Ugh. I am sick, sick, sick

[annettemarie]

The kids all had it first. Now I have it--although thank heavens, I don't have the goopy eyes. But I'm headachy, sore throat, earache, and I have swollen glands. I feel like I've been run over by a train. What can I do/take? I've actually taken Tylenol a few times even though I try to avoid it because I feel so dreadful.:fever:

[Breathless Wonder]

annettemarie- :hug

I'm not currently pregnant- but wanted to sympathize. Everyone around here has had what you have. It seems to take quite a while to go away.

:(

[wanderinggypsy]

I'm sick too. My youngest son was VERY sick, and now he's getting better, but my older boy is starting to cough (if there is a respiratory illness to be had, this boy will have it... ugh), and now my glands are all swollen and my throat hurts. As for what to take, I'm going to take tylenol tonight I think after supper so I can at least sit cozied up in the lazyboy and feel remotely human. Other than that, I find hot lemon and honey really does help with the sore throat and any congestion issues. It's like neo citron without the psychadelic trip (I know, no fun!!)
I hope you (and me too) are feeling better soon. What a lovely way to launch a new year. (Sniffle).

[Lizzo]

:hug
Thinking of you!

[mom22girls]

Check with your Dr. first, but, the info sheet I have from my Dr says: salt water gargles, salt water nasal sprays, Tavist, Tavist D, Sudafed. Of course, some of these may make you too wacked out to deal with other kiddos. I always take the advice of a favored GP - the only way to get rid of a cold is to drink as much as you can and get as much rest/sleep as you can. Great advice if you can take it.

Healing hugs!

-H

[annettemarie]

Thanks, ladies! This really stinks. At least my body waited til the kids were past the worst to get sick. The hot lemon and honey sounds yummy.

[Ilana]

When we get sick I make an awesome tea by boiling a piece of gingerroot for a good half an hour with a stick of cinammon and garlic if we're feeling brave, then I add the juice of half a lemon and a teaspoon of honey and it feels so good, plus ginger is warming and I think has anti-viral properties. We also chop up a clove of raw garlic really fine and just swallow it down with water. We never touch OTC stuff here because they just masks symptoms and make you dopey.

ILANA

[annettemarie]

At this point feeling dopey sounds pretty dang good. :lol

Just joking!

Do you have any advice for a super sore throat? I'm going to try the tea and some mullein drops in my achy ear, but the sore throat and swollen glands are really bugging me.

[Breathless Wonder]

annettemarie-

Gargle with warm salt water to break up any mucus in your throat- it helps soothe a sore throat as well.
Follow with a spoonful of honey- either straight, or in warm non-caffeinated tea- lemon is great. There is also a tea called "Throat Coat" which works well.
Flush your nasal passages with saline to break up congestion, and help minimize post nasal drip, which can really irritate the throat, and be a breeding ground for secondary infections. You might consider using the saline even if you don't think you have mucus build up. Sometimes the mucus is there, and you don't really realize it, and any way, saline is great for rehydrating mucus membranes.
Get hydrated- drink plenty of water.
Use a humidifier to keep mucous membranes moist.
Consider taking sodium ascorbate, to help boost your immune system, and garlic, to help ward off secondary infection.
Get plenty of rest. Feel better soon!

[adoremybabe]

I live in the boonies so going to the store tonight is not an option for me. I am off to make my own salt nasal spray. I can't breathe throgh my nose! Wish me luck!

[momto l&a]

Vitamin C :thumb

[QueenOfThePride]

Check with your Dr. first, but, the info sheet I have from my Dr says: salt water gargles, salt water nasal sprays, Tavist, Tavist D, Sudafed.

Be careful about taking any OTC drugs. Some of these are safe in late pregnancy, but you shouldn't take anything but occasional Tylenol in the first 12 weeks. What helps me a little with the congestion is hot liquids - hot soup and hot tea. Make sure to take your vitamins and get a lot of rest. Also a cold cloth on my face helped with the sinus pressure. ***Feel Better Vibes***

[annettemarie]

You know, I should know a lot of this--I was a voice major. I must have blocked it out, LOL! I've gargled and am drinking some tea with honey. No lemon, as we have none, not even lemon juice. The only Vitamin C is the house is the kids, so tomorrow morning I'm going to grab some at the HFS. Thanks, everyone. Here's hoping tomorrow is better!

[annettemarie]

Ooh, and my prenatal has 150 mg of Vitamin C, so that's something, right?

[Breathless Wonder]

150 mg is something, yes. :)

Have you read the sodium ascorbate thread?
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=353318

And here is a companion thread re pregnancy:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=536595

And here is a companion thread re: dosage amounts:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=539507

Hope you feel better today.

[wanderinggypsy]

While you're at the HFS, pick up some ear candles. I find that candling my ears brngs down my swollen glands fast.

[annettemarie]

Well, I stopped at the docs on my way to the HFS and I have a shiny new double ear infection as well as a sinus infection!:clap She gave me a prescription for an antibiotic, but I haven't decided what to do yet. Went to the HFS and picked up many things, including the SA--thanks!--but still feel pretty nasty. Ah well. Can't last forever, right?

[Breathless Wonder]

I'm sorry to hear that annettemarie.

How bad did he feel the infections were?

I hope you feel better soon!

[annettemarie]

She looked in and said "Whoa. That's really nasty." And when she looked in the other ear she asked how it was I was upright. :lol I'm guessing that's pretty bad. She also said she thought the reason it hit so hard and strong and fast was because I'm pregnant, which increases your mucus somethings? I'm having trouble hearing things right now, LOL! Frankly, I wish the damned eardrums would just burst. The pressure is excruciating.

Thanks for asking! It feels good to know people care and that I'm getting non-mainstream support.

[Breathless Wonder]

No problem annettemarie.

*I* MIGHT consider trying something like warm garlic oil in my ears, and lots of nasal flushing, if it were me. I have heard from neti pot users that neti pots do a MUCH more efficient job than saline sprays or using a dropper to administer saline, but I can not attest to that personally. I have ALSO heard that making saline solution with sodium ascorbate instead of sea salt can REALLY knock the crap out of your nasal passages and sinuses.

I'd also take garlic tablets, and/or eat significant amounts of fresh garlic

Another suggestion- lots of warm compresses/ hot water bottles to help increase circulation to the sinuses. The warmth is also soothing.

Again- tons of water, humidifier etc.

Even if you do decide to take the antibiotics, I would consider trying some of these other measures.

[josybear]

i tried to hold off on the antibiotics a few weeks ago, and ended up crying in pain and completley deaf for 1.5 weeks. so maybe don't wait to start them.

when i'm sick i have tons of honey in tons of decaf tea and hot lemony water.
and i chop up raw garlic, 1 clove into 3 or 4 pieces, and swallow them like pills. it tastes awful and makes me stink, but it's a strong antibiotic and it's safe
if your sinuses get bad, boil parsley and drink the tea. preferably with honey. parsley is a strong, safe antihistamine. i fed that to my boy, too, and he felt a lot better.
um... cayenne, if you can stomach it... as much juice and fruit as possible, avoid dairy...