You know, when I was a kid, I loved this time of year-the weather gradually getting warmer, the flowers in bloom, opening the windows and just enjoying the breeze. But midway through my teens, that all changed.
Why, oh why, must you torture me, oh sinuses of mine? It’s bad enough feeling like there’s a tsunami inside my ears. Accompanied by a steel clamp over my skull, and my nose running so bad that I have to grab a kleenex every five seconds. And I’m not thrilled to be constantly asked why I’m crying, as my eyes leak continuously.
Yep, that dratted tree sperm sets off my allergies too. My husband has horrible allergy attacks mid-winter when the air is full of cedar pollen, so maybe I should be more grateful I don’t have dry winter air causing winter skin AND Spring type allergies to contend with. Still, it’s not fun when you’re sinuses are so congested that sneezing makes your head feel like an overripe melon bursting. passes round the tissues
I just switched from my winter perfume to my spring/summer perfume, and now I can’t wear it–it makes me sneeze.
When I lean over to pick up something (a tissue that missed the trash can for instance) I can count on dribble.
I sneezed 14 times while reading a chapter of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire to my kidlet. He had to take over.
And my cats are shedding, and now that I’m sensitized, I can barely touch them without sneezing or itching. Naturally the little darlings sense this and have decided that they need all sorts of extra petting/brushing. (Well, they do need extra brushing. Frankly, they need baths!)
And how can my head have this much, er (warning: TMI Alert!) snot in it and leave any room for my brain? Hmm? Heh–maybe that explains a few things.
I have what is charmingly called a “mucous retention cyst”. When my sinuses are blocked up, I can actually feel a popping sensation and then intense pain, followed by a degree of relief. The Dr. said I need my sinuses washed. WTF???
As bad as it gets, I don’t think I would consider any such procedure.
I’d tell you to come live in the desert for relief of allergies and sinus problems, but that’s just a myth now. We have had so much rain and so many irrigated golf courses around, so everything is blooming now.
Ho ho, I had this–nearly 20 years ago. Actually I don’t remember any “cyst,” just “mucous retention.” At the time I had, for months, what I can only describe as “block of wood head.” Couldn’t smell, couldn’t taste, and even my hearing was messed up. I got the popping sensation you mention, but no relief. Oh, ad I was togging lighe dis.
The procedure was extremely unpleasant. They rinse you out with some kind of saline solution. It’s one of those things where they keep saying, “Now, this will feel a little cool.” I think it is a little like being drowned. Very, very unpleasant–but so was the “block of wood head.” OTOH, it worked.
I am currently having an allergy attack. My eyes look like something from ‘The Exorcist’. The whites are blood red and the insides of my eyelids are also blood red. Itchy, dry/runny/eyesnotty/gravel-like/swollen eyes are NOT a pleasant thing. Not to mention the drippy nose. I look like I either:
Went a couple rounds with Mike Tyson
OR
Shoved my head into an oncoming truck
All the Dr. does is put me on Prednisone. Forget it. I didn’t even bother going this time. I can do better with OTC Claritin.
I don’t have allergies, but I did come down with something-or-other yesterday. Yesterday it was a terrible sore throat and a fever, and I went to the health center (college student, me) and they were like “well, we’re out of the stuff to test for strep, so if it’s still bad in a few days, come back.” O_o Good job, health center. The sore throat’s not as bad today, but I’ve added to the fun crazy mad congestion. Even though my throat doesn’t hurt as much, I still can’t talk or sing. My two classes today are French (talking!) and Musicianship (singing!) I’m going to French, but I’m going to try to get out of Musicianship. Blahhhhh. And I’ve got a concert tomorrow, for which I’ve got to be able to 1) breathe, and 2) not pass out. After managing to escape being sick all winter, I am very disappointed in my immune system.
Here are some things that have worked for me, which you are welcome to try or not, ErinPuff. Try drinking a LOT of water, and maybe taking an anti-histamine, and a dose of decongestant tonight before bed. Not a 12 hour decongestant, just a 4 to 6 hour decongestant, because the decongestant and anti-histamine can dehydrate you, but you need to drain the congestion.
You don’t have to take the anti-histamine if you’re certain it’s not allergies, but do take a decongestant. If you find it’s helping, take another in the morning, but drink a full glass of water with it, and keep pushing fluids to keep your snot thin and draining. I’d probably not take another dose after the morning unless I was getting badly congested again, so I’d be alert for the concert, which I assume is in the evening? Drink a lot of water and other liquids like that, (avoid caffine, it can dehydrate you) to thin your mucus and help it drain out. Try to keep yourself propped up tonight as you sleep so the congestion can’t “pool”, and try gargling with warm salt water to soothe your throat. Maybe also sip some lemon water too?
I’ve found these things help me when my sinus drainage has given me a sore throat, though IANAD. This is merely what has helped me. (So it might not work for you.) Good luck with your concert, I’ve been where you are in school with a vocal performance I really wanted to give, but I’d gotten laryngitis from my sinuses draining.
Some people I’ve worked with swear by the nasal irrigators. There’s another that’s more like a teapot you pour into your nose. Sounds uncomfortable but hey, if it works…
I see I didn’t explain something very well, the reason to take a decongestant to drain your sinuses is because this prevents the slow, over time drainage which make the throat sore and can cause hoarseness. If you can get your sinuses drained, and keep them that way, your sore throat should fade, or at least it does with me.
My boss man has had allergy problems almost year around for as long as I’ve known him.
He tried some stuff a friend of his had brought back from the Bahamas.
He said it worked miracles and had me order 7 bottles.
I just found the packing slip. It says it’s called Otrivin. I found it at a Canadapharmacy.com where it cost 5.99 for a 30ml bottle of decongestant spray.
Don’t know if you’re even interested, but there it is and hope it helps.
Mine act up a lot too, but reading your stories I see I’m lucky!
