Cold remedies

[Heartmum56]

What do people take for colds after heart attack and on all the usual meds? Thanks all.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

Water to stay hydrated, rest as much as you can, keep warm, eat when you feel like it, try to avoid mixing with other people as much as possible so you don't pass it on, and avoid alcohol. If you have a headache and/or aching limbs put up with it or take paracetamol. Much the same as before meds and heart attack. 👍

[Heartmum56 in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Have been taking paracetamol. Thought that was ok?

[Lowerfield_no_more in reply to Heartmum56]

It is, paracetamol is what I take when I absolutely need to. Avoid taking NSAIDs like aspirin and especially ibuprofen since they are not too good for the tum if taken in larger doses, particularly if you are already taking some meds for a heart condition.

[FrankWillbe in reply to Heartmum56]

Only thing my pharmacist advised along with water and rest.

[Jack2019]

I follow very old advice, I take aspirin and drink plenty of fluid, I seem to be fine taking an aspirin or two every 6 hours, but try to grin and bear the cold symptoms as much as possible through the day and take medicine, cough and decongestant, at bedtime so I can sleep.

[Heartmum56 in reply to Jack2019]

Are we allowed full strength aspirin when we're on two blood thinners already?

[Jack2019 in reply to Heartmum56]

I suppose each person is unique, I have no issues with full strength, but I am not on two blood thinners either. I suppose a pharmacist could advice you what is best. I think the best thing to do is find something to allow unobstructed breathing and cough relief so you can sleep, the aspirin is great for body ache and head pain.

[LaceyLady in reply to Heartmum56]

NO

[JennyRx]

avoid decongestants like pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine as these raise blood pressure. Avoid ibuprofen

Paracetamol, fluids, steam inhalation plus saline nasal douche if congested.

[JennyRx]

paracetamol is also better for reducing fever than aspirin or ibuprofen

[Butcharts]

At the first tickly sign of a cold starting, I use Vicks First Defence nasal spray. I personally find it very effective if started quickly enough, and avoids swallowing more drugs.

[HenryTudor in reply to Butcharts]

Works for me too.

[Blackknight57]

you should have already been told not to take analgesics like aspirin brufen etc. paracetamol based pain killers only, as most of us are on Aspirin or equivalent as a blood thinner

[Pefki]

Anticoagulant clinic prefers you not take medicine unless you have a fever. They told me to drink tea!!! I took Panadol cold and flu tabs, Sudafed, saline nasal spray. Be aware of pharmacists, after explaining my health history and anticoag medicine, they wanted me to take an ibuprofen cold and flu from behind the counter-the strong ones-which should be avoided. Took forever to get rid of this cold but admittedly, I didn't rest enough. I had a blocked ear for days which is apparently quite common at the moment, the doctor said.

[FrankWillbe in reply to Pefki]

Avoid poor pharmacists...... my local one is quite the opposite and part of my support network.

[JennyRx in reply to Pefki]

As a pharmacist —— I would advise not to take Sudafed if you’re on BP meds. Also most flu and cold cocktail meds contain a decongestant so you would get a double whammy of decongestants if taken at the same time. I never normally advise any combination meds as you have less control over the individual ingredients. And they’re overpriced. Bog standard paracetamol, homemade honey and lemon and lots of fluids.

[Pefki in reply to JennyRx]

Thank you. As pharmacists seem to be the first line in our everyday health issues when the GP is unavailable(appointment waiting time being 2 weeks), your responsible advice is much appreciated.

[JennyRx in reply to Pefki]

No worries. Most GP practices would refer this sort of enquiry to pharmacies now. We do a lot of GP and 111 referrals these days. But I do believe that there are variations in quality of pharmacists advice. I have heard some very inappropriate advice from my Colleagues. Fortunately not too frequently

[Heartmum56 in reply to JennyRx]

Thank you. This is hugely helpful. Is a decongestant nasal spray any better than a tablet do you know? I find otrivine even in v small amounts v effective but uncertain whether I can use that now?

[JennyRx in reply to Heartmum56]

It still raises blood pressure. They are effective but can cause rebound congestion if overused. Which is tempting given their effectiveness. However less absorbed systemically than tablets

[Bingofox007]

honey/lemon/hot water, steam, fluids/rest and minimal paracetamol to relieve aches and fever. Vitamin c rich foods, tis the season of the satsuma, delicious little buggars, I eat about 3 a day at the moment. Never leave the house without a mask on. I hope you feel better soon. Take care 🦊x

[LadyZ13]

I'm on anticolaguants so couldn't take decongestent meds to help me sleep, but instead I used vapour rub / tiger balm on my chest and neck to help open up my sinuses and allow me to sleep. Hope you get well soon!

[JennyRx in reply to LadyZ13]

A decongestant is more likely to keep you awake anyway. Especially Sudafed.

[Deejay62]

I began a change in anticoagulant, and only yesterday I was told never to take aspirin or anything containing aspirin or any ibuprofen or anything containing ibuprofen. I had this information before, as I’m on a cocktail of heart failure meds and I was told that years ago. Absolutely no cough or cold medications. Keep dehydrated etc. like others have already said.

I don’t know what medications you’re on so I can only advise from mine and what I’ve been told. All the best.

[NotAllWhoWonder]

Increase your water intake, get plenty of rest, and stay indoors. Take paracetamol for pain and fever. Avoid NSAIDs (ibuprofen, etc) and cold/flu meds that contain phenyelphrine or anything else that works by constricting your blood vessels.

[Vindicatrix]

An old fashioned, and often contested remedy is, a very small shot of whisky, hot water, honey and lime/lemon, just before you put the lights out.

Over many long years, I have had GP's, both for and against. The trick seems to be that you do not have any other alcoholic drinks, except this one, during the time period of your cold, and the shot should be small.

Works for me, but may not, for you.

All the best. Ron

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Vindicatrix]

I thought the only contention was whether to use Irish Whiskey or Scottish Whisky 😉

Hot water, a drop of whisky/ whiskey, a teaspoon of honey, a slice of lemon with a few cloves, does the trick for me after a steam inhalation 🤧

[Vindicatrix in reply to Milkfairy]

I work on the principle', All Whisky is good for you' .😋

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Vindicatrix]

A sound principle 😊

[LaceyLady]

you need to be very careful what pain relief you take with heart meds and anticoagulants!