I ended the last year and began this new one with a real bad case of 'flu. It has knocked me off my feet and I've been off work for two weeks already. The biggest problem was that I couldn't breathe and consequently couldn't sleep. During the daytime I was happily using my Vicks stick inhaler, but this didn't do at night because I couldn't sleep with a stick up my nose! I needed something that I could take to help me sleep and also relieve the fluey symptoms. Alun went to the chemist for me and came back with some Benylin Day and Night tablets.

~~~Where from and how much?

They came from our local Vantage Chemist and cost £3.89. For this you get five days worth of tablets; a total of 20. I couldn't find them on the Boots web-site, but I'm pretty sure that they should be available from most pharmacies.

~~~What do they look like?

Inside the box you will find the tablets in a labelled blister pack. The tablets are in rows divided into times of day. The tablets for Morning, Mid-day and afternoon are white, while the special Night-time only tablet is round and pale blue. It is important to take the tablets at the correct times ~ the day ones are designed to be non-drowsy, so they shouldn't affect you too much. The blue tablet is meant to make you drowsy, so that you can sleep.

~~~What are they meant to do?

According to the pack, Benylin Day & Night Tablets are meant to help clear the symptoms of colds and flu. They lower your temperature, relieve aches and pains and clear your head and nose. The most important bit, and the reason they were recommended to us, is that they clear catarrh that builds up during the night ~ so hopefully I would be able to get a reasonable nights sleep.

These tablets are pretty strong and aren't suitable for anyone under twelve years old. As with all cold remedies, make sure you follow the instructions and check with a doctor or c
hemist to see if you are ok to take them. They aren't suitable for anyone who is pregnant either!

~~~Do they work?

I think you really need to take the whole course to see the full effects, so here is a run down of my experiences.

@@@DAY ONE@@@

I got the tablets at lunchtime, so I couldn't take the first tablet (there should be at least four hours between doses), so I started on the mid-day one.

I took the first day's dose and went to bed, still feeling pretty rough, in anticipation of a good night's sleep. I had begun to dread going to bed because I was beginning to get quite scared in the night ~ I couldn't get my breath and got a bit panicky! I laid my head on the pillow and, to be honest, I was far too tense to sleep. My symptoms were a little easier and eventually I did drop off. I slept for about three hours, which is excellent compared to the zero hours I had been getting. When I woke up I felt rough, but I couldn't take another tablet until the next morning. I resorted to my inhaler and a big box of tissues!

@@@DAY TWO@@@

Today I was able to take the full day's worth of tablets and was beginning to get the benefit. The day tablets were really effective and I didn't feel drowsy. I took the blue tablet and set off for bed ~ I slept for about four hours, woke up, had a bit of a cough and splutter and then eventually got back to sleep again. I slept on and off for the next few hours and felt a lot better in the morning.

@@@DAY THREE@@@

Day three is pretty much as day two ~ gradually feeling less bunged up, and sleeping a little more each night.

@@@DAY FOUR@@@

I am still bunged up, but the catarrh is clearing up. Any phlegm that I have is easier to clear and not as thick or as nasty a colour ~ I know this isn't pleasant, but it IS relevant! I am now able to sleep for at least 8 hours a night; I mostly wake up a few time
s during the night to blow my nose or cough, but I can get back to sleep.

@@@DAY FIVE@@@

I am taking the last lot of tablets today and I can honestly say that they are working for me. I don't think I will need to buy any more, but I am glad to know that I have found something that will help me next time I am feeling this bad. Being able to sleep has made me feel 100% better. I am less weepy, not as shaky and certainly feeling more well than I have been since the cold began.

I would certainly recommend Benylin Day & Night Treatment for the relief of cold and flu symptoms. At £3.89 they are reasonably priced, particularly because they do seem to do the trick. I am not completely well because my cough remains, but the catarrh has reduced and my high temperature has lowered. They may not work for everyone, but my experience has been a positive one. It definitely helped to sort out MY multi-coloured phlegm!