Hi Mari,

i was going to bump this to check on you.

btw, just a note, what your accupuncturist suggested was good for a variety of reasons - and even if you only take 250mg vit C daily that's better than none. also i will add, if you are doing the probiotics the best is away from any food (20 mins before, or at least 2 hours after.) they do assist in immune function and are particularly important in certain cases, especially if one has had lower intestinal distress where these flora may have been depleted.

but as for that cough syrup....

what the heck brand did you get???
scary to find THOSE TWO ingredients COMBINED in a single syrup.

dextromethorphan is an antitussive - cough suppressant. never heard about its not being effective, new one to me. beware it can also make you sleepy.

guaifenesin is an expectorant. and with quite some controversy regarding dosages. i have read a bit about guaifenesin and, at least from the studies i have read of its effectiveness and dosages required, commercial products appear not to include enough of it to make a field mouse expectorate.

Personally, i use.....

as an antitussive:
- lavender flower tea (1/2 tsp brewed covered for 7 mins am & night)
if you need an antitussive, this is a very safe alternative. lavender also has calming properties... used in aromatherapy for this purpose.

as expectorants (one of, not all of)
- raw garlic (1 raw clove chopped WITH my 2 main meals) plus other foods that are gastroprotective. Note, aside from garlic breath LOL, the garlic is also harsh on the tummy so not everyone could do that.
- bromhexine-based OTC product (n/a in the US). this is harsh on intestines anyway i've noticed.

WITH ANY EXPECTORANT - LOTS AND LOTS of water, plain water, regularly.

if you have a dry cough that is simply from throat irritation, or is "left over" from a productive cough but is no longer producing anything, then a suppressant is useful.

if on the other hand you have phlegm, which, despite coughing, will not come up or only with difficulty, then an expectorant is useful.

in any event, there is not much point taking a suppressant when one takes an expectorant. i don't know which you need.

medicating a cough inappropriately (suppressing a productive cough, or taking an expectorant for a true dry cough) is a bad idea.

i suggest you go and have your body checked by your mdoc and let her give you whatever - if anything - she feels you need for your cough.

i gotta go make bread for dinner... be back later....
~ waves ~