Is there an effective cold/nasal decongestion medicine?

[jeffnevins]

I've been using Sudafed, but it seems to do nothing. It seems pretty random what to buy. Nyquil? Nasal spray? (never worked before)

A simple plugged nasal passage is infuriating to me- it makes doing anything twice as hard.

Thanks.

[kross]

I've been using Sudafed, but it seems to do nothing. It seems pretty random what to buy. Nyquil? Nasal spray? (never worked before)

A simple plugged nasal passage is infuriating to me- it makes doing anything twice as hard.

Thanks.

The twelve hour Sudafed work best for me.

Also, the nasal spay that is just saline solution.

Sesame oil also works well as an antibiotic moisurizing treatment.

I am not a doctor and I am not prescribing. (you never know when there is a lawyer lerking around)

[Iryssa]

I think with most products it's kindof an individual thing...for my dad, the only thing that works is Sudafed. For me personally, it's Claritin or Tylenol Sinus.

[meagain]

saline solution for me, I make my own at home just salt and water

[glorywatch]

I bought some Alka Seltzer liquid (gold color) cold and cough medicine and I must say that worked better than all the others I have tried. I started feeling better quickly and within 24 hours I felt almost wel.. Different things work for different people but thats what works for me.

[O'Dannyboy]

Is it for allergies or flu/cold symptoms?

[MorningGlory]

I think with most products it's kindof an individual thing...for my dad, the only thing that works is Sudafed. For me personally, it's Claritin or Tylenol Sinus.

Yep, Claritin or Tylenol Sinus; same here.

[kat8585]

I don't think anything over the counter works very well. I think they are getting rich off of making us think it will.

[sierra21]

My doctor told me that there's no such thing as a true nasal decongestant. He said the best thing was to take a hot shower and put saline solution in your nostrils. Sleep with your head elevated and have a cool mist humidifier running in your bedroom.

I did this throughout my pregnancy and it really works.

For a bad cough put vicks on the soles of your feet, put warm socks on, and you won't cough all night. It sounds weird, but actually works.

Also putting a little vicks under your nose can help you feel less congested. On your chest isn't a bad idea either.

[LadyRaven]

This sounds really gross, but it has worked for me.

Neti pot.

When it is not unbearable, I use vicks (cough drops or rub) and steam therapy. Also hot compresses under the sinuses and sleeping elevated. However, sometimes there is nothing that works to clear up the sinus and this washes whatever is in the sinuses out. The Neit pot is a vehicle of nasal irrigation, it's low tech, cheap, and works great. It's like a bidet for the nose.

I have allergies and since I have asthma I also am prone to getting colds and flu, the neti pot works for both.

You also do not need to actually buy the pot, you can use a turkey baster or, as my doctor suggested when I was a child, snort mild salt water in one nostril and out of the other. I like the pot, though. And if you google the word neti pot, you will find a you tube video on how to do it so that you will know how before you spend the money.

That way, you can try the turkey baster if you wish. What is important, however, is to not breathe through your nose while doing this, it is painful among other things.