Swimmers' Sinusitis

I think that's what is wrong with me. I swam yesterday afternoon. About two hours after I was done the sneezing fits and runny, drippy nose started. The pool did seem to have a little more chlorine than normal yesterday.

I woke up around midnight clenching my jaw so tightly, my face hurt. Not sure why I was clenching my jaw in my sleep. I spent the rest of the night on the couch, so I could sleep a little more upright. And I was chanting, "Relax your jaw."

Now that Thom has left for work I'm going back to bed. I'm a little worried because I'm running out of time to get in a 12 mile run before next Saturday. I'd been hoping to do 2 of those before my HIM. My toes canned the first one last week.

V.

Even though you are on the other coast, we have had a terrible time with flu/sinus infections here in S. Florida. I haven't done anything since my last sprint and have another one in four weeks. My sinuses were just bleeding for a week it was so bad. Also had the pressure under the eyes and cheeks. Still bad and am going to an ENT next week. Take care of yourself. It doesn't go away quickly.

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Originally Posted by Veronica

I think that's what is wrong with me. I swam yesterday afternoon. About two hours after I was done the sneezing fits and runny, drippy nose started. The pool did seem to have a little more chlorine than normal yesterday.

I woke up around midnight clenching my jaw so tightly, my face hurt. Not sure why I was clenching my jaw in my sleep. I spent the rest of the night on the couch, so I could sleep a little more upright. And I was chanting, "Relax your jaw."

Now that Thom has left for work I'm going back to bed. I'm a little worried because I'm running out of time to get in a 12 mile run before next Saturday. I'd been hoping to do 2 of those before my HIM. My toes canned the first one last week.

V.

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Is the clenching related to the sinuses? I've been clenching a lot lately too. Started wearing my appliance at night again.

V. I get this all the time if I don't wear a nose plug in the water. It doesn't seem to matter much if I'm in the pool or out for an OWS. If I screw up and don't have a nose plug, I have to take a claritin to make it through the night. Prior to using the nose plug I used to take a claritin about 30 min before getting in the water and that worked too. Eventually I went to the nose plug because I was tired of taking the meds. It took a while to get used to the change in breathing but ultimately it worked much better.

I haven't had the jaw thing to go with it though.

Wahine, What do you mean change in breathing? You are breathing in your mouth and out your nose on turns? Or out your nose all the time?

I think I was clenching the jaw to keep from sneezing, or maybe just from distress. It's something I do in my sleep when I am stressed.

I've had some sneezing after swimming, but nothing quite as violent as this before. It got me wondering how many calories does a sneeze use. :D

I may try taking Claritin on the days I swim.

I'm feeling a little better. I did some yoga and I'd like to go for an easy bike ride, but I can't find my garage door opener. :confused:

V.

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Originally Posted by Natural Beauty

Wahine, What do you mean change in breathing? You are breathing in your mouth and out your nose on turns? Or out your nose all the time?

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I used to breath out of both my nose and mouth at the same time during normal swimming and then out my nose only on turns. That still wasn't enough to keep me from getting sinusitis. At first it felt like I couldn't get all the air out when I started using the plug and if I did blow through my nose it would sometimes mess with the plug position. But now it's fine.

My husband is having a terrible time with this. He gets it for a week or more after he swims. He has been to the allergist and the ENT. They have given him every spray and allergy med humanly possible. It does not help. I did some research online, and I have concluded that in his case it is not an allergic reation, but an irritation of his sinuses.

As soon as the current problem clears we are going to the nose plug.

I always use the sinus irrigator after I swim in chlorine. I don't feel it so much in open water, but I use it then, too. When I forget (which happens, because I'm human :o), I pay for it with sneezing, draining (associated nausea), headaches, and icky sinuses.

Neti pot would work, or maybe a sinus rinse. I use this guy: http://www.hydromedonline.com/hp.html