A Kind of Torture
January 24th, 2008Travelling while sick is horrible. I can’t imagine anything worse.
When we get home I’m doing a whole battery of tests to determine what is wrong with me. I think the chronic nature of it is making me depressed.
On the other hand, the sun is awesome. Even with the clouds, just sitting in the window basking like a cat is doing wonders. That and the mucous drugs. o
Tags: chronic sinus problems, illness, sick
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January 24th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
I have been stuffed up since boxing day. nothing dreadfull, but it is constant. I just heard this a.m. that there is an upper respiratory think going around in Montreal that is almost epidemic. The good news in, they think it is on the mend. Great. Can you get Hydra Sense where you are .. I swear by it for clearing my sinuses every morning and night.
Rest up
January 24th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Go see an ENT. Best thing I ever did. Now when I start getting sinus-y or allergens attack I start a regime that actually works and gets me to feeling better–without keeping me in a cloud of sudafed until it passes.
January 24th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
I think you should see an allergist. When I finally did, I couldn’t believe what I took as ‘normal.’ Have fun!
January 24th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
I think you guys shoudl move to a warmer climate. say texas (austin!)
January 24th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
i agree with seeing an allergist. as soon as i took my son and the meds were started, it was like night and day. his allergies as well as his asthma made a drastic turn around for the best. and he’s been healthier since.
it’s no fun being sick and it’s even less fun when you are sick all the time. good luck!
January 24th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Agree with the allergist recommendation. Sometimes changing the diet can make a huge difference although not easy. Some people just start eliminating wheat/gluten. It is more of a concern than people realize. If you’re sensitive / allergic to it, it can cause a whole range of problems because it disrupts the healthy functioning of the intestines, and that is where health begins, the intestines, believe it or not ! Good Luck !
January 24th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Mucinex can work wonders. Of course you could get one of those nose teapot things… it’s eastern medicine but an article I read said that it really works. Don’t ask me to remember what it’s really called… my brain is over 40! PS. Coco is adorable!!! Except puppies are like babies… they are nice to visit but you would rather not live with them until they are older.
January 24th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
I, too, agree with the allergist recommendation. I was just like you, then my doctor suggested that maybe allergies are causing the sinus infections. I started doing allergy shots, and now, 5 years later, am totally free of the sinus stuff. Yes, the allergy shots are a BIG commitment, but I started feeling better almost immediately. Go get tested!!!
January 24th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Sorry to hear you aren’t feeling so hot.
Just wanted to tell you I like the new layout and I hope you and the family are having a nice trip (despite the mucous).
January 24th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Jon,
Do you have your tonsils? I had all kinds of terrible problems, chronic sinus infections, chronically recurring strep, and all kinds of fatigue, discomfort, etc. My doctor finally talked me into getting my tonsils out, and it has been like a miracle ever since. I am still allergic to everything, but I am so much more comfortable and healthy without the tonsils.
Either way, find yourself a very good ENT to give you a lube oil and filter. Usually with sinus issues you need heavy duty antibiotics, like a couple courses of Zithromax, and also a steroid called Medrol that comes in a decreasing dose pack. You might also need to have an uncomfortable, unpleasant, yet ultimately satisfying procedure where they literally scrape out your sinuses. Make sure that you get a panoramic x-ray, at the very least, so the doctor can see what you have going on in there.
I hope you feel better soon, and enjoy the beach.
January 24th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
I believe what Jodie is trying to recommend is called a Netti Pot. I saw it on a rare episode of Oprah I watched with Dr. Oz. Put in warm water and some sea salt and poor it into one nostril, and let it come out the other.
Apparently be ready with the tissue for a while afterwards as it just starts to come on out.
January 24th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
I’m sorry that neither weather nor your health has cooperated to make this a fun and fulfilling vacation. I hope you find some solace, soon.
January 24th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
I was in mexico for a month and lost 10 lbs, the only bright side. Love the new design. or maybe just new to me. Hope you feel better ASAP! If its not an allergy, just cutting up some garlic and sniffing the juice into your nose is a wonderful cure, unless you are one of those weirdos that dont like garlic.
January 25th, 2008 at 6:40 am
I can vouch for the neti pot. It’s weird at first, but results are amazing. I use it every morning, more often if I start to fight a bug or get congested. Once you figure out how to use it, it takes about 3-4 minutes total (including heating the distilled water, etc) and only one tissue and quick nose blow at the end - and you’re good to go!
Best of all, unlike most (all?) sinus medications, it works with the body instead of actually making the problem worse in the longer term. The more sinus meds you have to take, the harder it is for the sinuses to do what they are meant to do.
Allergies involved? Yes, probably. It’s confusing as hell at first to get something like this sorted out, but once figure out what to change and start to feel the impact, it’s so worth it.
I wish you the best - it so sucks to keep being/getting sick.
January 25th, 2008 at 9:24 am
I suffered with a chronic sinus infection for over a year. Be glad your not flying, extreme pain! The ENT or allergy specialist is good advice. Helped me 100%.
G_d speed, I hope you feel better.
January 25th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Wow. Did you ever think posting about being sick would morph into a conversation about boogers and tea pots? Stunning photograph above (the one of the beach). Hope you’re feeling better soon.
January 25th, 2008 at 11:14 am
I’m pretty sure it’s MonkeyPox.
January 25th, 2008 at 11:46 am
I think doing anything while sick just plain sucks.
And it seems you are not alone with the sinus problems.
I’ve been taking an antibiotic for a sinus infection and overdosing on sudafed, and I feel like shit.
Hope you feel better soon!
January 25th, 2008 at 11:48 am
I was just reading other comments and saw recommendations to see an allergist.
I have to agree!
Although I’m sick right now, I’m doing a lot better since going to an allergist. I used to be sick almost monthly - with infections.
Now maybe two time a year at the most! Much better!
January 25th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Jon,
Netty pot. not pretty but it works. While on the road, pick up SIMPLY SALINE. does essentially same thing - will flush sinuses and reduce inflammation/swelling. This comes from years of suffering with a whole generational line behind it.
kms
January 25th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
I do like the neti pot, but if Jon is as congested as I imagine him to be, a neti pot wouldn’t do anything (at least in my experience). I was also told by one of my med school professors that you can get all the same effects of mucinex if you just drink enough water.
Seeing an ENT/allergist is the best advice I think!
Hope your vacation hasn’t been totally ruined :/
January 25th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
sure see an ENT
sure see an allergist
best bet. keep your ears covered in the wind
take COLDfx
and tons of chicken soup(homemade) and drink water
leave Utah
preventative medicine is your best bet-lots of trips to a warm coast!!
January 26th, 2008 at 2:19 am
I don’t have allergies anymore, but whenever I drink milk or eat cottage cheese (or any cheese) I end up having to blow my nose constantly and I get mucous build up in my throat. Blech.
January 26th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Hi, just saw the recent post with someone in the hospital, hope all is ok. My thoughts are with you all.
January 26th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
That’s Heather’s hand - what’s going on with her?