Deleted
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Jul 3, 2024 0:04:57 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2018 20:37:01 GMT
While the amount of infections I get has greatly gone down, I still get them about 3-4 times a year. I take zyrtec daily and have been off and on flonaze and a decongestant nasal spray. I can not stay on them long as they cause nose bleeds. I have a sensative sinus area due to trama from a dui accident.
Anyways, I see a new allergist immunologist Friday as I have developed some new allergies, like Bananas. Yay. Could very well be the high histamine in the foods too.
So for those who have sinus issues what has helped you?
Allergy shots? Different med? Nasal sprays? Night shade list? Dairy free?
Would love to hear what helped you.
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Deleted
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Jul 3, 2024 0:04:57 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2018 20:42:21 GMT
Xlear nasal spray!!! I used to always get sinus infections. I use the spray nightly and several times a day when I have a cold. I haven't had a sinus infection since! The spray is essentially saline with xylitol and GSE and I just make my own solution now and refill my spray bottle.
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Post by bbkeef on Mar 7, 2018 20:45:36 GMT
Acupuncture did a world of difference for me. Like you, I had chronic sinus infections. I finally did acupuncture for about 6 weeks in a row, twice a week and since then, I've had only a couple sinus infections in the last 10 years.
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likescarrots
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,879
Aug 16, 2014 17:52:53 GMT
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Post by likescarrots on Mar 7, 2018 20:45:44 GMT
Azelastine and immunotherapy have helped me a great deal. It's not 100% better, but I'm able to sleep now. Nasal irrigation is also helpful. My allergist thinks I should do it every day, but I do find it a bit drying so I don't do it that often.
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Post by PolarGreen12 on Mar 7, 2018 20:48:19 GMT
Getting my thyroid removed. Of course that’s not why I had to have it removed, I had cancer. But holy shit my sinus problems and ear infections went from a 10 to a 1.5. I haven’t had a single sinus or ear infection since my surgery last February. And because my sinuses are better my teeth haven’t been sensitive. My sinus headaches and migraines have been almost non existent as well. It’s weird. I told my ENT at my 6 month check up and he said a lot of people over the years have had similar good side effects.
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Post by dewryce on Mar 7, 2018 20:48:31 GMT
Surgery, my nasal passageways weren't connected in 2 places so there was no where for them to drain. Have you tried a Neti pot?
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Post by alexa11 on Mar 7, 2018 20:53:38 GMT
I don't get infections, but suffer terribly from sinus pressure on left side of nose. Nothing helps except ice for about 15-20 minutes and on bad days that doesn't work. I will go in for a cortisone shot if it gets really bad. I get ESI for herniated discs in neck and those are absolutely wonderful- not just for my neck but my sinus pressure is relieved for about 3 months. Hope you get relief- it can be brutal.
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eleezybeth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,784
Jun 28, 2014 20:42:01 GMT
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Post by eleezybeth on Mar 7, 2018 21:02:46 GMT
This allergy season, my Dr. added singular. It has really helped. I don't know why or how, but it has. Also, I irrigate my sinus daily. That helps a ton.
I am also allergic to bananas. Oral Allergy Syndrome... takes a lot of the good stuff away from me. I miss peaches and bananas the most. I just avoid them. Because it is just a "syndrome" and not a "real" allergy there isn't a lot my last immunologist would do for me. The peaches presents like it is going to go anaphylactic and it scares me so I just don't go there.
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Post by Basket1lady on Mar 7, 2018 21:02:56 GMT
I have HUGE allergy issues. Because my issues are with my sphenoid sinuses (deep in the brain), surgery to fix them is high risk can involve delving into the brain, with a 30% chance of loss of sight in my right eye, hearing in my right ear, or both. So I take allergy issues seriously.
