Colds, Coughs And Clouseau
Written by: adekun on 7 April, 2007 11:53 pm - Filed under: blog ?
About a week ago, my wife Ritsue, caught a cold and within a couple of days so had I. By now, already dogged by hay fever, I haven’t been in the best of spirits (perhaps wallowing). Yesterday, Kento also fell victim and was taken to be checked out. After a good sleep, it is a boost to see that both he and Ritsue appear to have recovered.
Usually, if I am below par, I prefer to wait and see and not rush off to the doctor. Since it was getting worse, for a number of reasons I made the trip.
The examination was brief, mouth open and a quick flash of the torch (a Maglite). As I was on my last legs I thought perhaps a temperature check, in case of flu.
His findings were unsurprising, I had a sore throat. A real Sherlock Holmes I thought. I was however, presented with a cocktail of drugs.
A little unclear as to what each one does, but recall one is to stop your nose running, another to stop it sneezing, one to stop the pain of a sore throat.
Similar to the last cold, I have kept myself away from everybody. I would have liked to have put the time to better use. Reading was impossible for any length of reasonable time as I couldn’t concentrate or focus. A good example of the latter is when I tried to spruce myself up with a shave; I neglected to notice my beard trimmer was set at the closest setting. Although more youthful in appearance, I know how Samson must of felt.
So over the past week, despite sore sides, I watched my Peter Sellers Pink Panther DVD’s and drunk a lot of Rum.
Hedgewizard
8 April, 2007 #
Nice over-reaction! But then the Japanese don’t have the NHS service of laughing and telling you to go away when you have a cold. As for the rum…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tdyKDwizdU
Adekun
8 April, 2007 #
There is no shortage of potions, pills and remedies to keep the wheels of industry turning. Face masks are commonplace too, can’t imagine John Reid approving.
On the rum - I’ll hang on for the cereal bar.
banjokazooie
11 October, 2007 #
Hehehe, I watched Pink Panther dvds when I was ill once…
but I didn’t all those pills… wish I did…
NHS is too stingy.
adekun
11 October, 2007 #
It’s amazing what you get offering if you’re footing the bill.
Patrick
13 October, 2007 #
Judging only from the appearance of the tablet and the 20mg, the small red ones look like a product that in the US is called Sudafed (something like pseudoephedrine hydrochloride). Many years ago I used to take this from time to time, and it’s not a product without controversy.
It’s illegal in most European countries, and not even available with a prescription. Even in Holland! You can buy it in Switzerland over the counter, and I think Portugal with a prescription, otherwise I think it’s unavailable.
It’s a decongestant, for a stuffy or runny nose or stuffy head — and it works very well by the way. One of the side effects is that it can cause a ‘rebound effect’ meaning after it wears off, the stuffiness can come back worse than before you took it. In this ‘rebound effect’ way, with long term use, it can cause a sort of dependency because it actually causes the symptoms it’s supposed to cure.
The ‘ephedrine’ in the name means that it is chemically related to speed (the very addicting illegal drug), and can itself cause high blood pressure and anxiety. It turns out with the help of some commonly available chemicals like drain cleaner and the like, and a small home lab, it can also be turned into speed. In recent years in the US, this has created such a problem with home scientists going into drugstores and buying the entire stock to make speed, that now you have to show identification and every purchase is tracked in a central database. It’s become so widely used in the US, and there are no suitable alternatives, they don’t want to simply take it off the market.
Taken as directed I’m sure it’s perfectly safe, but just how important is it to have a clear nose when you have a cold?!
adekun
20 October, 2007 #
I had trouble buying it in New Zealand since it’s used as a precursor in Methamphetamine manufacture – it’s even closer in structure to Amphetamine. You can (could?) get Sudafed over the counter in the UK.
I didn’t know about the rebound effect. I suppose it’s to be expected.
Here in Japan, it seems okay to dish out these sorts of cocktails, but I can’t get any simple Menthol and Eucalyptus for steam inhalation. I guess there’s not much money in that and it’s effective.
Elizabeth Heid er
6 November, 2007 #
Actually the red on can’t be Sudafed. It’s also illegal in Japan, and despite all the bad media it gets, for someone like me who suffers from regular sinus infections, being able to actually FUNCTION is incredibly important. Currently in Japan with a sinus infection, and lacking my favorite white little pill (the color I’ve seen Sudafed come in). And no I’m not one of those that jumps at taking meds every chance I get, I tend to try and sleep the cold off, drink lots of teas, eat fruits and veggies before giving in to meds.
I’m not sure where you are, but if you’re in Tokyo, Ikebukuro’s Sunshine City has an “American Pharmacy” that sells Menthol candies imported from Switzerland.
adekun
10 November, 2007 #
I got a tub of Vicks at ¥980 a go. It will have to suffice. Would be nice to know what all the pills are.