For sale: 1 set of dysfuctional sinuses

[SadieKate]

I appear to have lost the owner's manual. Perhaps someone else can make them operate properly.

[Technotart]

SadieKate I feel your pain! The first thing I would do is to talk to your doc about the non-sedating antihistamines if you can take those. There are also a couple of new meds out there too that are working really well for some folks who have trouble taking the antihistamines.

Saline sprays are very hepful in keeping the gunk in there loose and removable. Guiaffenesin (sp) is the stuff in robitussin that loosens phlegm and mucous and makes it watery - that helps me a LOT and it's over the counter under various brand names. Decongestants dry the stuff up and make it sticky so it stays there - you want to make the stuff as watery as possible so it runs out.

Sometimes I wish I had a miniature vacuum cleaner with a tiny hose!

[SadieKate]

Thanks, techno! I'm on Allegra and Ceftin and waiting for the Nasonex to kick in. I stay away from decongestants because I get heart issues with just about all of them.

Everything is draining pretty well. It's just that this was a whopper of an attack. I haven't had sinusitis this severe in years. I think I've had a low grade one for several months and the flight last week kicked it into high gear -- and then I had to fly home. At least that's excuse I'm using for telling Petunia that I couldn't keep up her early morning pace on Saturday!

[SadieKate]

Techno, another item to add to your list of drugs: Chinese Hot and Sour Soup. I live on the stuff when I have sinusitis. Just putting it in the microwave made stuff drain better.

[yellow]

I looked for a new set on ebay for you and didn't have much luck. Sorry.

I ws thinking about trying craigslist but so much of the stuff on there is stolen and you just never know where it comes from. What if you ended up with the sinuses of a smoker?

[SadieKate]

I looked for a new set on ebay for you and didn't have much luck. Sorry.

I ws thinking about trying craigslist but so much of the stuff on there is stolen and you just never know where it comes from. What if you ended up with the sinuses of a smoker?

Oh, thank you! I feel so loved.

Though with the sinuses of a smoker, I could lie on the couch and eat bon-bons all day.

[Dianyla]

I appear to have lost the owner's manual. Perhaps someone else can make them operate properly.

Have you ever tried a Neti pot? I only use mine when I am sick, but I know a number of people who in the past have suffered from chronic infections and allergies. Rinsing their sinuses out daily with salt water has helped them greatly.

Neti pots can be purchased online or in healthfood/hippie type stores.

[SadieKate]

But how do you control you gag reflex? I can't even squirt saline solution in the proper volume.

You did remind me that I have a bottle of Alkalol. I haven't had such a severe infection in years. Pardon me while I go take a break and practice controlling my gag reflexes .

[Dianyla]

But how do you control you gag reflex? I can't even squirt saline solution in the proper volume.

You did remind me that I have a bottle of Alkalol. I haven't had such a severe infection in years. Pardon me while I go take a break and practice controlling my gag reflexes .

Hmm, I've never had a gag reflex while doing neti... you lean forward and tip your head to the side, and the water flows in one nostril and out the other nostril. It doesn't even get down the back of your throat. If you're really stopped up and nothing will flow through at first, it helps to do this during/after a hot shower while your passages are opened up, and I usually use warm saline solution which will help open things up.

[SadieKate]

Ah ha! Usually I do it while I'm in the shower so I lean back. I just tried it over the sink for the first time - bit messier, but no gag!

Thanks, Dianyla! Now my clogged sinusis smell menthol fresh!

The really good thing is the passages are now clear enough use Nasonex. Thank you, thank you!!

[Dianyla]

Ah ha! Usually I do it while I'm in the shower so I lean back. I just tried it over the sink for the first time - bit messier, but no gag!

Woohoo! Glad to hear it helped. I like to do it in the shower bent over at the waist. It's hard to aim properly over a sink, so I just blast away in any direction with my nose and if there's any snot on the shower wall just rinse it off while it's still fresh.