Just back from a week's holiday and unfortunately the 3 others who were with me now have a nasty cold virus (or in the case of 2...man flu!!).
I just seem to have "the cough"......its not exactly wheezy but If i lay down, my chest feels congested and coughing or clearing my throat doesn't shift it.
My husband is taking Covonia...but reading the label its no-no for us AF folks!!
Could i use Olbas oil or inhale Vick in hot water/steam to get rid of this horrible gungy feeling in bottom of throat/top of chest??
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Wightbaby
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I've used Vicks with no problem at all. Man flu should not be underestimated it is a vile and debilitating illness.
Hi Wightbaby,
I picked up a similar cold /cough way back in January ( and I still have the remnants of it) . Given my party bag of drugs, including Warfarin and Bisoprolol, my pharmacist suggested Benylin "Chesty Coughs" non drowsy. I just take it when I need it, usually after breakfast and that sees me through the day. Doesn't worry me at night, just the first hour or so when I get up. Hope that helps.
To be honest I wouldn't take any cough mixture of ANY kind as all contain things you really shouldn't have if you suffer AF. The only exception would be pholcodiene for a dry non productive cough. For anything else I find doing the (steam) ironing helps a lot but I wouldn't put Vick in the steamer as it ruins the clothes.
As Bob has said above Pholcodiene (it is also quite cheap compared to other cough mixtures) is about the only cough medicine that is okay for people with AF, confirmed by my GP and pharmacist. I get a lot of chest problems and about 6 months ago started taking a good two spoonfuls of Manuka honey last thing at night. I get mine from Aldi (£7.00) it is only 5+ but much cheaper than online or other supermarkets. It does seem to help.
Inhaling "steam" obviously another misnomer for water vapour, is just as effective for loosening "gunge". I second the Manuka honey. Tastes lovely melted with blackcurrant preserve and a little water.
I know Benlyn non drowsy is safe for dogs with kennel cough but the above works too.
I also have ‘the cough’. Can hardly talk without spasms. I’m doing Olbas & steam but not having any affect - which normally does. Just exhausting! Seems a lot around. Hope you feel better soon.
Try sleeping propped up - I had pneumonia and was hospitalised in February and although I was having other treatment being semi-upright there was the only thing that stopped me coughing all night.
I've just recovered from this type of cold, it lasted a full two weeks. They say, if you take the medicine it will go in a fortnight! I used Lemsip cold relief day and night tablets, a mixture of paracetamol, decongestant and caffeine, with the caffeine missing from the night tablets. These worked for me, with no ill effect on my PAF. To be fair though, my AF happens rarely, so far.
Can’t believe benylin was recommended as it’s totally banned for me. Anything with a decongestant raises your blood pressure. Simple linctus, lots of hot honey and lemon, plus suck fruit gums to keep throat lubricated.
I have had the same virus exactly as you described. I had no problem using Vick and inhaling steam. I also use saline nasal spray if the gunge migrated to my sinuses. Hope you feel better soon!
I am doing a semi related post. I am using essential oils in baths rubs & steam inhalations. Then I wondered if they are safe so I will ask the question in a sererate post.
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