Which cold remedies can I use or need... - British Heart Fou...

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Which cold remedies can I use or need to avoid

CPL593H profile image
41 Replies

I’m coming down with my first cold since being on heart medicines. I take bisoprolol and antarovastatin for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, I have quite a slow pulse and low blood pressure.

For my cold which medicines can I take, and which do I need to avoid.

Thank you for any guidance.

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CPL593H profile image
CPL593H
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41 Replies
barniecroft profile image
barniecroft

I have recently had a cold as well. I take meds for high BP and spoke to the pharmacist who suggested no decongestant or ibuprofen, just paracetamol and inhalation. I would suggest you speak to your pharmacist before taking anything. Hope you feel better soon.

CPL593H profile image
CPL593H in reply tobarniecroft

Thanks barnie

LaceyLady profile image
LaceyLady in reply tobarniecroft

I’ve been suffering sciatica and as told by Drs receptionist to phone pharmacy who told me I can take anything I like 😳I’m on Bisoprolol & Flecainaide

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

Agree with Barbiecroft. The remedies advertised on television are a no no. I was told basically paracetamol, rest and plenty of fluids. I also had some sugar free lozenges for a tickley sore throat.

CPL593H profile image
CPL593H in reply toMichaelJH

Thank you Michael

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star in reply toCPL593H

Another good treatment is chicken soup (not too much salt though). There is a recipe in this thread:

healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...

Gjkas profile image
Gjkas in reply toMichaelJH

Michael , how do you rate Paracetamol as a Pain Killer, because it doesn't touch me.

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star in reply toGjkas

OK up to a point for headaches but fairly useless for arthritis, tooth abscesses and post OHS (open heart surgery). I was on Tramadol post bypass and take it occasionally for arthritis. What pain are you trying to deal with?

Gjkas profile image
Gjkas in reply toMichaelJH

A lot of different kind of pains.

I think its easier if i tell you some of my problems. 1st are 2 Heart valve's that aren't working properly, COPD, ANGINA, ASTHMA, 16 cm Haitus Hernia, Umbilical Hernia, Enlarged Liver, Blocked Bile Duct, Cyst on the Pancreas, Cysts in the Kidney, and Gallstones .But I know that what is giving me the most pain is the

B....y Fibromyalgia. Can't sleep, can't eat. Such a horrible disease. I know that there's a lot of people here who have the same disease.

Come on Michael. You can't give me any worst advice than what most of the Doctors have told me.

I was wondering about Arsenic, but I don't know where i can buy it from.

All the Doctors in the Hospital call me their Nightmare.

So if you want to call me that, it's ok.

I don't mind..

tunybgur profile image
tunybgur in reply toGjkas

For pain relief I've heard a lot of good things about Cannabinoids, in extremis I think I would give it a go.

Gjkas profile image
Gjkas in reply totunybgur

Thankyou for your advice, but I've tried a few different kind of Cannabis Oils and none of them have helped me .I'm wondering if it's because of all the other medications that I have to take. I'm on 4 different kind of Heart Tablets, Aspirin, 2 Bone Tablets, Pregablin, Butrans Patches, Lansaparozel, 8 Paracetamol, and Gaviscon every day. I also have Oral morph which I don't take because it doesn't help my pain, just makes my head fuzzy and I feel nauseous after taking it. Don't know what the hell i can do.

If you can think of anything else, will you please get in touch with me.

Thanks so much. 😪.x

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply toGjkas

I know it's not what you asked but I too have FIbromyalgia for 40 years now and I can honestly say there's only one thing that helps it and that's to keep moving; gentle exercise, just as much as you can manage. I have lots of other problems, collapsing spine, neuropathy, severe abdominal adhesions, heart attack. For those I have to take oxycodone ( having tried everything else) but it doesn't touch the FIbro. I would be happy if Fibro was all I had. I could live with it simply by forcing myself through the pain, the tiredness the brain fog. I have tried one alternative treatment that did a lot of good and that was Bowen Therapy but you need to find a GOOD practitioner; someone who has a background of knowledge of the body, not just someone who did a course on Bowen.

Gjkas profile image
Gjkas in reply toQualipop

Where can I find a good Practitioner???. I've got a job to breath let alone do exercises. I used to do keep fit and exercise regularly, really enjoyed it.

But now i get so out of breath just walking a couple of steps. I am so bloody fed up of it all. Could you tell me what Bowen Therapy is please.

Ive never heard of it before. I've got an appointment with Pain Management Doctors on Wednesday. I could ask them about it. But they probably haven't even heard of it either. Sometimes I think i know more than them.!!!.

I'll try anything .

