Severe congestion - help!

RunninTeach

RunninTeach

Cathlete
I had outpatient surgery on Monday, and the night before, had felt like the beginning of a cold was coming on. Luckily, it didn't impede the procedure, but following the surgery, the congestion kicked in. The doc said that could've been partly due to the anaesthesia. I've been taking Sudafed and alternating between a Zicam nasal spray and Simply Saline, and it hasn't been too big a deal. But this morning, I'm TOTALLY stuffed up and uncomfortable and the Sudafed hasn't done a thing.

Does anyone have a suggestion or tried-and-true remedy to share? I'm desperate for some relief.

TIA for any help!
 
Hello there,

I am sorry you are not feeling so great. I have a remedy that works for me everytime but I'm not sure you will believe the simplicity of it....

food combining (maybe google it) - it's more detailed than this but a very basic premise of it is to separate your proteins from your carbs at every meal and eat fruit on an empty stomach in the morning only. there can be no dairy or sugar at all while trying to get better either. and... you must allow at least 1 hour after eating fruit in the morning before eating again. so = you can have spaghetti - but no meatballs and you can have bacon and eggs but no toast. the cleaner you can eat, of course, the better. if you stay on this regime longer than a few days you will see fairly rapid weight loss - im not a fan of rapid weight loss - and so, once you return to standard food combining, the weight creeps back. Just and FYI. I think (don't quote me) this is rooted in the Hay System so maybe google that. I haven't read up on this stuff for years so best to double check what i've written. Whenever I feel a slight cold coming on I get very strict with food combining and its never arrives. I haven't had a cold in years.

feel better!
 
Have you tried a Neti Pot? I got mine from the local health food store. You get some special, fine salt, combine it with warm water in the pot, and basically drain it through each nostril. To those who haven't done it, it sounds horrible and is kind of freaky at first. Not to be gross, but I've gotten some VERY interesting (i.e. green) stuff out of there when I do mine!

Jen
 
I second trying the neti pot. I have severe allergies and have been using one for about 25 years. It can be wonderfully helpful, especially if it is mucus that is making it difficult to breathe. Like Jen said the first time you use it the feeling is really disconcerting. But if it works for you the minor weirdness is quickly offset by the relief. The way I look at it is it is an inexpensive, drug free, relatively easy thing to try, and if it works for you it is the best tool in your toolbox.

Good luck.

Shayne
 
Advil cold and sinus is my go to for sinus and congestion, for a non natural approach.
 
Hi RunningTeach. I ended up with a horrible sinus infection and Mucinex DM is what I took to help loosen up the gunk. Then a friend of mine brewed a concoction of fresh ginger and the white part of a green onion/scallion. I drank it hot and it did provide some relief. One more thing that works for me is to sit on my shower floor and let the steam work it's magic - and if you can stomach it a squirty nasal rinse---- yuck!!!

Hope you feel better soon!
Pam
 
Mucinex D and Breathe Right Strips

Runnin Teach, I got sick on Monday too and have also had terrible congestion. I have been taking Mucinex D (which is only available behind the pharmacy counter--you have to show them your license to get it, at least here in CA). This stuff really helps me.

Also, at night I have been using Breathe Right strips. I was skeptical at first because they are designed for snoring, but they have been working great for my stuffy nose.
 
Have you ever tried: NeilMed Sinus Rinse? It is similar to a neti pot, but it comes with special sinus treating salt packets and a sinus cleanser that is not quite as awkward as a Neti pot.

I hope you feel better.

O, and drink lots of water!
 
Thank you so much, everyone, for the suggestions!

Advil Cold & Sinus edged out the Mucinex because of the price factor, but if there's no relief, I will bite the bullet and get the heavy hitter.

I did take a lingering, hot shower, and that seemed to help too.

I tried a neti pot some years ago, and I didn't mind it, but to be frank, I never stuck with it long enough to see if there was preventative value to it. I did see them in the store today along with the Neil Med Rinse and am considering those as future options. I was probably feeling a bit stingy because I just spent a small fortune on eyeglasses this afternoon. :)

The food combining is really interesting, too. Sounds similar to traditional Chinese medicine. Will look more into that.

I held off on the Afrin because I have the two sprays, and the Zicam one said not to use it longer than 3 days, so I figured I'd better try a different approach.

Thanks again for the responses. Much, much appreciated!
 
My husband came home after a week of vacation and when he did he has a cold with lots of runny mucus. Yuck! I don't want it at all, so I got my Neti pot and doing that at least 3 times a day. It's only been two days, but so far I don't have any symptoms yet. I hope I don't.

I also wash up after him, wash my hands constantly...

Janie
 
I agree with those who said Mucimex. Also, hot toddies helped too. Hope you feel better soon. Melissa
 
RunninTeach said:
Thank you so much, everyone, for the suggestions!

Advil Cold & Sinus edged out the Mucinex because of the price factor, but if there's no relief, I will bite the bullet and get the heavy hitter.

I did take a lingering, hot shower, and that seemed to help too.

I tried a neti pot some years ago, and I didn't mind it, but to be frank, I never stuck with it long enough to see if there was preventative value to it. I did see them in the store today along with the Neil Med Rinse and am considering those as future options. I was probably feeling a bit stingy because I just spent a small fortune on eyeglasses this afternoon. :)

The food combining is really interesting, too. Sounds similar to traditional Chinese medicine. Will look more into that.

I held off on the Afrin because I have the two sprays, and the Zicam one said not to use it longer than 3 days, so I figured I'd better try a different approach.

Thanks again for the responses. Much, much appreciated!
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You probably just need to use your new flat iron and I'll bet you feel better! J/K! Sorry, shouldn't make jokes when you're feeling sooo yucky! My DH swears by the Neti Pot too...he started to get a sinus infection/cold 2 diff times and it knocked it right out. Feel well soon. BIG HUGS!
 
Haha! It's amazing what the sight of the good 'ol brown truck can do for ya. :D

Thanks, Debbie & Melissa! I'm feeling much better. I think I am going to go the way of the neti pot in the future, and it sounds like the Mucinex is worth it, too.
 
RunninTeach said:
Haha! It's amazing what the sight of the good 'ol brown truck can do for ya. :D

Thanks, Debbie & Melissa! I'm feeling much better. I think I am going to go the way of the neti pot in the future, and it sounds like the Mucinex is worth it, too.
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I'm so happy to hear you're feeling much better. I love that brown truck too! :)
 
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