Medication Question

[Bachelor]

Hello, folks. I've been sick for several days (I think it's a flu), with symptoms in the chest and sinuses. I'm very skeptical about products hawked on TV, such a Theraflu and Mucinex. Have any of you found a product that actually works as advertised? Thanks for your suggestions.

[Farmboy666]

Bachelor wrote:
Thanks, Chris. I may give that a try. My doctor won't be available for several days. Besides, doctors sometimes prescribe antibiotics, which are ineffective for a flu-like illness.

Wife just went through this, Musinex worked great, also DR said if cough was unproductive that it was inflammation and that point antibiotic was best course.

[Bachelor]

Well, whatever hit me is just about gone. Only an occasional lingering cough. So, I've stopped all meds. Hopefully, I won't suffer a relapse. The symptoms were nasty!

[Bachelor]

OP here. Well, I went to Walmart yesterday and purchased their equivalent for Theraflu, under WM's brand 'Equate'. The ingredients are similar to the highly advertised Theraflu's. I took one dose about mid afternoon and got really good relief for about 12 hours. My sinuses were virtually clear and I didn't start sneezing until about 4 AM this morning. That being so, I'll take the med this evening, so it should last the entire night. I've had good results with 'Equate' products.

[centerline]

mucinex... no matter if its a cold or the flu.

I have found nyquil gelcaps to work also, but the only downside is, they will keep you in a stupor until you stop taking them... arguably, this may not be a downside, as when one has a severe case of the flu, the best way to suffer thru it is to be "out of it" until it passes... either way, LOTS of liquids and no solid foods.... your body will do best if it gets its nourishment thru bouillon broth and juice's...

[toedtoes]

DiskDoctr wrote:

2oldman wrote:
Got flu shot? (previously of course)

Only 7-10% effective this year.

I had a bad reaction to it a few years ago. First one I can remember having. I never got one again.

Understanding the life cycle of the flu virus is important. The virus starts its life in Asia and moves around the globe over the year. What variant the shot is made from (and effective against), may not be the variant going around in your region at a particular time.


The doctor should only prescribe antibiotics if the flu has developed into bronchitis or pneumonia. The best way to prevent either of those is to blow your nose frequently and NEVER suck the phlem back in.

[Chris_Bryant]

IAMICHABOD wrote:

A little side note, while I was looking for relief from a cold,and as a Coumadien, (Warfarin) user I am restricted to what OTC and Prescriptions I can use. I Found This ,I thought it may be helpful to others.

Thanks for that- my Dad had a bad cold also, and is on warfarin, and I bought him zinc lozenges- luckily he read the warnings, and the specifically warn against using if you're on the blood thinner.
That cold bug was going around here, and it is hard to shake- the doc said most took several weeks to get over it.

[IAMICHABOD]

I will go along with the others on this and recommend Mucinex,(Guaifenesin)that is what I have used in the past and it worked very well.

A little side note, while I was looking for relief from a cold,and as a Coumadien, (Warfarin) user I am restricted to what OTC and Prescriptions I can use. I Found This ,I thought it may be helpful to others.

Oh and BTW I am just starting to feel better from a bad cold that hit Christmas........With the help of these things.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!

[DiskDoctr]

2oldman wrote:
Got flu shot? (previously of course)

Only 7-10% effective this year.

I had a bad reaction to it a few years ago. First one I can remember having. I never got one again.

[2oldman]

Got flu shot? (previously of course)

[coolmom42]

Chris Bryant wrote:
Mucinex actually works quite well- that's what my 89 year old fathers doctor told him to take. He explained that when it gets to your lungs, you don't want a decongestant, which works by drying up the mucus, rather you want an expectorant, which will loosen the mucus, so you can cough it up.
He said just regular Mucinex, not the dm, which has a decongestant.

Yep.

Along with LOTS of fluids, which are necessary to thin the mucus so it can come out. Gross, but true.

If it's just a cold, you will get better.

If you keep on getting worse, you may have a sinus infection and/or bronchitis. For those things, you need a doctor. If yours is not available, go to an urgent care clinic.

[midnightsadie]

hope the flu leaves AZ by the middle of feb, and I too have been told thats the best stuff to use, stay home,warm and hope it passes.soon.

[Desert_Captain]

Chris Bryant wrote:
Mucinex actually works quite well- that's what my 89-year-old father's doctor told him to take. He explained that when it gets to your lungs, you don't want a decongestant, which works by drying up the mucus, rather you want an expectorant, which will loosen the mucus, so you can cough it up.
He said just regular Mucinex, not the dm, which has a decongestant.

X2

Just got back from a 12 day trip to San Diego dealing with my 90-year-old dad who had the flu...BAD! During a 12 hour stay in the ER at Mercy Hospital, the advice above was repeated by three different doctors. This year is the worst in decades for the flu and it is extremely contagious, if you have it, please stay home!

My wife and daughter both got it from dad but somehow I managed to get by {and we all had our flu shots}.

[Bachelor]

Thanks, Chris. I may give that a try. My doctor won't be available for several days. Besides, doctors sometimes prescribe antibiotics, which are ineffective for a flu-like illness.

[Lwiddis]

I use Bourbon.