I had a lot of issues with Flonase as well, but it's really the best out there for allergies. So I now split my doses. Instead of 2 sprays per nostril once a day, I do 1 spray per nostril twice a day. It makes a big difference for me. If you have just had a nose bleed, wait a few days, then try one spray in one nostril twice a day, alternating sides. Then build up to 1 spray per nostril twice a day. I take Flonase year round, as my issues are environmental as well as seasonal. I also take Zyrtec daily, but switch every other year to Allegra. They both do about the same thing, but I find that switching them out seems to make me more sensitive to them. So I do it in March each year, when the pollens are really bad.
When all of this flared up, my doctor started me on Singular. I think it works really well--better than Zyrtec or Allegra. It's an asthma med, but is also used for allergies.
All those meds means you need to drink. A lot. I probably drink close to 12 servings a day, more when it's hot. (yes, I pee a lot!)
I also use a Neil Med Sinus Rinse. I use it nightly year round, then twice a day in the spring and summer, if I've spent a lot of time outdoors, if it's really windy, or if I'm reacting to something. I also shower after spending the day outdoors, as pollens will cling to your hair and skin.
I've also been taught when to use Sudafed and when to use Mucinex to nip any extra congestion in the bud. I won't lie--it's a careful balancing act and I can never take my eye off the ball.
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RosieKat
Drama Llama
PeaJect #12
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Post by RosieKat on Mar 7, 2018 21:04:19 GMT
Saline spray like Ocean helps me. I also use Flonase and take an oral antihistamine, but I like that I can use the saline any time I feel stuffy or dry or just icky. It doesn't aggravate my nasal tissues, either - which did happen *for me* with a neti pot or similar. (I know a lot of people swear by them.)
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Post by christine58 on Mar 7, 2018 21:04:28 GMT
I do 1 spray per nostril twice a day. That's what my allergist suggested and my sinus infections are now--knock on wood--few and far between.
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RosieKat
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PeaJect #12
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Jun 25, 2014 19:28:04 GMT
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Post by RosieKat on Mar 7, 2018 21:05:26 GMT
Flonase makes a product now called Sensimist that is the same medicine with a gentler spray, no fragrance, etc. If Flonase otherwise works for you, it might be worth checking this out.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jul 3, 2024 0:04:57 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2018 21:05:28 GMT
THANK YOU for posting this!!!!!!!! I've been on allergy meds for years for the fear of getting a sinus infection (almost 1/2 of my face is not real). My surgeon just told me that I should go to an allergist and also a sinus specialist. Now I'm thinking I should.
ETA: I only take Allegra (daily) and Sudafed (or the generic) when I feel sinus pain. Any nasal spray rolls right out of my nose. I'm not good at sniffing in any meds. Either I tip my head back too far and it hits my throat, or it rolls right out of my nose and isn't affective. There has to be a better solution. Might be time to see a specialist.
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Post by Basket1lady on Mar 7, 2018 21:24:31 GMT
THANK YOU for posting this!!!!!!!! I've been on allergy meds for years for the fear of getting a sinus infection (almost 1/2 of my face is not real). My surgeon just told me that I should go to an allergist and also a sinus specialist. Now I'm thinking I should. ETA: I only take Allegra (daily) and Sudafed (or the generic) when I feel sinus pain. Any nasal spray rolls right out of my nose. I'm not good at sniffing in any meds. Either I tip my head back too far and it hits my throat, or it rolls right out of my nose and isn't affective. There has to be a better solution. Might be time to see a specialist. Maybe try the Sensimist that RosieKat mentioned? It's the same as Flonase, but in a finer spray. Even if some rolls out, some should be absorbed by your nasal tissues. It's a balancing game, for sure!
