Questions 12/6

[raangoli]

I have a non-child related question.

Last week, I had the cold from hell which is lingering into this week. Thanks to said cold, every night when it's time for bed I break out into coughing fits from a scratchy throat. Any suggestions on how to treat this? I don't want to take sugary cough syrups etc. so a natural remedy is best. 

I've been staying hydrated, drinking tea with honey, but am looking for other suggestions as well.

[tiki]

I had a similar week. I have no solutions for this other than running a humidifier and taking a decongestant before bed. I do use the Nyquil syrup, but it also comes in tablets: www.target.com/p/nyquil-severe-with-vicks-vapocool-cold-flu-relief-caplets-acetaminophen-24ct/-/A-16299488?

[shauni27]

Oh man, same thing, except I take the cough syrup and suck a ricola cough drop as I get into bed. It really helps.

My question: who has dealt with an ear infection in their toddler? S has been SCREAMING at night, for hours at a time, sometimes as we get him into bed, other times he wakes screaming and goes for hours. Will not let us hold him or comfort him, just screams and wants to be standing. He will finally settle with us for 10-45 minutes at a time, if we are holding him upright, hence my thought of an infection. He has had a cold for weeks now, and 3 molars just came through. Seems fine (though exhausted) during the day. I have an appointment with his pedi this afternoon but I cannot go another night (3 in a row now) with only 2-4 hours of broken sleep.

[noodleoo]

raangoli, I would try gargling with warm salt water at night before bed. It is really soothing for the throat and will help keep it wet. If you have post nasal drip it helps rinse that out too. I do it every time I get a cold and it really helps me feel better and get better faster.

[macmars45]

shauni27 I hope your pedi gets a quick diagnosis and meds if needed for S. I hope you're all able to get some good solid rest tonight.

ETA: when my DS was getting molars he did the sobbing mess don't touch me while sitting on the floor in the middle of the night thing. It was rough, but thankfully only lasted a few nights.

Just hair pats for PT. We'll be hitting the ground running the weekend after Christmas. H has a 4 day weekend so we decided to go for it then. I'm reading Oh Crap Potty Training and then handing it off to H.

[mbcdefg]

raangoli MH swears by gargling apple cider vinegar with some cayenne pepper mixed in, because it fights inflammation. It's really gross but it helps when I have a sore throat.

I try not to smell it as I take a sip (I even hold my nose), and I stand over a sink or even the tub because I inevitably have a gag reflex.

I've also read suggestions about drinking it with some lemon, honey and/or green tea: www.healthline.com/health/apple-cider-vinegar-for-a-sore-throat 

[dcn]

You could try a sinus rinse 30 min before bed. I also will do Benadryl or something, helps dry up the junk so it doesn’t irritate my throat.

[dcn]

Oh! Or a hot toddy. Whiskey, lemon, honey warmed up. Soothes the throat and makes you sleepy.

[lessel]

Dec 6, 2018 9:54:14 GMT -5 raangoli said:

Last week, I had the cold from hell which is lingering into this week. Thanks to said cold, every night when it's time for bed I break out into coughing fits from a scratchy throat. 

I just want to vent that I have the exact same thing! It's terrible. All day I feel mostly normal with a little touch of sinus something, then evening comes and my throat feels swollen and scratchy. And my head hits the pillow and I can't stop coughing. It's the weirdest cold I've had. And I'm on day 11. Ugh!

[Waffles]

I've had some sort of cold/sinus trouble off and on for 2 months, so I hear you on the scratchy cough
I had it so bad at point, it made me throw up.

There are thyme based syrups that work quite well. Also saline up your nose to clean everything up and humidifying the room. If you have an aerosol machine, use that with saline, it really soothes the throat.

[raangoli]

Thanks all these are great tips. I remembered that I have an essential oils diffuser that I can also use - they might be hokey, but at least it's humidifying.

The hot toddy sounds amazing. I wish I could drink that all day given the amount of work crap I'm having to deal with.

lessel I am also on like day 11 or something crazy. I can't remember the last time I had to deal with a cold that lingered this much.

