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Posted 10/30/2014 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
So for the past couple of weeks I've been fighting a cold that seems to be slipping into a sinus infection. I live in Louisiana where the weather changes basically every day at this time of year so it is wreaking havoc on my sinuses. My mucus has been green, every couple days I get a sore throat, and I've just generally been feeling rundown for weeks!

Last time I took cold medicine & ibuprofen it caused a mild flare, so I'm terrified to take anything this time. I'm also afraid of taking antibiotics too - since I've had trouble with those in the past.

I don't know what to do but I'm really miserable. I've been taking elderberry cough syrup and a wellness supplement vitamin that I bought from Whole Foods but nothing has really helped to clear this up. Also using neti pot.

I just really want this to go away - any tips?
Posted 10/30/2014 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
You can take tylenol. That might help a bit. How often are you using your neti pot?

I would suggest getting a nasal steroid spray, like nasonex. This will help reduce inflammation in your sinuses. That plus the neti pot plus drinking lots and lots of liquids should help keep things from getting stopped up.

You should also consider using an antihistamine during this time of year. Ragweed pollen is out of control (I live in Houston, I know!) and elm pollen is just ramping up. I take an OTC antihistame (cetirizine) daily.
Posted 10/30/2014 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
that there is some good advice !

i've been using just a plain saline spray lately in lieu of my neti girl - sometimes too much water up there can be counter productive -
Posted 10/30/2014 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
I always liked saline. I used a squeeze bottle I got at the drug store. I always ask my pharmacist which OTC meds I can take for stuff- he knows about my colitis and knows which other medications I'm on too.

The thing I find most effective though is taking a shower every night before I go to bed. Something about getting the pollen off before I go to sleep really helps.

I actually used to have bad sinus issues, but I had surgery (10 years ago?) and haven't had a problem since.
Posted 10/30/2014 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, maybe I'll try out the saline instead. Also, @kazbern, what (if any) are the side effects of the Zyrtec? Did you have any problems with sleep? (I'm a bad sleeper - so I try to stay away from anything that will affect my sleep)

Thanks!
Posted 10/30/2014 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
"I actually used to have bad sinus issues, but I had surgery (10 years ago?) and haven't had a problem since."


i believe you are the first person ever to have that kind of result - awesome !

most people i have known or heard about, said it was either a waste of time and money or it actually made things worse -


"but I'm also chronically fabulous. "

is that an official diagnosis or just an informed opinion ;-)
Posted 10/30/2014 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
Zyrtec does not affect your sleep, unless you take the one with the added decongestant. DON'T DO THAT.
Posted 10/30/2014 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks! I'll switch to saline spray and give the Neti a break, and I'll try out some Zyrtec. I'm at my wits' end... I just want to feel better! But I'm also going out of the country next month so I'm really terrified of doing anything that might cause a flare.

These two things sound like they are pretty safe tries.
Posted 10/30/2014 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
On your trip out of the country, make sure you wash your hands after getting off of any airplane, or before eating on the airplane if your trip includes a meal. Airplanes are the best places to catch a virus.
Posted 10/30/2014 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
Will do! I'm super paranoid about such things! Thanks for the reminder!
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