seperis | allergy update - this is my life

So, appointment with allergist today. Wait for it. Or not, I'll just tell you.

Forty-one separate skin tests--including rabbit--have yielded the following: I may be a little tiny bit allergic to walnuts and German cockroaches. Everything else was statistically insignificant and I have pictures of my back to prove it. Or, those things could be contributory maybe? but not really. I don't even like walnuts so not a problem there.

That said.

I have a mildly deviated septum which no one in my entire life of doctors looking up my nose has noticed before and needs special equipment to explore (my nostril. To explore my nostril). I had mentioned earlier in the appointment that my upper gums got swollen or tender or really sensitive on occasion as well as the roof of my mouth and I still had problems smelling things sometimes or I smell the wrong things, sometimes unpleasant. Her expression should have warned me but whatever.

So working theory: I have had a chronic sinus infection most of my life, which apparently is true of forty-nine percent of the population who comes in for allergy tests, specifically one that reacts badly to changes in barometric pressure, humidity, temperature aka weather changes and becomes irritated and inflamed and worse and contributory to my misery. There is no season for this; it's all the seasons.

...yes. I am allergic to weather. To weather. That's a thing.

(Like, won't lie, a part of me was like "YES I KNEW IT WOULD BE SOMETHING STUPID AND WEIRD AND WHAT" but...I was joking about being allergic to the weather. I didn't know it was a thing. But it is a thing.)

Now why on earth insert concept here: no idea. I've had diagnosed sinus infections before, so that part is at least there, but the rest, no fucking clue. She added an antihistamine to the flonase for daily use that I need to take at an angle because the taste is horrific if it gets to the back of my throat. I also have an appointment with an ENT in March to do deep nostril exploration--nostril exploration--and also need to acquire and learn to use a neti pot???? and ponder universal irony.

Like, I have no idea where this goes but you'd think someone, somewhere would have said "Gosh, that's one deviated septum I wonder if shit is getting up there and infecting????" Like, any time since fourth grade?

Okay, but. Why do antihistamines work? Why does hay make me sneeze? What is the sound of one hand clapping? We just don't know.

Update: I am making two quarts of tea, three parts Yorkshire Red/one part Lady Grey to deal with my life. Extra sweet: I deserve it. Recommended for existential nasal complaints and need of high-calibre caffeine.

You know about the distilled water for the neti pot because of the brain-eating amoebas, right?

I'm not making this up, this woman in Seattle, her brain...well. Like, I wouldn't mention this if it wasn't an actual problem that I'd rather nobody ever had again.

I was warned to get distilled water, yes. This is one of the reasons I've been resistant to neti pots before now.

It really does worry me. But then I guess I have had a fair number of parasitic...well, things with flagellae? And they are so bad in my guts that I find the thought of them being anywhere else pretty upsetting. Probably upsetting all out of proportion to the odds of it actually being an issue in my life.

See, I'd be less freaked out by prions if they WERE monsters. BUT NO. Misfolded protein bullshit, with LITERALLY NO ACTUAL WILL INVOLVED. Just! Infecting you with misfolded proteins! WHAT THE FUCK.

This is why mammalian brains are my hardline NO, as a foodie. I will eat literally anything the fuck else, but I don't care how rude I'm being: NO MAMMALIAN BRAINS. I realise that this is not entirely rational, ok. But on the other hand: prions. D:

You could boil the water and cool it at home, as an alternative.

This is one of the things I use our electric kettle for.

Put water in kettle. Start kettle. Forget kettle. Go "Oh, I should wash my nose." Go to kettle to boil water. Find pre-boiled water.

every fucking morning.

(The water left in the pot gets poured into a pitcher which I keep refrigerated. So on the 1 morning in 4 when I remember to do the nose right away, I can cool it off with boiled water.)

Hello deviated septum friend! I'm glad you're not allergic to rabbits!

Sinuses are crappy pieces of crap and when they get swollen they stay swollen, causing pain and harbouring infections etc. So the antihistamine may be helping by tamping down minor allergic reactions that are making your chronically crap sinuses worse, and hay is probably causing a reaction because tiny particles are getting up there and causing more irritation and thus more swelling (do other dusty environments cause issues too?)

So what I do is take antihistamines every day, use a steroid nasal spray every day, and use pseudoephedrine when I have an added issue like a cold or an allergy flare-up or a sudden drop of barometric pressure. I can't use a neti pot for vertigo reasons, but family members who have the same sinus issues really like them. I just use a saline nasal spray instead.