[oswin]

shauni27, have you been giving ibuprofen or tylenol? Should help with either teething or ear infection. If his cold has involved lots of snot, it's almost certainly an ear infection (DS2 is younger, only 9 months, but on his 4th consecutive ear infection due to just catching a lot of colds - we have not been sleeping well lately). Hang in there, I hope you get some more sleep soon. I wouldn't count on tonight being much better, but tomorrow might be.

[krystee]

My sons both had HFM and the sores are starting to scab. Should I put anything on them? Their skin feels so dry and scaly from it.

[shauni27]

Dec 6, 2018 11:59:13 GMT -5 oswin said:

shauni27 , have you been giving ibuprofen or tylenol? Should help with either teething or ear infection. If his cold has involved lots of snot, it's almost certainly an ear infection (DS2 is younger, only 9 months, but on his 4th consecutive ear infection due to just catching a lot of colds - we have not been sleeping well lately). Hang in there, I hope you get some more sleep soon. I wouldn't count on tonight being much better, but tomorrow might be.

Yes, we are doing tylenol every 4 hours and it does not seem to touch it. Poor kiddo. He had a wicked snotty cold, so I am almost hoping this is what the issue is so we at least have a solution. Unrelated, I cannot believe DS is already 9 months?!?!?!?!?!? I feel like he was JUST born!

[oswin]

Dec 6, 2018 12:02:46 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

Dec 6, 2018 11:59:13 GMT -5 oswin said:

shauni27 , have you been giving ibuprofen or tylenol? Should help with either teething or ear infection. If his cold has involved lots of snot, it's almost certainly an ear infection (DS2 is younger, only 9 months, but on his 4th consecutive ear infection due to just catching a lot of colds - we have not been sleeping well lately). Hang in there, I hope you get some more sleep soon. I wouldn't count on tonight being much better, but tomorrow might be.

Yes, we are doing tylenol every 4 hours and it does not seem to touch it. Poor kiddo. He had a wicked snotty cold, so I am almost hoping this is what the issue is so we at least have a solution. Unrelated, I cannot believe DS is already 9 months?!?!?!?!?!? I feel like he was JUST born!

I've heard that ibuprofen is more effective for ear pain, might be worth trying it tonight instead? I always preferred taking ibuprofen for myself, particularly for persistent ache kind of pain. And yeah, time flies! Also I haven't been posting much, so not too many updates on my kiddos.

[shauni27]

Dec 6, 2018 11:35:07 GMT -5 raangoli said:

Thanks all these are great tips. I remembered that I have an essential oils diffuser that I can also use - they might be hokey, but at least it's humidifying.

The hot toddy sounds amazing. I wish I could drink that all day given the amount of work crap I'm having to deal with.

lessel I am also on like day 11 or something crazy. I can't remember the last time I had to deal with a cold that lingered this much.

I would use something bigger than your difuser. We have one and it does not make a bit of a difference :/

[dcn]

Dec 6, 2018 12:01:51 GMT -5 krystee said:

My sons both had HFM and the sores are starting to scab. Should I put anything on them? Their skin feels so dry and scaly from it.

I might do aquaphor. Also I’m sorry they both had it. Your
Poor household.

[raangoli]

Dec 6, 2018 12:05:30 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

Dec 6, 2018 11:35:07 GMT -5 raangoli said:

Thanks all these are great tips. I remembered that I have an essential oils diffuser that I can also use - they might be hokey, but at least it's humidifying.

The hot toddy sounds amazing. I wish I could drink that all day given the amount of work crap I'm having to deal with.

lessel I am also on like day 11 or something crazy. I can't remember the last time I had to deal with a cold that lingered this much.

I would use something bigger than your difuser. We have one and it does not make a bit of a difference :/

I’m using it more for the diffusing than anything else. I put some peppermint oil in there bc I think that helps with sinus congestion (if I’m remembering correctly).

[pooh8402]

Dec 6, 2018 9:54:14 GMT -5 raangoli said:

I have a non-child related question.

