Sinus infection- Doc says I brought it on myself! When to ride?

[Aggie_Ama]

I went to the doctor last week regarding my allergies. My insurance was refusing to fill one part of the prescription so I took the nasal spray and went on a century yesterday. By the end of the ride I was having tons of watery drainage and a raw feeling in my throat. By last night my ears had so much pressure I spent much of the time I should have been sleeping crying. By today I was a full blown mess. Left work after 1 hour because my concentration level was 0! Got home and found I had a fever, so I got an appointment with my doctor.

When he said he was hoping I would avoid this full blown sinus infection, I told him I felt fine yesterday and did a 100 mile bike ride. He commented he thinks depleting my already tired body of energy triggered this very nasty sinus infection.

Long story short, I am on antibiotics and really want to be back on the bike soon. Anyway to refuel my exhausted little body quicker? He recommended lots of Tylenol, fluids and rest. I wonder if there are foods to help recharge my immune system or something that will be better than others?

[Running Mommy]

The pnly thing I can think of is keeping your protein up... I know when I'm sick I crave carbs, but I make myself drink protein shakes to repair and rebuild the poor broken down body..

[TexanCzexican]

**Great grandfather was curandero

He would always say that you treat colds with heat. And was big on manzanilla tea....which I think is the same as chamomile. It really does work.

[Duck on Wheels]

One thing that helps clear up sinus infections is salt water rinse. It's messy, but you might want to try it anyway. Boil up 1 Tbsp salt in 1 pint of water. Then let it cool to body temp. You now have sterile physiological salt solution. That much is clean and simple. Now comes the messy part. Tip your head over to one side and pinch the upper nostril shut with a finger. Hold a spoonful of saltwater up to the lower nostril. Sniff in. Hold the position a couple of secs. Tip your head to the other side and hold for a couple secs. Then release the pinch and blow. Repeat several times until you get all the gunk out. The salt water gradually dissolves the thickened mucus, gradually gets deeper and deeper into the sinuses. You'll know when it's all out, believe me. It'll be a major mess , and your head will feel cleaned and lightened . Then do the other side. You should still finish the round of antibiotics, but doing this will give symptom relief. Doing it before a fullblown infection can stave off the infection.

Meanwhile, do not blame yourself for the sinus infection. Blame your insurance company for not covering the allergy meds you needed! The things people in the US have to put up with in terms of health insurance ... Ach! Don't get me started. Anyway, this would be a good time to hassle them about it, when they're also seeing some economic consequences. Get it in writing that from now on they will cover all your allergy meds!

[Kano]

I wrap my head in a quilt and sleep as upright as I can be comfortable. My head should be uncomfortably warm. Yeah, I let my eyes and nose out -- can't breathe if my nose is inside the quilt too!

It's my own silly theory, and I know it sounds goofy, but things can drain if I'm upright instead of festering around in there all night, and the heat, well, fever is designed to make the body inhospitable to germs, so I figure if I can enhance or create this less than desirable environment for them, they'll die off faster!

My daughter came up with poking bruises, to make them go away faster. We haven't decided if that works or not, but we're working on years of testing!

And whatever you're taking to decongest -- keep up with it so that your head stays open!

Karen in Boise

[Zen]

Listen to your body.
Listen to the doctor.

Sometimes you just need to rest.

[anakiwa]

Listen to Zencentury.

I'm more and more convinced that I get sick when I'm run-down and tired. (And it's really frustrating- but if you don't get the rest you need, you'll only make it worse.)

Hope you're feeling better.

[Tuckervill]

You can flush your sinuses with a Neti pot that does what Duck said, only much more neatly.

http://www.healingdaily.com/exercise/neti-pot.htm

Karen

[Crankin]

I am the queen of allergies and sinus infections. And, I second what the others have said about rest. While the medication may prevent the full blown infection from starting, it's my personal experience that if I don't lay low, I will get VERY sick if I continue riding at high intensity when my allergies start. A case in point; 3 years ago we had a 3 day weekend in Vermont planned with Trek Travel. This was a "test" to see if we wanted to do a longer vacation with them. On Wednesday (the trip started Friday), my nose felt itchy and runny. I started sneezing. Now, i never get a cold, so I knew what was coming. I took my allergy meds, and went on the trip. It was October and cold in the mornings when our rides started. Ten days later, i had pneumonia. I cannot tell you how many times I have had bronchitis because I didn't rest. People with allergies often have weak immune systems and mine seems to be really bad!
So, even though this means my mileage is lower than it should be, in the end, I find if i take a walk or do yoga while waiting to get better, I recover quicker.

I used the commercial "Sinus Rinse" for sixth months starting in January. I had to stop because it was causing some bleeding and irritation. It really does work, but be careful.

[Aggie_Ama]

Well it is all out of my sinuses but now I lost my voice! I am thinking it will be Tuesday at the earliest before I can go for a ride. We are going camping for my SIL's birthday this weekend, but I plan on taking a book and taking it easy.