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RosieKat
Drama Llama
PeaJect #12
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Jun 25, 2014 19:28:04 GMT
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Post by RosieKat on Mar 7, 2018 21:43:49 GMT
@bergdorfblonde - Three things about the nasal sprays. One is that they do work much better than oral antihistamines. I hate spraying stuff in my nose, so resisted for years. Once I began using it for real, my allergies and sinuses got SO much better. Second thing is that you're actually not supposed to sniff them in. (I found that out the hard way, after developing raging headaches that made me almost want to throw up when I moved.) You really do just spray it in there, and yeah, some of it drips back or out sometimes, but enough stays in. Third, they work best when you do use them regularly - they aren't good in response to allergy symptoms. When you know it's "your" allergy season coming up, start using it at least a few weeks before. If you're like me and they kick in on and off all year, it's OK to take it every day.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jul 3, 2024 0:04:57 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2018 22:08:13 GMT
Basket1lady : Thanks SO much!!!
RosieKat: Thanks for that valuable info!! Our season (FL) began a few weeks ago and was deemed the worst in the country, EVER. It's supposed to last until JULY!! Even DH and DS27 have pain and sneezing & they've never suffered with allergies in their lives! It's so weird! My car is full of pollen every morning and we honestly only have palm trees!! It's claimed to be an oak tree issue, but we don't even have oak trees here. Very strange for sure, and it's a setback for me, medically. I just went thru major surgery to finally get rid of chronic pain and I'm waiting to feel my "new normal" but I'm taken aback with this sinus and allergy pain now......... I'll figure it out and get what you suggested. Thanks so much!
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
Jun 25, 2014 20:45:00 GMT
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Post by melissa on Mar 7, 2018 22:12:50 GMT
What changed my life was seeing an ENT, having a CT scan that showed my sinuses were in horrible shape (really non-existent, complete white out) and then having surgery.
Having my sinuses cleared out was a game changer. My issues went quite deep, all the way to the sphenoids. I also had a septoplasty at the same time, not realizing that there was an issue the entire time with my nasal septum as well. People talk about the pain from this sort of surgery. I actually woke up with less pain than I had going in! I did not realize how much pain and pressure I experienced continually until it was gone.
That was probably 18-19 years ago. I have continued with a nasal steroid and a singulair since then. Have had maybe 3 sinus infections since then. A complete game changer.
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Post by bc2ca on Mar 7, 2018 22:15:52 GMT
I've never been diagnosed with allergies, but did have problems with chronic sinus infections until I started using a Neti Pot about 8 or so years ago. I also eliminated almost all dairy from my diet. I still have an occasional yogurt or ice cream (2-3 times a year) and small amounts of cheese (1-4 oz a month), but no milk anymore.
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Post by dewryce on Mar 7, 2018 22:53:23 GMT
What changed my life was seeing an ENT, having a CT scan that showed my sinuses were in horrible shape (really non-existent, complete white out) and then having surgery. Having my sinuses cleared out was a game changer. My issues went quite deep, all the way to the sphenoids. I also had a septoplasty at the same time, not realizing that there was an issue the entire time with my nasal septum as well. People talk about the pain from this sort of surgery. I actually woke up with less pain than I had going in! I did not realize how much pain and pressure I experienced continually until it was gone. That was probably 18-19 years ago. I have continued with a nasal steroid and a singulair since then. Have had maybe 3 sinus infections since then. A complete game changer. This, completely. I was often bed-bound from it, but was still surprised just how good and right I felt after surgery. What I thought had been "good days" weren't when compared to truly being pain & pressure free. And the change in pressure was so great that I was dizzy afterwards.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Mar 7, 2018 23:00:04 GMT
I’ve had the best luck with Nasacort. I only use it when I need it, mostly in the spring and summer, when there is a lot of road construction nearby or when it’s really windy and a lot of junk is being kicked up into the air.
