Hi Mamas. Well, it's happened. I got my daughter's sick germs. I feel horrible. My head hurts, my nose is so stuffed up, my throat is on fire, I'm achy, my ears hurt, my head is going to pop off of my neck. Of course I get it as soon as she's feeling better. Anyone have any home remedies to ease some of this? I've been drinking so much tea I feel like I'm going to drown in it, and eating soup and sitting in steam in the bathroom. Anything else I can do? I haven't slept in two days because I can't breathe and every time I lay down my ears hurt so bad I want to cry. Help!
Thanks Mamas for all the ideas and well wishes. I finally went to the doctor today. I have a sinus infection and fluid in both my ears. She put me on antibiotics and told me to just rest and drink lots of fluids and take Mucinex D. I am not sure what Neti Pot is but I'm going to research it today. I just have no energy. Just going to the doc's and Walgreens drive thru wore me out. Thanks again Mamas! Oh and the hot water/ lemon thing is helping. So is gargling with salt water. I'm to chicken to try the pepper thing though.
Nyquil.
Or, if you aren't into taking cold relief meds (which I respect) the try the Neti Pot. Some people SWEAR by it. I tried it last time I was sick and it helped, but not enough so I took a dose of Nyquil and I slept great.
And, I know there are studies that say cold meds don't do anything. I know they aren't "good" for you. But, as a working Mom of a 4 y/o and a 2 y/o, I need my sleep and Nyquil helps me.
Hope you feel better soon.
T.
I agree with the prior posts - go see the dr. It may be a sinus infection which antibiotics may help faster than just toughing it out - who has time for that with college and a kid?
Also, Neti Pots are great for allergies and head colds. It takes a little getting used to to pour warm water UP your nose, but it really is worth it. The saline solution kills germs & bacteria, as well as flushes out allergens.
For the sore throat, try gargling 1/4 t. of cayanne chili powder and 1/4 t. ginger in warm water. It tastes awful and there will be a slight burning/spicy heat sensation from the chili powder but it will definitely take some of the sore throat pain away almost immediately. If you need to rinse your mouth out afterwards, just try a mouthful of water, without "rinsing" the back of your throat. (From the Natural Home Remedies book. It really works!)
Final thought, watch the tea consumption, it acts as a diuretic and so does most cold meds. Both will "dry you out" but if you're having congestion that means turning mucus into thick sludge that doesn't seem to move up or out...aka perfect breeding ground for bacteria. If you really need some congestion relief we like Mucinex. It thins out mucus and gets it moving, hopefully out of your body. It also helps relieve pressure in your ears, nose, etc. by unclogging everything. Try drinking juice (at least it has vitamins in it) and water (warm or cold).
I hope you feel better soon.
You can try putting a little tea tree oil on your throat and chest. We put it on my son's when he was stuffy last week. We also used it this past weekend on my 15 months old. It didn't cure her but did help loosen up her nose a bit. You acn buy it at the store but watch the alcohol content. Honey and popsicles might help soothe your throat. And no lemon in the tea since citrus actually irritates more. You can also try elevating your shoulders/upper body with an extra pillow. This might help you sleep. Hope you feel better soon.
It sounds like you're in bad shape - have you scheduled an appointment to see you doctor to make sure it isn't anything serious?
It is the worst to get sick with little children.
I wouldn't go to the doctor right away,unless you feel like that for more than a week.A viral infection takes time and antibiotics will do nothing since it is a virus.
For me,all that helps really to survive the day is,Advil or Tylenol.
Good luck and get better soon.
Hi A.,
I just went through the same thing and being pregnant was very limited what I could do.. So, the Neti pot did wonders!! It got rid of the sinus pain/pressure and my ears felt better as well. I also purchased peppermint oil and would massage it into my forehead and tempels, that helped ALOT!!! It has a very cooling effect so it feels great. Also my favorite recepie for any cold/flu is:
Boil milk and then add honey, fresh crushed garlic and a tbs. of butter. It's my little miracle drink when I'm sick ;-) Get well soon-A. ;-)
Sounds like you have done all the right home remedies but do make sure the dr. rules out anything like Strep. The "lack of breathing" part is concerning too.
Good luck.
EDIT: By the way...through all of this, you still have a sense of humor. Impressive! Sometimes it's all we can hold on to.
Sorry to hear you are under the weather. Chances are if your daughter had a viral infection, you have the same, which means you don't need antibiotics.. Take sudafed and advil for a couple of days and you should get better. If not in a couple of days, then go to the Dr. The sudafed should help your ears, but could be an ear infection, you will know in a day or two if meds don't help.
Good luck and feel better.
