Zicam Trial!
Ok Dan. Just to show you that I am not as close minded as you think, I've decided to give Zicam a try. Barring any statistically significant studies to prove to me that Zicam, or any other zinc based treatment, even works I figured the only way to find out for sure is to use it on myself.
I woke up to today with a runny nose and a sore throat. Not surprising since I've been in contact with at least three other people who were suffering from colds within the past week. Since I am going on a hunting trip this weekend, the last thing I need is a hacking cough and a runny nose. I don't get colds very often but when I do, they usually last two weeks. So, off to the drug store I went in search of Zicam.
I bought Zicam at a local drug store this morning. I have never tried any of the many zinc based remedies out there before, so I will have no basis upon which to compare Zicam with Cold-Ez etc. The first thing I noticed about Zicam is that it was very expensive ($11.99) compared to nearly every other cold product I saw, including the half dozen or so other zinc based products available. I know that Zicam is supposed to be more effective than all the other zinc remedies but I doubt the average consumer would be aware of this claim given the fact that I have NEVER seen a local advertisement for Zicam. The only reason I am aware of it is because of all the posts I've read on the subject in SI. I would imagine a person wanting to try zinc for the first time would opt for one of much cheaper (as much as 60%cheaper) zinc products available unless they had some prior knowledge about Zicam per se. In fact, Zicam was located with the other nasal sprays, not with the other zinc products. I only found it because I was intentionally looking for it.
Anyway, I bought the stuff and then sat in my car and read the instructions. After a few minutes, I primed the pump, as instructed, and squirted a shot up each nostril. The first thing I noticed was a very uncomfortable burning sensation. It made me want to immediately sneeze, so I had to sit in my car for about 5 minutes with a kleenex pressed against my face because I was afraid that if I drove away I'd go into a sneezing fit and drive off the road! After squirting Zicam up my nose, I applied pressure to each nostril as the instructions indicated. I had also blown my nose before the application but the stuff burned so bad that my nose began to run profusely. I doubt that the Zicam managed to stay in place very long. After my initial reaction to the stuff wore off, I wondered why anyone interested in trying zinc would want to squirt something that feels like diluted sulfuric acid up their nose when they could just suck on a fruit flavored lozenge? Needless to say, I am not looking forward to the next application but I will stay the course.
FWIW, this is my honest initial impression of Zicam. Although I am not pleased with my experience so far, I will adhere to the treatment schedule and keep you updated on my symptoms as the week progresses. In spite of the discomfort I've felt using this product, I will still be impressed if I can head out for my trip this Friday cold free. I'll even tell Wexler about my trial if I conclude that it works for me.
Hank |
