First Cold of Season: Well after a very... - British Heart Fou...

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First Cold of Season

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star
β€’42 Replies

Well after a very pleasant weekend I had an awful drive back with heavy rain and long delays. Towards the end I stopped for a coffee as my throat was getting tickley which I put down to traffic fumes. Sadly not I woke in the night rather sweaty with a sore throat and runny nose.

So my Vitamin C tablets did not stop me getting a cold. Just hope they are doing what I take them for (reducing irritation).

Have a good day...

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MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJH
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42 Replies
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Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2day

I always know it's winter coming on when I get that first cold - and I've been fighting it off the past week. Unfortunately it now appears it's not a cold but either strep throat (symptoms), exposure to high levels of green mould (I knew I shouldn't have tackled that cupboard closed for over a year!), or a reaction to needing four GTN sprays (2 pumps followed five minutes later by two more) after the angina pain flared thanks to the mouldy cupboard. Seeing the cardiologist in a few hours and will be booking in with the GP if the cardiologist advises symptoms are not owing to GTN side effects.

Hopefully your cold will be over soon and the rest of your autumn and winter passes with you well!

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Starβ€’ in reply toSunnie2day

Hopefully just a simple cold for you. If clearing something very dusty or with a potential mold issue it is worth buying disposable face masks - around Β£3 for 10.

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2dayβ€’ in reply toMichaelJH

Home now, just having a quick supper so I can take the first of the anti-fungal (1Kml four times a day). Cardiologist asked me why I didn't wear a mask, paper boilersuit, and gloves. And then he told me I'm having a cardiac cath in 3 weeks.

Telephoned the GP surgery on the ride home (husband driving) diverted to surgery where the practice nurse looked at me and asked why I didn't wear a mask...

Still, could be worse in so many ways!

How are you feeling?

Snowdrops_17 profile image
Snowdrops_17β€’ in reply toSunnie2day

Always wear PPE, gloves, mouth+nose mask Sunnie please. I caught a cold as well and this cough wakes me up during the night. πŸ™‚

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2dayβ€’ in reply toSnowdrops_17

Yes, I will definitely be using protective kit from now on!

Lezzers profile image
Lezzersβ€’ in reply toSunnie2day

Best wishes Sunnie2day. I hope your aptt today goes well & that you're feeling better soon. Take care

Prada47 profile image
Prada47

HI Michael

I hope you didn't do a paddle with the Ducks the other day when you took the photo !!

Regards

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Starβ€’ in reply toPrada47

No, I resisted! πŸ˜€

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

I take SR Vitamin C to avoid acidity problems. Vitamin C is ascorbic acid.

Lezzers profile image
Lezzers

I know how you feel Michael, I've been fighting this cold /flu? virus for 2 weeks & can't shake it off, can't stop coughing all night either. Hope you're feeling better soon, if you find a cure let me know.

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Starβ€’ in reply toLezzers

I have taken a couple of Paracetamol and popped out. However, I will try and finish off early though.

Lezzers profile image
Lezzersβ€’ in reply toMichaelJH

I've had to take time of work, which is very unusual for me but I think it's just the cold part of it lingering now. Paracetamol & plenty of fluids plus accepting you're poorly and therefore not pushing yourself to do to much should help! Take care

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2dayβ€’ in reply toLezzers

Well that's not good - I don't see you as the sort who takes time off work on a lark - I think you'd hate being off unless seriously unwell. Get well soon, Lezzers!

Lezzers profile image
Lezzersβ€’ in reply toSunnie2day

Thank you, no I don't often give in but it had me defeated this time. I've had a couple of weeks off so I'm going back tomorrow but gonna do short hrs this week. I'm very lucky that my company is so supportive, particularly with kevins issues. I hope you're feeling better & that your appt went well.

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2dayβ€’ in reply toLezzers

Fungal infection (from the mould and I've now been professionally scolded by cardiologist, duty GP, and practice nurse, and 'unprofessionally' by husband and neighbour, and wiser heads here on the forum:)

Er, and as a side note, I'm having a cardiac cath in three weeks or so.

Sigh.

Lezzers profile image
Lezzersβ€’ in reply toSunnie2day

Not the bestest day then! Put the cardiac cath to one side, deal with that nearer the time! Do they give antibiotics for fungal infections or is it a case of it’ll clear up eventually?

