Wednesday, October 5, 2011

NyQuil...if you're reading my blog...

...you're gonna need a new slogan.

Flu and colds are dumb and...

the other night I was desperate...

And cranky...

So I dug through the medicine cabinet to see if there were any magic products in there that would make me feel better. I was quite excited to find a bottle of Children's NyQuil. Cherry flavored. Mild.

Now in the past NyQuil and I have not been very good friends.

In fact, there's an ingredient in NyQuil that I'm really, really sensitive to...

BUT...

Did I mention this was CHILDREN'S NyQuil?

And cherry flavored?

So I took a half-dose. After I did that violent little head shake people do when they ingest nasty NyQuil products, I went to bed.

I didn't bother telling Mr. Jenny I had done this...what's a half dose of children's NyQuil to a fluffy woman like me, anyway? A half dose is technically what you give a child weighing 47 pounds or so. A quick calculation that the dosage would be for one of my thighs and a butt cheek, I figured I was safe.

But...

After about 40 minutes I realized I had made a big mistake.

I realized this because my heart started racing and I started having panic and anxiety attacks and hallucinations.

I used the house phone to call Mr. Jenny on his cell phone. After all, he was in the living room, I was in the bedroom and there were scary, scary things in the hallway between us. I couldn't possibly walk down the hall to get him so he could rescue me, could I?

I did mention hallucinations, didn't I?


Apparently I might have looked slightly demented when he came into the room because his eyes got big and round and he said, "Are you sick? Holy cow! What's wrong with you?"

And I told him in a moderately crazed voice, "Yeah, I took a half dose of Children's Nyquil and ..."

"WHAT!?! Are you crazy? You can't take that stuff?"

"Calm down," I said as calmly as I could. It was difficult not to panic because I could see scary and disturbing things on the wall behind Mr. Jenny's head.

"It was children's NyQuil and I only took a half dose!"

"Are you crazy?" he inquired again.

"No, I'm not crazy. I really just wanted something to help my sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy head, fever and ability to sleep problems go away."

I sniffled pathetically, sneezed and coughed dramatically, painfully sat up wide awake in bed and in a stuffy, feverish voice screamed and warned him of a Ninja sneaking up on him. A scary Ninja...with super freaky eyes.


Yeah.

NyQuil. Not always the best thing.

I wonder why they don't add scary hallucinations to their jingly little slogan?

Or any of the other interesting little side effects that I found listed on their website like: anxiety, restless feelings, nervousness; confusion, unusual thoughts and/or behavior ...

Granted...I can usually have unusual thoughts and/or behaviours all on my very own even without cherry flavored children's NyQuil.

And technically I did know in advance that NyQuil has never been my friend in the past...

...but...

Did I mention it was cherry flavored? And that I was really, really tired of sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy head, fever and my inability to rest?

NyQuil does weird stuff to you, too, right?

I'm sure it does.

I can't possibly be that strange.

And I bet you do that violent little head shake whenever you take it, just like I do.

Right?

I just hope you don't see Ninja's with scary eyeballs.

Cuz that is definitely not cool.

Aaaaa...

Aaaaaa....

AAAAAAA CHOOOOO!

Sigh...

post signature

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

I canNOT take Nyquil. EVER. It's supposed to be a nighttime medicine, right? Then why does it wire me like a chicken on speed? I completely understand your sad state, and I'm so sorry. The two things that keep me from totally going under during hay fever season are generic 12 hour Sudafed, only taken in the morning (it wires me, too, but not as bad as Nyquil) and a nettypot. Without those two things, I could just write off Oct-Mar every year. I hope you feel better soon! And NO MORE NYQUIL!

Sandy said...

Although I'm so sorry your not feeling well,, I almost fell off my chair and dumped my coffee when I read your post... too funny! For some odd reason "I love NyQuil.. the stuff is awful (that is so kids will not drink it I think).. but it sure knocks me out!
Please take care and find another cure!
Sandy

Terra said...

I absolutely can not touch that stuff...ever, under any circumstance and people think I am nuts when I tell them that...From now on I will point them to your blog so at least they will know I am not the only one. I feel you Jenny, Believe me...I do.

vivian said...

oh dear Jenny, I too am sorry youre not feeling well.. but you knew when you posted this that we would be laughing here right? there are medications that have Dextromethorphan which kids will take large doses of on purpose to get high. It causes hallucinations. Its in robitussin and they call it robotripping. I dont know if its in nyquil! (I used to work with adolesents in a drug and alcohol abuse clinic.) Can you imagine that some people like that feeling? When I'm sick, I wont take anything except tylenol or excedrin. I arm myself with vicks scented kleenex! have you seen those in the store? OMG! I love them! well poor girl, hope youre feeling better soon!
xoxo
vivian

Unknown said...

