Some people cannot stand them but a Neti Pot will do WONDERS for a runny nose. Just saying.

Hope you feel better soon!

When I have a cold, I, too, go though boxes upon boxes of tissues. The lotion ones are critical. Hope yar better quick matey!

Jenny,

Two suggestions for phlegm. Now, you may think it is funny, but its snot. Sorry.

1) Saline nasal mist. Comes in a big bottle, lasts a long time - but you cannot share it between people. You stick the thing in your nose. Hand it to the next person, and .. well. You recall the Saturday Night Live skits about "You can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose?" That is it. One bottle per person.

Saline Nasal Mist lasts a long time, is non-medicated. I think Ocean is the national brand, I stick to store brands, like Wal-Mart's Equate brand, about $1.75 last time I bought one.

The thing about Saline Nasal Mist is that it isn't medicated, no unexpected effects .. sort of. My doctor told me that twice in each side (nostril), once an hour, and blow (after applying the mist) - that will clear up to a sinus infection (no drugs, antibiotics, etc.), help a lot with allergies. My chiropractor in Arizona recommended it for nosebleeds - keep the sinuses moistened to resist drying and cracking - and bleeding.

Sinus congestion? Still works. 10, 20, 30 minutes after using, your cough or sinus drainage gets more productive. Keep after it, and your nose clears, your sinuses clear, and you lose that caustic drainage that keeps irritation the throat and causing soreness.

2) Your body normally passes excess mucous (and other guck) through the bowels. But you need fiber to help keep things moving well. Psyllium husk is a specific product that targets mucous. Composed of both soluble and insoluble fiber, psyllium husk (the part of Metamucil that does something, after you remove the sugar and flavor) absorbs 12 times it's weight in mucous.

The insoluble fiber is the bulk softener part. It forms a soft mass that helps clear pockets of stuff from the intestines and colon.

The insoluble fiber really attacks the snot problem. Dissolving into the blood stream, soluble fiber circulates to the cells and lymph system to gather toxins and waste, and carry back to the intestines for elimination from the body.

Metamucil or a store brand of psyllium husk - available in health food stores, drug stores, Albertson's, Food Pyramid, and Wal-Mart here in Ponca City, OK, follow directions - no one likes surprises. More isn't always better, hint-hint. A teaspoon every other day for a week, daily after if you still want the effect.

Non-medicated, non-chemical, psyllium husk is non-habit forming. I also found it great for flu symptoms and even comforting during nausea and diarrhea of food poisoning (when nothing else made anything feel better).

So, two recommendations. Fiber? There are all kinds, from oatmeal to broccoli to beans. Each has it's own blend of soluble and insoluble fiber. Saline (salt water) Nasal Mist - comforting all the way to really helpful.

Luck!

I hate this state of being cold... running nose is a disaster, my mom knows a great way to get rid of it really quickly, - put a tablespoonful of salt into a glass of water and mix until diluted. Then press one nostril with a finger and breath in the water with the free nostril. Repeat with the second nostril. It really works (for both Mom and Dad, but I could never force myself to breath the liquid IN...

Hopefully your steaming hot shower was helpful and that you can steal away time for a rest. :)