Cold Meds: To Take or Not to Take
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 100
Cold Meds: To Take or Not to Take
I have a question I need some info on. It has been 42 days since I stopped drinking and my sleep has been rather well now, from about 11:30pm to 7:00am. Yesterday however, I caught a cold and in the evening took some Theraflu to ease my symptoms as I sleep. I retired at 11:00pm and woke up at 3:00am, not able to get back to sleep, like I use to do in my drinking days. Did I have a reaction to the medicine as if I were drinking? If so I will find an alternative medicine when I get a cold.
Canine Welfare Advocate
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 10,962
I haven't. You have a cold. Maybe being sick is what is disrupting your sleep. Perhaps you can ask the pharmacist at your drug store to recommend an OTC cold medicine.
...and congrats on 42 days.
...and congrats on 42 days.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 141
Depends on what's in the medicine you took. Are you on any other medications it could have had a reaction with? Does is contain pseudoephedrine (you had to purchase from the pharmacist with an ID)?
I find medications with the pseudoephedrine give me speed like effects and would definitely stop me from sleeping. I have had reactions between night time cold meds with certain prescription anti-depressants make me feel like I'm on speed.
If it's a night time medicine, usually there is something in the medicine that will make you sleep or drowsy and it all depends on how your body reacts to those things as well. I can't take Nyquil because after 4 hours I'm wide awake.
I find medications with the pseudoephedrine give me speed like effects and would definitely stop me from sleeping. I have had reactions between night time cold meds with certain prescription anti-depressants make me feel like I'm on speed.
If it's a night time medicine, usually there is something in the medicine that will make you sleep or drowsy and it all depends on how your body reacts to those things as well. I can't take Nyquil because after 4 hours I'm wide awake.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 100
Since this is the first time in 6 years of taking cold medicine without also being drunk along with it, the feeling I have is very different. Being sick is also a trigger as I remember my old ways of killing the symptoms with over indulging in Vodka. Although I lost a little sleep last night, I like the cold medicine remedy much better!
Sally1009
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 467
Be careful with flu meds. They often contain alcohol. I had a relapse after taking some cough syrup. It only takes a sip to start off the cravings.
Hope you get better soon, and congratulations on your 42 days.
Hope you get better soon, and congratulations on your 42 days.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 100
Thank you Sally1009. I did have a bit of a craving a few hours after I took some DayQuil earlier today. I don't wanna chance it, so I'll be looking for something else. I will see what the Dr. will suggest I take.
Member of SMART Recovery
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,722
Well, I relate to what happened to you with the Theraflu. I would never have known it when I was drinking, but it turns out that I am actually very sensitive to medications of all kinds, including all OTC cold meds. I cannot take most of them without feeling awful. I shake, my heart pounds, I can't sleep, my mouth is dry, and frankly I would rather have the cold symptoms.
I've learned that for me, what works best is a nose spray (Afrin or something like it), tylenol and a lot of liquids.
I've learned that for me, what works best is a nose spray (Afrin or something like it), tylenol and a lot of liquids.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 100
I have to admit, the Theraflu made me not want to walk around in the grass barefooted in the sun today, one of the things I do when I'm feeling happy. It changed my feeling of happy to be sober to "Man, I'm craving a drink!" It's funny how when you quit drinking you can hear your body craving alcohol just because of a medicine you thought was normal.
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