Pre-travel cough
 

Here we go (again?)..I'll be flying
on August 4th. Have had an annoying "little cough" since July 8. Doc said take Mucinex and we'll see. However, I don't want to be developing something contagious. I prefer to nip it in the bud AND not have to fly with pressure in my head or whatever comes IF this develops. I'm worried. Should I put it aside and STOP worrying as nothing might develop? Or should I take more aggressive action? Doc listened to lungs, didn't say one way or another. Just blue mucinex and call him back in a week, then he'd begin to take more measures. Said the last thing he would want to give me was an antibiotic, as he'd prefer not to. Anyone have any personal experience as to what you did to cut a cough and/or possibly cold in the makings prior to traveling plesae? I'd hate for this to develop right before I left.

Last time I was going to fly, I came down with a cold and had to cancel per doctor's orders. Thanks in advance!

Anxious Amy

Sorry, meant to add, that I am unable to take oral decongestants due to heart issues. Only perhaps a nasal decongestant (should it warrant it).

"I’ve seen many troubles in my time,
only half of which ever came true."
Mark Twain

-Don't worry about it! Worrying never does any good! Just think positive and hope for the best and enjoy your trip!

Twice this year (once in March and July while on vacation both times!!)I have developed a bad draining of my sinuses which developed into a horrible sore throat then horrible lung congestion.

There wasn't really anything that helped except a bunch of cough drops and cough suppressant.
Maybe drink a lot of liquids, take vitamin C, and get lots of rest.

Bummer - I hope you feel better soon.

chgeeb:

You made me realize that I have "pre-emptive strike" anxiety. LOL I feel fine, except for the cough, but am "anticipating" not feeling well and having ear and sinus troubles in the future. Thanks for bringing me down to earth you made me laugh and realize how silly it is.

Nanabee, thanks for the advice. Will continue to just take good care of myself.

When you see the word "anxiety" in the dictionary, that's ME smiling and waving back at you. LOL Thanks again ! :-P

I have successfully used Zicam to ward of a cold in the making.

Prescription medication that include codine work very best as a cough suppresant, if you can't shake the cough before your trip.

Vitamin C, large doses, can you take it? And a lollypop to suck :) Sugar helps with cough, seriously!

Zicam only works if you take it right at the onset.

Don't worry..there's not much you can do. However, you could buy some of those thin blue masks..then if it does get worse and your cough persists, it will be less likely that you will pass it on to others around you.

Amy, you're a lot like me, so I can relate.

But (as you already know), you can only do what you can do :). The rest is not up to you anyway.

So get a lot of sleep, eat well, exercise, basically just the regular things to stay healthy.

Then relax and dream about your wonderful trip.

You all helped me out TREMENDOUSLY last time I traveled. I remember you!!!!!!!! :-)

Thank you again SO much! Am out to get my chewable "C"'s and to exercise. :-) HUGS!

Amy, NOOOOOOOO :)

Chewable Cs have so much sugar in them, it will nullify your exercising efforts ;)

This worked for my husband who had a nagging little cough due to pollen or something - 2 tablespoons of white vinegar to 1 tablespoon of honey, mix well and take some as often as needed. Won't hurt you, doesn't taste too bad, inexpensive, and it works for him. Hope it helps.

I'm diabetic, so I have to stay away from sugar. I looked at the bottles. One of them had sugar as the first ingredient, the other said "sucrose". Baffled.

Hi Amy, A few years ago, I was fighting a cold for about 3 weeks & finally got the dr.to give me antibiotics, but at 10 days, it was too late to beat it before I left. I lost my first day in Rome to recovering from the cabin pressure effect on my poor head. I am not really sure why some dr.s resist prescribing when sometimes the only thing effective is something not OTC. See if you can press him for them, unless he outlines some health concern based on your history. I actually had a nurse tell me this spring, "we do not respond to threats", when I exasperatedly (almost) demanded a scrip. Good luck. Get as much sleep as possible, too that helps, not htat you needed me for that nugget.

Colds are caused by viruses and antibiotics do not do anything for them. Exceptions are if you have strep throat or develop a secondary bacterial infection which the doctor should determine. Most of the time when antibiotics are demanded and the patient gets better, they were on the time frame to get better anyway. The demand by patients for antibiotics unnecessarily has led to this development of resistant organisms in the community and much greater prevalence of MRSA that is quite scary. Doctors and their nurses who resist succumbing to this demand are viewed as uncaring when they are only trying to do the right thing, for the patient and the community.