Sick day tomorrow, I suspect... - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

10/29/2006 08:34:04 PM · #1

Anyone got any tried and true home remedies for flu symptoms? Something that might make me feel a little less like death warmed over?

I called the doc and she said that since I have waited so long to seek treatment that if it's the flu, it will just have to run its course and antivirals wouldn't help. I started getting sick last Friday...hit me like a ton of bricks at work and I tried to convince myself it was just a cold, but with the way I feel, I do believe the flu has me in its grasp.

The irony is that we just got our flu shots at work on Thursday. I guess they don't work very well when you're already incubating. ;)

heathen

Best-Buy Easy Point & Click

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

10/29/2006 08:39:21 PM · #2

A lot of people only get the flu when they've had a flu shot.

But to answer your question, drink lots and lots and lots of orange juice and water. Never stop drinking. And, get yourself some sleeping pills...Tylenol PM or whatever works for you...and just knock yourself out. Your body will fight off this illness much more effectively while you sleep, and you'll have the added benefit of not having to consciously suffer through as much of it.

cryingdragon

Canon EOS-10D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

10/29/2006 08:42:54 PM · #3

alkaseltzer cold almost always works for me

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

10/29/2006 08:43:47 PM · #4

Originally posted by laurielblack:

Actually, if you already have a flu bug when you get the shot, it makes it worse since your body not only has to fight the bug making you sick, but it also has to develop the antibodies for the flu strains in the flu shot itself.

Sleep as much as possible, 18+hrs/day is good. Eat soup, drink cranberry juice and 7up. Medicate all of your symptoms.

Get well soon.

Rebecca

Nikon D80

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5- 5.6G ED DX

10/29/2006 08:49:25 PM · #5

Hot herbal tea. Celestial Seasonings Throat Soothers is yummy and feels nice on a sore throat. Peppermint is supposed to be a tummy soother so any teas with peppermint, like CS's Tummy Mint, would be good, too.

Message edited by author 2006-10-29 20:50:27.

10/29/2006 08:49:30 PM · #6

Hot, Hot bath...as hot as you can stand.

Drink hot tea...preferrably while in the bath.

Gargle with hydrogen peroxide twice a day.

These are the reasons I rarely stay sick for more than 2 or 3 days.

Hope you feel better soon!

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

10/29/2006 08:57:32 PM · #7

Thanks for the suggestions so far...I've been doing the hot tea already, drinking lots and lots of fluids, and have been taking Theraflu but it doesn't seem to be doing much for me. I think I might have a date with some Nyquil tonight and see if it helps me sleep in some contiguous chunk of hours...I've been trying to sleep a lot but I wake up often (usually because I can't breathe). I've never tried the alka seltzer but I might make someone run to the store in the morning.

It's been a very long time since I was really sick like this so I guess I've been lucky. I thought that after 11 years of working in a school, I'd be immune to most everything. ;)

buzzrock

Fujifilm X-M1

Fujifilm XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS

10/29/2006 08:58:54 PM · #8

get a B-12 shot, always worked for me

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5- 5.6G ED DX

10/29/2006 09:03:42 PM · #9

I remember a recent study that said something to the effect that people who take antihistamines while sick, have a better chance of avoiding the lingering infections. I guess it's a drainage thing.

If you have a sore throat, I can't praise peroxide enough. It kills the bacteria that are the cause of the pain; and relief is usually quick.

Rebecca

Nikon D80

10/29/2006 09:11:44 PM · #10

Originally posted by greatandsmall:

Except that the flu is a virus, and the pain is caused by drainage essentially rubbing your throat raw, not by bacteria. It can theoretically help prevent a secondary infection of a bacterial nature, though.

One more recommendation: if you're drinking a lot of cranberry juice, you should consider taking some kind of probiotic to replace the good bacteria that the juice washes out. I like BioK+ non-dairy. It may also help settle an upset stomach if the lack of helpful bacteria is the cause of some of the nausea.

10/29/2006 10:00:43 PM · #11

oops dbl post

Message edited by author 2006-10-29 22:02:11.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

10/29/2006 10:01:34 PM · #12

Originally posted by karmabreeze:

Originally posted by greatandsmall:
I remember a recent study that said something to the effect that people who take antihistamines while sick, have a better chance of avoiding the lingering infections. I guess it's a drainage thing.

If you have a sore throat, I can't praise peroxide enough. It kills the bacteria that are the cause of the pain; and relief is usually quick.

Except that the flu is a virus, and the pain is caused by drainage essentially rubbing your throat raw, not by bacteria. It can theoretically help prevent a secondary infection of a bacterial nature, though.

Yeah, that's what I was getting at. It's the bacteria that makes the throat hurt. Anyway, that's what a doctor told me years ago.

Jason_Cross

Nikon D50

10/29/2006 10:33:17 PM · #13

Hybernol.

Nikon D200

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

10/29/2006 10:36:09 PM · #14

Aww, so sorry to hear you are under the weather, Laurie!

I've always favored ginger ale when I'm not feeling well.

Hugs, babycakes, and feel better soon!

idnic

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

10/29/2006 10:37:53 PM · #15

I've only had the flu once in my life - knock on wood - and I was only 16 then; so I'm not very helpful -- but I really hope you feel better soon!

Pug-H

Pentax K10D

Sigma 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical HF for Pentax

10/29/2006 10:40:32 PM · #16

Raw grated ginger is good.

Rae-Ann

Fujifilm FinePix S9000

10/29/2006 10:44:18 PM · #17

Originally posted by idnic:

I've only had the flu once in my life - knock on wood - and I was only 16 then; so I'm not very helpful -- but I really hope you feel better soon!

Wow, u are lucky! Almost ten flu-free years ( wink wink) :)

Gargle with Salt water, it is my fav help for a sore throat! Lots of sleep, and just ride it out...

Good luck sicky girl!

Tlemetry

Olympus E-300 EVOLT

Olympus 50mm f/2.0 Macro ED Zuiko Digital

10/29/2006 10:56:05 PM · #18

My mom used to give me hot doctor pepper with lemon in it. YUM!

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

10/30/2006 03:04:20 PM · #19

Well, I went to the doctor this morning. I thought I better be sure what was going on, mostly so that I don't go about infecting the free world with whatever crud has taken up residence in my body. After a throat culture, a flu screening (if you've never had this done before, it's legalized torture...giant q-tip, nostrils, swab for 15 seconds on each side near your frontal lobe), and endless waiting, I am happy to report it's not the flu, nor is it strep throat. I have a sinus infection and bronchitis, and though I feel like crap, I should survive. 2 prescriptions, lots of fluid, and some sleep should fix me up soon. Thanks for all your suggestions and I hope they help others feel better when necessary too! :)

Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX Aspherical DG DF for Minolta

10/30/2006 03:22:12 PM · #20

Sinus infection and bronchitis are nothing to sneeze at! (Sorry for the bad pun). I think I'd rather have the flu. Glad you are getting treatment and hope you recover ASAP!

MrEd

Sony DSLR-A100

10/30/2006 03:25:22 PM · #21

Originally posted by greatandsmall:

Sinus infection and bronchitis are nothing to sneeze at! (Sorry for the bad pun). I think I'd rather have the flu. Glad you are getting treatment and hope you recover ASAP!

I used to get bronchitis a lot when I as a kid. Just take it slow and you should be fine in a couple of days....unlike a week for he flu. I never got the flu until the past 2 winters....got it twice UGH!! Guess that's another penalty for getting old.