Rhinovirus
When I get any kind of upper respiratory thing, it just seems to beat me up and hang on for weeks. I don’t know if that’s because of all the smoking I did as a young man (quit 19 years ago) or what. This one is kicking my butt. I can’t sleep or stay awake all that well. It’s not like pneumonia or anything, just really annoying congestion and drainage and it’s wearing me down now that we’re in the second week of it.
I’m really interested in what over-the-counter cures and home remedies my friends have found that might give some relief on the really bad days (like today).
My wife likes DayQuil, but that’s not doing much for me. Nor is generic Tussin doing very much. Oh, it helps a bit, but it’s been pretty weak. Steam helps only a little. Bummer. I have sometimes gotten good results from Alka-Seltzer products. Why don’t they hire Brian Setzer to do promos? In my current bout, the fizzy cold tablets are doing next to nothing. Sometimes the gelcaps work better.
My old friend Alan Ennen always suggested a very large chorizo burrito with extra extra-hot hot sauce. He recommended this for about any ailment you can imagine, and also as a nice lunch. The burrito had to come from La Bamba in Champaign, IL though. He was right about it giving relief for a lot of issues, even stomach problems. I think it’s a combination of having enough carbs and all the benefits of peppers (which include anti-congestion). I know that strong hot sauces help me stay awake, too.
So what works for you?
Hope this finds you much better than a couple of weeks ago. I check in periodically every few months. I enjoy your blog, sorry I never leave any comments, until now.
I had the respiratory thing around the end of November. It lasted through the 2nd or 3rd week of December…only the cough now lingers. Mucinex was a very big help with me; Cheryl recommended it.
Tell Libby I said hello and I think of your family often.
Comment by Karen Lister — 2007-December-28 @ 02:04
Thanks for that.
I still have the respiratory thing, and it’s now January. I got it in November, so I’m getting kind of tired. Musinex is helping, and hot drinks, and cough drops, and a humidifier, and some hot pepper stuff now and then. But here we are.
I wish I’d taken notes. I tried so many things for this, and got so little relief. I actually feel a bit better after shoveling/scraping the drive, probably because it helps me clear my lungs a bit and I feel better after the exercise.
So nice to hear from you Karen! I miss you guys.
Comment by Tim — 2008-January-2 @ 05:03