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scrappinwithoutpeas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,949
Location: Northern Virginia
Aug 7, 2014 22:09:44 GMT
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Post by scrappinwithoutpeas on Mar 8, 2018 0:25:10 GMT
Basket1lady : Thanks SO much!!! RosieKat: Thanks for that valuable info!! Our season (FL) began a few weeks ago and was deemed the worst in the country, EVER. It's supposed to last until JULY!! Even DH and DS27 have pain and sneezing & they've never suffered with allergies in their lives! It's so weird! My car is full of pollen every morning and we honestly only have palm trees!! It's claimed to be an oak tree issue, but we don't even have oak trees here. Very strange for sure, and it's a setback for me, medically. I just went thru major surgery to finally get rid of chronic pain and I'm waiting to feel my "new normal" but I'm taken aback with this sinus and allergy pain now......... I'll figure it out and get what you suggested. Thanks so much! Sorry to go a little off-topic, but this is not as strange as you might think. Even though you may not have oak trees nearby, you are most likely getting oak pollen in the air from other areas. Wind systems are sort of like the jet stream is with water, so you can be getting airborne particles from quite far away. DS suffers from oak pollen allergies and we've learned (the hard way) that they can be anywhere! Thank you @calimom2 and all the other sinus peas for this very timely thread! I'm actually just recovering from a very nasty sinus infection (day 7 of antibiotics). I use Claritin and Flonase daily. My doctor wants me to start Singulair too, and it's probably time for me to go back to the ENT for another eval. I know I definitely have some structural issues in my sinuses and nasal cavities and the ENT has already recommended surgery to correct. I've been holding off on pursuing surgery and seeing if I can control it with my current regimen. Last winter was such a mild cold & flu season, I had no issues and thought maybe I could get away with no surgery, but this year has been pretty awful, so I'm reconsidering. It's great to hear the positive experiences others have had with this type of surgery.
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mallie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,253
Jul 3, 2014 18:13:13 GMT
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Post by mallie on Mar 8, 2018 1:35:24 GMT
The only thing that worked for me was moving 1500 miles away.
My doctor and ENT were somewhat loathe to do surgery as they felt that the location's issues would mean that the effects of it would last only a short time. They both advocated that I move (also I had Vitamin D deficiency that was not alleviated by supplements).
My husband only fully understood what kind of pain I was in and the difference the location made when we came down here for vacation and he heard my sinus bones CRACK open shortly after we got off the plane.
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Post by Basket1lady on Mar 8, 2018 3:28:41 GMT
Basket1lady : Thanks SO much!!! RosieKat: Thanks for that valuable info!! Our season (FL) began a few weeks ago and was deemed the worst in the country, EVER. It's supposed to last until JULY!! Even DH and DS27 have pain and sneezing & they've never suffered with allergies in their lives! It's so weird! My car is full of pollen every morning and we honestly only have palm trees!! It's claimed to be an oak tree issue, but we don't even have oak trees here. Very strange for sure, and it's a setback for me, medically. I just went thru major surgery to finally get rid of chronic pain and I'm waiting to feel my "new normal" but I'm taken aback with this sinus and allergy pain now......... I'll figure it out and get what you suggested. Thanks so much! Sorry to go a little off-topic, but this is not as strange as you might think. Even though you may not have oak trees nearby, you are most likely getting oak pollen in the air from other areas. Wind systems are sort of like the jet stream is with water, so you can be getting airborne particles from quite far away. DS suffers from oak pollen allergies and we've learned (the hard way) that they can be anywhere! Thank you @calimom2 and all the other sinus peas for this very timely thread! I'm actually just recovering from a very nasty sinus infection (day 7 of antibiotics). I use Claritin and Flonase daily. My doctor wants me to start Singulair too, and it's probably time for me to go back to the ENT for another eval. I know I definitely have some structural issues in my sinuses and nasal cavities and the ENT has already recommended surgery to correct. I've been holding off on pursuing surgery and seeing if I can control it with my current regimen. Last winter was such a mild cold & flu season, I had no issues and thought maybe I could get away with no surgery, but this year has been pretty awful, so I'm reconsidering. It's great to hear the positive experiences others have had with this type of surgery. One thing that you can try is to switch to Zyrtec or Allegra. Both come in generic forms and both can be found over-the-counter if you don't want another doctor's visit. Claritin is the mildest allergy med in the group and works on the fewest symptoms. As for Singular--I noticed a difference when I started Singular within a few days. It's worth a try as well. I'd probably wait a month between switching each, as you want to know what is really working for you.
