I find Mucinex and Sudafed both very helpful.

I second the mucinex!

Nothing I tired has helped, just have to wait it out. Its a tough one this year.

Zicam (or similar less expensive brand such as Kroger Zinc Cold Remedy, and Wal-Mart probably has an Equate version) - as soon as you have any symptoms --- then follow the instructions. It melts in your mouth and is a homeopathic remedy. Even if you have full-blown symptoms it will reduce the duration or reduce the severity.

Hubby came home from work Friday with mild cold symptoms (sneezing and runny nose) and hit it with Zicam as soon as he got home. I started having symptoms Sunday morning, so I started the therapy. Neither of us had any really bad symptoms because we caught it early. He is free from symptoms as of this morning, and I'm about 90%.

Elderberry syrup works incredibly well for me. I take it daily and hardly ever get sick anymore. I take 3 doses/day when I'm sick and it shortens the duration. I used to get 1-2 week long colds!

Sambucol Elderberry and Cold Eeze (has zinc). Generally cuts the cold by a few days if taken at the on set.

I take Airborne, spoons of honey sometimes and hot tea. So far I have been really fortunate. Hope all feel better soon.

Sue

Mucinex, Dimetapp, and Alka Seltzer seem to work best for me.

Mucinex DM, along with lots of liquids (Vodka, Beer, Whiskey, etc.).

I hit the Zicam as soon as I feel the cold coming on. So far, it has been a real help.

I agree with watchme. Most colds are viral, the immune system does the work.

To my knowledge, there are no treatments that have been proven to be effective in curing a cold or hastening its passage. Some OTC products can ease symptoms and that can make you more comfortable. But the underlying "infection" still needs to run its course.

read JoAnns post about home remedies

I take Alka Seltzer Plus during the day, and NyQuil at night. Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks everyone for your replies. I am hanging in there.

I take Airborne at the very first sign of feeling like I might be coming down with a cold and I double or triple up on Vitamin C. Works for me.

I take frequent mega doses of vitamin C and it usually helps a lot.

Dayquil and Nyquil. They work great for us!!!!!!!!

Hope you feel better soon...

viral or not, you can treat the symptoms? Why wouldn't someone do that?

I learned the hard way, drastically increase your fluid intake and eat something. All I had Sunday was coffee, took some DayQuil. Ended up severely dehydrated, passed out twice. My BP dropped to 70/40, the EMTS couldn't find a readable pulse. Luckily, after three IVs I got to go home! Stay hydrated!

viral or not, you can treat the symptoms? Why wouldn't someone do that?

Because most of the OTC cold meds don't really do much if at all. It's over-medicating that is pointless.The exception would be to take specific one ingredient relief for various symptoms. Aspirin or the like for fever/pain. Guaifenesin to break up mucus. (it will work on thick mucus anywhere, not just lungs, your body doesn't care).

I don't see how Airborn is still on the market. I guess only because it really can't be regulated like real drugs since the scammers market it as a supplement. Hiowever it's real danger is it's vitamin A content. Take too much of that snake oil and you can exchange your cold for something far more detrimental.

From WEB MD
Vitamin A is LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth or given as a shot into the muscle in amounts less than 10,000 units daily.

Vitamin A is POSSBILY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in high doses. Some scientific research suggests that higher doses might increase the risk of osteoporosis and hip fracture, particularly in older people. Adults who eat low-fat dairy products, which are fortified with vitamin A, and a lot of fruits and vegetables usually do not need vitamin A supplements or multivitamins that contain vitamin A.

Long-term use of large amounts of vitamin A might cause serious side effects including fatigue, irritability, mental changes, anorexia, stomach discomfort, nausea, vomiting, mild fever, excessive sweating, and many other side effects. In women who have passed menopause, taking too much vitamin A can increase the risk of osteoporosis and hip fracture.

There is growing concern that taking high doses of antioxidant supplements such as vitamin A might do more harm than good. Some research shows that taking high doses of vitamin A supplements might increase the chance of death from all causes and possibly other serious side effects.

Hot Toddy. Tasty, warm, comforting, and sound sleep follows. Take care and get well soon :)

I can't take sudafed. Well, I take it very seldom now, it shoots my blood pressure up. Mucinex DM is an expectorant and helps thin the mucus. Advil for fever and aches. Chicken noodle soup, tea.

Also, salt water sinus rinse and the microwave neck wrap. That neck wrap is a miracle worker. Basically treat your symptoms and try to get some rest.

I hope you feel better soon!

Guaifenesin to break up mucus=mucinex. Which was suggested by many, including me. So basically it was a good suggestion. It's the lack of breathing part that is most irritating about a cold.

ETA: I have to get rid of the mucus, any way I can so that it doesn't turn into bronchitis or worse, pneumonia. As has happened in the past. I'm an asthmatic who also has allergies (which equals ongoing inflamed sinuses). Maybe that skews my view, but it seems more prudent to hit it hard. I'm stuck on over medicate? People medicate during a cold because they want some relief. After all, no one takes these medications on an ongoing basis.

pain meds for aches, but flood your system...we do take stuff so I can breathe, but I drink water all day (and up all night, lol)

Lots of 'clear' liquids. Smoothies and soups are a good way to get proteins, vitamins, and minerals to help your immune system have what it needs. Toss some raw seeds in the smoothies for the protein and oils. Other than greatly increasing liquids to turn on your elimination cycle, rest, and stay warm.

If honey and lemon help your throat, by all means. If a mild pain reliever helps aches, give it a go if you wish.

But as I think we all know by now... no cure for viruses. All you can do is turn on your liquid elimination cycle with lots of liquids, and provide your immune system with the things it needs without making your digestion, and body heat mechanisms work too hard.

I've been taking 2 meds that are advertised as for allergy relief, tho I don't believe I've ever suffered from the traditional allergies. But the antihistamines help relieve the typical cold symptoms -- runny nose, esp. One is a generic CVS-brand non-drowsy, 24-hour tablet Loratadine; the other is a 4-hour Chlor-Trimeton tablet. I had a sore throat the first day -- always a warning to me that a cold is on its way. But I'm no longer having that horrible sinus-drain-irritated throat feeling since starting to take these pills. Usually, after about a week, the cough sets in and I start to take Mucinex. Also, tea with lemon and honey in the morning and at work (it's cold in my office), alternating with ice water or flavored water.

And this morning I had to throw in some Advil -- it's raining here, and the change in barometric pressure really affects my head.

I'm afraid to take anything because of my high blood pressure. I just stick with tylenol.