I’m Mr. side effects. I,like you don’t take anything until i’m about ready to cry in frustration or pain. If I do break down and take something,I have to be ready for what ever might happen. Often it’s worse than what I’m trying to relieve.

Welcome back I have miss you! Sorry you have been under the weather…I don’t take much either, but I do have a testimony of the over the counter sleep aid called Simply Sleep. No side effects and I’m not drowsy in the morning and it helps me sleep on those high anxiety nights… There have been times in my life that I wouldn’t have turned down a bottle of Xanax.

Whenever I feel a cold or flu coming on, I begin taking Zicam and Airborne 3 to 4 times a day. It never gets worse from that point, and lasts only another day or two. It’s a godsend. I prefer the cherry flavored gum like Zicam, and the strawberry flavored Airborne.

Yes, I’m the same way – I avoid taking any kind of medication unless the pain is unbearable. I’ll occasionally take advil/ibuprofen if I have a super bad headache. For colds, I’ve also tried Zicam/Airborne but it didn’t help me as much as it seems to help others. Taking deep breaths, eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and thinking positive thoughts seems to help as well as anything.

Fortunately, I no longer have to suffer through winters in Salt Lake City, which seem to be almost impossible to live through without catching a cold. We’ll see if I can make it through this year without getting sick once. So far so good.

I’m glad you’re finally getting over it. You’ve sounded awful. Though I started coughing this morning so I hope I hasn’t left you to come visit me.

Mucinex is a wonderful thing, and I make use of it from time to time. Though since I have asthma and sinus issues, I pretty much live in a state of congestion anymore, and usually take it only when I have a serious chest cold or I am simply out of patience.

The only decongestant that works for me is the original sudafed (pseudo ephedrine, which you now have to obtain from the pharmacist). None of this newfangled stuff they came up with makes any difference for me.

I try to stay away from all kinds of drugs. I take supplements but that is about it. I had a root canal last year and even then, I took the painkillers for a day and then just dealt with the discomfort until it went away natuarlly.