Think I'm getting a headcold

I've been hanging around a friend that has been sick for a few days, and now I think I'm getting sick, too. I just have a stuffy nose and "heavy" head, I guess.

Of course, I need to rethink my medication options. What cold medicines are we allowed to take after RNY? NyQuil was my go-to in the old days, but I don't know if it's ok for post-RNY. 

Also, what about antibiotics, such as amoxicillin? I think if I go to the health center up here at school, I will need to tell them that I had RNY so that they give me the right dosage. I used to be able to take 800 mg of amoxicillin; I don't think that would be wise, now.

Your antibiotics do not need to change. The only thing you can not have are NSAIDs. Also be careful of the sugar content of cold medications. 

If you have a garden-variety cold, no need for antibiotics. I don't usually take anything but hot tea and apply plenty of lip balm to my nose to help ward off a chapped nose.

Thanks. I was asking about antibiotics because I sometimes get an ear infection when I get a sinus infection, and I used to take amoxicillin for that.

NyQuil and DayQuil are tylenol based, not NSAID based, so they're fine.  Go with the caps, not the liquid.

I found out cold medicine**** me hard for the first few years after surgery.  I take Mucinex but usually at bedtime only.  I also find using the Neti Pot helps a lot.

It's probably too late for you now, but the best defense is a good offense.  Take it from a girl who hasn't had a cold in a decade.

• First of all - your nutritional health makes a difference.  Vitamins D, C, and Zinc are big boosters for immunity.  Learn how to read your own labs and watch these numbers specifically.  If you're on the low end of normal, you're more susceptible to a cold.  Keep them on the high end and you have an invisible bubble.
• Wash your hands with good old fashioned soap, steering away from antibacterial stuff.
• If you feel the onset of a cold...that icky feeling before the symptoms grab you...eat garlic, LOTS of garlic.  Garlic is a natural antiviral and highly underused. I cut a clove in half and swallow it like pills.  Do so again the next morning, and the worst you'll get is a little tired for a day or two, but often not even that.  When I started traveling for work, the fresh garlic did not fare well in my suitcase, so I found some garlic supplements from NatureMade, and they've saved myself a time or two.  One box can last you a year or more because you only use it when you need it.  I keep a blister-pack of pills at my desk, my mother's house, and at home, so it's always around the minute I feel something.  I also noticed that the pills don't have the strong after effects that the fresh stuff does, but I'm always a fan of the least amount of processing available.
  
  Even if you do get the symptoms - take the garlic anyway.  It's known for keeping a cold from progressing, due to the antiviral qualities.

I have been trying out non-medicinal remedies lately.  Like someone mentioned the nettie pot is wonderful.  I have been giving essential oils a try.  I have found Eucalyptus is great for sinuses.  I actually have one of those wax warmers...you know to make your house smell nice.  I bought a bunch of unscented tea candles and took the wick out.  Put it in my warmer with a few drops of Eucalyptus and viola. 

I also found peppermint works well on headaches.  A little on my temples and it really does help with my headache.