To be honest most Over the counter stuff will fix one thing at the expense of making something else feel worse, anti histamines are pretty nasty things, the can dry you out and are pretty hard on your body overall, pseudoephedrine is what makes you feel like you've had too much caffeine, and DXM is the cough suppressant in almost every OTC thing, and thats because its an isomer of an opiate, but has none of the other effects. DXM is actually similar to PCP and is a dissociative that can make you feel "loopy" in a bad way, or start full on tripping if you way over do it, but again, in a bad way, not in a recreational way.
I hate to condone drug use, but if you really want to be able to function while the virus, if thats what it is, runs its course ,try to get some cough syrup from the Dr that contains coedine or Hydrocodone, they work and they don't dry you out or make you feel like shit, if anything they make you feel great, which is why they are regulated. If all drs would write a small script for a opiate cough syrup, most people would actually feel much better when they have a cold. The only negative effect is that it is addictive, but in terms of treating symptoms, its by far the best, and as long as people use it responsibly, they will not become addicted from a prescription opiate syrup.
If the Dr isn't willing, although really there is no reason he should be, its by far the most effective treatment, you can always see if some friends have some vicodin or something lying around.
If you can't get any actual effective medicine, like opiates, that treats without side effects, I would avoid medicine beyond what you absolutely need, as most of it will just make some of the effects worse.
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