Cold med Zicam (in Off-topic)

So I'm feeling like crap, non-stop runny nose, sinus congestion, sneezing bla bla and can't afford to miss days (I can if I have to but would rather fight through it)

I hate trying new stuff, but most people I talk to are saying get "Zicam". Anyone taken this b4?

If you like homeopathic medicines feel free to try it, but I'd stick to something containing pseudoephedrine.

Well I've had Zicam before, it worked pretty well for me, made me feel a lot better in a few days. The only side effect I've heard reported is a small case of loss of smell, but a very small amount. I'd give it a thumbs up.

I wouldn't recommend Zicam based on two things. First, the makers of Zicam had a lawsuit brought against them for the fact that their product lead to loss of or lessened sense of smell in a number of patients. Second, the effects of zinc gluconate on the common cold are inconsistently seen. Since colds come and go so quickly, it's hard to definitively say that zinc gluconate was responsible for "ending the cold." Your best bet is to treat your symptoms and let your body fight it off, because in the end, that's what is going to have to happen anyway. If your sinuses are congested and your nose is running, I might suggest something as simple as Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed).

i have used it for years, never had a problem. if you are worried about the smell issue, you can buy it in a quick dissolve lozenge form. i usually take it in addition to cold meds just in case it helps.

although treating symptoms is all and good it won't help the cold and you will end up just letting you body do the work and even though yes most of the time you body will win colds do become worse on some occasions ..... that being said i recommend Umcka coldcare it is a natural medicine and works really well you can find it at a super store or any natural food store

About zinc (that's what we're talking about, after all)...

If you are already in the throes, don't bother. Nine bucks? More? Go DayQuil/NyQuil, the off-brands, and save cash. Just keep the symptoms down. That's all you can do.

That being said, I have taken zinc when I feel "low" and think it may have been from flu/cold (been with family, kids, ate poo), and it seems, to me, I averted some disaster. However, I have a strong mind. An AMAZING mind. I mean, like my mind is soooo...I digress. All I am saying is that the "placebo effect" could be in play there. If I feel powerful, I _am_ powerful. That worked a long while before Zn came along.

The price alone shows they are trying to cash in a cow. Zinc gets burned in chem labs as a demo all the time. It cannot be that costly. If they were smart, they'd sell is purely as a low-end palliative, at trucker-marts and such. I imagine that will happen eventually in any case. Zinc Tic-Tacs, and such. Mark my words.

But now? Don't bother.

One man's opinion, is all.

^ poo eater!

straight answer- i tried it for a while once. didn't do anything for me.