Last week, I had the cold from hell which is lingering into this week. Thanks to said cold, every night when it's time for bed I break out into coughing fits from a scratchy throat. Any suggestions on how to treat this? I don't want to take sugary cough syrups etc. so a natural remedy is best. 

I've been staying hydrated, drinking tea with honey, but am looking for other suggestions as well.

Okay so my mom sent me this recipe last month when I had the cold from hell and couldn't take anything good. It is disgusting but it WORKS.

2 T water
1 T apple cider vinegar (the real stuff with the mother)
2 T honey
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

I put all this in a mason jar, closed the lid and shook it up. Take a big spoonful, or two, as needed (like actually swallow it, not just gargle). It usually helped keep the cough away for a few hours. The recipe will keep for a few days, but you'll likely drink it all before it goes bad.


ETA: andplusalso, there is a secret Starbucks recipe called the coldbuster that is absolutely delicious and soothing for my throat and sinuses. I bought the ingredients for it and now make it at home. It was wonderful for during the day.

[pooh8402]

Dec 6, 2018 15:00:03 GMT -5 raangoli said:

Dec 6, 2018 12:05:30 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

I would use something bigger than your difuser. We have one and it does not make a bit of a difference :/

I’m using it more for the diffusing than anything else. I put some peppermint oil in there bc I think that helps with sinus congestion (if I’m remembering correctly).

Add some eucalyptus and rosemary.

Feel better soon! I was literally sick the whole month of October between a sinus infection and the cold that wouldn't end (I think it was actually 14 days for me).

[melsbels]

Dec 6, 2018 12:01:51 GMT -5 krystee said:

My sons both had HFM and the sores are starting to scab. Should I put anything on them? Their skin feels so dry and scaly from it.

Ughhh HFM is the absolute worst!

We used baking soda in the bath to help itching, and calamine lotion on the sores. Twin A had them up his nose, so I was even shoving the calamine up there with a q tip.


shauni27 both twins have had multiple double ear infections already We find Motrin helps the best for pain and fever. They each went on 10 day doses of amoxicillin and they typically felt better about 48 hours after they started it

[raangoli]

Dec 6, 2018 15:08:13 GMT -5 pooh8402 said:

Dec 6, 2018 9:54:14 GMT -5 raangoli said:

I have a non-child related question.

Last week, I had the cold from hell which is lingering into this week. Thanks to said cold, every night when it's time for bed I break out into coughing fits from a scratchy throat. Any suggestions on how to treat this? I don't want to take sugary cough syrups etc. so a natural remedy is best. 

I've been staying hydrated, drinking tea with honey, but am looking for other suggestions as well.

Okay so my mom sent me this recipe last month when I had the cold from hell and couldn't take anything good. It is disgusting but it WORKS.

2 T water
1 T apple cider vinegar (the real stuff with the mother)
2 T honey
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

I put all this in a mason jar, closed the lid and shook it up. Take a big spoonful, or two, as needed (like actually swallow it, not just gargle). It usually helped keep the cough away for a few hours. The recipe will keep for a few days, but you'll likely drink it all before it goes bad.


ETA: andplusalso, there is a secret Starbucks recipe called the coldbuster that is absolutely delicious and soothing for my throat and sinuses. I bought the ingredients for it and now make it at home. It was wonderful for during the day.

This sounds...interesting. But I am willing to try anything at this point! I'll also look up this coldbuster recipe. Thanks!

[oswin]

shauni27 what's the word from the pediatrician?

[shauni27]

Dec 6, 2018 20:11:30 GMT -5 oswin said:

shauni27 what's the word from the pediatrician?

not an ear infection. She assumed it was a sleep regression. She said just let him cry it out (which we are fine with) if he does not have a fever. And of course there has been no fever.

Until last night when he had a fever of 103.8. But the difference last night was that he WANTED to be held and cuddled and was fine laying down. So who knows.

[oswin]

Dec 7, 2018 9:55:39 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

Dec 6, 2018 20:11:30 GMT -5 oswin said:

shauni27 what's the word from the pediatrician?

not an ear infection. She assumed it was a sleep regression. She said just let him cry it out (which we are fine with) if he does not have a fever. And of course there has been no fever.

