Skip to main content

Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

(Mrs) Magic of Christmas

Any pharmacy type bods around willing to have their brains picked please?

(Mrs) Magic of Christmas, 3 December, 2008 at 12:21 Posted on Off Topic Posts 0 14

[being careful not to ask for direct advice on what I should do]

I've been told I can't take decongestants, cold relief tablets etc but I'm trying to figure out what drug they are contraindicated with. I've got a cough (Mr M and MiL both have had lurgy and it looks like I'm next) and would like to work out what I can take. I've spoken to two different pharmacists at various times and the look of horror on their face when I recite my drugs means the most I ever get from them is glycerine, honey and lemon or simple linctus. NHS direct aren't much better.

My main lupus drugs are Azathioprine (100mg/d), Prednisolone (10mg/d) and Hydroxycholoquine (400mg/d). Is it the Azathioprine causing the problem? I don't think it can be my drugs for other things (Gabapentin, Dihydracodeine, Paracetamol, Tramadol, Amatriptyline, Mirtazapine ??)

We have a cough medicine containing Diphenhydramine hydrochloride 14 mg and Levomenthol 2.0 mg in each 5 ml, do they count as decongestants, cold relief type stuff? Hmmm.

Mr M is getting me some G, H & L today but I know it will only help soothe my throat rather than do anything to help. Booo. I hate being so bloody awkward! ?

14 replies

Latest activity by David, 2 February, 2022 at 13:25
  • Zebra
    Beginner
    Zebra ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Mrs Magic, I'm not surprised that a pharmacist chokes on that list - it would be really difficult for them to work out the interaction possibilities... They are probably worried about upsetting a very careful balance!

    FWIW, I don't think there's any hard evidence to suggest that cough medicines work any better than hot lemon/honey with a splash of whisky for treatment of cough - ie, keep your throat lubricated and keep cosy.

    In fact, it's my pet angst every year that my MIL goes on and on and on and on about taking cough medicine every time H gets a cough when neither of us believe in them! ?

    • Reply
  • (Mrs) Magic of Christmas
    (Mrs) Magic of Christmas ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    I do understand and always feel a bad for pharmacists as I know I'm a bit overwhelming! ?

    Really? That's interesting. My mum was a dispenser and was always a big believer in treating ailments so it's kind of ingrained on me. Does that also include things like chesty coughs? Obviously if it goes properly into my chest, I would go to the doctor but I hate bothering them, I go often enough as it is!

    ?

    • Reply
  • P
    poochanna ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    I'm with Zebra, I'd imagine they are scared of that list!

    Has the Dr told you not to take these things or just the Pharmacist? I'm thinking it would be worth speaking to the Dr, do you have a "call back" option at your surgery? My GP does that for two hours each afternoon and it's a good way to discuss things such as this, without taking up an appointment.

    Steam and Vic are a god send for chesty coughs. Like you I'm limited on what I can take (Asthma) so things like hot toddies, steam and raw garlic are a god send. Also, I get H to rub vic on my back and bash me around, loosens it up (yuck!) ?

    Also, before you get it take loads of Vit C and if you can make some Miso soup with loads of seaweed and garlic. Oh and carrot juice. My H swears these keep him germ free.

    Hope you feel better soon.

    • Reply
  • Old Nick Esq.
    Old Nick Esq. ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Wild and uneducated stab in the dark.

    You're on opioids, which can depress your respitory system, might be something to do with that.

    • Reply
  • I love shoes
    Beginner July 2008
    I love shoes ·
    • Report
    • Hide content
    View quoted message

    <brainexplodes>

    Er Mrs M as Zebra said Im not suprised their faces drop ?

    Its the prednisolone that causes problems with decongestants - most of the common decongestants come from the same group/family of drugs as prednisolone, which is why you wont be able to take any

    Diphenhydramine is a decongestant unfortunately.. levomenthol should be ok though as its whats in vicks vapour rub (you could try that or olbas oil as you are not ingesting it)

    Sorry you are suffering mrs M

    • Reply
  • (Mrs) Magic of Christmas
    (Mrs) Magic of Christmas ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Thanks Pooch. ?

    It was a doctor at one point and I have read it on one of my drug leaflets but can't remember which. I'll see how I go with the honey and lemon today and maybe give them a ring tomorrow. Vics is on order too.

    I might make some chicken soup actually, that could help. I try to avoid large doses of vitamin c as I'm aware that boosting my immune system isn't really the best idea. Grumble grumble at being so awkward. ?

    • Reply
  • (Mrs) Magic of Christmas
    (Mrs) Magic of Christmas ·
    • Report
    • Hide content
    View quoted message

    Aha, thank you! If I do need to get something at some point (not necessarily this time), I can tell them about being on prednisolone without blinding them with all the other drugs in a big list. ?

    Thanks everyone. ?

    • Reply
  • (Mrs) Magic of Christmas
    (Mrs) Magic of Christmas ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    PS, sorry about your brain ILS. ?

    • Reply
  • I love shoes
    Beginner July 2008
    I love shoes ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    S'ok..

    Im suffering too..

    Have been in bed for last 2 days with flu and dragged myself to work today as I dont get paid for sickleave (so am 2 days wages down already) and am thinking I might have to go home soon and back to bed as my cough is driving me as well as everyone else in the office mad... I was fine (cough wise) last night (hence me coming in today) but the cold air hit me this morning and I havent been able to stop since

    Im fortunate that I can take cold / flu stuff though (and I work for a company that makes them so can get them cheap - except our staff shop has run out so i will have to go and pay full price for them later)

    hope you feel better soon Mogic

    • Reply
  • P
    poochanna ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Oh my, if even Vit C is off limits sounds like it's seaweed and garlic for you! What a nightmare.

    • Reply
  • (Mrs) Magic of Christmas
    (Mrs) Magic of Christmas ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    The advice from a Lupus website (a well known one, not a random US one ?) was to avoid large doses of vit c as if you boost your immune system, you are basically giving Lupus more 'ammunition'. I've no idea how accurate it is to be honest but could see the sense in it. I don't know if I even have an immune system any more after 2 years on Azathioprine! ?

    Thanks for the buttercup rec, it's not one I've tried. ?

    • Reply
  • (Mrs) Magic of Christmas
    (Mrs) Magic of Christmas ·
    • Report
    • Hide content
    View quoted message

    Poor you, take care and I hope you feel better soon. ?

    • Reply
  • Voldemort
    Voldemort ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Oh no poor Mogic ?

    I found an amazing cough syrup that actually stops me coughing and the only active ingredient is levomenthol. It's lovely and soothing and the menthol seems to persuade my throat that it's not irritated.

    Vick's Cough Syrup with Honey & Lemon for dry and irritating coughs, be careful not to confuse it with their other one for dry coughs in a similar bottle though.

    I sympathise as am suffering with a nasty chest infection but allergic to paracetamol, pseudoephedrine and am upduffed so can't take anything else. The Vicks stuff is really helping me though and have pharmacist's approval.

    Hope you feel better soon x

    • Reply
  • Adam
    Beginner February 2022 Co Londonderry
    Adam ·
    • Report
    • Hide content

    Guys, I feel sick at the recent time and I'd like to find a cure that could help me. Therefore, does anybody know something about pharmacy with delivery? That's really essential for me to know in order to be more healthy.

    • Reply

You voted for . Add a comment 👇

×


Related articles

Premium members

  • Q
    Qa Test I got married in August - 2022 North Yorkshire

General groups

Hitched article topics

Contest icon

Win £3,000 for your wedding

Join Hitched Rewards, where you can win £3,000 simply by planning your wedding with us. Start collecting entries, it's easy and free!

Enter now