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Post by Bridget in MD on Dec 5, 2023 1:02:01 GMT
I had a cold early Nov. Then DS got it right after TG, and passed it back to me (and I think DH too). Covid test is negative, but I am SO clogged/stuffy. Like, when I wake up, my entire left nostril is like a cork is in there. I have been taking cold meds, saline washes, hot showers. Standing up and walking outside seems to help but unfortunately the only thing that really seems to help is nasil spray. The problem is, I think I've use it too much, I cannot breathe without it. I have an appt with urgent care tmrw because my ears are clogged, my nose is clogged, and I coughed quite a bit last night. I'm more worried its growing into a sinus infection, although what I am blowing is clear and thin, not thick and green (sorry TMI). If anyone has a good home rememdy, I'd love to hear it!!!! Thanks, Unbreatheable Bridget  |
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Post by Scrapper100 on Dec 5, 2023 1:15:02 GMT
Sorry you are feeling so crappy. The only thing that helps other than meds, saline solution and showers is Vicks/mentholatum. I put some under my nose and it helps a bit. Have you tried shower steamers? In menthol and eucalyptus Vicks makes something similar. I hope you get some relief soon and start to feel better.
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Post by Lexica on Dec 5, 2023 1:25:51 GMT
Could you take an over-the-counter allergy pill? I have asthma and allergies and I use a three-stage approach. I use a prescription asthma pill at night, an OTC allergy pill when I wake up, and nasal spray to dry things up throughout the day. If I am out of nasal spray, I can manage. But if I am out of allergy pills, I am miserable and cannot breathe. Something like Claritin. I just use the off-brand type that Kaiser pharmacy carries and they work amazingly well for me. Just a thought.
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Post by Bridget in MD on Dec 5, 2023 1:41:09 GMT
Could you take an over-the-counter allergy pill? I have asthma and allergies and I use a three-stage approach. I use a prescription asthma pill at night, an OTC allergy pill when I wake up, and nasal spray to dry things up throughout the day. If I am out of nasal spray, I can manage. But if I am out of allergy pills, I am miserable and cannot breathe. Something like Claritin. I just use the off-brand type that Kaiser pharmacy carries and they work amazingly well for me. Just a thought. I just took a cvs version of Sudafed. Hope that does something! |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Dec 5, 2023 1:49:19 GMT
If you’re using Afrin, that stuff is literally addictive. You aren’t supposed to use it for more than three days. Not all nasal sprays are created equal. Could you maybe have an allergy to something? I would always get so congested. I tried Nasacort (which is an allergy med that can be used daily, but it won’t work if you’re sick) and within minutes I could breathe. I used to be able to only use it occasionally but with the weird weather we’ve had pretty much all year, I’ve been using it daily for months.
Another thing I’ve used are Vicks Vapor plug ins in the room the sick person sleeps in. You need to replace the little wick thing every other day or so but they do seem to help.
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Post by calgaryscrapper on Dec 5, 2023 2:23:15 GMT
Buy some fresh lemons. Wah one then roll on your counter. Cut then lemon in half then squeeze into a mug. Pour hot or boiling water into the mug then a heaping teaspoonful of local honey. Local honey has a lot of health benefits.
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Post by librarylady on Dec 5, 2023 2:38:11 GMT
Not fun--but Vicks on my upper lip so that the "fumes" go into the nostril is the old remedy that works for me.
