The "I'm sick, poor me!" thread

[Phimuteach]

It's that time of year. People are sniffling and coughing. Doorknobs, elevator buttons, and touching pretty much anything in public places is questionable.

I work with kids. While I think they are creative, honest, and funny- they are also germy little buggers. They will cough and sneeze in your face. Despite washing my hands every chance I get, my body has caved in.

I'm sick again! I was sick the whole month of October, and now I have a cold (I hope just a cold). My nose is sore, I've gone through a ton of tissues, and my body aches. I know there are more sick people out there. Vent your frustrations and give remedies here!

Side note: I've heard Airborne is a good preventative measure. Has anyone tried it? I'm also wondering if anyone has tried those immune boosting medicines that claim to cut your cold in half, like Zicam. I'm thinking about stocking up on these for next time!

[LaneSig]

I'm a teacher, too. First year elementary teachers are notorious for getting everything the kids have. My first year teaching, I was in the doctor's office once a month because of stuff I got from the kids.

Yes, Airborne works well. So does TheraFlu cold medicine. Hope you get to feeling better.

[blueangel]

I swear by pro-biotics. Have you tried Danactive?

Teaching kids in judo (who wipe their snotty noses on their gi sleeves-- and then you must grab the gi sleeve to throw them-- I know-- ewww!) I used to get tons of colds and respiratory illnesses.

But, since starting Danactive, I haven't caught a single cold (yet). It's touted to boost your immune system. I believe it.

It's difficult to find, but if you have a Whole Foods near you, you're in luck.

Here's a link.

http://www.danactive.com/

Also-- do you wash your hands often? Remember.. just touching a door handle (especially on your way OUT of a public bathroom) or a community phone ior fax machine s enough to get you sick. Be vigilent about keeping your hands away from your face-- and be sure to use alcohol wipes.. alot.

[mulattogyrl]

Originally Posted by Phimuteach

My nose is sore, I've gone through a ton of tissues,

This. is. me!! I'm going through so many tissues it's ridiculous. My nose skin is raw. My secretary told me she once had a stuffy nose for 2 years. Please don't let this be my fate.

[Kevin]

I have my last final tomorrow. So far, two of the attorneys at my office have been sick, my wife *is* sick..

[AlexMack]

There are these lozenges called Cold-eeze. Don't use them. They'll rip your mouth to shreds.
I got my boyf to get Zicam and it seemed to work really well. Here's my advice from a medical professional-there's no need to lysol everything. When you do, you're making your immune system worse. Do wash your hands constantly. Lots of vitamin C and zinc (the vit C you don't use you'll just pee out anyway). The rhinovirus is airbourne, so you're fine if you share a drink or kiss a sick person but just be aware that if they cough or sneeze around you, you're much more likely to get sick.
Try to get a good amount of fresh air once in awhile, the reason people get so sick in the winter is because they're in enclosed, warm spaces with recirculated air. It's a cold and flu breeding ground.

If you do get sick-glug down the orange juice, use Dayquil and Nyquil and try Zicam. Get lots of sleep and drink lots of water.

[blueangel]

Originally Posted by centaur532

There are these lozenges called Cold-eeze. Don't use them. They'll rip your mouth to shreds.
I got my boyf to get Zicam and it seemed to work really well. Here's my advice from a medical professional-there's no need to lysol everything. When you do, you're making your immune system worse. Do wash your hands constantly. Lots of vitamin C and zinc (the vit C you don't use you'll just pee out anyway). The rhinovirus is airbourne, so you're fine if you share a drink or kiss a sick person but just be aware that if they cough or sneeze around you, you're much more likely to get sick.
Try to get a good amount of fresh air once in awhile, the reason people get so sick in the winter is because they're in enclosed, warm spaces with recirculated air. It's a cold and flu breeding ground.

If you do get sick-glug down the orange juice, use Dayquil and Nyquil and try Zicam. Get lots of sleep and drink lots of water.

Be careful about Zicam. There is suspicion that it can permanently cause loss of smell. There have been several lawsuits:

http://zicam.vanosteen.com/

[AlexMack]

Originally Posted by blueangel

Be careful about Zicam. There is suspicion that it can permanently cause loss of smell. There have been several lawsuits:

http://zicam.vanosteen.com/

You can get this powdery stuff that you stir into drinks too. Of course if you snort the powder, you deserve to lose your sense of smell.

[greeklawgirl]

I swear by both Airborne and Cold-Eeze. I prefer the orange flavor of Airborne. The lime flavor is just icky to me!

The Cold-Eeze doesn't stop the cold, but it reduces my cold from my usual 4 days down to 2. I've heard a lot of complaints about Cold-Eeze being uncomfortable in the mouth because the zinc in it can react to the metal used in dental work. I have no idea if that's true or not, but I have no dental work in my mouth and I've never had a problem using Cold-Eeze.

[AlexMack]

Originally Posted by greeklawgirl

I swear by both Airborne and Cold-Eeze. I prefer the orange flavor of Airborne. The lime flavor is just icky to me!

The Cold-Eeze doesn't stop the cold, but it reduces my cold from my usual 4 days down to 2. I've heard a lot of complaints about Cold-Eeze being uncomfortable in the mouth because the zinc in it can react to the metal used in dental work. I have no idea if that's true or not, but I have no dental work in my mouth and I've never had a problem using Cold-Eeze.

It hurt because it felt like it was ripping my tongue to shreds. I'm sensitive to food dye anyway but it was 10 times worse than a regular candy.

[jwright25]

I've used that Cold MD "preventative" pill. It's a bunch of Vitamin C, Zinc, echinacea, and stuff like that. The week before my husband and I went on vacation he was really sick with a horrible cold - so were my parents and brother and people I was around all the time. I knew for sure I would be raging ill on my vacation. So I got the pills and took them immediately and throughout the vacation - never even sneezed! I took them again last week when I was going to be on airplanes and in NY. Stayed completely healthy! It may all be a coincidence, but since they are mostly vitamins and herbs, I figured it couldn't hurt me....

[MJo19]

I have had a perma-runny nose since the beginning of November. As a teacher, I wash my hands so much they become dry and nasty. I just make sure I get lots of Vitamin C and as much sleep as I can. I also take the time to wipe off my desk and computer keyboard every night before I leave with a Clorox Wipe and the kids wash their desks every Friday afternoon. Sometimes I spray Lysol around the room after the kids leave to just try and do something to lessen the amount of germs!

[PrettyBoy]

I haven't been sick since May of 2005. "knock on wood"

[AlexMack]

Originally Posted by PrettyBoy

I haven't been sick since May of 2005. "knock on wood"

You're so screwed now! I had that kind of record going until December last year. Hadn't been sick since early 2004. Then I got my dad's cold and had to sit through EMT refresher classes for 8 hours a day, freaking miserable.
On the plus side, I haven't had bronchitis or pneumonia in a long time, which is good because when I go down with that, I really go down, damn asthmatic lungs.
So knock on wood that I don't get that either.

[dzfan]

I am sickie too! I have been popping tylenol cold all day to feel better because I have my office party tonight which is goign to be lots of fun and then a friends party tomorrow -- dont want to be sick for them!