Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Why I Can't Think So Well...

I know, I know excuses, excuses...
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Bear with me for a second... I promise there's a good, and I mean good excuse as to why I'm not taking pictures, blogging...

You see these three items? They are they only things keeping me upright at the moment. Without them I don't believe I could function at all. The tree and grass pollen counts are high, like red zone high here in Tulsa. Add some moderate weed and mold counts in there and many people around here are barely able to function. According to some reputable websites, we are having one of the worst spring allergy season in quite some time. Apparently the cold and snowy winter I was in love with is responsible (along with a warmer than normal spring). I'lm trying not to be bitter with the, but, it's rather difficult. I'm living through better chemistry right now and suffice it to day I am SO ready for some clearer air. It's the whole being able to breathe and think and function thing- I kinda like it.
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See told ya there was a good reason.

15 comments:

S. said...

I'm sorry, girl :( Hope you get back to normal soon! Just remember... things can't bloom forever!

Habebi said...

You promise?! lol

The Pliers said...

Please allow me to sincerely sympathize with your current health challenge.

Having grown up in Chickasha, Tulsa, OKC, and Edmond between 0-15.5 years old, and then having moved to San Jose & San Francisco, California for 10 years each, then having lived in Orange County, California for 20 years, I have a connaisseur's appreciation for the devastating effects of the spring pollens in Oklahoma on one's basic ability to function.

As I sit here typing I have at my feet a zippered plastic bag full-to-bursting with prescription medications that I hoarded for the move to France and paramount among them are:

–ProAir®HFA (albuteral sulfate) - bronchodialator inhaler

-QVAR®80mcg (beclomethasone) - cortico-steroid bronchial inhaler

-Fluticasone Propionate 50mcg - nasal inhaler

OTCs include:

–Sudafed (preferred element in making Meth...)

-Benedryl

-Loratadine

What I can say is that I'm sorry you are suffering right now because I've been there and been unnecessarily ill for months due to upper-respiratory allergies and sensitivities.

I can only suggest that you treat yourself like someone preparing for a siege until the pollen counts go down. You have to have a plan of attack for the problem globally.

For example, plan to take Benedryl before bedtime in order to get a good, dry-nose & -chest night's sleep. Allergies make one tired and restless and good sleep is critical.

Upon awakening, mix 8oz of tepid tap water with 1/4 tsp of sea salt. Mix it up until it dissolves. Cup the water in your hand and snort the water up your nose. Repeat 2-3 times. You will not like this action. We are trained not to snort water. It brings up images of drowning. However, you will not drown, the water will run down the back of your throat, and you will have cleared your nasal passages' mucosal lining of allergens and crud.

Having done so, you can use a, preferably Rx, nasal inhaler throughout the season to diminish the havoc that the triggers wreak once they get up your nose.

I hate to say it, because beautiful weather is seductive, but stay inside as much as you can for a couple of weeks to let things calm down while you ramp up a system for coping with the symptoms.

Do some research on the meds that I listed and see if you can find a generalist at a clinic who can prescribe the inhalers (bronchial and nasal). Tell them you have "seasonal RAD (reactive airways disease - it's just a catch all for describing people with episodically twitchy lungs and sinuses. I know that you do not have health insurance so you will have to do some research to find the best source and price for the meds.

These are all topical solutions to specific symptoms (that cause untold discomfort and lost productivity) that do work IF you use them religiously until the season passes and the air is less symptom-inducing.

Also, I would look for someone trained in 5 PATH hypnotherapy and/or Ericksonian hypnotherapy and I would make an appointment with him/her to discuss "allergies" and get some permanent relief that way, too, because allergies are never just allergies, or else every single person on earth would be susceptible in exactly the same way every where on earth that pollens proliferated;>)

Sorry for the long comment.

Anonymous said...

Allergies are so nasty. Do your eyes swell up as well? Sorry to hear that you're drug dependent right now. Bon courage!

Habebi said...

Pliers- No apologies needed! I appreciate your suggestions and I know you know how Oklahoma can be during this time of year. Oy and vey.

I've been working on a routine and tweaking it over the years. When I was a teenager I would get sinutitus, usually accompianed by bronchitis up to 4 times a year. Why my parents never thought to get me some allergy medication I will never know.

I look at pictures of me at that age and I see it- puffy eyes, swollen sinuses, etc. I am amazed I functioned as well as I did at times. I remember complaining often about how tired I was only to hear, "You're too young to be so tired all of the time"

Now I'm taking action to keep healthy despite the lack of insurance. OU and OSU both have medical clinics in Tulsa so I might be able to get an appointment and pay sliding scale. I will have to look into that.

I am staying inside as much as possible. You're so right- it's a must! I don't have a working a/c at the moment, so windows have been down when I drive around. However, that will have to be remedied too not only because of the allergens, but, also because Leo will undoubtedly get heat stress if I don't fix it.

Ahhh life. Can be quite a game of whack a mole at times can't it? lol

Thanks again for the advice Pliers! I will take it to heart!

Habebi said...

Dedene- Yes I even have puffy eyes! I didn't put a picture of it, but, I've been using Zyrtec allergy eye drops morning and night to help that. They work VERY well! Thank you for the encouragement- 'tis the season for allergies around here! So I'll make it through.

Sarah- Little Ark Photography said...

i TOTALLY understand. things aren't blooming here yet, but when they do, i'll be hit with an intense allergy disgustingness.

can't wait...

Habebi said...

I feel ya Sarah! Stay strong and stock up on meds. Just remind yourself that there is a light at the end of this long and stuffy nose tunnel!

Jen said...

Those are asthma inhalers...be careful with those...the albuterol can make your heart race.

It's the tree pollen that gets me. Hope you feel better soon.

annelise said...

Yuck. Sinus-y stuff is the worst. I sneeze like a maniac and get a sinus attack a couple of times a year. I had a deviated septum a few years ago which caused constant infections, sore face, headaches, tired, sore throat, blah blah blah. I had it operated on, they cut away part of the bone to allow free passage (GROSS!!) but guess what? The bone grew back. WTF?! Anyway. My sinuses aren't perfect now, but at least I don't get the infections anymore.

Isn't amazing how bad it can make you feel? Hope it clears up soon!!

Clouds said...

I hope you feel better soon!! Drink honey!

Jessica said...

Get well soon girl... it is no fun being all stuffy but it sounds like you've got the right tools to start feeling better soon... get some puppy love in, too, that always makes me feel better. ;)

Habebi said...

Annelise- Omg!! It grew back? Ugh! I think I have a deviated septem, but, haven't had the insurance to get it checked much less taken care of. I get a lot of sinus infections, drainage, yada yada. Definitely need to get it checked when I can something on my to-do list.

Yes it does drag me down. But, if I can manage to prevent a sinus infection by the end of spring I will be happy!

Habebi said...

Clouds- Thank you! The honey is a good tip!

Habebi said...

Thanks Jessica! I am definitely trying my best and if it doesn't work this season then I'll try something different next year!

Yes, puppy love makes many, many things better.