A Question for all the helpful intelligent R & S peeps?

Question

I got a bad cold, and since you all are so smart and helpful and there is so many of you, could you give me your opinion to the following question:

What OTC medicine is the best decongestant?
I am congested in my nasal cavity as well as having drainage in my throat.

PLEASE ONLY MEDS THAT OUR NON-DROWSY

I did ask the question in a HEALTH section as well, but I thought since all my fellow R & S peeps are so helpful and plentiful this would be a good place to get a decent and quick response.

WOW, so many responses! This is great and kinda funny. Perhaps I should always ask questions with this type of HEADER. The most responses I have ever gotten from a question. And I have asked over 100!

Answer 1

I don't use OTC meds but my sisters swear by Mucinex. They say it gets rid of all the mucus and clears everything up.

Hope you get to feeling better soon.

Answer 2

Well I'll give you an alternative. As an opera singer, I've had to deal with this unfortunate feeling before a concert. It's sounds weird but it works. Use warm salt water and a dropper and put it in your nose. Also, take a long steamy shower as that helps drain the gunk out of your nasal passages. You could also try a tea called Throat Coat, it really helps with the irritation caused by postnasal drip. Don't use a traditional tea it only makes it worse. If somebody has suggested nasal spray be cautious because you can get a rebound effect that increases swelling in the nasal passages and drink a LOT of water as this thins things out. You could well go over the standard 8 glasses 8oz formula by about double. You should notice a big difference doing this alone. I'd try a few of these before an OTC. You could have a sinus infection and some things would only make it worse. Feel better.....I know some of the stuff I've suggested sounds strange but as a singer I risk damage with OTC's.....

Answer 3

You know what I have the best luck with? Nasal spray. It shrinks the tissues in the nasal cavity, so you can breathe. Sometimes it'll leave you feeling like you don't even have a cold anymore. It also doesn't make you drowsy.
Just be really careful to follow the directions on the bottle. It can mess your nose up it you abuse the stuff. You also don't want to use it for more than a couple of days.

Answer 4

I personally try to take no pills, etc. Since I was young I have believed to allow the body to do its thing, its smart enough to do it. I use to get sick, and I use to suffer through it. Today, its rare I get sick. Actually was sick w/ the flu about a week ago, first time in 6 years.

My suggestion....no meds.....just put on some sweats, climb into bed, pile the blankets on and take a good day of sleep, sweat it out, wake up in a pile of moisture and cook it out of your system. Take a nice warm bath that night, then go back to bed. The next morning you will feel like a new person again. Plus laying in bed will let your nose drain and you won't have a sore nose from sniffling all day.

Meds just hide the problem and cover the issues and extends the issue out longer. Pills don't cure....they only cover up. Let the body do its job, learn the virus, cause once it knows that virus....it won't effect the body again. Hence why I hardly get sick anymore.

Answer 5

for those who are confused, OTC is over the counter...

we use Advil cold and sinus and it works great. of course, now with all the 'meth' worries, you have to be over 18 to purchase and must have an ID and sign away your first born, but worth the relief you get from that.

make sure that the decongestant is the pseudoephedrine hcl... not the 'new stuff' that sudafed has come out with

p.s. I've been a vocalist for years and have had no ill affects for my voice using OTC's... good luck!

Answer 6

Well smart-a ss, I get drowsy with every OTC so I use hot tea (the steam helps clear the breathing passages and the drinking part is soothing to the throat). There's a tea called 'Throat Coat' that actually tastes good-I'm not sure it does anything for me but, like I said, it tastes good and feels very soothing. I've also used Thera-Flu before-it's a hot drink with a very strong lemon taste. I don't remember it making me feel any more drowsy than normal...

Answer 7

I like Sudafed non drowsy in the day and a good shot and a half of Nyquil before bed.

Answer 8

I use listerine everytime I eat or smoke, It kills the bacteria in your mouth and takes away a sore throat. Plus the worst part of a cold is feeling like your mouth is dirty. Something to try at least.

Answer 9

Day Quil used to be the best until they stopped using pseudophedrine. They changed the formula. Any cold medicine that has that ingredient in it is the best! (and non drowsy)

Answer 10

Wash your hands as often as possible. Avoid touching your nose. Sorry if I can't make you feel better this time but maybe you can reduce the chances of getting a cold in the future.