Sorry posting has been a bit sparse the last few days. I felt very tired on Friday, then realised that this was my body telling me that I had a cold. Some women in the parish unkindly refer to this as "man 'flu", suggesting that men make too much of minor ailments. As if! Well by Sunday it had me well and truly knocked flat. I was intending to drive to central London to meet with Bishop Peter Elliott at St Patrick's, Soho Square, and then go on to Wonersh afterwards. By mid afternoon, I had changed my plans to driving round to Wonersh and having an early night. By the time it came to leave, I felt that although I could probably teach in the morning, the state I was in would make me a danger to myself and anyone else unlucky enough to cross my path on the M25 so I threw in the towel and actually called in sick - not something I have done for a long time.
A loooong sleep has helped a bit and I intend to have another early night tonight in the hope that my immune system can run freely to finish it off and let me get some work done tomorrow.
So it is surely time for a full-on combox with cold remedies. The following have already played their part:
- Six-pack of kleenex tissues. Now finished and well on through a Boots 15-pack.
- Contac 500 decongestant - my personal favourite but defeated earlier today (cf. tissues)
- Nurofen - best over-the-counter painkiller in my estimation
- Boots honey and glycerine pastilles - complete rubbish
- Victory-V lozenges - now that's better! Traditional too.
Then there are nature's traditional remedies: food with plenty of garlic and chilli peppers. And, of course, Brandy.
Further suggestions welcome provided that they do not involve crystals, acupuncture, aromatherapy or reiki :-)
And remember that sound old saying: "You can cure a cold in seven days but it will cure itself in a week."
23 comments:
I had this.
Started off as a cold and kept going for two or three days thinking its a grotty cold but I can keep going - then bang - laid out
Consensus round here is it is flu
Well yes - we're talking palliative care, not cure here. As anyone with small children knows, you seem to spend at least half your life playing ping-pong with disgusting colds. First symptoms with me are tiredness, a hungry feeling that won't go away, a dull ache in the small of the back that stops you getting comfortable in bed, and four-times-nightly trips to the lavatory. That's just the warm-up, letting you know it's coming...
Sleep's the best thing - assisted by the following: tea, black, not too strong, in a pint mug. Add a tablespoonful of honey, a wedge of lemon, two soluble asprins and big go of malt whisky. Drink hot.
Wake up rested, at least.
The combination of paracetamol and ibuprofen is even more effective.
I'll pray for you tonight.
For heaven's sake, Father! No wonder men get flattened by these things - they use completely inneffectual remedies. Nurofen and Contac, indeed - you might as well try to paint the Forth Road Bridge with a toothbrush. Now for some real medicine:
Take a largish tumbler. Squeeze into it the juice of a lemon, add a generous spoonful of honey, then at least three fingers of Irish whiskey (works much better than its Caledonian cousin), then top up with hot water from the kettle.
Drink just before bedtime and wake up ready to take on the world.
Fisherman's Friend lozenges will clear a stuffy nose (and take the lining of your mouth off...)
A hot toddy is my favourite remedy: whisky, hot water, sugar (or honey) and a dash of lemon. Use that to wash down the nurofen (which I agree is the best painkiller / anti-inflammatory / anti-pyretic going!)
Chicken soup??? A cliché I know, but it always works for me...providing someone else has made it!
Brandy with orange cordial has also been quite successful.
I have never found things like echinacea to be particularly effective though.
Get well soon!
We missed you last night and were very sorry that you'd gone down with something. Don't overdo things!
Bishop Peter was on fine form and it was a most enjoyable evening.
I agree with Pattiff. Honey, lemon and whiskey (and I normally add some blackcurrant juice) - all in generous measures, especially the whiskey - and mix in boiling water. Add a couple of paracetamols if you want it to sound medicinal. You'll be as right as rain in no time! At least you'll sleep well.
Pattif is right about the whiskey and honey, but that's only half the cure.
First, a hot, strong curry.
Then into a hot bath with the whiskey & honey.
Then two nurofen.
Then bed, with a hot water bottle. For twelve hours (or until the curry insists that you get up).
Take Vitamin E in future Father - it is supposed to strengthen your immune system.
Gin
Same here in Somerset
Lost my voice during Sunday Mass. EP said sotto voce.
Place the whiskey, honey and lemon drink in the microwave for 30 secs - adding boiling water is not enough.
