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M$1.00  Funded By Mahalo ? |  March 06, 2009 11:00 PM

I got extreme body aches from the flu and can't get to the doctor. Have been taking dayquil and tylenol but not helping.Any ideas?

So far took dayquil, nyquil last night, tylenol this morning, advil a few hours ago and cannot get rid of the body aches.. The rest of the symptoms such as fever and chest congestion is going away. Thanks
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icechristi... icechristi...
 
 March 07, 2009 05:08 PM
As a nurse, if you were my friend I would tell you:

1. If you feel like something is really wrong, trust your instincts and go to the doctor, or prompt care, or the ER. You know your body better than anyone. Sometimes serious, life-threatening illnesses can masquerade as the flu.

2. DRINK fluids, SLEEP, DRINK MORE, SLEEP MORE.
I don't know what other symptoms you are having, but I say just treat the
ones that keep you from sleeping. Feeling terrible is one way your body
keeps you from overdoing it.

3. ibuprofen (aka Motrin or Advil) for aches
**400 mg (usu 2 tabs) 6X/day or 600 mg (usu 3 tabs) 4X/day
If this is wearing off too soon, you can alternate with Tylenol
A good schedule is 400-600mb ibuprofen then 650-1000mg Tylenol
3 hours later, then ibuprofen in 3 hours then Tylenol in 3 hours.
++Note: be sure to eat a few crackers or drink some milk with
ibuprofen or it can really cause problems for your belly.++

4. if you need help to get to sleep, take a *little* alcohol or Benedryl for sleep--NOT BOTH!!
- Benedryl (aka diphenhydramine) 25 mg (usu 1 pill) is good for sleep,
50 mg 4 hrs later if 25mg doesn't work.
OR (not and)
-Alcohol is what Nyquil has to make you sleepy (in small amts) so if
you're not opposed, try a LITTLE wine or a SMALL shot of whatever
makes you sleepy >>>>AS LONG AS YOU ARE NOT COMBINING IT
WITH ANYTHING ELSE THAT CAN MAKE YOU SLEEPY (Benedryl,
codeine, Nyquil. & especially NOT narcotic pain killers--you heard
about Heath Ledger, right?)<<<<<<<
Source(s):
I am a nurse not a doctor or a pharmacist.
The pharmacist at any Walgreen's or CVS or other drugstore will usually advise you in person or over the phone about over the counter drugs, especially if they're not super busy.



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nativenerd nativenerd
 
March 06, 2009 11:08 PM
You may be doing a bit too much. The body aches are from the fever for the most part...heat breaks down proteins which is one of the reasons it is a defense mechanism of the body(virii are just protein strands). Take some tylenol OR NyQuill/DayQuill...not both. Don't forget that your body is already taxed heavily by the illness, don't add more by forcing your kidneys to filter the extra acetametaphine from your bloodstream.

My personal suggestion, a hot bath, then a double-dose of NyQuill and go comatose for the next 12 hours. Sleep is really the best medicine for colds/flu.

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morriss003 morriss003
 
March 06, 2009 11:14 PM
Instead of NyQuill, how about a couple of shots of whiskey. Is alcohol easier on the body than NyQuill. What about beer? Would the fluids and the carbohydrates in beer be good. I don't drink any longer, but I recall feeling a little better doing that.

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nativenerd nativenerd
 
March 07, 2009 12:02 AM
Alcohol really wouldn't do a LOT for the flu(it's a virus, alcohol is an anti-biotic and can help with strept, etc). The reason I suggest NyQuill is that it has acetametaphin(Tylenol) in it to help with the fever, decongestants to make sleeping easier, and something to knock you out to make sure you stay asleep.

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nushka nushka
 
March 06, 2009 11:11 PM
What about the hospital?
Can't you call a medic to go see you?
Make sure they know what you've been taking.
Have you tried massages, a bath, stretching (I know it sounds it will hurt more).
I cannot advice you to take any medication.

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hcp56 hcp56
 
March 07, 2009 12:27 AM
Skip the tylenol go for the Motrin/Ibuprofin. It will bring down the fever and help with the aches and pain too. Make sure you stay hydrated. The fever alone can dehydrate you enough to put you in the hospital. Try mixing gatorade 1/2 and 1/2 with water. Drink 2-4 ounces every 20-30 minutes. The dehydration from the fever can exacerbate your symptoms. If you have a fever and/or dehydrated alcohol will more than likely dehydrate you more. The small amount in a dose of Nyquil may not worsen your symptoms, but certainly don't drink anything else. Also don't take cold medicine with alcohol, it could put you in the ER. A good cough medicine my doctor recommended when I had bronchitis was Buckley's. I wouldn't wish it only anyone; it tasted horrible but made me feel better.

Also, if you do take the motrin/ibuprofin please make sure that you are not doubling up on pain reliever. Many over the counter cold and flu remedies have pain relievers, usually tylenol, in the ingredients. It is not a good idea to over-do the pain relievers as it can cause harm to your body.

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nicole t nicole t
 
March 07, 2009 12:44 AM
I recommend Theraflu, or simply drinking some warm liquids like tea or hot chocolate. Also nice warm bath or shower can help as well.

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jschwimmer jschwimmer
 
March 07, 2009 02:47 AM
Alleve (naproxen) works well. However, you should see a doctor if the aching doesn't go away because of the potential for muscle inflammation (which is rare).

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