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Post by Scrapper100 on Dec 5, 2023 3:11:48 GMT
Could you take an over-the-counter allergy pill? I have asthma and allergies and I use a three-stage approach. I use a prescription asthma pill at night, an OTC allergy pill when I wake up, and nasal spray to dry things up throughout the day. If I am out of nasal spray, I can manage. But if I am out of allergy pills, I am miserable and cannot breathe. Something like Claritin. I just use the off-brand type that Kaiser pharmacy carries and they work amazingly well for me. Just a thought. I just took a cvs version of Sudafed. Hope that does something! I hope it’s the real one from behind the counter the other versions do nothing for me. I have found taking a Sudafed, chlortrimaton and Zyrtec help me the most. Zyrtec doesn’t seem to be working for me like they used to so the chlortrimaton which is a short acting antihistamine helps at night. This combo has helped with pressure combined with the Vicks/mentholatum under my nose. Be really careful not to spread it to your eyes. It seems to help melt stuff when I am really clogged up snd can’t breathe. |
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Post by Bridget in MD on Dec 5, 2023 3:13:31 GMT
If you’re using Afrin, that stuff is literally addictive. You aren’t supposed to use it for more than three days. Not all nasal sprays are created equal. Could you maybe have an allergy to something? I would always get so congested. I tried Nasacort (which is an allergy med that can be used daily, but it won’t work if you’re sick) and within minutes I could breathe. I used to be able to only use it occasionally but with the weird weather we’ve had pretty much all year, I’ve been using it daily for months. Another thing I’ve used are Vicks Vapor plug ins in the room the sick person sleeps in. You need to replace the little wick thing every other day or so but they do seem to help. It’s not affrin but Vicks I think. Shit. My nose is an addict? 😖 |
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Post by librarylady on Dec 5, 2023 3:24:22 GMT
Don't use a nasal spray. Those are addictive...sorry to break that news.
Old fashioned vicks under your nostril works and is not addictive.
Looks awful though.
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Post by malibou on Dec 5, 2023 10:03:04 GMT
I'm a fan of a pot of boiling water with a towel thrown over my head and the pot so I can breathe in the warm moist air.
If I have one clogged nostril, I make a point to sleep on the opposite side so nothing continues to drain into it.
Hot beverages with alcohol help me sleep.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Dec 5, 2023 12:31:54 GMT
Our youngest son has the same thing going on. He’s been feeling pretty bad.
Switch to a nasal spray that’s just saline maybe? That other stuff can really be bad for you. Hope you’re feeling better soon!
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Post by peasapie on Dec 5, 2023 12:58:57 GMT
I agree about saline-only nasal spray. And then a cortisone nasal spray, which takes several days to begin working but keep it up, as it is a preventive. I use it every day now, and won’t be without it.
If you have a sinus infection, you may also need an antibiotic.
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scrappert
Prolific Pea
RefuPea #2956
Posts: 7,792
Location: Milwaukee, WI area
Jul 11, 2014 21:20:09 GMT
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Post by scrappert on Dec 5, 2023 13:12:49 GMT
Mucinex really helps with all the mucus. When I get plugged ears, I start taking that and it helps.
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Post by Bridget in MD on Dec 5, 2023 16:06:41 GMT
I agree about saline-only nasal spray. And then a cortisone nasal spray, which takes several days to begin working but keep it up, as it is a preventive. I use it every day now, and won’t be without it. If you have a sinus infection, you may also need an antibiotic. So last night was miserable. I was up from 2-4am not able to breathe, then back up at 5, finally got up at 6 and started to work. Went to urgent care at 8. When I was at the urgent care, I dunno what happened, I got really stressed and emotional, and my nose COMPLETELY closed up, both sides. I was a complete mouth breather, ew. The nurse called me back to get my vitals, and the cuff was SO tight, my hand turned red and started tingling. Then she wanted to take my temp, which had to be done in my mouth? SO, I can't breathe out my nose, AT ALL, and she has a thermometer in my mouth. I started to cough and tear up. She said my blood pressure was high, she probably was afraid I was going to have a stroke too.  She left, and I splashed water on my face and tried to calm down for the dr. He came in and I was sitting in a chair and he rolled over to check me out... and I swear I felt this lump on my leg. I freaked out, I was sure it was his junk. He was checking out my ears at the time and I pulled back and jumped up, causing him to drop his tool... and saw it was his scope pressed up on my leg. Good lord. I was so embarrassed that I actually thought this guy was molesting me. He diagnosed me with a sinus infection and prescribed me an antibiotic and a strong decongestant. I picked those up and am home now, I just gave myself a saline rinse and have vicks ointment burning away in my nose... I hope this stuff kicks in really quick! Thank you all for your advice and well wishes.  today I felt like a big dramatic baby! |
