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Anyone use Zicam before? I need to get over a cold before friday... any positive results?

I tried Zicam last year when I had a bad cold. After using it, I told my pharmacist that it really seemed to work—that my cold was gone in seven days instead of a week.

Don't waste your money... but your mileage may vary

I believe that there is medical evidence that taking zinc at the start of a cold and continuing while you have the cold lessens the severity of the symptoms. I find that by using the Zicam nasal spray at the first sign of a cold, i.e. scratchy throat, my colds aren't as severe or last as long. Whether it's psychological or not, it seems to help. Certainly worth the $8 or so. I've found that using zinc drops (taste horrible) also help. Hope you feel better soon.

If zinc does the trick for you, get a bottle of chewable tablets. Your dose will be higher.

Get plenty of rest, eat well and drink lots of liquids.

I use Zicam nondrowsy in the daytime and Thera-flu regular with two tablespoons of "tussin" cough syrup at night. Seems to loosen the cold's grip on me sooner.

I took Sambucol all winter last year and was not sick once. It's not cheap but for me it was worth it. No flu shot.

MA

Two years ago, on the recommendations by friends, I skipped my flu shot and went the Zicam route. Even though I carefully followed directions, I was laid low by a cold several times during the winter.

Maybe I didn't believe hard enough.

I have a neighbor who is educated (he teaches high-school AP math) who swore to me that those blue water-filled balls that you tossed in your washing machine instead of detergent really worked.

Purchased Zicam yesterday morning.. The "meltaways"... Or at least meltaway until they are small enough to chew and end the nasty nasty rust taste of zinc in your mouth sooner.

After following the instructions religiously... every three hours, my symptoms are much improved.. near gone. I'm still taking them every three hours for at least the rest of today.

I have to say.. I'm impressed with the power of zinc for cold treatment. I also megadosed vitamin C and have been taking echinacea 6x's daily.

Perhaps I just "believed enough"...

Whatever the case, I'll try these again next time I get sick and would recommend them to a friend...

If you want to wade through it:

http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/CID/jo ... .text.html