I think we all do a little of the stressing when traveling…..I never related it to a flair up though. Good thing to pay attention to next time. I always assumed it was sitting still for long periods of time, etc but they aren't that long a stretch of time. Makes a lot of sense that it could be the combination. I know I'm in for a long day of traveling when I go so I rarely sleep well the night before either. Go figure. LOL
Well, certainly glad for the support and being around people that "get it". This whole "but you look fine" thing stinks. LOL
SGoddess said:
Yea, you go girlfriend!! It's a tough rode and it's good to know that we are here to support and help one another!
Do you unknowingly get anxious before you travel? I found that added to my stress level and the result was severe flare-ups; the planning, leaving my college age daughter alone and in charge of pets/household, and traveling to other countries for work always required that I "psych myself" up for the work ahead and the challenge of quickly assimilating to new surroundings.
I'm so happy I spoke up, finally and said "I can't do that anymore"! And who knew that those around me would understand! Even though I still need to remind them that when I am having a good day it doesn't mean I'm "all better"!!
EnjoyLife said:
I'm on Long Island in NY and we do have Walgreen's. Yay! Thank you. Will def go look for it.
For the exhaustion, the majority of my traveling is down south to see family. Being rural, that means 2 flights and a 3 hour drive. I fall asleep every time I sit down the first 2 days I'm there, but I don't fight it either.
Off topic from the original discussion but, I have to say you are right about the diagnosis being freeing. I too, feel like I can (and should) say I'm wiped or hurting and bow out of things when I need to. For a long time I felt that whatever was happening was just something going on with me at the moment and I had to suck it up and push through. Very validating that its something real and I do feel better when I self-care.
I have suffered with chronic sinusitis for years...and have traveled a lot.
Some things to think about...you may have allergies to something in that location. You may consider taking an antihistamine the week before you go and while there. I know that this sometimes makes the dryness worse but it is worthwhile thinking about it. I also use Sudafed during the day. Again, I use Ocean Spray (in the pressure sealed bottles) while doing this to ensure that my sinuses do not get so dry. When I traveled on international long-hauls, I used 5mg of prednisone and OTC decongestant (as prescribed by my doctor). Lastly, my doctor prescribed antibiotics to go. At the fist sign of infection (if you have had enough of them, you know, but you want to be sure), start taking them.
I know that this does not sound very natural but once I started doing this, it helped significantly. I still have infections but they are much less severe and debilitating.
I know I am coming in after the fact (so I hope you had a happy and pleasant time without any major sinus problems), but I also get terrible sinus infections when I travel and it's been a battle finding things that help. I've had a sinus fenestration and turbinectomy done, along with some middle ear surgery and although it helps to treat infections, sometimes I think it just leaves me more prone to allergens getting in there in the first place (chicken or egg cycle).
However, by sheer chance I discovered something very helpful after my mum had radiation treatment to her nose for invasive cancer - she lost all her nasal hair and of course during the radiation cycles the lining of her nose was burned severely. Her oncologist put her on a product called Nozoil. Yep, oil for your nose and sinuses. It's made from refined sesame seed oil and is in an applicator to go up your shnoz. It seems to coat the lining and traps the dust, allergens etc and protects my poor dry sinuses and at intervals I use sinus irrigation to rinse out, rehumidify and soothe it all down. I'm not sure if the sesame oil has an anti inflammatory effect or if it is simply a barrier and protectant, it doesn't matter really because it helps. It's super light, organic, clinically trialled and safe to use even on broken mucosa.
Tog, thank you very much! Can you get this oil without a prescription??? I got in last night and am walking on eggshells, but fingers crossed, so far it is looking good. I irrigated my nose with a pre made solution about once a day. I did put a gel just inside my nose for the car ride there and back. I can’t find that tube now and am worried. Kaz mentioned it and I bought it to try. Kaz??? I sprayed my mouth with Rain spray. Sprayed my nose with Xylitol spray about 3x a day and if I felt congested, used Flonase spray. I chewed xylitol gum once a day. Most days I rinsed my mouth out with soda bicarbonate and water and gargles with it too. One night seemed very dry, so I used the portable humidifier I bought. On top of all this we stated at a different place with less carpeting. It is the height of allergy season and yet, knock On wood, so far, I’m ok. Bless all of you!!! PLEASE let me know if you can get Nozoil without a script. I suspect my problems have been multiple issues…the perfect storm…having SS…being in a dry car, the carpeting, being in a place with lots of allergens…not having a good arsenal. I’m sure building one now!!! Thank you. Please keep a good thought for the coming days!
Nozoil is a product made by the makers of Flo, it's an over the counter product here in Australia, but I believe it is made there, and under the same trade name. You would probably be best googling it (I'm in Australia, so brand names often change from country to country), but if my memory serves me correctly when I lived in Canada, I saw it on the shelves there (that could be old age playing tricks on my memory though LOL)
Thank you for asking about mum, she passed away two weeks before christmas from a brain haemorrhage after having a fall. I am still trying to cope and adjust, but I appreciate your thoughts and for asking.
My condolences, Tog. So very sad.
I’ll check into it. I’ve gotten so many good ideas of helpful products to try on this site…my doctor’s have been very UNhelpful.