Do you guys still ride when sick?

[Fujichants]

I've been kept off my bike for a week now (and i'm getting antsy) because i'm trying to get over a bad cold (now, some of you might think that this does not qualify as being sick - I asked a similar question on a horseback riding forum and got some really snarky comments). I want to go for a ride, but i'm worried that i'll end up feeling worse. It doesn't help that I have a job to think about and that I can't look like crap (i.e. red nose) in front of my clients.

So who here still goes out riding when sick? I'd hate to think i'm a total wuss.

[jobob]

I have a head cold and I went out for a really short ride yesterday (about 10 miles and dead flat). I kept the intensity very low, I didn't push myself at all and I never got winded.

I felt great during and after the ride. :cool:

Today I'll go out (err ... might go out) for a bit longer ride, probably my usual ride to the coffee shop & back which is about 25 miles and a gentle climb. If I'm feeling good when I reach the coffee shop I might try a nearby climb but I'm going to see how I feel.

I think the trick is to just get out and not push yourself. And make sure you're dressed warmly enough that you're not chilled.

hth

[maillotpois]

+1 on what Jobob said.

Head cold I will ride - just lower intensity. Fever or chest congestion it is probably better not to ride. (Note that I say "it is probably better", instead of "I won't". :rolleyes: )

[Tri Girl]

No snarky comments here. Colds are terrible. Like the others have said, I'll ride when I have a head cold, but I sure do take it sloooowwww and easy. No speed records are set on days like that. In fact, when I feel sick, I'll just usually ride the trainer so I can stay warm and have kleenex handy. :)
I hope you get to feeling better soon!

[lph]

I never ride when I'm sick. I am a pathetic wuss and the world comes to a standstill whenever I start to feel poorly. I drag myself home and go to bed, and start demanding cups of tea. Luckily for my dh I'm rarely sick for long :D

Honestly, if I'm sick I always get worse if I try to exert myself.

[Thorn]

I wish I could remember where I read the article, but recently there was a great article that quoted a 10 year old medical study on exercising when ill. The gist of the study was that people who exercised during a cold didn't get sicker than those who took off. The colds for both the exercise group and the non-exercise group lasted the same amount of time, but the exercises were more likely to report feeling less lousy.

That justifies my exercising with a cold. However, like others have said, I do tend to take it easier and prefer indoor vs. outdoor riding for the control over the workout.

ETA: Found it http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/25/health/nutrition/25best.html?_r=1

[Fujichants]

I wish I could remember where I read the article, but recently there was a great article that quoted a 10 year old medical study on exercising when ill. The gist of the study was that people who exercised during a cold didn't get sicker than those who took off. The colds for both the exercise group and the non-exercise group lasted the same amount of time, but the exercises were more likely to report feeling less lousy.

That justifies my exercising with a cold. However, like others have said, I do tend to take it easier and prefer indoor vs. outdoor riding for the control over the workout.

ETA: Found it http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/25/health/nutrition/25best.html?_r=1

Hmm...maybe it's time to get a trainer then!

I was feeling better by Friday, so I went to the stables to ride horse...spent a good 3 hours there, felt great afterwards...and lo and behold, Saturday morning when I was putting on my cycling clothes, I felt worse and had to let BF go on his own. He enjoyed a glorious 4 hour ride, and I went through a box of kleenex and about 5 cups of tea.

[RoadRaven]

Hello, my name is Raven... and I'm an addict...

Yes, I still ride when sick - but as the others say, if it is chesty/below the neck, I don't. Like others have said here already - this is dangerous and potentially it is life-threatening.

I have known two people now who, desparate to do events they had entered in, took pills to disguise their symptoms and ended up very sick after the intense riding of the event because they had placed such demands on their (but because of the cold/flu tablets, they hadn't realised how unwell their body was feeling). One ended up in hospital - these are both healthy, reasonably fit 30-something-year olds.