Thanks for taking the time to get in touch with me. x.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply toGjkas

There are two groups in the UK calling themselves BOwen therapists. The original group is bowen-technique.co.uk/. Click on teh green tab at the top to "Find a practitioner" but choose the one who seems best qualified, not just someone who does it alongside Reiki and such. Choose someone who teaches it if there's one near you. There is no manipulation and as long as you wear thinnish clothes, you don't undress. I find it very powerful but a good therapist will tell you at the start that if you don't see any effect after 3 treatments, they won't do any more. Then you know they are not just trying to get your money in the hopes it may work later. If it works it will start to have an effect within 3 sessions. There is no manipulation; just rolling movements then pauses while it takes effect. The other group is thebowentechnique.com/pract.... I don't think there's much difference between the two organisations but there are more therapists in the first one. Sorry I got the second link wrong- have now edited it.

Gjkas profile image
Gjkas in reply toQualipop

Oh Thanks for taking the time to help me out. I'm gonna click on the Bowentecnique now. 😚x.

Gjkas profile image
Gjkas in reply toQualipop

Hi Quallipop,haven't had much time to look up Bowen Therapy yet.

I hope you get this message because I was restricted from any messaging from the Fibromyalgia forum..

Apparently we are not allowed to use capital letters as they are classed as shouting and threatening ???.

I didn't know that.

I also swore when I said that my pain hurt like hell .I did use the word hell a few times. But I didn't really class that as swearing, not the way I said it. The thing is i made a few friends on there and i know that some of them have messaged me.

But I can't answer any of them back .

I think that I was picked on to be honest. So I have asked the Administrator to remove me from the Forum altogether.

I won't get so much hassle now.

But im sorry that I can't thank any of the people that have given me hope, help and advice. I asked the Administrator if he could put a Post up for me to thank them all.

But he declined, so there's not much i can do about it.

Anyway you look after yourself.

Gotta go, I'm getting a bit upset. x Gjkas

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply toGjkas

Yes Capital letter are shouting and frowned on but you shoud only have had a polite warning. Best to stay off places like that. We have enough hassle. Do at least read up on Bowen. It was the only thing that had any effect on me. It's not a miracle cure but it can help.

Gjkas profile image
Gjkas in reply toQualipop

Thanks Qualipop,

anything that helps is worth a try. the. 👍.x

BARTLETT1965 profile image
BARTLETT1965 in reply toGjkas

1 of my Consultants told me straight " untilthey invent a magic pill, there's not a lot more that they can do "

Maisie2014 profile image
Maisie2014

Lemon and ginger tea with honey and lots of it. Flushes the germs out and keeps you hydrated. Vicks vapour rub and Jakemans menthol lozenges. Hot water bottle when you get chills and paracetamol to reduce temperature and pain. I’m no doctor just an experienced mother and grandmother who doesn’t like tablets. Always wash your hands when you’ve been outside. You touch so many things with germs eg bannisters, door handles etc. You don’t want to pick up germs or spread any. Take care.

CPL593H profile image
CPL593H in reply toMaisie2014

Good sensible advice, thank you. I have paracetamol and lemon and ginger tea in the house, so no need to venture outside.

in reply toMaisie2014

I was lucky enough to be in the march past at the Cenotaph for the Remembrance Service and when going into and out of the tube, the handrails on the steps feel so greasy and dirty and sticky, it just makes one want to put on disposable gloves. No doubt all cities are much the same but the volume of people in London is astonishing, so absolutely agree with you Maisie2014 - I remember a wise old lady told me that if you bit your nails, there would be less germs living in the bowl of a toilet

Gjkas profile image
Gjkas

No one on here is medically minded, so if i were you I'd have a word with your Pharmacist before you buy anything over the counter..

When I get a really bad cold or sore throat my Husband always makes me up an Age Old Remedy. Although i don't like the taste. A little drop of whiskey or Brandy, THEN, a little lemon juice, little bit of Manuka honey then a little drop of Hot water, mix it up well. THEN.

If you like it ,, sip it and swallow it.

But if you don't like the taste, just gargle with it and spit it out. It does help. x

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star in reply toGjkas

Just a footnote. For this you should use one of the cheaper blended whiskies or blended brandies. Using a malt whiskey or vintage brandy verges on criminal!

Gjkas profile image
Gjkas in reply toMichaelJH

HAHAHA ,I LIKE THAT.

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2day in reply toMichaelJH

Sez you - the best hot toddies demand the best single malt!

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star in reply toSunnie2day

☹️ the only thing you are allowed to add to a single malt is a wee dram of water which brings out the aromatics and flavour - but only initially.

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2day in reply toMichaelJH

I'm a real live Highlander - in most of our opinion, single malt is the only true whisky and 'alterations for medicinal purposes' are not only permitted but are advisable by every old Gran (meownself included;) ) north of Inverness!

Gjkas profile image
Gjkas in reply toSunnie2day

Hey Sunnie2day,

When my Husband and I were in Scotland about 12 year's ago, we went to Inverness and we were having a look around and come across a little shop that sold Brandy and Whisky by the Barrel so to speak. Well we got talking to the Lady that worked in the shop.

She said, ( If you would like to taste some of the good stuff, come around the back. SO WE DID. ) OH my God, we tasted a few of them and when we came out we could hardly walk. We don't drink a lot anyway.

