Is there a doctor on board?

[saab2000]

Alrighty, I am getting tired of this. Last Sunday I am flying home from Milwaukee and I start to get stuffed up. I lay low for a few days and last night my sniffles turn into a raging cold.

Since childhood I have been very susceptible to these things, some of which last 2-3 weeks and keep me off the bike that long. Recently, these have been taking turns for the worse and develop into sinus infections, requiring antibiotics. I have stopped using nasal sprays as I have heard those can actually make things worse, by inhaling bacteria.

I know that nobody can diagnose something online (though apparently Dr. Frist can do it over the TV....).

For the doctors or other medical pros here, what is the deal? I am not a weak person in my general constitution, but I have always been very susceptible to colds. The current one is the fourth in the space of less than 18 months. These are intense affairs that keep me from work. The last one was in July and the only benefit was that it happened during my vacation, so I did not have to call in sick at work, thus saving me $$$. But a miserable way to spend a vacation I had planned on cycling through.

I have always had closed nasal passages. I think I breathe oddly and have been accused of occasionally snoring quite loudly.

I plan to see and E.N.T. specialist soon.

Have any of you doctors seen people who ares especially weak in this area? Is there any treatment? Is there any hope or will I be plagued by this for the rest of my life?

Help!?!?!?!?!

[thejen12]

I have suffered as you are suffering now. Finally, this spring I bought a new bed and new bedding, and a HEPA aircleaner that runs constantly (on low setting) in my bedroom. The results were dramatic! I have been much healthier this year, and have stayed off antibiotics. I have even felt something coming on, and been able to fight it off with a couple of days rest, rather than going through a 2-3 week ordeal.

Have you been tested for allergies? I think in my case, the allergies (dust mites and mold) gave me a lot of post nasal drip that was a breeding ground for bacteria. In addition, the stuffy nose kept me from sleeping as well as I might, because I didn't get as much oxygen during the night. So the slightest little thing would invariably lead to a sinus infection.

The new bed and bedding probably cleared up a lot of dust mite stuff, and the air cleaner gets mold spores out of the air. Not that I would expect a lot of mold spores in the air (?), but the air cleaner really helped a lot.

A good HEPA air cleaner will set you back about $150, but well worth it for me.

Good luck,

Jenn

[93legendti]

Mucinex and Sinus Rinse, OTC. You'll breath better, get less colds and get over colds faster. Guaranteed. My wife catches every cold my daughter brings home from preschool, which happen every 3 weels or so. I have caught only 1. Considering I take her to and from school and help out with the car pool drop-offs it is a pretty good record.

[Too Tall]

I'm no doc...doc. What you describe sounds familiar to me. What helped is a Neti pot. Try it, inexpensive and works. Get the stainless version. Also, PM me for a line on really good daily vitamins.

[manet]

quit lickin the plane's air filters

[2LeftCleats]

It's difficult to assess online, but there are several possibilities. Am I correct that you're a pilot? My understanding is that the air recirculation systems in planes efficiently redistribute respiratory viruses, so it may be an occupational hazard. You may have allergies. You may have malfunctioning sinuses, which make it harder for your natural defenses to cope. It's probably worth the visit to an ENT and/or allergist. If you have chronic problems, perhaps one of the nasal steroid sprays will help. Saline spray is reasonable. Try to avoid frequent use of decongestant sprays (Afrin, etc.) There is also a trend away from the overuse of antibiotics (we are creating a very scary set of super bugs), which may not actually do very much even if one has true sinusitis. Most antibiotics are prescribed for colds, in which case they are worthless, expensive, and hazardous.

[saab2000]

quit lickin the plane's air filters

But they are so yummy!


Yes, I am a pilot. But I got these bad colds long before I ever flew a plane. I may get them more now, but they are nothing new to me. There is no doubt that the air supply in an airplane is pretty bad, but there is far less re-circulation than most people think. Most of the air is outside air. That is one reason why it is so unbelievably arid on an airplane. High altitude air contains very little moisture.

Another problem is that airplanes are simply filthy places, even if they look clean. Today I flew 3 airplanes with several hundred people in total, starting in Jackson, MS and flying around to different airports where there are undoubtedly sick people.

I do understand about the overprescription of antibiotics. I don't know the answer there. They dealt with my sinus infections quite effectively. I don't think I have one as of yet in this current illness. There is no pressure in the forehead and there are no other symptoms that make me think that is what is happening. I never used to take anything for these colds. They just went away after 10 days or so. But in the past 18 months I have had four bad ones, lasting the better part of three weeks each before there was significant relief.

It sucks from many perspectives and is undoubtedly one of the reasons I have not been able to reach any kind of good form on the bike in the past couple years. Three weeks off the bike lying around makes me flabby and slow.

[andy mac]

when i was stressed, quite a bit the last few years, i seemed to get sick every month or so. lessening it has made me feel much better and the bugs have been keeping away.