[OakLeaf]

I saw that NYT story that Thorn posted, and I'll try to be less of a wuss in the future. :rolleyes: BUT, I think the key is keeping it very low intensity, because any time I do a normal intensity workout, it definitely suppresses my immune system. Normally that's good news because it means my allergies go away for the duration of the workout :) - but when I'm sick, not so much.

Back in my racing days I had a sinus infection that lasted 11 weeks (despite I think four rounds of antibiotics), all because I didn't have the sense to take some rest. I wound up having to take a week not only off the bike, but off work, before I could get better. And when I have a sinus infection, I am sick. Ever since then I've been a total wuss about working out when I'm sick.

[Aquila]

I'd ride if it were warm enough, but if it's cold enough outside that it hurts to breath, then I wouldn't. And I'd try to take it easy, but I have a tendency to want to play when I ride, and sometimes don't have good sense.

Good luck getting over your cold; they're nasty!

[five one]

I agree with those who say lay low if the cold is in your chest.

I came down with my first cold in years the week before Christmas. It started as a head cold, but traveled south, and turned into bronchitis. I finally went to the doctor who put me on a round of antibiotics. That helped, but the bronchitis seems to have triggered my semi-dormant asthma. I've been using an old inhaler with albuterol so old it's probably not helping much, if at all. I'm hoping to get an appointment tomorrow to get this development checked out and get a new inhaler prescription.

I had been hoping to at least try a short easy ride today, but the temp is low enough outside for me to hesitate filling my lungs with cold air. It's been about a month since I've ridden outdoors and it's making me crazy. I feel like I've lost my endurance base completely. I'm hoping it's just the asthma related chest tightness that's making me feel this way. I haven't even felt like trying the trainer, but may give it a try this afternoon if I feel up to it.

Hope you feel better soon.

[NbyNW]

I agree with those who say lay low if the cold is in your chest.

+1.

I had the flu over Thanksgiving which involved a terrible sinus infection which then turned into a chest cold. After three weeks I thought I was well enough to start riding to work again, but I ended up setting myself back.

This season's cold seems to be especially tenacious.

Like five one, I have a history of asthma and my doctor gave me a fresh inhaler prescription to help keep the lung congestion in check. She also suggested that I should dial back on the physical activity until the cold clears up, particularly outside.

I've told myself that I'll stay off my bike while the weather is cold. Something about the cold and staying warm and being able to regulate my body temperature. I'm still doing some light indoor exercise. Pilates, some of my old PT routine to keep up my muscle tone around the parts of my body that have a history of trouble, and if I want to get my heart rate up I'll play a little Wii Tennis or Boxing. It's not where I'd like to be physically, but at least it keeps the muscles from stiffening up.

This is probably not for everyone, especially if your symptoms are severe, but I've done a couple of sauna sessions this past week and that also seems to have helped. I don't think the virus likes those higher temperatures.

[SheFly]

At the risk of having things thrown at me, I will confess to riding through too many types of illness.

I started getting a cold on NYD, but had plans for a ride - it was 15 degrees with wind chill temps in the -20 range, and I went anyway for 1.5 hours. Saturday the cold had progressed, but didn't stop me from 1.5 hours of skate skiing at Mt Washington (can you say cold and windy???), and then an hour on the trainer in the basement. Today might have been the nail in the coffin though - felt like cr*p when I got up, but need to do at least a 2 hour ride. Went out and rode MTB in the snow (it was pure torture) for 2.5 hours. Now I can't breathe - all stuffy ;) .

I have, in the past, also ridden a VERY hard ride while I had walking pneumonia (in my defense, I wasn't diagnosed until AFTER the ride :D ).

Ducking for cover (and hoping not to end up with bronchitis)...

SheFly

[shootingstar]

I had deep phlegm in my lungs which took several days to clear this week.

In other years if it weren't for our snow, I would taken a slow bike ride just to stay limber.

