Help with meds for flu

[anyatall]

Just caught the proverbial flu , unfortunately not able to find a suitable medication to help with symptoms due to side effects unsuitable for the medication I'm presently taking IE Valsarten for bp, beta blockers for AF and coagulants (apixaban). Is anyone able to advise or know of a medication to help with the flu symptoms. Presently gargling with salt water for throat but in need of something to ease aches , pains and headaches. Will be contacting GP in morning but meanwhile thought would try our beloved forum.

[Mollybobs]

My go to is a spoonful of honey with a squirt of lemon juice in hot water for the throat, paracetamol for the aches & pain.

[anyatall in reply to Mollybobs]

Thank u Mollybobs

[mrgwair567]

hi Anyatall , I’m just recovering from a bad bout of flu, or whatever it was !

I’ve been taking paracetamol for the aches and pains and gargling with salt , honey and lemon . Also drinking honey , lemon and salt drinks as suggested on line ( just type it in for more information) to combat the symptoms of flu etc. Hope you find this helpful !

PS I only take Apixaban

[anyatall in reply to mrgwair567]

Thank u for reply, much appreciated

[Finvola]

Paracetamol, taken regularly for a few days will ease the aches and help to lower your temperature. Hot drinks - my favourite is honey and hot milk - but avoid over the counter cures which often have anti-inflammatories or extra paracetamol in them. I love a heated cushion or hot water bottle too.

[Autumn_Leaves in reply to Finvola]

I second the paracetamol suggestion for the first few days if the aching is severe and if you’re going hot and cold with a fever. Another vote for avoiding OTC remedies. If you can, try eat some citrus fruit, and keep well hydrated. Often you don’t have much of an appetite when you’re immune system is fighting a viral illness, but hydration is still important so drink whatever you can, however you want.

[anyatall in reply to Finvola]

Finvola, sound advice thank you

[anyatall]

Thank you for taking time to reply Autumn Leaves. Transpired this anoon, I've actually tested positive for COVID....happy new year eh, good start what......

[Finvola in reply to anyatall]

No wonder you felt ill - get well soon.

[kkatz in reply to anyatall]

I also had Covid just before Xmas .I do suspect most of the flue cases around are actually Covid but most people don't test.I do to avoid spreading & do isolate.

Cocodamol lots of water, aromatherapy inhalation & rest.

Lasted around a week .

[anyatall in reply to kkatz]

kkatz, aromatherapy inhalation and rest sounds very much needed at min. Thank you for reply

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to anyatall]

Hope you soon get/feel better.

Your body will let you know if you need fluid or food, go by what it tells you. There is a school of thought that says the body needs to concentrate on fighting the infection not on digesting food or even fluids. If your bowels become loose then definitely go for lots of water.

Jean

[Autumn_Leaves in reply to anyatall]

Aww, that’s rubbish. I hope it hasn’t triggered your AF. I hope you feel better soon.

[anyatall in reply to Autumn_Leaves]

Morning Autumn Leaves...or should I say almost anoon haha !? So far so good AF wise....keeping all 🤞. Thank you for your wishes

[Auriculaire]

Unless fevers are so bad they are putting you into afib you should avoid Paracetamol or any other temperature lowering drug. Fever is part of the body's mechanism for destroying viruses as it is harder for them to reproduce at higher temperatures. By reducing temperature you prolong the process of ridding the body of the virus. Most of the unpleasant symptoms of colds and flu are the result of the immune system response in trying to rid the body of the virus..

[anyatall in reply to Auriculaire]

Wow!!! U live and learn. Thank you for your comments Auriculaire

[anyatall]

Thank you for your reply, appreciated....shocked tho when tested yday and found was COVID positive....symptoms all just felt like Flu.....paracetamol, lemon and honey hve all worked a treat so far. NHS 111 hve requested I contact my GP for assessment because of AF/BP.....haha, easier said than done but have managed to get an appmnt with nurse tomoz.

[Shopgal67 in reply to anyatall]

I’d add to all these comments of great advice not to lie flat in bed , you need plenty of rest but stay propped up on pillows , it’s helped hubby the twice he had it and viruses always go to his chest

[anyatall in reply to Shopgal67]

Thank you Shopgal67... did this only last night to help with the coughing....OMG your hubby's had it twice, sincerely hope all's well with him now

[Shopgal67 in reply to anyatall]

hubby is fighting fit thank you . Hopefully you feel better soon .

[Ducky2003]

My dear Dad used to say, "if you take something for it, it will last a week but if you don't, it will last 7 days" 😁. I just take paracetamol with some hot lemon squash before I go to bed and suck on a Fisherman's Friend if my throat is bad (no tittering from the boys please 😊) but that's just for a normal bug. Fortunately, I've not managed to get Covid yet, and only had one cold in the past 4 years.Hope you feel better soon.

[anyatall in reply to Ducky2003]

Thank you for reply Ducky2003.....even feeling rough with COVID, you made me laugh , bless

[Qualipop]

Paracetamol shoudl be fine but stay away from anti inflammatories like Ibuprofen.

[anyatall in reply to Qualipop]

Thank you Qualipop, taken on board

[Tomred in reply to anyatall]

BEAR IN MIND THAT LOTS OF PARACETEMOL CONTAIN CAFFIENE, JUST IN CASE YOU ARE SENSITIVE TO IT.

[anyatall in reply to Tomred]

Ok Tomred, noted, and thank you. Aches and pains are at last managed (well, appear to have been)so will stop taking tomorrow

[Autumn_Leaves in reply to Tomred]

No, that’s not true of most generic paracetamol tablets. Some brands sold as “fast acting” for headaches do, but these are specific branded products, not simple paracetamol tablets.

[PleasantPink2]

Most physicians will advise waiting til your temp is 100.4 F or over before trying to lower it. As mentioned in a previous comment, your body is trying to fight the virus with the fever. That said , I had Covid also and I understand the need for comfort too. Hope it's a short course !

[Myya]

I caught the flu , am in permanent AF , take metoprolol and eliquis, only thing I was able to do was Tylenol for pain , then let it take its course! Left me so tired!

[anyatall in reply to Myya]

So sorry to read that Myya. Hope all "corrects" itself sooner rather than later

[Singwell]

Hi potency VitD3 with K2 (Holland and Barrett sell as a spray), I-2 grams of vitamin C, zinc and magnesium supplements. All worth spending money on good brands and higher potency. Selenium is also good. VitD especially thought to be a powerful antiviral. Most of the other stuff is soothing but topical. Paracetamol for the pain if you need it. Gargling might soothe pain but alas doesn't stop anything progressing.

My other personal go to - miso soup with loads of ginger. Very comforting, especially if one doesn't feel like eating.

[anyatall in reply to Singwell]

Wow Singwell ! Brilliant choice. Thank you