Update

[nekosensei]

It's official. I've had a relapse. I was feeling much better on Saturday and Sunday morning. Then, Sunday evening, I got congested and started sneezing. I'm still congested today. Gah.

I originally had an echocardiogram scheduled for November 24th, but this morning, my doctor's office called and told me that they were rescheduling it to December 3rd. I'm not happy about having to wait longer to get this done, but there's not much I can do about it. I was planning on getting some prescriptions refilled on November 24th, but since they pushed my appointment back an extra week, I decided to go the doctor today for them. I had been sick for the past two weeks, and I figured I should go in and get checked out anyway. The doctor told me that I definitely needed antibiotics and prescribed some.

I'm also in a bit of a quandary when it comes to getting rid of my congestion. My doctor noticed that my nose was bleeding a bit from blowing it too often. This is bad because I'm on blood thinners. On the other hand, I'm not supposed to take decongestants because they're a stimulant and can increase my heart rate. It was a little high today actually. She did give me samples for a decongestant, but she told me to take half a pill twice a day and not the entire pill. She's sounded a bit leery about giving them to me. She suggested that I buy one of those steam thingies that you can find at a drug store. You put some water and some Vicks in it and breathe in the steam. I did that and it helped with the congestion a bit. I've also tried using saline.

doomsey has also been yelling at me every time I cave and start blowing my nose again. This evening, he confiscated my box of Kleenex.

*sigh*

I hope this bug goes away quickly and that I don't kill my voice again.

Comments

[nekosensei.livejournal.com]

Do you use a neti pot for this? I've tried using one various times, and I don't think I'm doing it right. My sinuses feel water-logged afterwards. That, and the congestion comes back right away. I have been squirting some saline solution up there. That sometimes helps. At the very least, it will keep me from bleeding so much.

[fuzzyscribble.livejournal.com]

I use the Neilmed squeezie bottle thing...

http://www.neilmed.com/usa/index.php

You can find them at Walgreens/CVS. The trick is to do the wash. GENTLY blow your nose...and then bend over and touch your toes. The rest of the liquid will drain out of your upper sinuses...and you won't get that "wooshy" feeling.

I like the neilmed packets better than making my own saline with salt like the neti pot directions say. Something about the pH is better...and I don't get that sort of rebound congestion you're talking about.

Their nasal gel stuff looks pretty nice too. I'm going to try to pick some up.

[nekosensei.livejournal.com]

doomsey taught me how to use the neti pot yesterday, and I think I have it down. It kept my sinuses clear for a good half hour to an hour. Nice!