Weather hasn't been great and at this time, I have to become healthier faster in a way that will stay with me since it's not returning to some cycling but a busy work week ahead....and Maui thereafter!! That's where restarting cycling again. :D

[Crankin]

I have learned the hard way about riding when sick. I get to a certain point and I know that a cold will go into my chest. Sometimes riding outside will make me feel better, but then hours later I get worse. It's just hard for me to go slower than usual when I'm outside.
What I do is go for a brisk walk or go to yoga if I'm sick, but not too bad. That way, I feel like I've done something. Of course, I'm not training for anything. But, I've given myself pneumonia and bronchitis in the past, because I wasn't willing to rest when I should have.

[Aggie_Ama]

My doctor said if it is in your head you can ride, in the chest stay home. I on the other hand cannot ride with a sinus infection or head cold, I am too miserable to sit upright and too out of it to be safe on the road. I can handle a low intensity hike and that is all. I was cleared to ride with bronchitis after it calmed down. Bronchitis lasts 4-6 weeks so I rode with it when the weather was warmer and at a low intensity. HOWEVER at the start I would not ride since my own brother worked hard with bronchitis and had it turn to full blown walking pneumonia which put him in bed an entire winter break from his senior year of high school. Maybe try a short easy pace ride and judge your own body.

[OakLeaf]

See, if I get something in my head it WILL go to my chest. Very, very few exceptions. It might be mild and it might be more severe, but it will go to my chest.

I don't know if that's because of my extremely mild asthma (doubtful) or the scar tissue in my one bronchial tube from a bad bronchitis years ago (possible, it's that area that always seems to get infected first) or something else (who knows).

Does anyone else have that problem?

[Possegal]

Oakleaf - I have that problem too. I blame it on my asthma. When I'm a good girl and taking my meds regularly, that doesn't happen. I had a dr tell me that there was no way that had any impact. I told her I was an N of 1 in my own research project, and I believe my data. :)* I have years of data! Any time I'm not on the singulair and advair when I get a cold, it goes to my chest and then takes about 1-2 months to go away. And there is no way I can workout when I'm coughing constantly. It is a hideous time, and I had it last year and it took me out for all of February and part of March. Not fun! Because of the fear of it going to my chest though, I don't workout when I've got a headcold. Not worth the risk of being down and out for weeks. (just in case my research study is flawed) ;)

*I'm a research scientist, and a dr of pharmacology, so I tend to believe my data. :)

[Crankin]

I pretty much am the same way. I also have mild asthma, not on any regular meds because I have been pretty much symptom free for years, except when I get sick. I just do not get a "cold." It always ends up in my chest. I've had years of being sick from November to February, even in AZ. Then miraculously, when I stopped teaching this stopped. Except for last March, when I was subbing and all the kids had some horrible virus/flu. After I had been working about a month, I thought I had been lucky enough to beat it, but I got horribly sick with a 102 temp., a real cold, and wheezing. I had to miss 2 days of work and they had to get a sub for the sub.
I'm certainly still around people, but just not lots of snotty nosed teens!

[jobob]

My head cold was considerably worse today. I had to take the day off from work and hang out semi comatose, coughing & wheezing. Yeah, it's gone into my chest. Crud. :(

I honestly don't know if the short easy rides I did on Saturday & Sunday made any difference (the ride I did on Sunday was a lot shorter than I originally planned).

But in the interests of full disclosure I thought I'd let ya's know.

[Fujichants]

My head cold was considerably worse today. I had to take the day off from work and hang out semi comatose, coughing & wheezing. Yeah, it's gone into my chest. Crud. :(

I honestly don't know if the short easy rides I did on Saturday & Sunday made any difference (the ride I did on Sunday was a lot shorter than I originally planned).

But in the interests of full disclosure I thought I'd let ya's know.

Feel better soon!

[jobob]

How about you - are you feeling better, I hope?

[Fujichants]

Nope, still sick :(

It's been in my chest area since day 1 and I just can't seem to get rid of it!

But I know I have to take it easy, because i've had it develop into a sinus infection/tonsilitis/bronchitis/pneumonia (not all at the same time!) before.

[SheFly]

Jobob and Fuji - sorry to hear you are both still under the weather, but since misery loves company, I figured I'd let you know that I am calling the doctor today - I think my cold has turned into bronchitis. Of course, I have no one to blame but myself for this...

