Any suggestions on scheduling around unpredictable health problems?

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My ongoing sinus problems are becoming more of an issue in my life. It seems as though at least once a week I end up with a serious sinus headache and maybe the beginning of a sinus infection. I'm not asking for medical suggestions, since I think I've tried an awful lot already (and I have a long list of altnerative approaches I could try). But how do you deal with this on a practical level? I am often reluctant to commit to doing things at particular times, because there's always a reasonably good chance that my sinus trouble will kick in. It's often related to changes in the weather, but the weather changes a lot here in Philadelphia. On the other hand, I don't get sinus problems with every single weather change; and I've yet to figure out exactly which types of change are triggering the problems. Also, any time the mold count gets very high, I tend to run into trouble.

Compared to other illnesses, it's pretty minor, but it creates problems; and in a sense it creates additional problems precisely because it is minor. People don't really get why it's such a big deal. Given my personality, when I'm feeling literally under the weather or when I'm having major allergy problems, I'd rather just be alone. Sometimes people I've been close to have had trouble understanding that. (I need to date Cancers and avoid Libras. It seems as though every time I meet a Cancer woman, things go like this: if she is attracted to me, I'm not atrracted to her, and vice versa. And frustratingly, there almost always is attraction, just not mutual attraction.) Or on a strictly business level: I canceled a driving lessons this past week because of sinus problems, and now I'm not hearing back from the instructor. I'd be willing to pay for lessons that I haven't canceled 24 or 48 hours in advance, or whatever is thought reasonable. I guess I need to say that. In the past year, I have twice had tickets for concerts which, for health reasons, I ended up not going to. I will cancenl plans for health reasons even if it means losing money.

(Or maybe I'm just a depressed hypochondriac--no.)

― Rockist_Scientist (rockist_scientist), Sunday, 7 November 2004 17:09 (twenty-one years ago)

How the zodiac ended up in your sinuses I don't know, but being a Cancer woman I can tell you that I'm not into being ignored any more than a Libra woman would be. The answer to your problems sounds pharmaceutical rather than zodiacal. Try 24-hour Claritin + 2 Sudafeds and coffee in the morning. Sleep with an air cleaner in your room. If it's cold, turn on a space heater, but make sure there's enough moisture in the air--leave a pie plate with water nearby, it will act as a humidifier.

Those are all my sinus and allergy tricks.

― Orbit (Orbit), Sunday, 7 November 2004 18:39 (twenty-one years ago)

I have an allergist and am on lots of medications. Two sudafeds + coffee would be way too much of a stimulant for me. I haven't tried the air filter, but the allergists I've talked to have said they thought it was not much help.

Keep in mind, too, there's the weather sensitivity issue, which medicine seems to have no way of handling.

In my experience, Cancers expect, but also offer, more understanding about sudden mood changes as well as unpredictable illness.

― Rockist_Scientist (rockist_scientist), Sunday, 7 November 2004 19:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Just a thought - I believed for years that what I was having 2-4 days a week were sinus headaches. They turned out to be migraines. This happens a lot, apparently. Now I have migraine pills that kick them out in about half an hour. Yay!

― Layna Andersen (Layna Andersen), Sunday, 7 November 2004 19:09 (twenty-one years ago)

An allergist who says an air cleaner won't help isn't worth his degree! If you have allegies to stuff in the air, filters are indispensable.

― Orbit (Orbit), Sunday, 7 November 2004 19:43 (twenty-one years ago)

If you have allegies to stuff in the air, filters are indispensable.

Especially for your bedroom, considering the amount of time you spend in there. Check your sheets and blankets, too.

Also, try not to look at the weather forecast, or the mould count figures, or anything like that - if you don't *know* what the mould count is, how do your sinuses feel?

― caitlin (caitlin), Sunday, 7 November 2004 21:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Also, try not to look at the weather forecast, or the mould count figures, or anything like that - if you don't *know* what the mould count is, how do your sinuses feel?

Please.

― Rockist_Scientist (rockist_scientist), Monday, 8 November 2004 00:18 (twenty-one years ago)

(I'm not going to be looking at this thread any further.)

― Rockist_Scientist (rockist_scientist), Monday, 8 November 2004 00:19 (twenty-one years ago)

If chronic sinus congestion is a problem, the doctors should look up your nose w/ a camera to see if you have a deviated septum or something.

If you just have severe allergic rhinitus (like me) that can give you headachey feelings without actual sinus congestion/blocking.

All sorts of stuff here: http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic104.htm

I take a nose inhalor (nasonex) 2x a day in summer and during the autumn/winter 4x a day. This is helpful. I have also taken Claritin and similar allergy meds. I still have bad days where I have to cancel appointments/social activities.

― marianna, Monday, 8 November 2004 14:14 (twenty-one years ago)

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