I am a little sick, with a week before surgery!

[Joleen 3]

I have had a cold (which I thought were just allergies since Wednesday). I started taking Zicam, Ocean Nasal Spray, Zicam. Anything I can think of to kick it and can't. It was just nasal congestion and now it's turned also chest congestion, DARN IT. I have 8 days until surgery and I do not want to postpone it! I saw my surgeon on Thursday and he said "When we call Friday just let us know if you still have this and we will push it back a week". Any ideas of what I can do to quickly recover?

Right now I am going to go do my Neti pot and put vicks on my chest.

Thanks!

Joleen

[Birinak 19]

I have had a cold (which I thought were just allergies since Wednesday). I started taking Zicam, Ocean Nasal Spray, Zicam. Anything I can think of to kick it and can't. It was just nasal congestion and now it's turned also chest congestion, DARN IT. I have 8 days until surgery and I do not want to postpone it! I saw my surgeon on Thursday and he said "When we call Friday just let us know if you still have this and we will push it back a week". Any ideas of what I can do to quickly recover?

Right now I am going to go do my Neti pot and put vicks on my chest.

Thanks!

Joleen

I don't want to be the one to give you a pessimistic answer, but I've studied enough biology to know that there is very little one can do to shorten a cold. Nasal sprays may have a detrimental impact, but Neti pots or even a home-made mix of salt (NON-IODINIZED!) and warm Water will help with nasal congestion and a sore throat, for the reasons that it will make phlegm less viscous and also kill some of the viral agents responsible for your cold (rhinovirus or coronavirus). Wasn't there a big problem with Zicam destroying the sense of smell? Anyway, do not take anything that suppresses your cold symptoms like sneezing or coughing. This will only prolong the duration of your illness. Vicks vapour rub will only help congestion and provide comfort, but it has no effect on your immune system's battle with the virus.

I would say: sniffing and gargling warm salt-water, no symptom suppressants, and the usual recommendation of a lot of liquids and rest.

EDIT: By the way, you say that your symptoms started on Wednesday and your surgery is in eight days. I highly doubt that you'll still be ill by then. You may still show symptoms, but I doubt that you will still be contagious. Unless it's something other than the common cold, your immune system will have eliminated the viral agents in your body in about a week since the start of infection. Symptoms always remain for days to even weeks after the infection is resolved. If you showed symptoms on Wednesday, that means that you were already infected with the virus days before then.

[MollyRN 28]

Although it seems like ages ago, I had the same situation. I had a bad cough like a week before and they were talking about pushing it back. NO WAYYYYYYYYYYY. Anesthesiologists like to be really careful - but I agree with the previous post, you won't be sick by then. Rest, drink Water and you'll be fine.

[littledutchee 0]

I had a nasty cold that started and lasted 3 weeks prior to my surgery. It didn't look like there was any end in site to it. Now it seemed to be settling into my chest. I started freaking, because my surgery was on 3/10. I went for my pre-op on 3/3 and they told me that as long as I didn't have a fever and chills and my lungs were clear that they would probably still do my surgery. It was ultimately up to the anesthesiologist. Fortunately, even though I was still not better, my lungs were clear and had no fever or chills. They did they surgery and all was good. I had no problems and am now finally all better. I am in the medical field and have seen this particular cold/virus last anywhere from 4-6 weeks. Crazy! Just drink plenty of fluids, lots of Vitamin C, continue with the nettie pot and try to take expectorant if you have phlegm to bring it up and get it out. You may also want to contact your primary care physician to make sure there is not something other than a "cold" going on. Good luck!

[Joleen 3]

Thanks so much for the advice!!!

I will watch how much Zinc that I take! I have a follow up appt. with the pulmo. doc. tomorrow, I will talk to him! Thanks for the reassurance regarding my lungs, I will make sure they check and recheck LOL

[ElfiePoo 109]

I have surgery on Wednesday and just got sick this last Thursday. Fortunately, by Sunday, I seemed better but I still have a bit of a sore throat from sinus drainage and the usual sinus crud that follows, but when i called the surgeon's office this morning, they said that as long as I wasn't actively coughing, had a fever (intermittent or otherwise), having breathing difficulties and lungs were clear, it's not a problem.

[Joleen 3]

Hope you got to have your surgery today and are feeling good!!! My symptoms are getting better! Cough is better and sinus problems are lessoning! I am a home health nurse and I wish I could be in a bubble right now!!!

2 more days of work then I can relax!