Hope everyone feels better soon.

She[hack, cough]Fly

[Crankin]

Hope you are all better!
FWIW, you looked the picture of health on Saturday, SheFly. But, let's just say I have learned the lesson you are getting now...

[OakLeaf]

Oh man, hope you all feel better soon. :(

[Aggie_Ama]

Get well all you sick ladies. It is grey and rainy here, makes me feel like I am getting a cold. I seriously think I am just projecting the weather on me and feeling less than stellar.

[five one]

I hope everyone who is under the weather gets well soon.

I so rarely get sick that when I do, I really get sidelined. Bronchitis is no fun. That's gone now, but I'm left with asthma, and it feels like someone is standing on my chest. I got a new inhaler prescription, and that helps short-term, but I simply have no energy. None. I set my alarm to get up early to do an easy workout of some sort, and I just can't force myself out of bed when the alarm rings. I know I'll get back to it, but in the meantime, I feel like cr@p and my pants are getting snug :(. Bleh.

[Fujichants]

I know I'll get back to it, but in the meantime, I feel like cr@p and my pants are getting snug :(. Bleh.

Usually when I am sick, I lose weight. This time around, I am gaining weight! Must be all the liquids i'm downing. I certainly hope so!

Here's to all of us getting better and getting out there again!

[Tokie]

I've been sick since Xmas day, and don't even want to ride my bike (sad) Started antibiotics yesterday after call to Dr to beg for Rx cough medicine. He put me on antibiotics, which I"m not too keen on. He said the cold that's going around here is lasting 6 to 8 weeks if untreated :eek::eek::eek:. My club has women's crit practice this weekend. I don't even want to look at my training peaks for my workouts. :(. Oh well, this will go away - I guess I'm a bit better today since I now have cabin fever, and am sick of being home! Tokie

[Fujichants]

Oh my goodness, 6-8 weeks for a cold? I hope I didn't catch one of those! I am also sick of staying home the whole time! (Hence you see me on this forum a lot now).

[Tokie]

I believe the 6-8 weeks, because the co-worker who brought this crud into work and (hacked and coughed all over) is now on her 4th week of coughing. I wish she had stayed home and kept her cooties to herself! Tokie

[OakLeaf]

yeah, that really long lasting one went around my area in the fall. I was able to beat it after two weeks with lots of ashwagandha and vitamin C, but I was sicker than I'd ever been with a plain cold. It was almost to where I thought it might be a mild flu. Yuk.

[NbyNW]

I believe the 6-8 weeks, because the co-worker who brought this crud into work and (hacked and coughed all over) is now on her 4th week of coughing. I wish she had stayed home and kept her cooties to herself! Tokie

Same thing happened in my office. It's been making the rounds since right before Thanksgiving. Yech!

I can't remember when I've been this sick for this long.

[smilingcat]

oh dear...

:( to all sick riders,

please take it easy and get well quick.

ride while sick? Not anymore... I'm mostly a fair weather rider now. No more training in the drizzling rain. No more training in heavy fog.

Went out one time with head cold and I ended curling up into a ball on the side of the road for like 20 minutes cause I felt just so awful. managed to limp home, take a hot shower and went straight to bed. Don't want to do that again.

Also I can not take any risks in crashing. My last crash was like Saul Raisin. There is no next time for me. Soooo I HAVE TO BE extra careful.

[jobob]

If I still have this cold after 4 weeks I'll keeel myself. :mad:

[SheFly]

If I still have this cold after 4 weeks I'll keeel myself. :mad:

I'll be right there with you! OMG - I can't imagine this for one more day, never mind another 3 weeks......

SheFly

[Aggie_Ama]

My Nanny has it, going around the assisted living and over staying its welcome. Of course this is a group with compromised health so of course it will last longer. On top of the cold Austin is suffering with cedar fever- yeehaw. This is the one allergy I haven't developed, I just keep waiting for it to get me.

[OakLeaf]

Oh man, cedar. We haven't started getting it quite yet, but it'll be here soon enough.