Now I don't like Whisky at all, but she gave me a taste of a whisky Liquor called WALLACE, OH IT WAS LUSH. So we bought 2 bottles. But the following year i went to DUMFRIEC with a few of the Judges that were in the Judging of BRITAIN IN BLOOM. I thought, Oh while I'm here I'll get a few bottles of WALLACE WHISKY. So I found a shop that had bottles of Whiskey in the window, but when i went inside and asked for the WALLACE Whisky. They said that they'd never even heard of it. They had a look in there book and said, OH YES, BUT WE DON'T SELL IT BECAUSE IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE. So that was that. I went back home without any WALLACE WHISKY, my Husband was so dissappointed. So if by any chance you come across any bottles of WALLACE WHISKY ,get a bottle.

IT'S LUSH.

Im gonna have a look on the Internet to see if I can find anywhere in Inverness to buy a bottle for my Husband for Christmas.

Iv been trying everywhere else.

PHEW. Long Story. x

BARTLETT1965 profile image
BARTLETT1965

Hi.

I found that making up honey, lemon with hot water and taking a couple of paracetamol works better than any of the cold remedies.

Jeff

I always used to go for Lemsip until I found it is basically paracetamol so that's all I take now and it is a painkiller I am allowed to use (Recently I have been told by my doctor codeine is also OK for me) I have a few pains so had to have some pain relief.

Not sure what your cardiac issues are, but the advice I’ve had is to avoid anything containing phenylephrine or pseudoephenedrine for starters, which includes some lemsips. (Tbh, I wouldn’t waste my money on any brand of lemsip style drink anyway - just buy a box of paracetamol, make yourself some squash with hot water and you’ve got a similar effect for less money 🤷‍♂️). Decongestants generally can be a problem, so your best bet is either sticking with bog standard paracetamol, fluids and rest, or speaking to a decent pharmacist for advice if you’re really suffering: worst episode of SVT I ever had not requiring a visit to A&E was set off by covonia cough mixture 🤦‍♂️

Gjkas profile image
Gjkas in reply to

I dont find Paracetamol helps my pain at all. All it does to me is make me feel nauseous because they don't have any coating on them Can't take Covonia either. .I have found Zapain to be a better pain relief medication. That's if you can get any off your G.P. When I get a bad chest my Husband mixes me up a little drop of whiskey, a little bit of honey and Lemon and just a little warm water . We also use Vicks vapour rub, with a little

Olbus oil on a hankie that you can breathe in..Another old Remedy my Mum uset to do is to put some Vick in a bowl ,pour hot water on it give it a mix up.Then hang over the bowl with your eyes closed and a towel over your head . My Daughter in law massages Vick on her feet she swears by it..I think I'll try that as well, next time my chest is baď.

Well I'm off to bed now.

GOODNIGHT GODBLESS EVERYONE. x

Trishe profile image
Trishe

I swear by Boots dual defence at the first sign of a cold, can't remember when I last had a full on cold, it really does work, I've always got it to hand.

Palpman profile image
Palpman

I find it strange that you have been prescribed a beta blocker when your BP and pulse is low. I was taken off beta blocker when my pulse dropped to 58 and my BP was 100/70.

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2day in reply toPalpman

Might be to control heart rate - I know that's why I'm on Bisoprolol 1.25mg every morning.

FeetheBookworm profile image
FeetheBookworm

I find lemon soothers help for a bad throat. For a chest infection yes to paracetamol and for the times you can barely breathe I do the old fashioned head over a bowl of boiling water with a menthol capsule in it and afterwards a large slug of hard alcohol - whiskey / brandy (or even sherry if there’s nothing else) in hot water, runny honey and lemon. If nothing else it knocks me out enough to actually sleep a while!

We go to Greece most years and I always bring back some honey which tastes totally different from what you can buy in most supermarkets. Apart from a local supplier or farmers market.

I usually have a throat & chest infection for a lot of the winter most years now with the Jan - Mar time usually the worst.

JoanyB profile image
JoanyB

Probably tempting fate, but I haven't had a chance to try these two bits of advice (yet!!)

Firstly, pineapple juice (though not 'from concentrate') is supposed to be good for sore throats.

Secondly, (Vicks) vapour rub on the soles of your feet is said to help.

I have heard these from 2 or 3 different sources so maybe there's some truth in them!

HHH2017 profile image
HHH2017

I’m on Bisoprolol too and was told not to take ibuprofen (it also says to check with GP in the info leaflet I think). However my mum is also on Bisoprolol and was in hospital 2 weeks ago for an AF episode and prescribed both paracetamol and ibuprofen. When I queried this I was told it was fine 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’d check with your GP or pharmacist. Hope you feel better soon.

LaceyLady profile image
LaceyLady

I take hot lemon mixed with honey, ginger and Echinacea. Olbas oil for decongestant on a tissue.

BARTLETT1965 profile image
BARTLETT1965

Best cold solution is honey and lemon with hot water. Honey soothes the throat and lemon for vitamins.

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