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2dayβ€’ in reply toLezzers

True, I think I've had better days. Still, I know it could be worse so I'm trying to soldier on. Just not looking forward to the angiogram.

As for the fungal infection, I'm dropping 1ml Nystan antibiotic (to fight the fungus) oral suspension on my tongue four times a day for the next week. According to the GP and nurse, the Nystan won't cause any problems for the upcoming angio.

Lezzers profile image
Lezzersβ€’ in reply toSunnie2day

I hope it clears up quickly for you

Speakeazi profile image
Speakeaziβ€’ in reply toSunnie2day

I am sorry to read of your Fungal Infection I do hope you recover well and soon.

A little off track but similar thing ...

I met a nurse who worked in a dental practice and the fridge in the kitchen was smelling so she moved it to have a look.

Very unfortunately it was an escape of gas and it affected her sight in both eyes. She did make a partial recovery but was unable to continue her job as a nurse.

It’s hard to always know what can damage us. I didn’t know about spores and mould and illness until yesterday.

Again someone I know was removing a tree stump, it released a ton of spores and he has spent a month in ICU with a spore related pneumonia. He is now much recovered.

Take care all out there - who knew cleaning, housekeeping or gardening could be so dangerous.

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2dayβ€’ in reply toSpeakeazi

So true, avoiding exposure to potentially harmful spores just isn't top of the warnings list. We're warned to avoid mixing chlorine and ammonia, we're warned to use other cleaning supplies 'in a well ventilated room' but we're so rarely warned about spores many of us blithely get on with whatever, at most donning a pair of Marigolds (which I did). I've been told (several times now) I am lucky it was 'only green mould but that's bad enough for someone with your heart conditions, what were you thinking?!'

I am responding well to the medication (thank-heavens!) and I will never again tackle a cleaning job that may involve mould of any variety (blimey, who knew there were so many kinds of mould, each with its own degree of toxicity). The practice nurse gave me a 'how to safely' sheet reminding me 'This is NE Scotland - you will encounter mould again no matter how well you keep house.'

Disposable: gloves, mask, cap, boiler suit; once finished with the cleaning, remove the kit outdoors to prevent spreading spores in the house and bin the lot. Remove clothing and place in a bin liner to carry in to the clothes washer (hottest water and detergent labelled as effective against mould); straight to the shower and be sure to shampoo hair at least twice.

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Starβ€’ in reply toSunnie2day

I was brought up in the country and always told to avoid bracken. Only years later did I learn that the spores could be carcinogenic, and even later of links to bladder issues and a rare but potentially fatal haemorrhagic disease!

There always seems a basis for "old wive's tales" even if the why was not understood!

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2dayβ€’ in reply toMichaelJH

Bracken? Bracken?! Oh my word! I've trampled through that without a single thought, ever. I mean really stomped - 'Mind the adders' isn't a joke shout here in my part of Scotland, it's a thoughtful caring reminder those snakes lurk and the best way to avoid a nasty bite is to stomp loudly as you go.

And here's me hoping to be fit enough by next spring to restart adding new Munros to my three so far - now I'll remember to not only mind the adders but mind the bracken as well:)

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Starβ€’ in reply toSunnie2day

My only UK mountain is Snowdon. I tried for Ben Nevis late one June in the nineties but the weather closed in and the temperature plunged so I decided to retreat!

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2dayβ€’ in reply toMichaelJH

The Ben Nevis window is only open for a very, very short time - best time is last week of July and first week of August and if a climber can't get there in that window they are wisest to stand in the car park looking wistfully at the mountain and saying 'Perhaps next year' as they turn towards the car (said laughing but from personal experience).

No signs are posted so there is always someone who gives it a go despite looking towards the summit and it being obvious weather is closing in - a couple of years ago Mountain Rescue had to fetch down some numpty who was dressed for a summer day - tee shirt, short trousers, and oh my bleeding eyes, trainers!

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Starβ€’ in reply toSunnie2day

Think I will claim a half-Munro then! I once had a maths teacher called Mr Munro - sadly he wasn't very good!

Snowdrops_17 profile image
Snowdrops_17β€’ in reply toLezzers

Well I had to push 4 shiftsfrom Friday close shift Lezzers, coughing and nose running... was tough on Saturday, 10am to 20 pm, long shift and slept from 10 pm to 9.30 am, with interruption, coughing, 10 hours !!!Then back on a close shift and same last evening. We had 691 bookings on Saturday all day 😊😜

It was crazy busy!