:beer:


andy.

[bcm119]

How about a vaporizer in the cockpit? Your co-pilot could wipe little circles on the window to see through. Then you could nap under your chair.

[saab2000]

Having to be able to see out the window is SOOO 1930s.

I am off to bed. That is probably the best medicine.

I do like the idea of an air purifyer or filter though.

[onekgguy]

Saab,

Often times my colds will morph into a sinus infection. I found that if I hit the decongestants regularly while I'm in the throws of a cold it helps to minimize the chance of that happening.

Kevin

[spiderman]

but it sounds like a good idea to see an ent doc...
you could have
allergic rhinitis...allergy to dust, mold, cats, weeds, trees or grass
nonallergic rhinitis...sensitivity to perfume, candles, pot pouri, passive smoke
making you more likely to contract
one of 111 different types of rhinovirus
that cause your nasal mucosa to swell and potentially
'plug your sinuses'...maxillary, sphenoid or ethmoid...
tt's solution...normal saline...is a good one
...no better way to rinse the nasal passageways
than profuse sinus irrigation...
...it can prevent sinuses
or decrease both the extent and severity of infections if you get
bacteria growing in there...
sometimes nasal polyps, a deviated septum or
like it sounds in your case...small nasal passageways
can make you more prone to all of the above...
or even obstructive sleep apnea...
two other things that may help...
1) a steroid nasal spray to shrink swelling
2) an antihistamine spray like astelin...
that one tastes pretty bad, but works pretty well
...but to make this seem cycling related,
could open things up and stem the tide
enough to ride!

[gasman]

Saab-
Spidy covered it pretty well. You will have to find what works for you. I tried a Neti pot for a couple years but kept getting sinusitis anyway. I have had great luck with steroid nasal spray used as needed. Great idea to see an ENT, after all I'm just an anesthesiologist.

Rest, exercise, and a good diet will help. Be sure to wash you hands- a lot. Before you eat or even touch your face. Studies have shown a huge number of cold viruses are passed through the hands touching the face.

Look on the good side, as you age you will have been exposed to more nasty bugs and therefore have an immune system that has seen many of these pesky guys. After a while you will get colds less frequently because your body will immediately mount a strong defense.

Good luck.

[vaxn8r]

All good adviece. Also, don't forget your flu shot!

[JohnS]

I had the same problem until about 3 years ago. I went to an ENT instead of an allergist and he stuck a 'scope up my nose (what fun!) and realized that my nasal passages weren't straight. This allowed sinus gunk to just sit there and breed bacteria. He rotorootered them out in outpatient surgery and I've been fine ever since.

[lemondsteel]

I too have, in the past, suffered from nasal congestion, sinusitis, etc. Prior posts covered it well but I find washing my hands frequently has helped and most of all I take warm salt water ( 1/4 teaspoon in a small glass and wash the cavity out twice a week. A small squeeze bulb from the phamacist is easily found. It is AMAZING how well this works! Not everyone seems to be able to do this to themselves. My wife has a hard time with it. I have not had a sinius infection since I started doing this. I have allergies and it seems to keep it all in check.... Especially after a long ride where I have been ramming pollen and all sorts of junk down my nose. Cheap remedy if you can stand to do it.

[Kevan]

and the seat cushions are made with agar. My office peeps travel a lot and it seems whenever we have a project team fly somewhere someone brings to the conference table a cold.

Feel better!

[saab2000]

I have an appointment with an ENT specialist for Tuesday. I hope that this is getting better by then. 'Til then there is not much I can do except watch my tubulars go flat on my bikes.

I can't even assemble my new/used one as it is not here yet.

[Skrawny]

I'm just a heart guy, but I agree with spidey, gassman and the vaxn8r.
-s

[saab2000]

Thanks for the tips. Regarding the saline solutions, can I just use an "over the counter" one like you find at Walgreens or another similar store?

Should I use these on a regular basis? Will they help keep bacteria away? For example, should I use one each day a few times when I am flying?

Any more tips would be appreciated, especially since this sounds like a simple procedure which is not really a medical treatment per se.

[Skrawny]

Just saline spray from any drug store.
I think there is a product called "Ocean Nasal Spray" but the generic is just fine.
Go ahead and use it on a regular basis, it has no drug so it is hard to go too wrong... Helps wash out allergens, and keeps the nasal mucosa happy. I don't know if it has a significant effect on bacterial colonization.

-s

[saab2000]

Thanks. Just bought one.

[Dekonick]

No Doc here, but I play one on the forum... :rolleyes:

My Sister has similar sinus issues (and happens to be a MD but she doesn't play one on the forum) and has seen several ENT's over the years. She does the saline sinus flush mentioned above and it helps her alot. Go see your ENT and ask - but snorting saline sure seems a simple solution serving your snotty sinuses.