Nothing fun about it....Chest Cold Help!

[Kirbyfan]

Ok I started getting a cold last Friday, now its Tuesday and its moved into my chest. I have a little bit of a runny nose but not bad at all. No fever yet and no other symptoms other than, my chest is has a bunch of crap in it and it hurts like a bitch to cough it up....when I do its nasty old phlem.

We leave Friday for Playa and I want to have this thing mostly beaten by then if possible. I am looking for things to do that will help me defeat this damn thing! I'd gargle diesel fuel if i thought it would help!

I am looking for help from my friends here, some of you must have some ideas, medications that have worked, homeopathic remedies, ANYTHING! I'd french kiss all the dogs at Andy and Jens shelter if they could assure me it would help!!!!

Thanks for any replies....theres nothing worse that being on vacation sick and thats usually my wife's job!

[Kirbyfan]

Ok a little more info to add and that is that I have been taking Zicam, this hasnt seemed to help as of yet and I've been taking it since last Friday.

I also thought just getting a sub to fill in for me today teaching and going home and getting alot of rest would help.....but they cannot find a sub for me so it looks like I have to tough it out!!!

[PlayaWithMe2]

Originally Posted by Kirbyfan

Ok a little more info to add and that is that I have been taking Zicam, this hasnt seemed to help as of yet and I've been taking it since last Friday.

I also thought just getting a sub to fill in for me today teaching and going home and getting alot of rest would help.....but they cannot find a sub for me so it looks like I have to tough it out!!!

Mucinex.....now. Get that stuff out! Watch your ears. If they start plugging up....take some decongestant. I've had ruptured eardrums descending into Puerto Vallarta and I will NEVER do that again. Hope you kick this thing before your trip. And if all else fails, the tequila and sunshine in Playa will be a good thing.

[MWC]

We had something similar go through our family right around Xmas/New Year's.

My general advice is to drown your system with ginger ale. Diet or regular doesn't matter. Hot tea, too. You want things like ginger, which helps your body get rid of stuff.
My hubby had good luck with mucinex ... really kept coughs productive. Get the one that's a combo cough suppressant/expectorant -- because you will get to the point where it's the painful unproductive coughs that will really get you down.
I like Ricola cough drops. The kept me going when I had to sub.

The big thing is fluids, fluids, fluids. You want to keep the mucus soft & flowing. Yum!

[PlayaWithMe]

I have had it for six weeks now....The same thing...Started with a runny nose then went into my chest.....It SUX! Have fluid behind my right ear....Never had it this long before...Usually lasts 7-10 days then it is gone....Get antibiotics If you dont feel better in a week......

[Kirbyfan]

The stuff I have read said that antibotics wont cure it any quicker unless you have pnemonia. I have read, well heres some of what seems to be out there, anyone have success with any of this?

Apple Cider Vinegar: The best thing you can do with this is sip it throughout the day. And adding the teaspoon to a glass of warm water is much easier to take. This is by far, my strongest weapon to get rid of the congestion in my lungs, and head, and does keep me off antibiotics. I can literally feel it breaking down the congestion in my chest, my ears, and my throat. Everything gets broken up, and then there’s nothing left for an infection to feed on. Take this especially at night when everything is draining down to your chest.
Apple Cider Vinegar: This time, put some on a cotton ball, and rub it across your chest, your neck, up to your ears, and your throat. If you have a sinus headache, rub it on your forehead. Yes, you will not smell nice, but who cares, at this point? Then, for an extra kick, I turn on my heating pad, and place it on my chest. The coughing stops, the tightness goes away on my chest, and I can sleep.
Cool Mint & Eucalyptus Bath and Massage Oil: I put this on top of the apple cider vinegar to deepen the effects. The Eucalyptus keeps me breathing without congestion.
The SinuCleanse Neti Pot System: I won’t lie to you — this does hurt a little, if you’re really stuffed up. But it gets better. But it’s the best way to clean out your nasal passages. The warm salt water breaks everything down, and goes right through you head, and down into your chest. Does it’s job well.
Warm water with lemon. Drink this first thing in the morning. In fact, I do this every morning. But I didn’t on Saturday, because I ran out of lemons. Hmmm? Is there a connection between my illness showing up on Sunday?
I just started sipping the Apple Cider Vinegar last night, and that heavy feeling in my chest is disappearing. Yes, I should have started on Sunday, but I thought putting the apple cider vinegar on my chest would be enough. It wasn’t enough. Drinking it is. So, as I sit here, sipping apple cider and tea, caught between the Darth Vader Lightsabers of my boys, I’m hoping to feel better._So, bookmark this, and try this the next time you get sick.

