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Head congestion....what clears it up for you?

tomlinmgt

tomlinmgt

Lunatic Member
A little less than a week ago I developed a wicked sore throat due to sinus drainage. It wasn't the productive, hockin' up phlegm every minute sort of drainage, but rather thick and stationary on my throat such that I couldn't expel it. I did a neti pot rinse, Chloraseptic, herbal teas, menthol throat drops a drank A LOT of water and that cleared up the sore throat but the mucus just moved to a different location in my head, like up to my upper sinuses and nose. Now I have drainage from my nose and am able to blow some of it out and can hock up some of the of phlegm but my ears are getting the sensation of being blocked, such that sometimes when I blow my nose my left ear will feel like it's getting stuffed with cotton. I thought it could be allergies as last week we had a change of weather but now a front is coming in and bringing arctic air and I fear that may only compound the problem. Claritin-D works pretty good for me when allergies start kickin' and I've been taking it for the last four days and it's offered some relief, but it's not clearing up all the head congestion. I've never taken much else for this type of thing and don't know what the "heavy gun" OTC meds are for this condition. Oh, and the mucus is clear and there have been no headaches or pain in and around my sinuses so I'm thinking I don't have a sinus infection. I should probably break out the neti pot again but am thinking surely there's an OTC out there that can probably help. Suggestions...or at least care to share what has worked for you to get this type of thing under control?
 
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I live in the same area as you and my years of sinus suffering went away with simple over the counter stuff. Sneezing non stop, water faucet nose. I went through all that prescription medication and what worked for me was generic Chlortabs from Walmart. Been taking them for at least 10 years one little yellow pill every morning when I wake up. I get an occasional bout, but nothing near the misery of years past. 100 pills for 3 bucks, three month supply.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Equate-Chlortabs-Tablets-Antihistamine-100-Ct/14053323
 
Double your water intake. and....
Most don't want to try it...I drink straight organic (Braggs brand here) apple cider vinegar when my head gets like that, (well, for lots of things) usually get some relief in a couple hours. Helps to hold it in your mouth for a bit if you can.

Change your ph, kill the bug. A bit of extra Salt might help too.

I'm no doc....just what I do,

My doc is an osteopath, he is 73, and suggested this.
 
Claritin-D and the Flip-Turn Sinus Flush. It works much better for me than Neti Pot.

I used to average about 1 sinus infection per year, usually in the fall. Now I do the flush once per day while symptoms occur (sinus drainage), and I've not had an infection since--going on about 5 years now.

EDIT: I should add that I'm a pilot and I have to avoid antihistamines that have a sedative effect. Claritin-D works best for me as a non-sedative antihistamine.
 
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real Sudafed, the stuff you have to ask for at the counter. Its pseudophedrine, not the phenylphedrine thats out on the shelf. That and hot showers (or just hot wash cloth on the face) to help loosen and drain all that gunk.
 
Guiafenessen will help move the mucous out and it does not have rebound effects like other decongentants.
 
gadget73 said:
real Sudafed, the stuff you have to ask for at the counter. Its pseudophedrine, not the phenylphedrine thats out on the shelf. That and hot showers (or just hot wash cloth on the face) to help loosen and drain all that gunk.
Click to expand...

Yep - when I get those nasty head colds - real sudafed every 4 hours or so along with some advil
 
costerdock said:
Yep - when I get those nasty head colds - real sudafed every 4 hours or so along with some advil
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12 hour Sudafed is even better. It will work and it will clear you out completely but it has a rebound effect and when you stop using it your sinus will plug up worse than it was before. That's why I didn't recommend it and that's why I don't use it anymore.
 
lots of fresh oranges works for me .. started eating lots yesterday as it happens ..have had the lurgy for a few days now
 
tomlinmgt said:
Was thinkin wasabi might be in order...
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Mixed with horse radish and Chinese mustard.
Give the little buggers something to deal with!

Seriously, it sounds like the latest pain-in-the-butt cold going around.
I got it on a flight to Vegas in September. Took weeks for the congestion to clear and it triggered shingles!

Fun times to be sure.

Oh, and my go-to OTC is alka-seller plus.
Works to stem runny nose and enough other crap to give me a minor energy buzz.
It keeps me limping until my system can fight off the junk.

FWIW, steam showers are excellent for fighting colds.
Best bathroom fixture ever.
I have one in two houses now.
 
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Thanks for the input guys. Got some Sudafed 12 hr 'cause it was convenient, but lots of recommendations here worth looking into as this sure as hell won't be the last time I have to deal with this.

I did the neti pot again this morning....I just love watchin all that crap that's in my head drain out. It's like, victory.
 
Beatnik said:
I live in the same area as you and my years of sinus suffering went away with simple over the counter stuff. Sneezing non stop, water faucet nose. I went through all that prescription medication and what worked for me was generic Chlortabs from Walmart. Been taking them for at least 10 years one little yellow pill every morning when I wake up. I get an occasional bout, but nothing near the misery of years past. 100 pills for 3 bucks, three month supply.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Equate-Chlortabs-Tablets-Antihistamine-100-Ct/14053323
Click to expand...

+1

I can't take sudafed or anything that aggravate my A-fib. I've been taking Chlortabs (Chlor-Trimeton) for the last 27 yrs. The generic ones I take are up to 6 tabs a day, and very cheap.

My daughter, who has horrible allergies swears by Claritin® (no affiliation :))

Hope you get well soon.

Wayne
 
I went thru this last month, Michael. Got sick on October 3rd, and JUST NOW getting over it. Same tacky, THICK goo. Ears rang for 3 weeks, since the crud was behind the drum. Was terrified that it wouldn't leave.

Lots of hot showers, hot cloth on face to soften, and lots of neti potting.

Best of luck, man.
 
Chlor-Trimetron 4mg AND real Sudafed 60MG....works like a charm. The CTM will help with the post-nasal drip that causes the sore throat once you start to drain with the help of the Sudafed.

I think it is called Wal-Phed at Walgreen's you have to go the Pharmacy counter...that worthless stuff they sell on the shelf is not worth the cardboard it comes in. For me anyway.
 
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