Wow! I didn't know it could do things like that to people.

RoeH said...

My mother just loved that stuff. She'd take it every night sick or healthy and swore she could sleep better with it. I finally told her it was about 35 proof of which I don't think it's that much anymore. She wouldn't believe me so I read the ingredients to her.

She still took it.

Sharon said...

Oh, Jenny! ROFL! You're funny even when you're sick! Hope you're feeling better soon.
In the past, I've used Nyquil without a hitch. But now that I'm making my own cures when I can, I have my own little "Mypos Cure" that I like to use. I'll post it for you.

Rachael West said...

It does a VERY similar thing to me too, you are not alone :o)

Willoughby said...

Poor Jenny! I'm sorry you're so sick!

I have mixed results with Nyquil. It used to work well for me, but the last time I took it, I couldn't sleep and I felt jittery all night. I think they changed the ingredients in the last few years.

When I had Swine Flu, the only thing that worked well for me was Claritin D 24 hour tablets. My head was so stuffy that I was nearly deaf. After the second dose of Claritin, I got most of my hearing back and I could breathe again. I always keep it in the house, now.

Take care and feel better soon! Sending hugs and virtual chicken soup your way!!

Anonymous said...

Uhg, I'm sick too. I've never had Nyquil, maybe now I never will...

Carol said...

Feel better friend! I don't have issues with taking medication...other than I hate taking any medication. I just can't wrap my head around taking so much. Everyone I know takes some form of pill...sad really...why walk through life in a haze.

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

It makes me anxious. If I take it, I can't sleep. No ninjas, just no sleep which is what I was after in the first place! Alka Seltzer Plus Nightime is my best friend when I have a cold....

Sorry you're sick sweetie!!!

Pondside said...

I've never taken it, but after reading this, I'll be very, very careful. I hope you're feeling better now. The only thing to do is rest and drink hot water with lemon juice and let the horrible cold and flu roar through your body on their way to someone else's!

Pat said...

Add me to that looonnng list of individuals who don't tolerate Nyquil well either...definitely gets the heart rate up - BUT! have never seen that scarey ninja guy...

take care of yourself and be well soon and no more Nyquil!

21 Wits said...

Oh my goodness, so sorry for the cold and the result after taking yes even the cherry flavored gonna make you really more sick stuff. But your photos rock! I do have a remedy that comes from my hubby's family...it really, really works for sore throats especially, but it's made of healthy stuff...and did I mention it has a real LeMoN Flavor!...yep, just cut open a couple of lemons, cut them into small chunks, boil them in a bit of water, (not too much water) and once the lemons have cooked down and the water appears a bit lemony...drink an entire cup of the mixture, and be bold and try to actually eat some of the pieces! YOU WILL feel better!

Cathy Kennedy said...

I consider NyQuil my friend when I'm deathly sick. That's too bad you have such a reaction like this and with children's NyQuil. We use to get the Cherry flavor adult NyQuil years ago, then we stopped getting it because the cherry flavor isn't as wicked tasting as the regular nitro stomach burning flavor. We were afraid the kids (when they were small) would decide it would be a good thing to down a bottle. You know how child-proof caps work right? Only a child can open them! Once our kids hit their teens and got sick enough to take the NyQuil, then we'd give it to them. They loved it because it helped them to sleep. That's when I had to really keep my eyes open because they understood all too well what it does for them. It's a good thing we don't drink is all I can say. lol I hope you're feeling better soon!
Check out some of my posts...
Chit Chat On Patrice’s Farmhouse Porch
Wayback Wednesdays…1993

Have a good day!
Cathy Kennedy, Children’s Author
The Tale of Ole Green Eyes

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Oh my goodness glory girl, get that stuff outta your house so you won't be tempted by it's red cherry flavor temptation again!!! NOW!!!

Poor thing. My prayers are with ya sweetie that you'll feel your perkey self soon and very soon.

God bless and please feel better???

Alison said...

I am sorry you're sick and hope you get better soon. But it's good to know that I am not the only one who hallucinates from NyQuil. People think I am crazy and weird when I tell them that. Feel better soon!

Keri {One Mama's Daily Drama} said...

I do the same thing with NyQuil! Hubby isn't worried about how I feel when I have a cold, he worries about me waking him up in the middle of the night with a punch in the face. I hope you feel better soon!

Theresa said...

Oh dear Jenny, hope you are feeling better! I can relate to taking just about anything with the week I have had:) Codeine does a number on me! I haven't tried the NyQuil but don't want any scary monsters hanging out around my bed! Have a blessed day with NO monsters:) HUGS!

"Alone again.... naturally!" said...

I can't take that crap either Jenny, I get the jittery/heart racing/forget about sleeping stuff with any cold medicine!! I must say though I have never seen scary Ninja type people lurking in hallways! Sheesh and we give this to our kids! It should be outlawed! Hope you feel better really soon...but stick to honey/lemon, maybe some echenasia (spelling?), some Vitamin C and some good ole tylenol! Take care!