Hello deviated septum friend! I'm glad you're not allergic to rabbits!

I am so weirded out this has never come up before. I've had doctors checking my nose for years!

Sinuses are crappy pieces of crap and when they get swollen they stay swollen, causing pain and harbouring infections etc. So the antihistamine may be helping by tamping down minor allergic reactions that are making your chronically crap sinuses worse, and hay is probably causing a reaction because tiny particles are getting up there and causing more irritation and thus more swelling (do other dusty environments cause issues too?)

I wondered if it was acting as irritant instead of allergic, so thank you for confirming! I didn't know how to phrase it.

She asked me the same thing about dust: I honestly haven't been around enough dust for it to come up, or at least in enclosed spaces that I can remember or at least, remember specifically. Probably yes? But not recently.

However, for the last year I've had a Honeywell HEPA air purifier that catches kind of everything if the filters are anything to go by (it's like nightmare fuel when I change them) and the rabbit enclosure has had a pet air purifier for the last few months, so I'm not sure dust gets a chance to gather in my apartment in any quantity anymore.

So what I do is take antihistamines every day, use a steroid nasal spray every day, and use pseudoephedrine when I have an added issue like a cold or an allergy flare-up or a sudden drop of barometric pressure. I can't use a neti pot for vertigo reasons, but family members who have the same sinus issues really like them. I just use a saline nasal spray instead.

Yes, I used to use psuedophedrine all the time; looks like I'll have to grab more. Gah, it just makes me so sleepy but needs must.

I am so weirded out this has never come up before. I've had doctors checking my nose for years!

They can get worse over time! Mine has been in the same position since I was 12, but my brother's was only slightly off at that age. Now they're both just as bad.

Not that it's relevant, but you might find this product easier to use than a neti pot:

NeilMed Sinus Rinse Complete Kit by NeilMed
by NeilMed

I could not get Amazon to cough up a link, or I would have posted it, so. I have used this for several months and it did not drown me. Also, it is all plastic so it won't break if you drop it.

This one: https://www.amazon.com/NeilMed-Sinus-Rinse-Complete-Kit/dp/B000RDZFZ0/ref=pd_ybh_a_6?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=R3NVAMWFR8NE8M5T7KK5&th=1&psc=1

Does it work okay for you? That is much less intimidating than the pots I've been looking at.

Yes! It is super easy. You bend over the sink, hold your breath, open your mouth, stuff nozzle in nose, and squirt. I have never gotten anything running down my throat, but you might because of different internal nose structure. Sometimes the liquid gets in your mouth and you have to spit it out, but it is only mildly saline.

I think I would drown if I tried to use a Neti Pot.

Also, some drugstores carry this product line, so you don't even need to deal with Amazon, maybe.

It works nicely for my partner.

I second that. I can't use neti pots because of some weird thing with my Eustachian tubes -- I think one is deformed because it is either clogged or too open all the time (FASCINATING I KNOW) -- and when I try them, the tubes turn to like RIGID IRON BARS in my neck. But the sinus wash thing is a lot better. You can definitely find them in the drugstore too, in various sizes.

Fistbump of solidarity for weird Eustachian tube things?

Like, ALL MY LIFE I did not know this was a thing, and then one day Google is all "Oh, you have a patulous Eustachian tube! It's annoying as fuck and incurable, but pretty benign! Much like pulsatile tinnitus, which you have also always had, and TMJ-induced tinnitus which is worsened by your sinus infections! And you're also super-aware of tinnitus because of your anxiety disorder, just like with the floaters in your eyes!" Could they not just TELL ME, before now, the people with the fucking medical degrees who are always like "Oh yeah, you, you need to take more hot showers, do hot compresses, steam treatments, humidifiers, just like we told you the last three times you were here with hearing problems and sinus trouble, nah you don't need antibiotics (yes I do) no you don't, bye." ARGH.

//frustrated fistbump

I don't have the technical term, but mine didn't shift properly as I grew. I have to be super careful with getting sick because I get ear infections super easy. Which means now I am a pro at spotting an incoming sinus infection.

I dunno WTF even happened with mine. I've always had that problem in my left ear, and I've been told the structure is very slightly deformed as well. I don't think I came with a warranty.

Wait, anxiety is why my floaters are making me wiggy?

That's also the one I use and recommend!