I've stuck with my allergist in Ohio because I trust them, and because most of my major allergies are the pollens and molds they have up there. But they don't have cedar/juniper in their library of antigens, so it's not in my shots. :( Cedar season is nothing like I used to suffer through in ragweed season, but it's no fun for me.

[SheFly]

Just got back from the doctor confirming that I do, indeed, have bronchitis. Sigh. Now it's anitbiotics and cough syrup with codeine - at least I'll be able to sleep at night! :D

So, in answer to the original post - be careful. Sometimes riding while sick isn't worth it (and even though I already KNEW that, I did it anyway).

SheFly

[Aggie_Ama]

Yuck Shefly! I cannot do coughh syrup with codeine, gives me the wacky dreams. I don't cough but I get the most restless sleep.

Oak- The ragweed knocks me down for the count. We had one growing in the backyard, I made DH pull it in the rain. :o Okay, it was only misting.

[five one]

Just got back from the doctor confirming that I do, indeed, have bronchitis. Sigh. Now it's anitbiotics and cough syrup with codeine - at least I'll be able to sleep at night! :DSheFly

Oh, be careful with that bronchitis, particularly if you've ever had any asthma in the past. I did a round of azithromycin, which helped a bit, but this whole mess triggered my long-dormant EIA. I'm back on an inhaler, but it still feels like I'm wearing a tight band around my chest which makes it hard to breathe properly. This, in turn, causes a dry hacking cough which is just wearing me out.

I wanna me ME again - wah :(

[Crankin]

Hope you get better really soon, SheFly. Today was such a horrible day outside, with the snow turned to mashed potatoes from the rain. We got two packages in the mail, which the mailman tied onto our mailbox and paper tube. Usually he drives down the driveway for packages, but not today. He broke both boxes and it was not easy to carry it all back up the driveway in the rain and snow. Sometimes I hate living on this hill.
Please rest, everyone.

[RoadRaven]

Just got back from the doctor confirming that I do, indeed, have bronchitis. Sigh.

No No No
You are not allowed to get sick!
You better get well quick, girl, or else!!!
;)
Take care, healing hugs from Aotearoa

[Fujichants]

Get well soon SheFly!

I was up last night coughing as well. Hopefully it will go away soon!

What I really hate though is when I have to cough so much at work and in meetings. I get the feeling that people are getting really irritated. I want to stay home longer, but my boss won't let me anymore :(

[SheFly]

Thanks all!

Fuji - I can SO relate to what you are saying. I am lucky that I can work from home, but most of my work is over the phone, and coughing has really affected that. It's been annoying.

The good news is that I finally slept through the night, IN MY OWN BED! WOOHOO! No middle-of-the-night coughing fits, no sleeping on the couch, no sleeping sitting up. So exciting.

I have, in the interest of full disclosure, ridden the trainer the past two nights, but just easy spins for a max of 45 mins. Will need to be careful again today as well, but hoping to get outside for a ski tomorrow.

I hope everyone is starting to feel better!

SheFly

[jobob]

Geeze, it's like we have this little club going. I'd just as soon not be a member though. Nothing personal, ladies. :cool:

I was feeling a bit better so I went into work yesterday, but I was coughing a lot last light. This morning I have a splitting headache, I imagine from all the coughing.

This is all so frustrating to me because I had this schedule mapped out for myself to start building up the base miles this month in preparation for the start of the TNT program next month - morning rides before work, occasional commutes, longer weekend rides. But I don't even have the energy to get on my trainer. This sux! :mad:

Well, on a more happy note, tomorrow I go to get fitted for my midlife crisis bike.

Here's hoping we all feel better soon.

[Aggie_Ama]

Well, on a more happy note, tomorrow I go to get fitted for my midlife crisis bike.

Here's hoping we all feel better soon.

Are you getting another new bike? Details!

My head is hurting and my throat too this morning. I hope it is more because the man insisted on running the AC last night and I was a bit cold than anything else.

