Sinus Hell!!!!

[sinsaratea]

Okay ladies help me out.....

I have wasted two VERY valuable sick days from work b/c of these darn sinuses. I had sinus issues before, but not this bad (esp. when I can't just overdose on Tylenol Sinus). I have been using a warm shower, warm washcloth to the painful side of my head, eucalyptus oil in the humidifier..... am I just doomed?

If there are any other mama's out there with the same issue, please tell me how you dealt, esp. when not going to work is no longer an option (an unpaid day for me is about $150 off my month's paycheck!!!!!) :angry

Sara

[rockergirrl]

have you tried doing a netti (sp?) or nasal wash with warm water and salt? I have year round allergies. I am 6 months pregnant and I don't remember the last time my nose was clear. I have had a horrible time with it during this pregnancy. What has helped me though (I dont think anything (safe) will take it away completely) is doing a nasal wash once a day. It really clears me out and has been proven to help people with sinus issues.

[paniscus]

I am right there with you. I have been having horrible sinus issues since last weekend. I was dead Sunday night-Tuesday night. Yesterday and today have been bareable but still not fun. Unfortunately I don't have any advice - just sympathy. I have just been doing what you have for a little relief. I also stayed away from dairy because I have read numerous places that it increases mucous. I have also heard about the neti pot and almost went out to get one. If I had felt better I think I would have!! Hopefully you will only have another day or so until you just feel congested.

[sinsaratea]

makes me feel better to know i'm not alone..... :innocent

I do have a neti pot. I want desperately to use it again, it just freaked me out the first time (just the sensation of water going where years of holding your nose underwater makes you think it shouldn't!). I'm actually feeling better this afternoon. And I can eat! The nausea from the drainage was not being helpful. And fortunatly i have training tomorrow instead of having to teach all day. Will try the neti out tonight. Hang in there sinus sisters!!!

Sara

[Pom]

I also find a neti pot helpful - as much as 2x a day. Also am finding nettle capsules helpful for drying out sinuses. It's commonly prescribed as a uterus stregnthener, so I think it's ok.

But I am also on daily nasal sprays for horrible allergies. I can't go without, or I get bronchitis and asthma. And I do take an occaissional regular sudafed. Both doctors said it was ok.

but maybe just a neti pot and nettles will be enough for you!

[sinsaratea]

Say... my pregnancy tea, which i have yet to brew, has nettles in it. Think this might work for it?

Hmmmm......

[nabigus]

I second, third, and fourth the neti pot. nasty? you betcha. gross? oh, yeah. But it's saved my sinuses more times than I can count.

If my nose is too blocked for the neti, I stick my nose into a small dish of lightly salted water, block one nostril, and "snort" salt water in through the nose. it runs automatically back out through your mouth. I still have to brace myself because it feels so weird, but it really works. When I'm sick I try and do it 4x a day, which seems excessive until you realize how much better you're getting.

Sorry you feel so crappy! :hug

[kater07]

Ummm, is Tylenol Sinus ok to take? I was told no.

Sudafed and Chlortrimetron are the 2 that my MWs have ok'ed.

[melixxa]

I have had the worst allergies this pregnancy. Constant sneezing, itching nose and eyes, complete congestion.

I have had the neti pot recommended to me many times by many different people. I just can't do it. I have such a nose phobia, can't stand anyone to touch my nose, have NEVER been able to use nose spray ... no way!

I inhale eucalyptus and tea tree oils in hot water, make sure the humidifier is working (we live in a very dry state) and blow my nose constantly. I must confess that I take Sudafed Allergy & Sinus when the going gets tough (when the allergies are combined with my shortness of breath - another pregnancy-only problem I have - I am up all night in a panic, not sleeping). I have read the studies on both its ingredients, and they are not harmful during pregnancy.

Nothing helps with the shortness of breath, not even my inhaler.

[sinsaratea]

My midwife told me ANY tylenol product...... but just in case i just went to compare the ingredients in Sudafed and TS..... exact same. HOWEVER.... not the nighttime one. it has an antihistamine. The tylenol actually has less acetomenophin ( i know i just misspelled that!) but other than that they are the same.

Feeling much better today! Except that I was notified that I have a meeting with the principal scheduled for Monday afternoon with the yearbook company rep. I am the YB advisor and we are running majorly late with some deadlines and this is going to be one of those "Mr. X, we need to get this going, blah blah blah" and I'm goign to be in the hotseat...... grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr............

Oh well, maybe this ice we're about to get will last through that day!

Later!