[jbug]

I am trying to decide if I just have a cold that won't go away or if its just allergies because I have a lot of them.

I am sneezing and blowing my nose all the time and sometimes it's clear and sometimes it has a slight yellow tinge to it. I also cough and it is a productive cough and it also is slightly yellow. I am also very congested when I lay down to sleep at night I can barely wear my CPAP mask because my nose gets all clogged up and the air can't get through so I have to not wear the mask all night. I also am very tired all the time.

I called my doctor yesterday to see what I could take for a cold and he told me to take Claritin or Benadryl so I picked up some Claritin today and took some and it doesn't seem to be helping at all. So does that have to build up in your system or is it supposed to work right away?

I am trying to avoid having to go back to see the doctor again I hate going to the doctor and if I can treat it home all the better.

So does this sound like a cold or does it sound more like allergies?

Jbug

[krzyk101]

Hi Jbug
Sorry to hear your having sickness, thought perhaps you may try Zyrtec or generic version cetirizine which is a OTC allergy pill I take and it helps me lot, it does cause drowsiness though.

If the common cold, then mostly just plenty of rest and fluids, I would say that your experiencing mostly both together, making you feel double the usual allergy problems and ill all the way round. Do hope you get well soon. Krzyk101

[jbug]

Thanks. I will have to go to the store and pick that up and try that med. I am just so tired of being run down. I want to be my old perky self.

Jbug

[(JD)]

At this point, it doesn't matter what caused this, because you have an infection that needs treatment. (Any yellow...orange... green mucous indicates an infection, with varying degrees of seriousness.)

If you are always sick, then you might need to detox your home, and your body. (Allergies could be from food, inhalents or contact.) If you find yourself sicker at night, like for bed, then it's more than likely a food allergy. If you find at certain times of the day...when you are doing a certain task or in a certain place, and your symptoms increase, then it's probably environment. However, I have inhalent allergies also, and some of the cold fronts (depending upon what time of year and from what direction) that descend upon South Florida bring elements I'm allergic to.

I hope you feel better soon.

(PS I take guarana to clear the phlegm and mucous out... it's an herb. I have too many allergies to medications that are synthetic. Go figure. lol)

[Sannah]

JBug, when did this start, when the weather turned cold?

[jbug]

I did notice when the weather did start to change I started to feel yucky.

I started to vomit in the night last night and finally have that under control but have an appointment with my doc tomorrow . Oh well at least I will get to weigh to see if I have taken off the weight I gained last time I saw him.

Jbug

[jbug]

It has been confirmed that I have a sinus infection. I have been put on an antibiotic and told to drink lots of liquids.

Jbug

[(JD)]

Sorry to hear (but was pretty sure from what you said) Now, to figure out what caused it? Maybe once you feel better.

[krzyk101]

jbug, sorry to hear you have confirmed infecting kudos for making the appointment with your doc and going despite your fears. I hope the antibiotic helps to clear up the sinus infection, I suffer from them frequently.

One thing I have started to use is a Saline Sinus Rinse, which is like a nasal pot thing that you add a packet of inexpensive saline solution along with distilled water to a line on the bottle, then or use boiled water left to cool to room temperature, you place the nozzle thing on your nostril, then the mixture goes up your nose and out your mouth over the sink.

It has helped with my sinus allergy and is supposed to help with congestion, nasal irritation from dust, pollen, animal dander and other allergens.

Just another OTC thing I thought I would share that my doc started and advised me to use to help keep my sinus clear and help reduce the risk of a reoccurring sinus infection.

Hope you begin to feel better soon, blessings kk101
hugs

[jbug]

Originally Posted by krzyk101

jbug, sorry to hear you have confirmed infecting kudos for making the appointment with your doc and going despite your fears. I hope the antibiotic helps to clear up the sinus infection, I suffer from them frequently.

One thing I have started to use is a Saline Sinus Rinse, which is like a nasal pot thing that you add a packet of inexpensive saline solution along with distilled water to a line on the bottle, then or use boiled water left to cool to room temperature, you place the nozzle thing on your nostril, then the mixture goes up your nose and out your mouth over the sink.

It has helped with my sinus allergy and is supposed to help with congestion, nasal irritation from dust, pollen, animal dander and other allergens.

Just another OTC thing I thought I would share that my doc started and advised me to use to help keep my sinus clear and help reduce the risk of a reoccurring sinus infection.

Hope you begin to feel better soon, blessings kk101
hugs

Is that like a Neti Pot? I saw that on Oprah once and thought about it. I'm thinking maybe one of the factors in me getting my infection was I was keeping my apartment too cold. I turned the heat up and maybe that will help. I was keeping it chilly cuz I didn't want my utility bills to go up to awful bad as I have both gas and electric heat. My heater is heated by water so my water bill goes up in the winter as well so need to try to keep all my utilities down so was keeping my apartment at a cool 65 so I turned it up to 72 so it is still chilly and I need to have a blanket on but it isn't as cold as it was.

Jbug

[Sannah]

I second the Neti pot! I have had infections that I have washed away doing this (so no antibiotics!). Actually I am doing it right now. I had a cold and some allergies which then became an infection. I have turned the corner now and I should have it beat in a few days. I make my own salt water. I know others who have done the same. These bacterial infections are usually just an overgrowth of your own bacteria who have taken advantage of the congested environment which occurred from a virus or from the allergies.

Jbug, I don't think that being cold makes you sick, actually I think too much heat can dry you out which isn't good for your mucous membranes. I only asked about the weather change because this is when we pull out our warmer clothes and blankets which have been in storage and are full of dust mites. We wash everything that comes out of storage (or just hung our your closet since last season) or we will get sick.

[ECHOES]

jbug, I hope you are feeling much better. It's good that you have an antibiotic to help.

Ironically, I wonder if the many doctor visits recently put you right where the germs are--in the waiting rooms.

[krzyk101]

I hope you are getting better jbug-

i am not sure, but Hospitals are usually cold because of the germs and virus's that grow in the warm and damp air. Maybe keeping the heat as it was would be the best for your health and also the pocketbook!

I think that virus' grow in the warm places and the cooler temps keep them down. I keep my apt. around 70fdegrees, i grew up at 68degrees farenhight and told to put on a sweater if we were chilly.

I hope you are getting over the infecton and feeling more better. blessings kk101

[jbug]

I am feeling better... still sneezing which lets me know I need to get a filter for my air purifer and turn it on. I forgot I had it and was cleaning out a box looking for something and lo and behold there it was. I just checked online to see how much it was and it's not too terribly expensive so next week when I get my check I'll have to go to Home Depot and get one. I think that will help with the germs in my apartment also.

The antibiotic is a big ole horse pill and I have learned I have to eat a little something when I take it or my tummy gets a little queasy. But other than that I am feeling a bit better.

Jbug

[krzyk101]

jbug glad to hear you are feeling some better, the air puifirer sounds like a good idea take care kkris101