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Post by anniefb on Mar 8, 2018 4:25:54 GMT
Neilmed sinus rinse bottle changed my life. I went from chronic infections and antibiotics to virtually nothing. That was about 9 years ago I think. I think I’ve had one infection that has needed treatment since then.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jul 3, 2024 0:04:57 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2018 5:49:14 GMT
Basket1lady : Thanks SO much!!! RosieKat: Thanks for that valuable info!! Our season (FL) began a few weeks ago and was deemed the worst in the country, EVER. It's supposed to last until JULY!! Even DH and DS27 have pain and sneezing & they've never suffered with allergies in their lives! It's so weird! My car is full of pollen every morning and we honestly only have palm trees!! It's claimed to be an oak tree issue, but we don't even have oak trees here. Very strange for sure, and it's a setback for me, medically. I just went thru major surgery to finally get rid of chronic pain and I'm waiting to feel my "new normal" but I'm taken aback with this sinus and allergy pain now......... I'll figure it out and get what you suggested. Thanks so much! Sorry to go a little off-topic, but this is not as strange as you might think. Even though you may not have oak trees nearby, you are most likely getting oak pollen in the air from other areas. Wind systems are sort of like the jet stream is with water, so you can be getting airborne particles from quite far away. DS suffers from oak pollen allergies and we've learned (the hard way) that they can be anywhere! Thank you @calimom2 and all the other sinus peas for this very timely thread! I'm actually just recovering from a very nasty sinus infection (day 7 of antibiotics). I use Claritin and Flonase daily. My doctor wants me to start Singulair too, and it's probably time for me to go back to the ENT for another eval. I know I definitely have some structural issues in my sinuses and nasal cavities and the ENT has already recommended surgery to correct. I've been holding off on pursuing surgery and seeing if I can control it with my current regimen. Last winter was such a mild cold & flu season, I had no issues and thought maybe I could get away with no surgery, but this year has been pretty awful, so I'm reconsidering. It's great to hear the positive experiences others have had with this type of surgery. Thanks for that info. That makes sense!!! After reading your sinus/nasal info, I'm realizing that I really should go to an ENT. I just had surgery (long story) and had my sinus cavity all scooped out (had parts of an implant in there), and I should have it all checked out. Makes sense. My Oculoplastic Surgeon suggested I go to an allergist or ENT if my allergies and sinus issues persist. Good idea to see what's up with that whole situation. Hope you make out well if you get the surgery you need!
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Post by Basket1lady on Mar 8, 2018 6:27:14 GMT
Neilmed sinus rinse bottle changed my life. I went from chronic infections and antibiotics to virtually nothing. That was about 9 years ago I think. I think I’ve had one infection that has needed treatment since then. I really promote the NeilMed sinus rinse as a first thing to try when fighting allergies. It's simple and it's just saline water. And it literally saved me from sinus surgery. A few years ago, I had a massive sphenoid sinus infection go undiagnosed due to a CT that was read incorrectly. The infection went unchecked for 5 months and ate into my right inner ear, causing a 30% hearing loss and nystagmus. My entire immune system was on lockdown and I spent the next year sick all the time, along with 9 courses of antibiotics over that year to try to get rid of the infection. Because of the risks of loss of eyesight and/or hearing, we were trying to avoid surgery, but my ENT finally said it was time. She ordered a landmark CT and told me to be sure to keep up the sinus rinse. What? No one had told me to use a sinus rinse. Because the sphenoids don't really cause congestion, it hadn't occurred to me on my own to use one. But it was just enough to loosen all that crud and clear me out. That landmark CT came back as 90% clear and I didn't have the surgery. I still have a lot of problems, but I still have my eyesight and most of my hearing. All from a simple sinus rinse.
