Colds and AF

[jedimasterlincoln]

Been a bit of a season for it for me this year, back at work for my full hours since September. Little one started nursery over the summer and both me and the OH (who doesn't have AF) seem to be picking up every cold she brings home!

The eldest seems to escape and has had maybe two in the same timeframe (only one of them resulted in time off school) and we're both feeling really run down.

Seem to feel it worse than I ever did, in the past having a bad cold has ended up with AF (late last year) and longer for me to get over it even when AF hasn't been present. It doesn't help that every tom, dick and harry is going into a healthcare setting to work with a cold/cough/runny nose. Something we're told not to do but no one turns round and says "you should go home"

I've never been one to take my cold symtoms and germs into work and look after vunerable surgcial patients, most of them over 60, yet other people (about 4 of them in the last month) seem to think it's OK - including my boss who got sent home mid week last week with a cold and hasn't been seen since (probably long enough to infect everyone or pass it around a bit more)

I know I'm bad cos I could barely talk when I got in from work Saturday night and barely ate any of the suprise Chinese takeaway the Mrs had ordered in after a hectic week!!

So, as decongestants are at odds with AF, and only taking paracetamol (no caffiene) to bring down my temperature (I woke up in a sweat the last 2 nights) anyone got any tips?

I've got Vicks, mentol sweets, steamy showers, trying to force down fluids, hot drinks, sleeping sitting more upright to aid breathing and reduce snot leakage (sorry) and continuing with the balanced diet and fruit and veg (we had some cracking meals last week with lots of extra veg cos no school runs to factor into the day).

Oh and the picture is me and the little one this afternoon with the Rugby. #CarryThemHome

[jeanjeannie50]

What a little sweetie!! You must be so proud of her!

I think I've discovered the magic repellent for colds. Two years ago I had the Aussie flu and lost a stone in weight over 2 weeks. I decided I had to do something to stop all this and chanced on vitamin D3 in liquid form. I've been taking it ever since and now haven't had a cold in the last two years. Last week I sat in a car with a friend who had a dreadful cold, but no it appears I've escaped that too. I know I shouldn't brag and tempt fate, but will risk it to share this tip with you. Before then, every winter I would be hit by a nasty, chesty cold and cough. I take it all year round, but a smaller dose in the summer.

What to do now, well I'd recommend a thyme tea, made just like conventional tea. A teaspoon of dried thyme steeped in hot water for 10 minutes, strained and then add lemon and honey. You can gargle with or drink whichever you want. I would usually do a bit of both if my throat was sore. It's really quite a nice drink.

Keep blowing your nose and I'm sure you'll soon be fine. Seems to be a cold bug going around at the moment, as three people close to me have it.

Jean

[wilsond]

Aw...so sweet!! Mum used to give us sage tea good for sore throats and antiseptic generally. Might help ? I find now I'm on apixaban that I do pick up infections easier.

I do agree about illness and work expectations...sign of the times?

Get well soon.

Currently nursing hubby with shingles..ouch .....

Roll on Spring eh? Xx

[irene75359]

Love the picture, she is gorgeous! You have my sympathy; my daughters call nursery the cesspit of germs! They catch everything and although we are all very careful, I do too. I have looked at what you are doing, and there is nothing else I can suggest, except I am going to try jeanjeannie50 's suggestion of vitamin D3. Best wishes for a quick recovery.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to irene75359]

I buy the liquid D3 by Nature's Garden from H&B as I don't want to be taking the additives that pills have. Has a dropper and you just put drops straight into your mouth. I reduce the dose slightly in the summer, when we should get a little D3 from the sun.

[irene75359 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you Jean.

[Gowers]

I agree with Jeanjeannie - because of osteoporosis I have been taking vit D for the last 3 years (Liquid capsule form on prescription) & whereas I would be poorly - it would take me over 6 weeks to get rid of colds/flu/coughing I haven't had a cold since & I'm sure it's thanks to vit D. Also, the constant coughing along with lack of sleep would make af worse.

[Auriculaire]

Ditto on the vit D. I would get the level tested though you might have to do this privately in the UK . Then aim for a level of at least 125nmol/l. The amount of vit D needed to attain good levels varies enormously between individuals so testing is the only way to know if you are taking enough. Another suggestion is to take n acetyl cysteine daily. This helps the immune system too. It also fluidifies secretions so helps a lot with congestion. I first discovered it 4 years ago when it was recommended by our pharmacy for a bad cough. Some people just take it for 6 months of the year starting in September. I have not had any cold or flu now for 4 years ( no flu jabs since 2011)and even successfully fought off a very bad cold/cough my husband caught just before Christmas. By the way the Chinese have the second worst levels of vit D deficiency in the world. I read on vit D wiki ( a site that publishes vit D research) that coronavirus enters cells by attatching to proteins present on the cell and one of these is diminished by vit D. Vit D has been shown by research for years now to be efficacious at preventing respiratory infections and even asthma.

[cat55]

Hi, similar story here since New Year. Most unusual for me. I got some of the broncho stop lozenges which are thyme based, they helped control the coughing spasms, but was still severely bunged up so got some Potters for chesty coughs. Not sure if they are recommended with Apixaban, but they cleared the airways, and those of folks around me!! It was a case of desperate measures. The other thing I did when up in the night coughing was have some spiced Ribena bought at Christmas, with a spoonful of honey, in hot water. Very sweet, not good for the waistline, but very comforting. My aunty used to say sniff salted water, which I believe the much advertised Sterimar is, but haven't tried that.... yet. Have read about the vit. D3 warding things off and zinc is supposed to help shorten the length of a cold, but that hasn't helped me this year. Hope you are soon feeling better. Hope your daughter e joyed the match, she's lovely. Best wishes Kath.