Cold -- what do you do?

[jana]

I've got hit with a nasty cold (again) and I'm curious what other people do to relieve their cold symptoms. What works for you, what doesn't? I've tried to distract myself with things like computer games, my favorite TV shows, and working on a DW style/layout, but sadly, I can't do any of it for too long before I get a headache... I'm also drinking lots of fluids (mostly herbal tee), doing steam inhalation every couple of hours (it's great as long as I keep my head under the towel, but it doesn't seem to have any lasting effect) and I use nasal spray to be able to breath at least once or twice a day...

I hope it's okay to post this here since 'health' is listed as a community interest and I couldn't find another community to ask this question. And I'm desperate ;)

EDIT: Thanks so much everyone, for taking the time and sharing your great tips! I'll answer all your comments in more detail soon (= when I'm up on my feet again) :)

Comments

[staranise]

I use a decongestant, like Benadryl Benylin, the active ingredient of which is Dextromethorphan, which at least keeps my sinuses from feeling they're packed with cotton.

If my coughing is really bad, I take codeine for it--in Canada I can buy Tylenol 1 pills of acetaminophen and codeine over the counter. Codeine is an antitussive.

(As you can see, I believe that the best medicine is medicine. I have physical disabilities and chronic pain which means for me, natural remedies often aren't effective enough. Not to diss natural remedies, but I kinda need the big guns.)

If I can't concentrate on things visually, I like to lie back on a heatpack and listen to an audiobook or podfic.