[PlayaWithMe]

Well whatever you have hope you get rid of it soon and is not the kind that lingers......

[MWC]

It all boils (pun! ) down to fluids.
Keep the fluids flowing ...
that plus an expectorant will at least get the stuff out.

[UGAplaya]

water water and more water. And if you have a Vietnamese restuarant nearby go and have some of their chicken soup. It will cure anything. For your cough have a little honey and bourbon. Ah heck, screw the honey, just have the bourbon. Hope you get better soon.

[Kirbyfan]

Thanks everyone so far for the kind words and good advice!

Just got out of a STEAMING hot bath and inhaled some crap thats supposed to help. Wife is bringing home some mucinex and other stuff. 3 days till playa, lets hope it works fast and lets hope SHE doesnt catch it from me!!

[Tony&Cheri]

Can't help with the chest part, but if it moves into your head & sinuses, I swear by Claritin D. That stuff is like a miracle!

Hope you feel better.

~Cheri

[queencityfan]

Kirby,

I had my hubby, who gets really nasty chest colds, try the Mucinex last time and it really worked well for him.


I'm a bit fan of hot and spicy food, especially broth soups with some tabasco, really seems to thin the mucus out and make it easier to get rid of.


Take care and try to get some extra rest, I hear that sleeping on the beach in the sun works wonders too.

[Kirbyfan]

*sigh*

From bad to worse....i cannot seem to sleep, my nose is now clogged like you wouldnt believe, I am a virtual snot machine!

My head hurts, it hurts to cough...

I just ate some garlic because I saw that was supposed to help and I just used a Neti Pot for the first time...that was a wierd experience! I know people that swear by them though!

Just waiting for the MRS to get home with a mitful of other rememdies!!!

I hope sun, ocean water, cold sol, fantastic food, excellent tequila and good friends is a quick cure!!!

[queencityfan]

Originally Posted by Kirbyfan

*sigh*

From bad to worse....i cannot seem to sleep, my nose is now clogged like you wouldnt believe, I am a virtual snot machine!

My head hurts, it hurts to cough...

I just ate some garlic because I saw that was supposed to help and I just used a Neti Pot for the first time...that was a wierd experience! I know people that swear by them though!

Just waiting for the MRS to get home with a mitful of other rememdies!!!

I hope sun, ocean water, cold sol, fantastic food, excellent tequila and good friends is a quick cure!!!

Kirby, get your self to the Doc tommorow and be sure to get some Nasonex or something to clear up your head or flying will be no fun!

[debbih]

Mucinex- expectorant. Don't use the Musinex DM at night, it kept me from sleeping when I had the same thing! Tylenol PM at night so you get plenty of rest. Advil during the day...I love Advil, it makes everything feel better
Hope you get well quickly!!

[fairydogmother]

Here's a few natural things that may help...

I swear by Japanese Mint oil. WAY stronger than vicks but still pleasant smelling. I put it in my shower/bath, and mix it with lotion and schmear it on my chest, back and throat.

Get some oil of oregano. Tastes like $hite but anything that tastes that bad is sure to kill whatever is making you ill. My mom takes it daily and swears by it, and she hasn't been sick in recent memory.

I flew to pdc this January with a killer cold and the descent was a bitch. Make sure you take a good decongestant whether you think you need it at that point or not - it really really hurt and then I couldn't hear for about 6 hours afterwards!!

Hope you get feeling better. Lots and lots of fluids - ginger was mentioned, and green tea. Best wishes!!!

[knapthyme]

I swear by the Mucinex too! Had a cold for a while that turned into a congetion with larangytis. Tried a script and had a reaction, the nurse at the doctor recommended Mucinex to get my voice back... all was clear in less than 24 hours.