Until last night when he had a fever of 103.8. But the difference last night was that he WANTED to be held and cuddled and was fine laying down. So who knows.

Oh no! I mean that he is now sick. Good luck, hope he feels better and sleeps better soon.

[ohgillian]

Dec 6, 2018 9:54:14 GMT -5 raangoli said:

I have a non-child related question.

Last week, I had the cold from hell which is lingering into this week. Thanks to said cold, every night when it's time for bed I break out into coughing fits from a scratchy throat. Any suggestions on how to treat this? I don't want to take sugary cough syrups etc. so a natural remedy is best. 

I've been staying hydrated, drinking tea with honey, but am looking for other suggestions as well.

This happened to me and I finally went to the doctor earlier this week. She gave me an inhaler that has helped a TON. 

[raangoli]

Dec 7, 2018 10:05:21 GMT -5 ohgillian said:

Dec 6, 2018 9:54:14 GMT -5 raangoli said:

I have a non-child related question.

Last week, I had the cold from hell which is lingering into this week. Thanks to said cold, every night when it's time for bed I break out into coughing fits from a scratchy throat. Any suggestions on how to treat this? I don't want to take sugary cough syrups etc. so a natural remedy is best. 

I've been staying hydrated, drinking tea with honey, but am looking for other suggestions as well.

This happened to me and I finally went to the doctor earlier this week. She gave me an inhaler that has helped a TON. 

I am wondering if I should go ... I've been sick for 2 weeks, but I am finally feeling like I might be getting better, so I should just wait it out. I am glad you were able to get something that helped! 

[Deleted]

raangoli, is it mostly a dry, unproductive cough? I get those at the end of pretty much every cold. The only thing that works for me at night is Delsym (or generic equivalent). The active ingredient works to suppress the urge to cough. (Fun fact, if you are able to extract the active ingredient from the solution, you can get high. I have not done this, but one night I got sucked down a rabbit hole of reading about this on the Internet, and it was fascinating.)

Things like throat drops, honey, oils, etc., can work during the day for me because I can constantly sip/suck on something, but at night, it's the only thing that works because it's the only thing that suppresses the actual urge to cough. That plus a small amount of OTC sleep aid usually does the trick for me.

[raangoli]

Dec 7, 2018 10:59:43 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

raangoli, is it mostly a dry, unproductive cough? I get those at the end of pretty much every cold. The only thing that works for me at night is Delsym (or generic equivalent). The active ingredient works to suppress the urge to cough. (Fun fact, if you are able to extract the active ingredient from the solution, you can get high. I have not done this, but one night I got sucked down a rabbit hole of reading about this on the Internet, and it was fascinating.)

Things like throat drops, honey, oils, etc., can work during the day for me because I can constantly sip/suck on something, but at night, it's the only thing that works because it's the only thing that suppresses the actual urge to cough. That plus a small amount of OTC sleep aid usually does the trick for me.

Yes that’s exactly what it is. I really want to avoid syrups but I’ll look into it, thanks.

[Deleted]

Dec 7, 2018 11:35:47 GMT -5 raangoli said:

Dec 7, 2018 10:59:43 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

raangoli , is it mostly a dry, unproductive cough? I get those at the end of pretty much every cold. The only thing that works for me at night is Delsym (or generic equivalent). The active ingredient works to suppress the urge to cough. (Fun fact, if you are able to extract the active ingredient from the solution, you can get high. I have not done this, but one night I got sucked down a rabbit hole of reading about this on the Internet, and it was fascinating.)

Things like throat drops, honey, oils, etc., can work during the day for me because I can constantly sip/suck on something, but at night, it's the only thing that works because it's the only thing that suppresses the actual urge to cough. That plus a small amount of OTC sleep aid usually does the trick for me.

Yes that’s exactly what it is. I really want to avoid syrups but I’ll look into it, thanks.

It REALLY helps, I promise. You might be able to find some pills with the active ingredient (dextromethorphan), like Nyquil gels or something. I just find it easier to take the syrup because I can make my own combo of meds instead of whatever is in the various pills. And I don't think you can get just dextromethorphan pills.