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-   -   Kicking a cold? (https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/276030-kicking-cold.html)

DRLski 03-09-07 09:18 AM

Kicking a cold?
 
k...I'm coming down with something and as always it's right before the weekend. This is a BIG training weekend for me so I can't be down for the count. It started off as a slight sore throat on Wednesday, got much more sore on Thursday, and this morning it was very sore and my stomach was also not feeling well. As soon as I saw any symptoms I started taking some extra Vitamins (especially Vit. C) to help fight this thing off but it doesn't seem to be doing much, I've also stopped all workouts for the remainder of the week so I don't stress my immune system. What can I do between now and tomorrow to kick the crap out of this cold? I'm sick of losing quality training time because I'm sick... I was going to go for a short ride today but am thinking that it will just make things worst in 24F temps. So what to do?

Surferbruce 03-09-07 10:02 AM

i'm a firm believer in Zicam. shortens duration and intensity of colds. try it, it works best when taken as soon as symptoms start.

SEAtrain 03-09-07 10:06 AM

If you're sick there's not much you can do other than rest and let you're body fight it off. Serious training will have to be postponed until your body can tolerate it.

It sucks, but that's life. You gotta roll with the punches.

BTW, I'm just now recovering from a head cold. I did easy, reduced volume training throughout. Now, I am behind in my training goals. My plan? Spend the next week building back up to my previous training level.

palesaint 03-09-07 10:07 AM

If your lungs are OK, I would suggest a moderate ride today. Maybe do 20 miles at a less-than-all-out pace and have a nice recovery meal and nap later on. Doing a medium-exertion ride when I am feeling a little under the weather often blows the germs right out.

Keep up on the vitamin C. I take the powdered stuff (emergen-c) once a day when I feel like the system might be getting stressed. Serious doses of C, but what the body doesn't need it flushes right out.

Get well!

kenny! 03-09-07 10:09 AM


Originally Posted by Surferbruce
i'm a firm believer in Zicam. shortens duration and intensity of colds. try it, it works best when taken as soon as symptoms start.

Zicam for the win! I, and many other people I know, swear by it but you really should take it as soon as you feel any symptoms.

DocRay 03-09-07 10:19 AM

The best you can do is a moderate ride to increase your body temperature, some cold viruses die quickly at elevated temperatures.

Zicam, vitamin c, etc. have all been tested in proper studies and found to have to no efficacy against the common cold. Pure placebo effect.
These products all work on the same concept: the average cold virus takes three days before the body removes it, so you feel sick on day one, take whatever on day two, you'll feel better on day three.
There is not a single product on the market that is effective against the common cold, so save your time and money.

Surferbruce 03-09-07 10:23 AM


Originally Posted by DocRay
The best you can do is a moderate ride to increase your body temperature, some cold viruses die quickly at elevated temperatures.

Zicam, vitamin c, etc. have all been tested in proper studies and found to have to no efficacy against the common cold. Pure placebo effect.
These products all work on the same concept: the average cold virus takes three days before the body removes it, so you feel sick on day one, take whatever on day two, you'll feel better on day three.
There is not a single product on the market that is effective against the common cold, so save your time and money.

i work around kids and pick up a cold virus every couple months it seems. i agree vitamin c does nothing, but zicam is way more than placebo effect. theres no doubt it shortens the duration of colds when used properly, and has been shown to do so in multiple studies.

JayC 03-09-07 11:48 AM

Zicam works. Ive been using it for years and it really does make a difference.

Either that or I work out so much I just flush the cold right out of my system.

VegaVixen 03-09-07 11:55 AM

I hardly ever get sick, but when I have a sore throat, I tie a kerchief around my neck to keep the area nice and warm, and drink plenty of hot water with lemon juice and hot herbal tea. If I feel that a head cold is starting, I use a Neti pot to flush my sinuses a few times a day, and this usually prevents it or, at the very least, mitigates it.

Sorry you're feelin' so rotten, and that your training schedule is gettin' so messed up, DRLski. :(

SaddleBags 03-09-07 12:17 PM

Mayo Research on Cold Remedies
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cold-remedies/ID00036

DocRay 03-09-07 12:20 PM


Originally Posted by Surferbruce
i work around kids and pick up a cold virus every couple months it seems. i agree vitamin c does nothing, but zicam is way more than placebo effect. theres no doubt it shortens the duration of colds when used properly, and has been shown to do so in multiple studies.

Studies funded by Zicam. They have little science to back up their product. It really only gives mild efficacy in zinc deficient diets.
Zinc gluconate is also toxic. From a medical review:

This experience with the use of zinc in therapeutic doses over relatively long periods is reassuring. At the same time, the ingestion of gram quantities of zinc by many millions of persons as therapy for the common cold would represent a kind of uncontrolled nutritional experiment that is cause for concern [18, 21]. At the very least, therefore, surveillance for potential toxicity will be needed for a good many years if zinc therapy becomes widely adopted for one of mankind's most common and seemingly most intractable maladies.


The FDA frequently re-issues statements that there is no effective treatment for the common cold. If there truly was, business and government would use it to prevent sick days, a major financial loss.

From mayo:

Zinc. The cold-fighting reputation of zinc has had its ups and downs. That's because many zinc studies — both those that find the mineral beneficial and those that do not — are flawed. In studies with positive results, zinc seemed most effective taken as a lozenge or nasal spray within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms. Taking zinc with food reduced side effects, including a bad taste and nausea.


Washing your hands frequently is the best, most effective deterrent against getting a common cold. Also, if you work in a dry area, an air humidifier.

SaddleBags 03-09-07 12:41 PM


Originally Posted by DRLski
k...I'm coming down with something and as always it's right before the weekend. This is a BIG training weekend for me so I can't be down for the count. It started off as a slight sore throat on Wednesday, got much more sore on Thursday, and this morning it was very sore and my stomach was also not feeling well. As soon as I saw any symptoms I started taking some extra Vitamins (especially Vit. C) to help fight this thing off but it doesn't seem to be doing much, I've also stopped all workouts for the remainder of the week so I don't stress my immune system. What can I do between now and tomorrow to kick the crap out of this cold? I'm sick of losing quality training time because I'm sick... I was going to go for a short ride today but am thinking that it will just make things worst in 24F temps. So what to do?

It's a long season. I'm in the same boat too. I caught a cold this week and have a race this weekend. This race doesn't "count" for points so if I'm feeling better on Sunday, I'll sit in with the pack and ride. Otherwise I may not risk lengthening this cold and get some rest.
Get your rest as needed to recover faster.


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