If you really want to take something, call a 24-hour pharmacist. They can tell you what should (and shouldn't) interact with warfarin. You can update your warfarin clinic later.

Hang in there!

Your INR may have been off for the last week and a half because you were coming down with this cold/virus and your body was fighting it. I got a doozy of a respiratory infection awhile back when I was only 2 months out from my PE. Do you have a fever? I think getting some rest and taking some Tylenol (if you have a fever and/or aches/pains) will be fine for you until you can contact the clinic in the morning.

You deserved a rant and, by gosh, I was listening and understand! Good grief...not feeling well and a seven week old baby to boot! Rest when the baby will let you and let us know how you're doing tomorrow! I'm sending positive thoughts your way!

Oh, you poor poor thing!

I've been dreading getting sick since my diagnosis. So far, I've fought off everything that's come my way, but I know that's going to end as soon as I start traveling again (two more weeks - do NOT want to go!).

Hope you feel better soon!!

My doctor and Pharmacist both told me it was okay to take Sudafed, but only the one you get from behind the pharmacy counter. I agree, pharmacists can be very helpful with the warfarin stuff!! :)

Most states (maybe all?) now can only sell Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine) from behind the rx counter.

WHY PSEUDOEPHEDRINE IS BEHIND THE PHARMACY OR SERVICE COUNTER

Pseudoephedrine, an active ingredient in some cold, allergy, and sinus products, can be chemically processed into methamphetamine (commonly known as meth). The illegal use of meth has increased in recent years, prompting Congress to pass the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2006. The objective of the law is to eliminate the use of pseudoephedrine in the illegal production of meth. By law, products containing pseudoephedrine must now be sold behind the pharmacy counter and through online retailers who must meet certain requirements.

Note that products containing pseudoephedrine remain available without a prescription.

SUDAFEDPRODUCTS CONTAINING PSEUDOEPHEDRINE
SUDAFEDCongestion
SUDAFED12 Hour
SUDAFED12 Hour Pressure+Pain
SUDAFED24 Hour
SUDAFEDTriple Action

I'm certainly in favor of that Act but it hasn't stopped meth manufacture unfortunately----- just made it harder to get supplies.

Yeah i'd speak to a 24hr pharmacy if you need something before seeing a Dr. if they know you are desperate for relief they'll usually come up with some recommendation. I had to do that with sleeping tablets when I got out of hospital because I was only sleeping 3hrs a night.

Turns out I have two things going against me while I deal with this cold - I'm on warfarin AND I'm breastfeeding. Haha not a lot of options out there as per cold medication I can take so it's just been fluids and rest for me. I feel knocked on my butt right now and if it wasnt for having to take my warfarin at 830pm I'd be passed out come 639-7pm everyday

Thanks to all who has read my self pitty rant.

sudafed with no painkillers/ibuprofen works wonders. .. but it is NO fun to have this right after a PE and while on coumadin. Hope you get to feeling better soon!

Well, on the plus side (ducking!) of having a head cold and not being able to take medications to help with the symptoms (not the disease) a look at some of the reasons NOT to take medications for a 'simple' head cold may show a person that that's actually the best way.

Now, I know that people want to feel better so they can work, take care of children without the symptoms. I fully understand that. But.....

"All of these uncomfortable symptoms are actually ways in which your body works to eliminate waste products and/or help your body get through a cold or flu. It's fine to use over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen if your discomfort becomes intolerable or if such meds can help you get a good night's rest. But it's best to avoid medications that aim to suppress helpful processes such as fever, coughing, and a runny nose."

http://drbenkim.com/cold-flu-difference-health.html

Now, I'm changing my phone number and email addy and pulling the shades!

Or you can think of it as 'going back to nature'. (grin)

A friend of mine at the CDC had once suggested zinc to help cut cold symptoms short. Never believed it until I tried it. This is from the National Institute of Health's (U.S. Governments) website:

"The common cold
Some studies suggest that zinc lozenges or syrup (but not zinc dietary supplements in pill form) help speed recovery from the common cold and reduce its symptoms if taken within 24 hours of coming down with a cold. However, more study is needed to determine the best dose and form of zinc, as well as how long it should be taken before zinc can be recommended as a treatment for the common cold."

And the link:

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/zinc-quickfacts/

Zicam didn't work for me (can damage nasal passages), but, Cold Eze lozengers did seem work. Could be a placebo effect but government healthcare seems to think it will work (to some degree).

As far as Sudafed, I've always had major sinus problems and Sudafed is the only thing that ever prevented sinus headaches for me. The rest of the cold meds, I don't know. Always used them but never felt better (other then putting me to sleep - Nyquil).

As far as what medications, definitely check with your doc or the pharmacy as others have mentioned.

Zinc lozenges-----Certainly worth a try.

But I'd stay away from the zinc nasal sprays. Seems that there's some evidence that the spray might take your sense of smell away.

"Zinc-based nasal sprays, not included in the recent, positive analysis, pose a different problem; the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that these products can take away your sense of smell, possibly for good."
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cold-remedies/ID00036

When I tried the lozenges (many years ago) I didn't like the taste and evidently some people get a bit of nausea with it. (That didn't happen to me)

There's an oral Ziacam spray you can use. Both that and Cold Eaze make me really sick to my stomach, but my husband swears by both of them for not so much preventing a cold but keeping the duration of the cold short.

When I first feel like I'm getting a cold, I start taking those Emergen-C supplements, the kind you mix in water and drink. Not sure if they really do anything but I do seem to perk up a bit after taking it. But other than that, unless there's major sinus issue (I have sinus issues as well), I take very little for a common cold, and not because I'm worried about my INR, but because I think a lot of that stuff isn't necessary. Rest and pushing fluids is to me the best medicine

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zicam

In this Wiki page, talking about the zinc in the nasal sprays of Zicam, there's this:
"The Zicam brand has been expanded to include non-zinc formulations."

So perhaps there are non-zinc containing nasal sprays.

I agree with rmb---- rest (if you have no small children!), fluids (chicken soup and lots of water).

My mother always depended on Vicks Vaporub to cure anything! She believed and that seemed to be enough, since we lived!

Ha, I use Vicks even when I don't have a cold. I get so congested at night when I sleep that I use it almost nightly. Some people drink, some snort coke, me, I smear a little Vick's under my schnozz. We all have our vices I suppose.

I get congested at night too---- and having those nasal cannulas don't help with the nose real estate!

I got the bright idea a few weeks ago to put Vicks up my nose at night. It did help. Then I did some hindsight research and it was warned NOT to use it on mucosa! (I lived)

I'll try some under my nose. Take me back to my childhood.