[jobob]

Are you getting another new bike? Details! Geeze, that didn't take very long to pick up on. I should have camouflaged it. :p

More will be revealed at a later date. :D

[Tuckervill]

OMG! We get to choose a midlife crisis bike!!?? I turn 47 on Sunday, is that old enough for a midlife crisis???

Karen

[OakLeaf]

If I already got a new bike at 47, how long do I have to wait for my midlife crisis bike?

[five one]

I got mine last year at 56 :D

[Tuckervill]

I'm not waiting that long!

Karen

[GraysonKelly]

Hi All,
I hope everyone who is feeling bad gets better soon! Just a little piece of advice I got from my dad (he's a pharmacist). He agrees that if the cold is in your head, it's okay to exercise but keep it light. But if the cold is in your chest you should not. He said that chest colds (depending on what they are) can actually make you very, very sick because if there is an infection it can travel to your heart.
His biggest piece of advice was to be very, very careful of what meds you take. Decongestion meds can be particularly dangerous because of the effects they have on your heart.
I asked him all of this with regard to a cold I had over Thanksgiving. Thought I would pass along his advice. I have a lot of trouble with my sinuses and ears around this time of year so I have to be careful. Sometimes I don't know that the congestion is building and before I know it, my ears are full of fluid and I can't stand up because my balance is off. On a bike, that sucks, big time.
Feel better everyone!
Gray

[five one]

I'm not waiting that long!

Karen

Well, I was nearly 50 before I ever began riding :)

[Tokie]

Fuji,Shefly,Jobob,fiveone, Jocelyn - Hope you are all feeling better every day...I skipped the club ride and drove in to our crit practice. Of the 12 of us, I think 5 were hacking away. I think I"m going to try a 2 hour endurance ride in the morning,( when no-one can hear me cough). It's just a bit of hacking spells and the lingering fatigue....Fuji, I hope your eyelid irritation calms down soon - that's a ridiculous time to wait to see a dermatologist! Tokie

[five one]

Did an easy flat ride today, my first on the road since the end of November. It's a quick 4.5 miles to our local MUT. Once there, I rode out about 11 miles and back, then a slightly different route home. 33.2 total miles at a much slower pace than I normally ride. I waited until the day warmed up (we got into the low 60's), so the cold morning air wouldn't trigger this pesky asthma. Everything went well, but by mile 6, my sit-bones were reminding me how long I had been out of the saddle! No problem with asthma, no coughing fits. As I sit here right now, there is only a little tightness in my chest. I can take a deep breath and not feel like I need the inhaler. Yay! I feel like me again :D.

DH did his own longer, harder ride today. I'm hoping I feel up to getting out tomorrow to join him on what will be a recovery ride for him.

Hope everyone who's been under the weather is getting back on track.

[Fujichants]

Thanks for the kind words Tokie!

I can happily say that the worst of my cold is over. I'm still coughing a bit here and there, but I was able to do a 40 miler this morning with some climbing. I had a lot of pent up energy! Let's hope I don't wake up sick again tomorrow morning.

I hope everybody else is feeling better!

[SheFly]

Good to hear a few of us are on the mend! I still don't quite feel well enough to ride outside, so did just over 2 hours on the trainer yesterday. I actually think it might have hurt me though - I was cold the entire time (despite sweating and working).

Had a relapse to sleeping in the spare room again two nights ago, but did sleep in my own bed last night with no coughing fits! YAY! I am feeling better this morning, and may go out and play in the snow today instead of doing any trainer time.

Be well everyone!

SheFly

[tzvia]

What the heck is this thing!! You think you are over it and start feeling better, then bango, it's baaaakk. With me, it's been off and on for almost a month. It's good to see that at least some of you are getting over it but don't count your chickens and take it easy. I now have it in my chest; the coughing is just killing me as I crashed last week, landing on my back/shoulder and breaking my ruby frame :(. Coughing takes on another dimension when your ribs are sore; by comparison paying my part of the crash replacement is a lot less painful. Please all, be sure you are really over it before upping the intensity; I did when I was 'almost' over it and here I am spewing out my lungs again. Today even though it is lovely outside, I am going to put my MTB on the trainer and do low intensity while I dream of the local trails (I don't want to suck in the dust and pound my sore back right now.)

