just caught a really nasty cold in lausanne.

generally in the US i would medicate myself heavily for the first two days until the sore throat becomes manageable. however, i don'tt think nyquil or advil cold and sinus are available here? is that true?

where can i find some "hard" meds for my cold?

The chemists? Don't know the brands you're on about, but I was giving stuff called "Pretuval" which sorted me right out and let me get on with the job.

I also take Demo Gripal c, which is brilliant against pain also, hope your cold gets better soon.

Nyquil is called "Medi Nite" or "Medi Nait" or something like that. Same stuff 4x the price.

nyquil is a thick liquid you take before bed that has some ingredients to put you to sleep and relieve pain.

the cold and sinus medicine contains pseudoephedrine, which is really good for relieving congestion.

where do you buy the products you have suggested?

You can't get them from Supermarkets, you'll have to find a pharmacy.

okay, awesome. i will give it a try today. i know i should be prepared to spend a lot....

Demo Gripal c only costs 12.90frcs so that will not break the bank

by the way, i would fix the awful typos in my post, but there's no edit option!

You could try Pretuval for the day. Or Neo Citran. Also, if you really want Nyquil, I might be able to get you some... I just have to check it hasn't expired.

okay, these products look great.

however, i went to a pharmacy today in lausanne and struggled to tell the very nice pharmacist in french that i have a bad sore throat and need something to help me sleep at night (NYQUIL! or neo citran would work), and she gave me some throat lozenges and told me to drink milk + honey....

i guess i can go back tomorrow and ask for neocitran by name

Make sure you are going to a real pharmacy, one with a green cross flashing. In the Geman part we have Apotheke and Drugorie. The Drugorie, is not a pharmacy but an over.the.counter homeopathic toiletries place and the Apotheke takes prescriptions. Where they take prescriptions, they will more likely help you, even though Neocitron is not Rx.

The milk and honey works.

Go to the pharmacy, tell them the name of the product you know and they can cross reference it to find the local equivalent. You'd be surprised how many products they do have here. My mom while here visiting wanted Alka-Seltzer, I said mom, not in a million years here. Was I dumb founded when they said they had it..!

I like Lemon and Honey with a shot of whisky before bed when I have a cold.

Hate Neo Citro it's so damn sweet.

Also try inhaling either Lavender (aromatherepy oil, couple drops in hot water) or you can get some capsules to add to water and inhale (can't remember the name, maybe find this tomorrow for U.

When down with a cold in my younger years my mom always made me a "Hot Totty" before sending me off to bed. I think I had more colds than the average kid did...

Haha I'd sure like to see that "hot totty" fit into a glass! My mum used to make us a hot toddy.

Ask the pharmacist about Rhinopront N (it's a docongestant similar to Contac in the US, and will help you sleep). Also ask for Fluimucil (it's a powder you mix with water) which will help break up the mucous, esp. if the cold has gone into your chest. To relieve the sore throat pain, get some Dafalgon (paracetamol). Everything is OTC, with the possible exception of Rhinopront. But they may give it to you if you ask.

A hot toddy is also a great idea and will help you sleep

"La Grippe" is the french for cold/flu

"avez vous quelque chose pour la grippe?" might be a good start (might want to check the quality of my french, it's a bit rusty.)

I always go with a bottle red in the evening, or hot Port.