I also suggest using it when you shower the first few times. If humidity helps, you get that bonus, but it's really because doing it in the shower means you can just focus on finding a comfortable position and angle without worrying about leaning over a smaller sink.

I've used some other brands as well. They are GREAT!

(I can't use a neti pot because I pass out when I tilt my head back.)

Agreeing with

abbylee that using it in the shower for the first time minimizes the 'holy shit I'm squirting water up my nose!' panic.

After I finish my over-the-kitchen-sink squirt, I have a large paper towel square ready. I lean over, and a small waterfall comes out of my nose, and then I blow my nose a couple times and it's done.

Embodiment is bullshit. Immune systems and sinuses, particularly, are fucking bullshit. *weary fistbump*

(I probably should neti pot more often but it's so goddamn much work and I just, blaaaargh.)

Embodiment is bullshit. Immune systems and sinuses, particularly, are fucking bullshit.

SERIOUSLY

I have also had a lifetime phobia of drowning/choking which makes a neti pot REALLY fun.

No no no immune systems are important! I want to keep mine!

I don't think anyone ever looked inside my nostrils, just down my throat, so it seems to be something that's just not necessarily evaluated?

But I'm glad it's not your rabbits.

I have a partial deviated septum and get many sinus infections. I went for allergy testing last year and they didn't find much (mold, tree pollen, dust, slight cat and dog dander) but I was grateful I wasn't allergic to my parrots, I have 3.

Consider the squeeze bottle if you can't get used to the neti pot: http://shop.neilmed.com/Products/Sinus-Rinse/Sinus-Rinse-Regular-Kit I use this regularly when needed and swear by it. Make sure you use distilled water!

(And good luck, I dealt with chronic sinus issues for years)

Can't stop laughing @ nostril exploration. Sorry man, that does suck.

I too had chronic sinus infections and barometric-pressure migraines! And I had a balloon sinuplasty and then two years later I had a septoplasty and inferior turbinate resection and both of these procedures (the balloons and then the combined thing) were life-changing. Highly recommend!

Also recommend the Neti squeeze bottle instead of the Neti pot. The pot is okay - it feels like learning to swim - but the squeeze bottle is better because positive rather than neutral pressure. If your sinuses are blocked or even just particularly narrow the pot may take forever, be extra uncomfortable, or simply not work. Highly endorse the bottle. Also also, distilled water for sure but tap water that has been boiled is also okay. When we're out of distilled water I fill the Neti bottle from the electric kettle. A person who drinks as much tea as you seem to do must have an electric kettle, mustn't you?

Welcome to sinus world. It gets better!

Another recommendation for the squeeze bottle. And personally, I like doing nasal irrigation in the shower. Less messy, less leaning over sinks.

Flonase tastes disgusting because it's got an alcohol base. I also found it very drying, which was not an issue down here, but when I lived in the desert, it dried me out enough that my nose bled.

If you are not attached to Flonase, Nasonex has a water base and is much less icky. Or I think Flonase has a new product that's water-based, but because it's new, it's pricey.

Oh is THAT why Flonase is so drying. Dammit.

Flonase Sensimist, yeah. It's much less disgusting; my braintwin couldn't even stand the smell of Flonase from across the room when I was using it but she's been able to actually use the Sensimist herself. It's pricey but it works.

Ooh, thank you for the Flonase descriptions! I have such a terrible time with flonase and I've brought it up with my doctor but I'm going in again specifically to figure out some options.

I took Flonase as a kid and remember hating it, but I started it again again last year and it's been really hard on my body this time around. Most of that is the actual drug but the base is probably playing a part.

HAVE FUN IRRIGATING THE CASTLE

(also, congrats on a diagnosis, even if a weird one. I usually find those oddly relieving, like, well hey! at least I'm not just making crazy shit up) (if one hand claps in a forest, can my PCP hear it)

Nostril exploration is good!

For what it's worth, neti pots are moderately useful (the REALLY useful thing is a monstrosity you need to order online that delivers hardcore sinus irrigation. I mean. It is not CALLED "hardcore sinus irrigation". But that's what it is).

Since I started swimming, most of my recurring sinus issues have resolved. I do however stack Sinupret like I'm a travelling salesman ready to peddle it to each unsuspecting person I know: http://english.bionorica.de/en/products/respiratory-tract/sinupret%C2%AE.html

Not bullshit like homeopathy -- just plants in extract form. I think the fancy term is "phytopharmaceuticals"? What do I know. All I know, it works on sinusitis and for me is the only thing that ever did.

