too much cough syrup and cough drops

[BeachSiO2]

If I have to take any type of OTC cold medicine, I go straight to Zicam. It works great and usually cures my ills before they get full blown.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Toss the cough drops and cough syrup. Drink tea with honey, suck on sugarless hard candy. Christi is right- the Mucinex/Sudafed combo works. Cough syrups only help if they have something in them to just plain knock you out- like a narcotic- then you don't cough because you are mercifully asleep!

I haven't even taken the full recommended doses for the Robitussin and Ricola, and it is too sweet for me. I have done decaf tea with honey, and that helps only while I'm drinking it. I hate the idea of being passed out on narcotics.

I wonder if the sugarless candy is still sweet from artificial sweetners? If not, where the heck do you find sugarless hard candy? I really don't want to have to make some.

I did receive one suggestion of drinking Gatorade to help sooth the throat and hydrate. I'm also drinking some Cranberry juice and Grape Juice (even though it is sweet as candy) to get some vitamins.

I mentioned that I didn't want cherry flavored anything, b/c that is the flavor of the Robitussin, but I dislike the cherry, grape, and orange, because they all remind me of the medicines I took as a child. I'm sure that I'm not alone in that thought. I wish they made fun flavors for medicines, like Pear, Apple, Peach, Pumpkin Pie, etc. They really need to branch out a bit.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Most "sugar-free" products are made for diabetics or "health-conscious" people, but most still have plenty of sweetness. Local Pharmacy? ha, ha, ha. very funny. Its a 50 mile round trip.

 

[BeachSiO2]

Most "sugar-free" products are made for diabetics or "health-conscious" people, but most still have plenty of sweetness. Local Pharmacy? ha, ha, ha. very funny. Its a 50 mile round trip.

Gulf Place isn't that far from you.;-) Santa Rosa Pharmacy used to be there, or is it closed

 

[Smiling JOe]

Okay, a 40 mile round trip, but their cough drops are still sweet. I am tired of sweets.

 

[Tsgtsgirl]

Ya know good ole vitamin C and ecanatia work pretty good to get rid of a cold. Of course the sore throat may still be there but shouldn't take as long to get well.

 

[Ocean Lover]

I agree with JDarg and Punzy...everything in pill form. A decongestant and expectorant then along with that advil or tylenol to also help with the sore throat. Hope you feel better soon! I'm still fighting it too. I'm also still using the sinus rinse. It helps with the dryness in the air up here too. It just feels better afterward.

 

[Minnie]

The warm salt water, while not fun, definitely helps as it reduces swelling. As to the cough, nothing works for me but the hard stuff, Tuissionex Suspension, which is lemon based. Yum but it is prescription only and is heavy on the narcs.

If you want something over the counter that does not have the sweet taste, you can try Buckley's. It works but believe me it is the most awful tasting stuff ever. There is even You Tube's of the people trying it for the first time. I think it works because it tastes so bad, you don't want to repeat it.

Chicken soup is probably the best remedy of all.

 

[scooterbug44]

I am a big fan of hot soups, stews, applesauce, chocolate etc. that soothe and coat your throat instead of drops or cough meds. IMO those hard candies or drops can roughen up your throat and make you feel like you're rolling a marble around.

Lots of liquids & fresh fruits/juices, long hot bath, cozy pjs, huge dinner of comfort food, and sleep!

 

[Smiling JOe]

NoHall suggested Gatorade, "not the substitutes," and I have to say that room-temp Gatorade has helped more than anything. Who knew? I sure didn't, but now I'm a believer.