Well, at least I am getting the next frame model up on the Ruby from the Elite to the Expert but I would have preferred doing it the normal way. Thanks to Wheelworld Santa Monica for the help there!

[RoadRaven]

What the heck is this thing!! You think you are over it and start feeling better, then bango, it's baaaakk. With me, it's been off and on for almost a month.

Cross post: My apologies, but I wrote this yesterday, and feel to lazy to rewrite it... But tzvia, sounds like you have what I had last year!

Anyone else dealing with cold after cold?
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?p=394660#post394660

This thread has just reminded me of a cold I had at the end of our last winter - people had named it the 100day cold/flu.

I got sick for about a week, started to get over it, then got sick again. The third time I got sick my work mates sent me to the doctor, convinced I was getting pneumonia or pluerisy. The doctor said she had lots of people coming in - same thing happening - they thought their immunity was low and they were getting lots of different bugs, when in fact it was the same one reinventing itself over and again!

I did as much work as possible from home, took suppressant drugs when I had to teach (so I didn't splutter over everyone), lost my voice for nearly 4 weeks in the middle of it and took 6-7 days sick leave.

[NbyNW]

In a weird way, it's been kinda nice knowing I'm not the only one struggling with this thing. I'll feel like I'm so close to feeling better, but then I'll have a night like last night where keep waking up coughing, and feel lousy the whole next day. Aaargh.

Glad to hear others are starting to feel better and start riding again! Gives me hope.

[Tokie]

Tzvia! sorry to hear about your bike,back and ribs + cough = ow,ow,ow! Do you have some good cough medicine? The prescription kind is most excellently effective! Perhaps a humidifier with our Santa Ana conditions in So Cal would be nice? I asked my coach to "fast track" my training to get me ready for 2 races coming up the first weekend in Feb. Coach said "no" , no relapses under her watch! so I am on a pokey training schedule this week - just as well! I am glad to hear that everyone is on the mend too! :) Tokie

[tzvia]

Tzvia! sorry to hear about your bike,back and ribs + cough = ow,ow,ow! Do you have some good cough medicine? The prescription kind is most excellently effective! Perhaps a humidifier with our Santa Ana conditions in So Cal would be nice? I asked my coach to "fast track" my training to get me ready for 2 races coming up the first weekend in Feb. Coach said "no" , no relapses under her watch! so I am on a pokey training schedule this week - just as well! I am glad to hear that everyone is on the mend too! :) Tokie

Thanks, yea I am taking all kinds of cough stuff; coughed from 2am on last night. Hoping to be well enough to MTB this weekend. Been off the bike for over a week now. Called in sick today. I hope nobody else has anything like this and your new year starts better than mine did.

[jobob]

I picked up a bottle of Zicam Cold Remedy yesterday morning - the RapidMelts with Vitamin C and Echinacea. I took one every 3 hours or so per the directions.

Now, it may be just a coincidence and my cold is finally running its course, or it may be a placebo effect, but I felt noticeably better yesterday evening & this morning. I still have some congestion & I'm coughing a little, but nowhere near as bad as over the last week.

Fingers crossed. :cool:

[NbyNW]

Zicam is good stuff.

But for me, I think this season's cold does not have a silver bullet.

[OakLeaf]

+1 on the Zicam, but for me, it only works if I get on it as soon as I feel like I'm even trying to catch a cold. If I get on the Zicam early enough, I might be able to avoid the cold entirely. I always make sure to have a couple of swabs stashed in my purse, medicine cabinet and travel kit year round, so if I start to catch a cold I can get on the Zicam immediately.

They're not 100% sure how it works (like most pharmaceuticals including prescription ones fwiw), but one of the theories is that the zinc prevents the viruses from settling on the tissues. So I actually alternate the nasal swabs with the rapid-melt lozenges, to get it in my nose and throat both.