What is the monstrosity of which you speak? What do I google? Is it on amazon?

Yes! :).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07DXFLXWK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1549993900&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=sinupulse+elite&psc=1

That is so fucky scary.

That machine? A little. ;) But I owned it, and it helped a bunch.

Longtime Flonase user: tilt your head down, spray, squeeze sides of nose shut, wait a few seconds. My doc said it needs to be absorbed in the nose, not the sinuses.

Hey, you have a solvable problem! Much better than mystery symptoms!

Diagnoses are GREAT on the one hand, because possible solution! and DAMN on the other hand, because WTF nobody ever told you about this before! I think deviated septums can be that kind of problem which nobody notices until it gets really chronic; it makes sense it's so often misdiagnosed for allergies.

I also use daily Flonase, Claritin and Sudafed, but not Benadryl or other antihistamines because they knock me out completely. Can't do the neti pot thing, but I do like the saline nasal rinse. I also use an OTC nasal saline spray just to keep the tissues hydrated and hopefully non-inflamed and whatever. It makes me feel better, anyway.

Sinuses are PROOF AGAINST INTELLIGENT DESIGN if you ask me (like most of corporeality). Mine also react violently to dry weather, construction debris in the air (tiny particles), and dust. My parents also both had lifelong awful sinus problems, so maybe genetics factors into it? IDK.

As a warning, when I used a Neti pot regularly my brain would quietly insist that I was drowning the whole time. I stopped after a few months because I couldn't get over that.

I do second the rec to do it in the shower versus the sink. Less worry about getting water everywhere.

Oh, man, I'm so sorry. I'm another one who's been doing this song and dance for a while, too. I actually initially got prescribed the Neilmed squeeze bottle rather than the neti pot because the ENT doubted the neti pot would even work. I have always done the boiled water method, which is a suggested option in the instructions, so you really don't need to plunk down money for bottles of distilled water.

Is the antihistamine Azelastine, by any chance? Because wow, yeah, that stuff is absolutely revolting. My doctor recommended spraying it at an angle, holding the nostril closed for a few seconds, then blowing gently before repeating on the other side. That way, I don't unthinkingly sniff up the excess.

I've had two nasal and sinus surgeries, but was told they would have limited efficacy, and I definitely hit that wall last year. It was still worth it, though, for the ten years things were better. I still had to do the squeeze bottle and a sinus spray (my insurance at the time paid for Nasonex, which was a lot kinder), but I had a lot fewer infections, sinus-related migraines, nosebleeds, etc., and no antihistamine. If I had the insurance, I'd see if my sinuses were in shape to do it again.

It took me over four years to be diagnoses with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, which makes me "allergic" (but not a real allergy) to almost anything at almost any time including weather and stress and a myriad of foods and other triggers. Antihistamines work wonderfully. So does singulair and a variety of supplements. I wasted a whole bunch of time being treated for allergies, asthma, and even fibro and RA that I didn't actually have. But MCAS isn't that well known and so people spend ages going down wrong paths. We test negative for allergies for things we absolutely know we are reactive to, because allergy testing is really scientifically specific and these aren't IgE mediated reactions ... Anyway I hope that what is working for you keeps working for you. I found that I was reactive to some filler ingredients in some meds, too, so like - I can't deal with pink benadryl tabs but I can take the gel caps without issue. And I take 4 zyrtec a day which sends many people into a panic but in my MCAS group I'm actually on one of the lower doses, lol. In conclusion, bodies: WHY? feel better soon.

edited at 2019-02-13 03:58 am (UTC)

....Huh.

Maybe I don't have dust/perfumes/whatever random stuff is in the air when it rains allergies after all. I was going to go to the doctor about the random nosebleeds in the last few months, but they've not happened for a few weeks now. Maybe I'll go anyway and ask about sinus infections?

I'm not using a neti pot though *shudder*. Just the thought makes me squirm.

The thing about the allergy test on one's back is that it's possible for the results to be muted or reduced if you're on some medications. I went off all my allergy meds and antacids, but I still had something in my system that blocked the test results. We think it might have been my Tramadol (pain killer for arthritis,) and I did get somewhat better / more obvious results after I'd tapered off that for several days.

Just FYI, in case you get the septum thing fixed, and you're still having problems.

Congrats on the flonase working! (Plain flonase smells/tastes okay, so maybe it's the extra stuff in it that makes it so foul.)

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