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The Kitchen Table

What kind of stuff do you keep on hand for cold/flu season?

9 years ago

Everything in my medicine chest expired between 1996 and 2006. You can tell we don't get sick a lot. Husband is feeling punky. I need to toss all this stuff and re-stock.

There are probably more effective OTC medicines for the cold/flu than were out 10 to 20 years ago.

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User

9 years ago

Coriciden products for folks taking BP meds. They are very effective for us.

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Comments (16)

cooper8828
9 years ago
We just usually have some Kleenex and ibuprofen. We don't get sick very often either. :)
OutsidePlaying
9 years ago
Nyquil, Dayquil, Advil and Tylenol. We don't get sick much but both of us had colds just before and after Christmas. I take Zyrtec when my allergies kick in and sometimes use a few quirts of Nasocort.
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How prepared are you for even a small "disaster"? If not, why not? I think one has to weigh the definition and potential disasters you could face together with the impact of them. I'm not a "prepper". I prefer to think I'm a "common senser". I just can't get myself to scare myself into laying in years upon years worth of dehydrated food, hundreds of rolls of toilet paper, and an arsenal of weapons to protect the toilet paper when the SHTF. That said, I'm also pragmatic and living in a northern state an occasional snow or ice storm is a very real possibility and then tack on some severe cold weather. Living in a city, the likelihood of getting so snowbound that we could not get out in an emergency isn't a top danger, but the reality is that a heavy storm makes it worthwhile to stay home in bad weather. My latter years of working enabled me to be able to adjust my schedule most of the time so I could stay home in bad weather and ride out the storm. I've always kept some food in the house for such a need, plus having it means I don't have to run to the store every couple days. I do not like shopping. I go to a store, get what I want and get out asap most of the time. I still comparison shop, etc, but I don't make a hobby out of shopping. I used to keep a fairly well-stocked pantry with canned and dry goods but with health issues that has expired. I am now using the freezer more as my food storage and try to keep a week or so covered with refrigerated and dry and freezer supplements it. It's not so much for emergencies but for convenience. And the convenience would pay off in an emergency. Especially during the winter, but even in the summer I try to keep some gas in the vehicle, at least 1/3 of a tank and I keep a couple 2 gallon cans of gas for the mower so that could be used if a need should arise. The second major impact or "disaster" if you so desire, is a power outage. During and following a big storm many years back my power was out for 7 or 8 days. Now that would have an impact on my preparedness but at the time, it really didn't too much. I used what I could from the frig and freezer right away but after a couple days I just went to a sandwich shop or deli and picked up the days food. Some meals were simple and basic, sausage, cheese, crackers, etc. The streets were made passable quite quickly. Water service was not interrupted. I used my vehicle to charge the computer and cell phone and as I recall the landline wasn't affected. I had a battery TV and radio for entertainment too and I used up my cache of batteries during this time period. I do keep battery lights and flashlights around. More than most. I don't lay in food supplies in fear of getting laid off or something as do some. For me, that comes under money management. And some people tout keeping cash handy in case of disaster but many if not most make the mistake of thinking everyone will have and will be willing to make change for them. I keep some money around and I keep small bills for tipping on deliveries, etc. Many also make the mistake of thinking they can buy anything in a disaster if they have cash. Many stores will close in a power outage, their fuel dispensers won't work and the registers won't work either. In the event of a chemical disaster or something and I can get out of town, I do have places planned where I could go for cover. I don't keep a "go bag" but grab a couple changes of clothes isn't a big deal. Meds are kept together and grab a couple other things, I could leave.
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PRO
Anglophilia
9 years ago
Sudafed and a prescription for Tamiflu. One needs to take it no later than 48 hours after first symptoms, and if that happens on a weekend, you may get your prescription too late. If it's on hand, you can start it right away.

Also, a good expectorant such as Guaifenesin (available at CVS and RiteAid under their own brand).
angelaid_gw
Original Author
9 years ago
Sorry for the hiccup. I tried to post yesterday, and none of them showed up. Still didn't show this morning. This afternoon, all three showed up! LOL
Rudebekia
9 years ago
I rarely get colds, but every so often a big one hits. I don't take anything except perhaps a nasal spray like Afrin because I can't stand the sensation of not being able to breathe from my nose. Nearly every time I then have to work to wean myself off it, unfortunately. Otherwise, I don't keep any cold medications in the house--I've never found any that helped.
susanjf_gw
9 years ago
yeah be real careful and ask the pharmacy what is the best with meds...like I haven't had anything but tyn since starting bp drugs. same for cold stuff...and this last cold (last month) lasted almost 3 weeks?? lesser symptoms but hung on....
PKponder TX Z7B
9 years ago
I like Alka-Seltzer Plus or Nyquil. I always have ibuprofen on hand. I hope that he feels better soon and doesn't make you sick too.
User
9 years ago
Cold and Flu Day/Night pills

Mucinex

Advil

Robitussin

Tea and Honey
User
9 years ago
Make sure you take lots of Vitamin C. Wash your hands often. Cough into your elbow. Sneeze into your elbow. Or a Kleenex. Drink lots of fluids. I don't buy any cough meds until I get sick (I work in a drug store. I should be sick all the time. I had a runny nose last month. It lasted 3 days. Can't remember the last time I was actually sick.) Anyhow, I don't take anything until I know my symptoms. I won't take a medicine with Tylenol/Advil in it if I don't need either. I won't take a medicine with any drug in it I don't need. Having on-hand medication doesn't help. If you take the wrong medication, it won't help you. It's best to see a pharmacist, explain your symptoms, list the medications you're already on, allergies, etc., to him/her and let him/her decide which is best for you at the time.
yeonassky
9 years ago
I use mostly home remedies. Sage tea, salt water gargles, the Neti pot, and garlic capsules or raw if I stay home. I will also supplement that with lots of vitamin c rich foods and homemade chicken broth. When that isn't enough I add Echinacea Angustifolia tincture. It really helps for some reason.
angelaid_gw
Original Author
9 years ago
I picked up some Mucinex Day, Mucinex Night, Theraflu and some Zinc capsules. Man, that stuff is expensive!

I just started a new job. I can't get sick now. I'm taking vitamins C, D and will start the Zinc tomorrow.

I am trying to keep hubby hydrated and fed, and keep the heck away from him.

I tried to get him to take a hot (as hot as he could stand it) jacuzzi (we have a big, jetted, garden tub) with Epsom salts and have a hot toddy tonight (tea, brandy, honey, lemon), but he just went to bed. If I have a hot bath, hot toddy and crawl into bed, I usually sweat it out and feel better the next day. Drop all the bedding in the washer on the way to work in the morning, and repeat, if needed.
Amazing Aunt Audrey
9 years ago
Vitamins, honey, Crown Royal and lemon juice. Best medicine.
User
9 years ago
We seldom get sick but a couple months back we both caught colds. I got some Advil Cold and Sinus from behind the counter and some Robitusin w/Exptorant Gel Pills and they worked!
rob333 (zone 7b)
9 years ago
what happened to all the other stuff?! Maybe it'll show up later like Angel's
joyfulguy
9 years ago
I had a cold for a couple of days at the weekend - had to see the cancer doc on Monday, wondered about begging off, as I had runny nose and was coughing, though it had eased somewhat.

Grabbed a mask as I entered the door, and the doc showed no sign of displeasure.

I find that my best measure for coping is to spend as much time as possible in bed.

ole joyfuelled

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