Knitting,
I've found that gargling (carefully so as not to get strangled) with apple cider vinegar and letting a bit of it go down into the throat helps a sore throat. I've used it full strength and also pretty strong slightly diluted in warm water. - My husband has also been using those Zicam zinc swabs (in his nasal passages) at the first small sign of a cold, and so far, they have worked like a charm. - Us old ladies have it hard! Twinkie
No cold, just the earache, and possibly the start of a sinus infection. I have chronic rhinitis, and the dry air from heating the house doesn't help!
Might try some vinegar. Hadn't thought about trying that one.
So many people have recommended Zicam that I went to the drug store to find some. I catch everything that comes down the pike nowadays, after years of never getting sick.
I know my immune system is messed up, so I've tried a lot of different things that "speak" to that - from the tummy stuff ("70% of the immune system is in the stomach" their ads say) to the protein drinks ("Boost" your immune system, antioxidants and vitamins) to plain old vitamins I've always taken to cold prevention stuff.
The Airborne seemed like a good deal, but yecccch, that stuff tastes awful. Found a new one called "Hot Apple Cider" last week, thinking that might help. Got it home and it's a nighttime toddy, which I did not want. I'm already sleepy a lot of the time - well, not sleepy, just bone-weary. AND, it also tasted awful - and didn't make me drowsy at all, lol.
So, I stood in front of the cold remedy shelves and there were 20 different "Zicams" - had no idea which was the best to just ward off a cold or flu. Didn't get any of them.
I did buy the Simply Saline last week and used it in the shower (kept forgetting I had it) last night - it seemed to make a small difference in my breathing difficulties today, so I will use it regularly, I think.
I also found some zinc + VitC "melts" and I like those a lot. Don't know if they're doing anything, but I like melts' easiness. What I have now is a return of the blasting cough from that last flu bout several weeks ago - it comes and goes. I've had sniffles start, but I've warded them off.
And sad to say, the rash is back on my hands - but it doesn't itch. It's now splotchy red spots and all the little bumps like bug bites are still there, right under the skin. Hot water hurts, cold water feels good. I can't stand dealing with this stuff in the situation I am in now.
Don't know what to ask for in prayer, except God's will. I just want to be healthy again or rather, to get enough money to buy a car, then see a doctor, then a dentist, so I can get healthy. I was partway there when oil prices started plummeting, thus my meager income - which won't cover the rent in another few months.
So, *worry* is part of my problem - altho, I have to say, it's not as bad as it has been. I have a fair amount of moments of peace, for which I'm very grateful.
Happiness to me is a warm snickerdoodle. And I have some of those. I just want to rejoin the human race and "do" for others again. Thanks for reading, y'all.