Does Nyquil really help?

[LVSteve]

Some may find this an odd question in May, but the common cold virus doesn't keep a calendar. Wednesday I woke up with a scratchy throat, and by 5 PM I had a streaming cold going. Drink 8 oz of water and 10-15 minutes later it reappeared via my nose. Good news, it was all clear, but intensely annoying.

Fast forward to bedtime and it was clear that laying down to sleep without some kind of OTC help wasn't going to happen. Sooo, I took two of the green bomb Nyquil pills, the recommended dose. Shortly afterwards I was able to lie down without drowning but my head felt odd. A portent.

Woke Thursday morning feeling "thick" in my head and generally lethargic. Decided that work was out and went back to bed. After an extra 90 minutes in bed, some of the lethargy was gone, but the "thick" feeling remained. It was like all the works in my head were gummed up and stuff needed to get out but couldn't. Since that day I've been slowly dragging out "stuff".

I am now wondering if by taking both pills:-

1) the extreme lethargy was caused by too much anti-histamine in the Nyquil. I felt like the time I took a whole Benadryl by mistake.

2) it was almost too effective at stopping my nose running and if I had let things run more I would have got over the cold sooner.

Maybe next time I'll take only one pill or take nothing and sleep in a chair overnight. I'm not convinced that "stopping me up" to that degree was a good thing.

Anyone else had similar experiences?

 

[steveno]

when I was stationed in Germany we found and kept a bottle of Jägermeister in the room that solved most of those kinds of problems. it also tastes better than most cold medicines

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I have been taking Vitamin C since the 1990s, bicycle to work-age 67-and am out in all kinds of weather. Linus Pauling was right.

 

[cougar14]

I only get one cold about every 10 years or so. It always hits me REALLY hard for the 2nd and 3rd day, then just getting over it slowly for 3-4 days. The biggest help is getting 8 hours sleep those 2 days, so for me, it's that full dose of Benadryl.

 

[the ringo kid]

I take supplements when I can afford them? as well as eat one large Naval orange a day (when affordable?) and drinking pulp-free OJ (the extremely rare occasions when I can get a bottle of it) and in doing so--I havent had a cold since................... been a ruddy long time though.

 

[klondike]

when I was stationed in Germany we found and kept a bottle of Jägermeister in the room that solved most of those kinds of problems. it also tastes better than most cold medicines

Consumer Reports felt that in general this was a better remedy than NyQuil which has both an antihistamine and alcohol which have opposing affects.

 

[BE Mike]

I take Emergen-C at the first sign of a cold, along with Zicam. It seems to help. Bed rest also helps bunches.

 

[soFlaNative]

Benadryl and a beer... or two.

 

[Targets Guy]

I am a big believer in NyQuil. It has given me relief too many times to be an accident. Without NyQuil and DayQuil I wouldn't had made it to work (back when I was working).

It is always close by. Now my wife is not affected very much by it. So prob not as effective for everyone but happily I must be one of the lucky ones.

 

[vytoland]

the only thing that helps me with cold symptoms is Cepacol extra strength lozenges for sore throat....all the other stuff is useless.....

 

[Jingles]

Another vote for Emergen-C, plus heavy doses of Echinacea. That seems to actually help with a quicker recovery. I do love Nyquil but it really makes me groggy for a day or two, so I save that for those times when I don't have to function the next day.

 

[Grip_Maker's_Wife]

Benedryl has a long half-life. The older you are the longer it takes to wash out. It can stay in your system for a day and a half.

For me, Pseudoephedrine is the best decongestant and does not cause drowsiness, however, it is linked to a slight increased risk of stroke in the elderly so it isn't for everyone. That combined with Guaifenesin, which is a mucus thinner makes it even better to get the gunk out.

Those neti-pots work really well too and there is no medication involved. The saline will help prevent sinus infection as well.

When I first feel a cold coming on I take Airborne (vitamin mix). I think it works great as long as you take it according to the directions. It should be taken a few times a day for several days. If you just take it one day, feel better then stop, the cold might come back.

As someone else said, Zicam (zinc) works great to shorten the duration.

 

[hittman77]

If you take meds for high blood pressure ask your physician before taking Nyquil.

 

[chief38]

I tried the Emergen-C that BeMike spoke about (above) three or four weeks ago and to my amazement it actually works quite well. Years ago I tried a Zinc based Cold-Eze and was disappointed.

I've never tried Nyquil however my Daughter has and says it helps.

 

[coltle6920]

The best "cure" for the common cold in a good uninterrupted sleep.It's hard when your nose is either running or stuffed up.The main trick is to catch it before it becomes full blown.

I've relied on Nyquil for years.The only real choice I have to make is what flavor to get.

 

[Doug M.]

What choices are there? "Bad", or "worse". On the other hand, it has been a life saver when I am really ill.

 

[billwill]

Nyquil...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

 

[Kanewpadle]

The problem with head colds is that they can quickly move down to your throat and chest. Which isn't good especially if you're older.

Take something to dry you up. Nyquil works but not for everyone. Claritan works very well too.

All that "stuff" going down the back of your throat causing you too cough. If that goes untreated you could wind up with bronchitis and/or pneumonia.

We use Nyquil and it works for us. But I have to watch myself to make sure it's working. Otherwise I have to take Claritan and Mucinex DM. Works very well.

 

[johngalt]

NyQuil liquid works good for helping me sleep, but I have noticed my concentration is not 100% the next morning. It helps me sleep, but it isn't very high quality sleep.

 

[kmyers]

Nyquil works for me. Take a dose before bedtime for a couple of nights maybe three and it dries up everything and then there is a day or so hacking all the crud out. It puts me out like a like. The only issue for me is the next day I feel like I pulled a first class drunk the night before even with only one dose of the stuff.