the environment and you than spraying 134a that frequently.

It's this. Hitting the bottom of printed parts on the bed with it will cause them to pop right off the bed most times without needing a tool to remove them. It's very handy for keeping the bed nice.

I actually think this hot lemon drink really works: Nature's Way Umcka® ColdCare Shortens Duration & Reduces Severity, Soothing Lemon Flavored Drink, 10 Packets https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WKW6S2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_dEarDbF1PRBJZ

They sell it at Whole Foods if you have one by you!

First pull off of a freshly opened one of these sonofawhores, and it feels like your eyes are gonna get pushed out of the sockets from the inside. That's how you can tell it's working.

Well maybe, but in that case 20 USD for 30 tubes of sugar is a little steep in my view.

I keep one of these in my backpack at all times.

Tons of water, green tea and the Guaifenesin-only Mucinex during your fertile window.

There's loads of proper bullshit on amazon with five star ratings.

i mean in this flu remedy they even claim that:
>Oscillo has been shown in clinical studies to help reduce both the duration and the severity of flu-like symptoms.

which deceives people into thinking it's been clinically tested. i'm pretty sure there's nothing clinical about their product at all, even.

what's crazy is that people are really dumb enough to buy into it, it has an A, 90% rating out of 1303 reviews on fakespot at the time of this writing.

WTF people WTF.