Ideas for cold and flu season?

**simplicity** · 10-10-2011, 05:33 AM

Typically when I have a cold I take a whole bunch of vitamin c and zinc... I'm guessing that I can't do this anymore? At least without experiencing a flare.

Any ideas? I don't have a cold right now but I get at least two during winter, and they always go into my chest. I really relied on vit c to reduce the length of my colds, so I wonder if there are other things that are IC friendly?

Thanks!

**agilityme** · 10-10-2011, 05:39 AM

Great question Simplicity! I normally take zinc for colds too and am also wondering if it is still OK to take or if there is a more bladder-friendly option.

Thanks for bringing this up

Pam

**Mothergoose** · 10-10-2011, 08:04 AM

For colds I buy Ester C, it is a buffered vit C, I don't take it all time, just when I have a cold.

MG

***kadi*** · 10-10-2011, 08:48 AM

Here are a few of my favorite (for me, IC friendly) cold remedies...
1. Hot showers with a "Sudacare Shower Soother" on the floor (fizzy tablet that releases Vicks type vapors when the hot water hits it)
2. Rinsing nose out with "Simply Saline"-reduces congestion
3. Vicks "Baby Rub"- milder than regular Vicks & more soothing
4. BreatheRight nasal strips (stick on to outside of your nose to open it up more)
5. Hot pear juice with a little honey
6. For sore throat & to soothe dry cough, Werthers Original hard candy
7. Gargle with salt water
8. Homemade chicken soup
9. Mucinex for chest coughs
10. Ludens Licorice Throat Drops or Ricola original (not citrus!) drops. BeeKind honey cough drops
11. Vaporizer next to bed, mine has a place to put menthol liquid in it.
12. Theraflu vapor patch: Like a sticker with Vicks vapors in it that you stick to your pj top. No gooey Vicks all over your chest!

**irfran** · 10-10-2011, 11:09 AM

I was recently diagnosed with the beginning stages of macular degeneration and was told to take Preservision. I tried but the vitamin c in it was a disaster for me.

I purchased everything separately that is in Preservation and substituted the vitamin c for Ester C. I have been taking it for a week and have had no problems. I have also taking chelated zinc (50 mg) and I have not had an increase in IC symptoms.

Since diagnosed with IC, I have never tried any cold medicine. What I have tried is nasal spray. I have used WalMart brand with no problems.

Ewww, flu season is coming!!!!

**simplicity** · 11-26-2011, 09:07 AM

Well now I have a cold and it bypassed my sinuses and went straight to my chest. Im bummed I can't take the vit c I already have, and really can't afford anything else. I'm going to start taking mucinex, and see what happens. I'm in a flare right now too(cheated on diet on thanksgiving) it's funny because my cat is laying right on my bladder area, and her warmthand purring is helping!

Hope everyone else is doing well...

**tpronti** · 12-17-2011, 07:43 AM

Do you have to take regular mucinex or can you take it the mucinex with the cough suppressant and expectorant? By the way, your post has beeen quite helpful!!!!

**jen74** · 12-17-2011, 11:02 AM

Ughh, I am coming down with something right now too. Had a headache all day yesterday and now I also have a sore throat today along with chills. That and my period is due today. Oh joy how lucky me!!

This really sucks.

Jen

**Briza** · 12-17-2011, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by tpronti

Do you have to take regular mucinex or can you take it the mucinex with the cough suppressant and expectorant? By the way, your post has beeen quite helpful!!!!

I'm ok with regular mucinex, but I can't do the mucienx-D--it contains pseudophedrene, which keeps me up all night with restless legs and makes my heart race. I've never tried mucinex DM, which contains something for cough supression.

My usual cold combo is regular claritin (helps with post nasal drip and therefore cough) and mucinex.