Take this cold and shove it! (Read 1033 times)

So it has been a week of this cold bug/random virus. Started with a mild sore throat that has steadily been nagging me. A little bit of sinus issues, but mostly just the throat. During the day my head is pretty clear, but at night my nose stuffs-up and then I end up breathing through my mouth, which makes my throat scream. So last night I thought it might be a good idea to take some NyQuil before bed...the generic stuff that still has Pseudophedrine in it. BIG mistake. I was like this until about 4AM --> Needless to say I am postponing my run until tomorrow, since I have found that little sleep = really bad run. Anyhow, usually I get over colds faster than this. I don't think it's a sinus infection, either, as I usually feel MUCH worse with those (like my head is going to explode and constant coughing). This is my first cold bug since I started running last Spring. Could running be causing my symptoms to linger? My last 3 runs were all during less-than-ideal weather conditions (wind, snow, cold, dry air). I'm kind of wondering if the harsh conditions have served to further irritate my throat and respiratory tract. Any thoughts, suggestions...? k

I was just telling my hubby the other day that I should try that. I know a couple of people who really swear by them...I just fear I would somehow inhale the water or something--I'm really clumsy like that, LOL! Yeah...allergies...ugh! Mine came along with puberty and have gotten worse over the past 20 years. I think a lot of my sore throat issues are due to sneezing--I think this erratic warm-cold-warm weather (welcome to Winter in MI) is to blame. I'm guessing there is some mold at work. Would I find a neti pot at any health food store, or would a drugstore maybe carry them? k

So last night I thought it might be a good idea to take some NyQuil before bed...the generic stuff that still has Pseudophedrine in it. BIG mistake. I was like this until about 4AM -->

I'm just now getting over my cold! I woudn't tell you not to run, but maybe take it a little easy? For me, if I'm training really hard I've noticed that my immune system tends to be a little less strong (I get sick easier and stay sick longer). But that may be because I tend to run longer at the expense of my sleep time (not a good idea). One thing is for certain, if you have a fever, do not run (your body won't be able to regulate your temp properly... could be dangerous). Otherwise, I usually try to take at least a few days off and then resume running towards the end of my cold.. sometimes the running helps me clear up some of that congestion (really gets the blood pumping). I have that same reaction to Pseudophedrine... I avoid it now because it makes me too jumpy! This shouldn't be a surpise since it's chemically related to amphetimines (which is why it's used to make Meth). I'm pretty sure brand-name NyQuil contains a different decogestant (doesn't give me problems, anyways). I also use Afrin sometimes (can't remember the drug name) (and over-the-counter nasal inhaler), which really clears up your nose. However, it makes me feel a little wierd (too dry?) and if you use it for more than 3 days it can make things worse, I guess. Basically none of those over-the-counter medicines will "cure" you, of course, they just make you feel better (or at least numb your senses a little bit) so you can sleep... and sleep seems to be something that actually helps me bet better! I've long suffered from allergies and sinusitis and am therefore susceptible to respiratory viruses and (eventually) sinus infections, so I'm very interested in these nasal irrigation methods (Sinucleanse/Neti pot)... My sister-in-law just had one "prescribed" by her doctor and it's good to hear that you all have had good experiences with them too. I think I'll have to check it out. Keep us posted on how it works for you guys! Maybe we can form a nasal irrigation user group (ahaha.. just kidding).

i have pretty bad allergies, which a lot of time for some reason turns into colds..if somebody within 10 ft of me has a cold, chances are i'll get it. But most of the time they'll last 1 to 2 weeks..with running my last cold lasted about 4 - 5 weeks..have you ever tried Thera Flu...most of the time it works for me and its nice and hot and sooths the throat.

..have you ever tried Thera Flu...most of the time it works for me and its nice and hot and sooths the throat.

I used to use that stuff all the time (more recently switched to NyQuil). The hot-steamy part of it is really nice and you can get it in a night-time form that will put you to sleep. It tastes TERRIBLE, but if you add a lot of honey to it, it's just barely tolerable. No matter what you take (or don't take), try to drink a LOT of fluids (soup, tea, OJ, whatever). Lots of fluids will keep your nose running (which is better than it clogging, leading to a sinus infection). Hope you feel better very soon!

Hope you feel better very soon!

That's the really annoying part--I don't really feel sick much at all during the day, but the throat pain is taking a toll on my sleep (which makes me irritable and tired...blah). I even gargled salt water last night without it helping much. Man, being sick-but-not-really-sick is more frustrating than just plain being sick...if that makes any sense. k

Keep us posted on how it works for you guys! Maybe we can form a nasal irrigation user group (ahaha.. just kidding).

Alright, The headache I've had since mid November definitely is taking on sinus headache characteristics (tho I haven't heard back from the dr on the CT scan yet). I went and bought a neti pot this afternoon and gave it a try. 1) it was very strange 2) the side that is giving me pains was definitely harder to irrigate indicating (to me anyhow) that indeed the sinus on that side was definitely more packed 3) it seems I've managed to loosen things up (pressure gone) though now it feels like I have to blow my nose a lot. Unfortunately it's feeling like the HPA (high pollution advisory) moved in early as now I'm wheezy with asthma.

2) the side that is giving me pains was definitely harder to irrigate indicating (to me anyhow) that indeed the sinus on that side was definitely more packed 3) it seems I've managed to loosen things up (pressure gone) though now it feels like I have to blow my nose a lot. Unfortunately it's feeling like the HPA (high pollution advisory) moved in early as now I'm wheezy with asthma.

Yeah, the first few times you use it you'll be blowing your nose a lot because there's lots of stuff stuck in it. You might even get water falling out of your nose at an inopportune time. Also, if you're stuffed up on one side, try doing the other side first. I always seem to have more crap stuck up my left nostril. I end up using my neti pot 2-3 times a day because it's very polluted and dry. Yeah, sipping tequiila! It's generally made from 100% agave nectar and aged in oak barrels for a while. There are lots of different brands though my standbys are the Patron Reposado and Patron Anejo. While you could definitely throw it in a margarita they have lots of flavor all to themselves or with a little salt.