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Post by Bridget in MD on Dec 5, 2023 16:08:45 GMT
I agree about saline-only nasal spray. And then a cortisone nasal spray, which takes several days to begin working but keep it up, as it is a preventive. I use it every day now, and won’t be without it. If you have a sinus infection, you may also need an antibiotic. Is that like flonase? He didn't prescribe me a spray, but I do have that. I think that is ok to use? The release records said I can use a corticosteroid spray. I am still so frigging clogged that I am tempted to take one more hit of the Vicks spray which I have used for more than 3 days, but I have a feeling that's part of what got me into this mess! |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Dec 5, 2023 16:23:33 GMT
I agree about saline-only nasal spray. And then a cortisone nasal spray, which takes several days to begin working but keep it up, as it is a preventive. I use it every day now, and won’t be without it. If you have a sinus infection, you may also need an antibiotic. Is that like flonase? He didn't prescribe me a spray, but I do have that. I think that is ok to use? The release records said I can use a corticosteroid spray. I am still so frigging clogged that I am tempted to take one more hit of the Vicks spray which I have used for more than 3 days, but I have a feeling that's part of what got me into this mess! Flonase and Nasacort are OTC nasal corticosteroids that can be used long term. |
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CeeScraps
Pearl Clutcher
~~occupied entertaining my brain~~
Posts: 3,827 
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Post by CeeScraps on Dec 5, 2023 17:53:06 GMT
I have a nasty cold thanks to my hubby!
I'm on day 8 of this mess. I feel "better" but am plugged up. I had my husband take for Sudafed. That has worked for me. Now I just started with Mucinex. Hopefully that will break it all up.
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Post by mayceesgranny on Dec 5, 2023 19:43:07 GMT
When I get a cold I use a saline sinus rinse twice daily, it unplugs my nose quickly so I can breathe. The first couple days of the cold I'll also take Advil Cold and Sinus, but usually after 2-3 days of sinus rinsing I no longer needs meds.
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Post by librarylady on Dec 5, 2023 20:05:42 GMT
Don't put Vicks in the nose.
That burns!
Put a streak under the nostrils.
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Post by dewryce on Dec 5, 2023 20:50:53 GMT
Sinus infections are the worst, I hope the meds kick in and you feel better soon! For future, not all OTC decongestants work well. Recently, oral phenylephrine has been in the news for not being effective as a decongestant . Tons of allergy medicines have this as an ingredient. What works best for me is to keep ahead of it and take an allergy medicine every day. Year round I switch monthly between generic Claritin (Loratadine) and Zyrtec (Cetirizine Hydrochloride). Then start my neti pot if I feel like those aren’t keeping me clear enough. And if that’s still not enough (I live in Central Texas so this is many months out of the year) I use an allergy medicine that I get from behind the counter, I think the main ingredient is Pseudoephedrine. Hope that helps you avoid an infection in the future! Oh yeah, and I also blow my nose super well as soon as I step out of the shower, every single time. It helps a lot and I only take a lukewarm shower with the door completely open and the shower curtain open 1/3rd of the way (or I get even more faint). So I imagine if you take a normal hot shower in an enclosed space it would help even more. |
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Post by peasapie on Dec 5, 2023 21:22:06 GMT
I agree about saline-only nasal spray. And then a cortisone nasal spray, which takes several days to begin working but keep it up, as it is a preventive. I use it every day now, and won’t be without it. If you have a sinus infection, you may also need an antibiotic. Is that like flonase? He didn't prescribe me a spray, but I do have that. I think that is ok to use? The release records said I can use a corticosteroid spray. I am still so frigging clogged that I am tempted to take one more hit of the Vicks spray which I have used for more than 3 days, but I have a feeling that's part of what got me into this mess! . Yes Flonase is a corticosteroid spray. It definitely works. But it takes time to take effect so keep it up. I use it once a day every day. |
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today I felt like a big dramatic baby!
