I've got a cold

I found echinacea soluble fizzy tabs reduce the length of colds but I also gargle in TCP as soon as I feel my throat getting sore. Its not a great experience and stinks the house out but it helps.

I think DD has one of those Chewbacca.

annodomini is it advisable to stand outside when doing experiments with bicarb?
The results can be quite dramatic!!

Honestly, though, paddyanne if it doesn't get better, do see your GP. Sinusitis can become very painful if it develops into that. When I had it the first time I thought I had an abscess but the dentist sent me straight to the GP.

This is the hay fever season, Alder pollen is very allergenic so if you live near wet land or a stream and have a tree with long yellow / red catkins, that's probably the cause.

Good luck!

The neti pot works for me every time but just use boiled water cooled right down to tepid don't add anything ,hope you sort it soon

I think everyone might be living near wetland at the moment LJP1

Sterimar is highly recommended in Spain my family and I use it.

We're north of Glasgow so Spring is a way off .Its definately a cold but the Sterimar is working well and Im getting a couple of hours between uses .I did have to get up during the night to use it as my OH complained I was "breathing noisily" but we both slept well until it wore off again.

I take echinacea all year round and up the dose of I feel a cold coming on. It works for me and I honestly can't remember the last time I had one. Staying home from work to save spreading cold bugs is the best advice but we have all been brought up along the lines of "it's just a cold, stop fussing" and it feels wrong. And I'm not sure the workplace would understand either! Re-education needed.

Sterimar is great give it time get well soon

DH swears by this

It's ok but what you really need is Neilmed Sinus Rinse. Buy a kit with a bottle and sachets. You dissolve the sachets in boiled water (left to cool to body temperature) and wash out your nose and sinuses with that. You can use it once or upto 3 times a day for ever if you like. It rinses all the mucus and debris out and feels much better after. I suffer from chronic rhinitis and I've used this for years. There are full instructions and you can buy on Amazon.

Last bug I had lasted nearly 2months. Cough and cold, bad chest infection temperature up and down. Took 3 courses of antibiotics and a short course of steroids to shift it. X-ray showed lung infection too. I have COPD so perhaps that's why, but OH caught it and still lasted 4 weeks

If the Sterimar spray doesn't help - perhaps you could ask your doctor for Mometasone spray. I am taking BP meds myself and this is what my doctor prescribes for me when I have sinus problems.

Sterimar is really effective, and non "addictive" as some other sprays are, I took Otrivine spray years ago and couldnt get off it never used the like since then.Take plenty of vit C drink lots, drinks with honey and lemon are soothing too.Get well soon.

I’ve had a cold and cough since Christmas - don’t think it’s the same one as the grandchildren love sharing bugs - but there’s no way I could take time off work. I know I’m not indispensable but I need the money!!!

I have constant sinus problems and find sterimar only gives temporary relief. I, also didn't want yet more antibiotics so have resorted to Beconase nasal spray, which I have to admit is helping, although I don't like using a steroid because I already have to due to asthma.

Colloidal Silver will knock it on the head

How do you use the sinus rinse, Moggycuddler? I think my sinuses need a clean out. I've been holding on to this stuffy nose for weeks since the cold itself finished.

Does Beconase actually help you Phloembundle? I was prescribed it years ago and used it for a week or so but made no difference.

Was recommended to use Sterimar by the consultant after a nose operation (deviated septum) to prevent infection/blockage and it did the job!

It doesn’t work for me!

Salt water sprays don't do anything in my experience. They just clean out the nasal passages. Are you sure its a cold and not sinusitis, in which case you will need an antibiotic from your GP. It will not clear up without it.. Or it could be allergy. Try Flixonase or Pirenase. I suffer from rhinitis which gives you a permanently runny nose and nasal drip which causes you to cough. For years I thought I was catching one cold after another.

Can’t give any advice Paddyann, except it looks like you’ll just have to sit it out. Anyway, I hope you’re feeling better soon.

@paddyanne I feel your pain. As I write this my eyes and nose are streaming, I haven’t had a proper voice for a week and trying to cope with the whole too hot/ too cold achy bones thing.
I have taken today off sick from work, look like I will have to take tomorrow as well as I am a nurse working with the elderly. But I don’t get paid sick leave and next month will be so difficult having lost 24 hours of wages

I developed a sinus infection before Christmas though just thought it was a bad cold. Put up with it for weeks. Unable to sleep as pain got worse during the night. Couldn't close teeth together. Tried all the sprays trying to fix the "cold" symptoms. Had to give in and see GP who when touching my face and back of head thought I was going to be sick, so painful. Sinusitis diagnosed and antibiotics given. Dr told me a cold shouldn't be painful and I should have been sooner, signs of ear infection too. Hope it is a cold/allergy you have and it clears soon.

i use my own spray of sea salt christals and tap water. Works a treat!