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Post by nlwilkins on Mar 8, 2018 8:41:13 GMT
I had sphenoid surgery.Turned out that there was a fungus ball in there that had to come out. The first doctor could not get to it, saying the opening to my sphenoid was so small he could not do anything. So a year later at a different hospital system with more modern equipment an ENT did it. By the time they got to it, the ball had calcified. I had to have a special MRI and the doctor used GPS to do the surgery. It was awesome. He sprayed in a sealer and I did not have to have my nose stuffed full of gauze as in other sinus surgeries I had.
All my life I have had sinus issues. When I had my first nasal surgery to open up one of my nostrils that was not open, it was like WOW is what it is like to breath!!! No one had ever told me I had issues in my nose and when it was fixed at the age of 58, I could finally breath correctly for the first time in my life. But, the sinus issue persisted probably due to the fungus ball that was in my sphenoid all that time.
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Post by runner5 on Mar 8, 2018 13:58:55 GMT
Years ago I went from constant sinus infections to none and they have stayed away ever since.
I saw a local chiropractor who is well respected (my gyno consults with him for example and a local Fortune 200 company refered a friend of mine to him when she fell at work - this after ER and an orthopedist couldn't help her).
He had me get off sugar, tropical fruit, dairy, wheat and all processed foods. He told me I'd have flu like symptoms the first week and I did. I had one sinus infection since (it was over 10 years ago) and I was eating badly when that one occurred. I pretty much eat lean protein (free range organic chicken, grass fed beef and free range eggs) and vegetables. In the beginning it was just green vegetables but after a few months, we started introducing veggies like sweet potatoes. I try to eat an organic apple every day and sometimes I throw a few blueberries into my green smoothies.
I'm thankful that I love veggies - they have saved me!! It's been worth it. Other positive changes - I move easily now. When I started this, I limped around in the mornings until my muscles warmed up. I thought it was my age. A few weeks after changing my diet, I bounded out of bed. It was kind of shocking but in a good way. My skin cleared up and I lost about 30 pounds. I never get sick (I realize this could change and these changes haven't guaranteed that I'll never get cancer for example - still I enjoy going about a normal life and not worrying about catching a cold or coming down with the flu. Not saying it couldn't happen - it just doesn't since I changed my diet.) I'm 62 and am super active (not exercise active but active in that I garden, push mow our lawn, ride my bike for hours at the beach, etc. I NEED to be exercise active but I'm lazy and pretty much don't enjoy the gym. If we had bike paths near by like we do at the beach, I'd be all over that.)
I have an appointment with him early April as my annual showed my Vitamin D levels are too low. I should ask him when I started seeing him. I know it was at least 10 years ago.
eta: My fall respiratory allergies have lessened to the point that I don't even have to take anything like Zyrtec. Ragweed used to bother me a great deal in the fall. Now I can out and do whatever I want - again without meds. My chiropractor predicted that would happen. I guess your immune system just builds up and that helps with other allergies (I'm allergic to dairy and didn't know it an MD had me get tested before all the chiropractor visits started.)
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peabrain
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,588
Jun 25, 2014 22:18:04 GMT
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Post by peabrain on Mar 8, 2018 14:35:29 GMT
Honestly, this thread makes me want to cry. This has been one of my worst seasons.
I went to an allergist but he can't test me for everything because they can't take me off of my migraine meds. So I really don't know everything I'm allergic too.
I had a deviated septum surgery that went bad. They said my nostrils are too small and they can't fix it.
Part of my problem is my ears as well. The middle ear. I went to an ENT and he said he'd put a tube in there, but I haven't done that. (that's on me)
I do the netti pot. (and the instant pot LOL)
But I'm just so frustrated at feeling bad all the time. It's just getting so OLD!
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anniebygaslight
Drama Llama
I'd love a cup of tea. #1966
Posts: 7,397
Location: Third Rock from the sun.
Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
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Post by anniebygaslight on Mar 8, 2018 15:46:38 GMT
Sinucleanse. Brilliant.
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