Blogging Business Artisans said...
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Susan Anderson said...

I've never taken NyQuil.

And now, you can be sure I won't!!!

=)

PS. I hope you are feeling better VERY soon. This is hanging on waaaay too long. "/

Unknown said...

poor thing! Get to feeling better!

Ms. A said...

I don't even try to take anything after the effect Benadryl had on me! I just use nasal spray and prayer. I have adverse reactions to EVERYTHING! 'bout died a while back from a med with phenylalanine.

Melinda said...

Maybe getting that stuff OUT OF YOUR HOUSE would be a good idea.
I hope you are feeling better.
No more NyQuil for Jenny!

Melinda

Jayne Martin said...

Wow. That's really scary. I love the stuff. Knocks me right out. And yes, I do the NyQuil "dance", too.

Feel better soon!

egbkid said...

Yikes! That sounds crazy...Nyquil affects me, to but not so bad. The bad stuff (for me) is also in Tylinol. Advil is safe. Either way, they make me loopy and sort of high :-) My older sister to. My baby sister has the opposite effect...she gets a bad case of the Zzzz's when she takes them!

Feel better!!

Nonna said...

That was a terrible experience Jenny ! Glad you are o.k. but PLEASE,go to the DOCTOR soon. I'm so worried about you !!!

I haven't had the flu in about 14 years but took Nyquil. I had weird, scary nightmares and then realized it was loaded with alcohol.I'll never take it again.

Dazee Dreamer said...

I have never taken nyquil, and after reading all about your fun and exciting time, I'm thinking I never will.

But it was cherry. hmmmmmm

La said...

Holy Cow Jenny!

I don't like the stuff because it knocks me out, but I never had anything like this happen. That is frightening!

Feel better!

Busy Bee Suz said...

I have the same issues. same ninjas. Really.
i hope you feel better soon Jenny.
xoxxoox
Suz

LuLu Kellogg said...

I can't take that shioz either. Recently my Dr. had to bump down the mg's of my insomnia meds because since I lost this 120 pounds, the dosage I was taking was waaaaaaaaaay too strong. We found this out after I pranced down the hall sans my pj pants and told the Commander that there was a frog sitting on the toilet that took my pants from me....eeeeeek!

Love,
LuLu~*xoxo

Anonymous said...

I sure do hope you start feeling better soon. Coughs & colds are so nasty. (Enjoyed your post though--clever as always!)

Nyquil and I don't get along either. I might as well take a "wide awake pill" because that's what happens when I take Nyquil. Now my doctor prescribed cough syrup with codeine recently when I had strep throat, and that really did work well...out like a light.

Unknown said...

Oh Jenny, I'm so sorry you're not feeling well. I hope I didn't pass on my cold to you because if I did, I'm really really sorry. And if it makes you feel better, Nyquil and I aren't good friends either. In fact, it does funny stuff to me too....though it never involves scary ninja's or hallucinations. Plus, the taste alone (even "cherry") makes me want to gag the minute it's in my mouth....

I hope you feel better soon! Maybe you should surround yourself with pictures of your grandlittles. Maybe seeing them will make the sick germs go away :)

Ames said...

Sorry you were feeling under the weather . I hope you are feeling better now. Nyquil really helps me. I take the Dayquil stuff too.I haven't been on the computer a lot...been to too many darn medical appts. So this is late in coming....Feel better my friend!~Ames

Amy said...

Aaaah! That is creepy! When I was a kid I was terrified to cross the hall from my room to my parents room. There were invisible wolves. They were lightning fast. Seriously. I risked my life every time. I know exactly how you felt. Except for the ninja. And the creepy eyes. And the weird feeling things. Well, when I am on cough medicine with codeine I feel that way. But I do always do the violent head shake thing. Shudder.

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

OH my goodness!!! I had never known anyone to have such a reaction! You didnt say how long it lasted! Hopefully, not too long! Jenny! NO more Nyquil for you...no matter that it was Children's Nyquil...or that it was 1/2 a dose...or that it was cherry flavored! (I havent taken that stuff in a long, long time, but I do remember that I do that "violent little head shake" too! lol

Hope you are over all the "sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy head, fever and my inability to rest" yuckiness!

Hugs to you!
Blessings & Aloha!

Randomwomen2 said...

I gave my son this and he shoved a toothbrush down his thoat because he felt like he had too. This is my sweet happy boy. He told me about this crying saying that he just felt like he had too. Then he told me that he had been feeling like this for 3 days. He had been taking childrens nyquil for the past 3 days then i looked it up on line and saw the serious side effects list. Nyquil is not allowed in my house any longer

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