That said I am missing what should be an excellent day of reflection and study organised by the Dept for On-Going Formation of Priests (Clifton Diocese) at St Patrick's, Redfield, Bristol - today Tuesday 2 October -
"Discovering the Jesus of Pope Benedict XVI led by Fr Gerald O'Collins S.J.
You can get some funny things called nasal strips. 'Breathe Right' is one brand. They look a bit like sticking plaster, but you stick them over the bridge of your nose and they help to keep the nasal passage open so that you don't wake up in the night feeling congested. They really do seem to work. They're also supposed to help stop snoring, but I'm quite sure you won't need them for that... Get well soon, Father!
You should eat a hot curry - none of this medium hot rubbish. That'll kick you back up.
The remedies involving hot lemon, whisky and honey are the best but it will also do you good to have some rose-hip syrup. Remember that Delrosa stuff one had as a child? Well, home-made is even better - stronger, tastes delicious and is simply packed with Vitamin C. I have several jars of it, made from local rosehips. You should have some every day. Will send some over.
Joanna
I am amazed that nobody has recommended taking echinacea. You can buy it from Holland & Barrett. It does not cure colds, but prevents them and removes the worst symptoms. I have been taking it for years and, on the rare occasions I do catch cold, the symptoms are slight and only last for a day or to. If you don't believe me Google it and read widely. According to the Daily Telegraph recently it is now scientifically recognized as a help.
I forgot to mention a good single malt (smething a bit peaty and medicinal like a Laphroig or a Lagavulin)
Most of the comments suggest old wives tale remedies. they all help but flu only goes in time with rest plus plenty of liquids and a painkiller if needed preferably aspirin. Nurofen should NEVER be used if you are subject to asthma.
They will make it worse.
Nurofen should NEVER be used if you are subject to asthma.
Not quite true, padre. A bit of an urban myth. Non steroidals (including aspirin) really only shouldn't be used in the 10% of asthmatics who get nasal polyps. If unsure, don't take. If symptoms persist...well, you know the rest ;-)
I've only just read this post.
The honey-whisky-hot water is an excellent treatment, but must be accompanied by an analgesic to which you are not allergic.
Old fashioned aspirin was recommended for its antipyretic qualities. These days, "buffered" or coated aspirin is available.
Bed rest is essential. You're system has enough to do fighting the virus. A warm bed in a well-aired room.
Nutrition is also essential.
If you're not feeling hungry, or feel to ill to bother preparing a meal, you really MUST take liquid nourishment, such as Complan.
A good meat based soup is also excellent.
The body needs hydration.
You must replace lost body fluid with a water based beverage : tea, fruit juice (or even water).
A cold normally clears without medical intervention, but if the symptoms persist, or if other symptoms develop, you should really seek medical advice.
Sometimes, the immune system is affected by vitamin deficiency.
Easily treated, but not too much self diagnosis.
I'm so sorry you are feeling ill, and I hope you'll feel bettter soon.
And, no, I'm not a medical doctor.(I'm a Ph.D.)
But the above is good advice anyway.
Can't comment on specific remedies, but do be sure to keep yourself adequately hydrated. Hope you're feeling perky again soon.
An afterthought ..
If the other commenters will refrain from throwing stones at me, I have to say the superiority of one whisky over another is largely anecdotal, and more a matter of personal taste.
But a single malt is highly to be recommended :
e.g. Genmorangie, The Macallan, any good Glenlivet.
Stay away from blended whisky.
Anon. is absolutely right about vitamin E as a boost for the immune system.
(Prevention, as they say, is better than cure.)
But, once you are laid low vitamin C is what you need.
The best source is citrus fruit, or the juice thereof, e.g. orange juice.
With the cold weather getting nearer, a balanced diet is very necessary.
We all probably consume all the protein and carbohydrate we need, but a lot of people these days seem to neglect two things, despite their their known benefits:
Fish.
Green vegetables (NOT stewed : lightly and rapidly boiled/steamed until they are al dente).
Sorry I forgot to mention this in my earlier comment.
No tablet is harmless, (most especially for people already taking regular medication)
including over-the-counter remedies, which might contain paracetemol, codeine phosphate, ibuprofen, etc.
Be careful with anti-histamines.
Read the labels !
Dear me, I sound like a EU health warning.
What a hazardous world we live in.
I had this just before my holidays; seriously, plenty sleep is what fixed me. I slept, and slept, and slept, and didn't really eat, but had plenty nice showers in between sleeps. It seemed to work.
Just back from Pluscarden. :)
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