Can relax now for rest of this week as on holiday. It be nice just to get stuff done I didnt get round to since my heart attack and then back to work at Easter. Ha well, I am chilling. No restaurant work for a week 😁😁😊

Snowdrops_17 profile image
Snowdrops_17β€’ in reply toSnowdrops_17

And I just do me stuff this week, my way πŸ˜‚πŸ€£πŸ˜‚πŸ‘πŸ˜œ

Lezzers profile image
Lezzersβ€’ in reply toSnowdrops_17

You really have my admiration, how have you coped with those long shifts? I really couldn't have done it, don't think my wobbly legs would have kept me up πŸ˜‚. Did you take anything for the cough, I'm up all night with it and nothing is helping. That's a very popular restaurant 691 bookings, hope you enjoy your week of and definitely give yourself some relaxation time.

Snowdrops_17 profile image
Snowdrops_17β€’ in reply toLezzers

No, didnt take cough medication, wasn't sure if it would interact with my heart meds. But bought some lockets, lemon + honey flavour, which helped and avoided laying flat at night and raised my upper body up a bit more which did help. Turned heating off at night as makes the air to dry.... just drunk plenty of fluids and ate a balanced diet, despite not feeling hungry. Check my previous post, replying 5 hours ago Lezzers.

Some tips in there to....πŸ’œ

Lezzers profile image
Lezzersβ€’ in reply toSnowdrops_17

Thank you, It's really only the cough that's left now. I've done the sleeping propped up, no heating, plenty of fluids, cough medicine etc. I know it's not an infection as it's dry & hacking but it's all night long, will give the lozenges a go. Thanks again.

Snowdrops_17 profile image
Snowdrops_17β€’ in reply toLezzers

You could try a treatment with steam Lezzers. Hot bowl of water and cover your head and bowl with a big bath towel. 5 mins or so..... will help. Done it many times πŸ˜πŸ˜πŸ˜πŸ˜πŸ‘

Lezzers profile image
Lezzersβ€’ in reply toSnowdrops_17

I did think of that, I'll give that a try as well. Thank you. Now I hope you're looking after yourself as well as you're looking after me??

Snowdrops_17 profile image
Snowdrops_17β€’ in reply toLezzers

Of cause, love your neighbor as yourself Lezzers!!!!πŸ‘πŸ’•

All will be good soon, it's one of these things, when we are busy and immune system suffers, than we get colds, coughs and flu... 😊 stay warm and drink hot water or herbal teas. πŸ‘πŸ˜

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

Just a reminder. For us hearties and anyone with hypertension the cold and flu remedies that " dry you up" are not recommended as in doing so they can push up your blood pressure (not advisable).

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2day

I would have been heart in mouth right up to an hour after delivery of a healthy infant - good to hear you and your little one were fine!

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

Had a bad night coughing, sneezing, sipping drinks for a dry throat visiting the loo, etc. Looks like a duvet day as too shattered to do much. Have a good day and try and avoid the lurgy!

Snowdrops_17 profile image
Snowdrops_17β€’ in reply toMichaelJH

Well shake hands, rough night .... didnt sleep much either from 1 am to 5 am coughing, runny nose ....

Waiting for garage now so I can collect my car again today. Want to get out the house and get fresh air Michael.

But rest up and pray you feel better soon my friend πŸ‘πŸ˜

Lezzers profile image
Lezzersβ€’ in reply toSnowdrops_17

I'm with both of you, yet another bad night for me too, been like this for 2 weeks now. Both of you keep warm, plenty of fluids & rest up.

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Starβ€’ in reply toSnowdrops_17

Hope your car was ready and all problems resolved. Mine is parked up as this is a "knock out" cold. I didn't even venture outside yesterday.

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

Actually slept solidly from 01:00 to 05:00am but woke with a very dry painful throat. Nose started up again as I made a cup of tea. One of the most debilitating colds I can recall! ☹️

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

Bad night again. Initially kept waking up with weird dreams (rarely dream) but when I settled it was up for a drink and the inverse every couple of hours. Short walk yesterday but hard going. Need to collect some meds today so building up to it! Bl**dy c*LD!

Hope you feel better soon. All the best. Clare

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