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Uk Common Cold

Peter0003

Peter0003

Newbie
Messages
2
Location
Croydon
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi Everyone, I'm sitting in front of my PC suffering from a common cold but unable to take anything for it as the medication could cause more problems as most, are full of sugar, I would normally take lemsip and paracetamol ? What should I take to rid myself from this illness.

yours Peter0003
 
Your local pharmacist will be able to recommend symptom-control treatments that don't contain much if any sugar. There is no scientifically proven cure for the common cold, unfortunately.

My favourite products for colds include an anaesthetic throat spray, lozenges, nasal sprays, Vicks Vaporub, cough suppressant, prescription ventolin inhaler, and if it's bad enough, I get pseudoephridine based decongestant pills from my GP. I increase my paracetamol but make sure I'm not getting too much in the other products. I also try to keep my fluids up and rest more. The days of "soldier on with Codral" are over for me.
 
Hi @Peter003 and welcome to the forum. I take Contac, which is a decongestant that also contains paracetamol.
But the leaflet does say you should consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have diabetes.
 
Grated ginger, pour over with boiling water. It's hot, but it helps. Sweeten to taste, if you like. Add turmeric too for good measure. Get well soon :)
 
Or a steam bath, if you need to shift phlegm. Have you got chrystal menthol or similar? Dissolve it in boiling water in a bowl. Grab a towel, over your head and head over bowl. Inhale steam. Cough and blow your nose :)
 
Hi @Peter0003,
Vicks vapororub for blocked nose and Senega and Ammonia for productive cough ( tastes terrible, works well !)
My BSL goes up because of the stress of the illness and the relative inactivity whilst unwell.
My doctor advised me to have influenza vaccine which in Australia meant April and to have a vaccination against pneumonia.
Of course, we are told vaccinations cannot be done during an illness and your influenza shot is probably due in UK in ? October ?
I am uncertain about the recommendations for pneumonia vaccines for diabetics in UK.
An anecdote: I read about an experiment where one group of people in an confined area were given Vitamin D supplements over winter and a similar group were not provided with Vitamin D. The upshot was that at the end of winter the group with no vitamin D supplements had many more colds than the other group. I have no idea how well done this study was or the exact numbers involved but I take vitamin D about 2000 IU per day from late Autumn til mid Spring and over several years so far so good.
Obviously any such measure is best discussed with a doctor.(as I did ).
Best wishes for a Speedy recovery. Of course you can not possibly do the washing up or drying up during your illness and convalescence.
 
briped said:
Or a steam bath, if you need to shift phlegm. Have you got chrystal menthol or similar? Dissolve it in boiling water in a bowl. Grab a towel, over your head and head over bowl. Inhale steam. Cough and blow your nose :)
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I read that as Crytal meth!
Eucalyptus essential oil drops inhaled as above help with congestion
Robitussin do various sugar free cough medicines that are ok if needed https://www.google.co.uk/search?rlz...3.218.3......0....1.........0i71.hvaIy3/FUy8=
Fishermas friend sugar free lozenges can help give some relief with congestion / sore throat but only 1 variety ( blackcurrant) is sugar free https://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/Fishermans-Friend-Blackcurrant-Lozenges/297988011?from=shop
The reason some meds arent reccomended for diabetics is not just related to sugar content tho - sometimes its to do with the possibility of the meds negatively affecting high blood pressure that may be a condition present alongside diabetes, this is particularly the case with decongestants containing ephedrine
 
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I like pukka teas lemon, honey and ginger teabags when I have a cold, also if you're ok with using sweeteners a hot no added sugar Tesco black currant cordial can be comforting and soothing on a sore throat

I can't remember the exact carbs in a lemsip but I have looked before and seem to recall it's between 3-5g - sometimes you just have to demote diabetes to second place and treat yourself holistically-hope you're feeling better soon :)
 
Peter0003 said:
Hi Everyone, I'm sitting in front of my PC suffering from a common cold but unable to take anything for it as the medication could cause more problems as most, are full of sugar, I would normally take lemsip and paracetamol ? What should I take to rid myself from this illness.

yours Peter0003
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Found this old thread I'd posted some info in - it may be helpful to you :)

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/lemsip.63421/
 
Boo1979 said:
I read that as Crytal meth!
Eucalyptus essential oil drops inhaled as above help with congestion
Click to expand...
:D :D I wouldn't know as I've never tried chrystal - or any other meth. Anyway, yes, eucayptus would go under 'similar'. I just forgot, but there's also peppermint oil.
 
Crocodile said:
Fisherman's Friend lozenges. don't know if you can get them over your way. Popular here in Aussie. Only 1g of sugar. Had some last week for my runny snotbox.
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Invented and manufactured in Fleetwood, an ex fishing port on the coast of Lancashire, England. :)
 
Boo1979 said:
The reason some meds arent reccomended for diabetics is not just related to sugar content tho - sometimes its to do with the possibility of the meds negatively affecting high blood pressure that may be a condition present alongside diabetes, this is particularly the case with decongestants containing ephedrine
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, I will ask my GP about it. I was prescribed pseudoephidrine many times post diagnosis with hypertension then T2 diabetes 9 years ago. My hypertension has always been well controlled and was never all that high to begin with. I assume my GPs felt the benefits were worth the risks but I will check. As I have sleep apnoea, if I can't breathe through my nose at night, I will have a poor quality night's sleep, which doesn't help with having a cold and diabetes. My colds last longer than other people's, so I like to deploy the full arsenal of pharma symptom controllers to help me get through as best I can.

Another remedy I use is nasal irrigation. Doesn't hurt at all, and really helps with nasal congestion or sinus problems. Neilmed has a good range of products for this.
 
Peter0003 said:
Hi Everyone, I'm sitting in front of my PC suffering from a common cold but unable to take anything for it as the medication could cause more problems as most, are full of sugar, I would normally take lemsip and paracetamol ? What should I take to rid myself from this illness.

yours Peter0003
Click to expand...
Keep hydrated take no meds it will go away on its own.
 
Peter0003 said:
Hi Everyone, I'm sitting in front of my PC suffering from a common cold but unable to take anything for it as the medication could cause more problems as most, are full of sugar, I would normally take lemsip and paracetamol ? What should I take to rid myself from this illness.

yours Peter0003
Click to expand...

Go to bed after taking two paracetamol washed down by a large mug of half whiskey and half hot milk.
If you don't feel better do the same again six hours later and repeat until you feel well again! ;)
 
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