Allergies...

Kim White · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007, 13:33 (GMT) Post subject: Allergies...

Forgive me if there is a thread about this somewhere... I looked, but didn't find one.

For you pros who have allergies, are any of you on a Claratin/Flonase combo? How did it affect your voice, hydration, etc.?

I've got a full-blown sinus infection (had sinus surgery last year), and we're trying to get this stuff under control, so that it doesn't affect my voice. Apparently, it's more aggressive than we originally thought. Please share some of your allergy/sinus infection regimens. Thank you!

Doing a full round of antibiotics and letting the voice (and body) rest for now....

Bob Bair · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007, 14:07 (GMT) Post subject:

Kim,

I have a real issue with my sinuses and I am very prone to infections.

Saline flushes is the BEST for that. You can do a real good flush then use the steroid spray and you will be good for a bit.

This is best when you are starting to get clogged up to prevent an infection. If you need details, PM me.

Kara Edwards · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007, 14:24 (GMT) Post subject:

Kim,

I'm a sinus sufferer as well. I take Allegra every day...all year round.

I also do the saline thing, it helps.

Many years ago- I had a sinus infection that would come back about once a month. I went to an allergist who did x-rays and found that the original infection had never been solved. He put me on 30 days of the worst antibiotic ever (Biaxin). It actually worked! I have been less prone to infections since...and that was around 6-7 years ago.

You may want to have the Dr do an x-ray or see an allergist if it persists.

Bob Bair · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007, 15:36 (GMT) Post subject:

Kara,

I completely understand your pain! The ENT that I went to during one bout of infection had me go through two runs of antibiotics. He explained it to me like this. The first run of antibiotics will clear up the infection that is on the surface, but since the nasal cavities are so full of empty space, there is often infection suspended on the air in those cavities. That will settle back down onto the surface and cause the infection to reappear. This is why he either
1. Gives a heavy dose of antibiotics for a longer period or
2. Gives a regular 10 day run, then waits a week, then gives another 10 day run.

Saline flushes have been my savior for years now. As everyone knows, you can gain a resistance to antibiotics if you take them often enough, so it is best to try other solutions first. If you are prone to such problems, I would do as Kara suggests and see a specialist.

Amanda Geyer · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007, 16:41 (GMT) Post subject:

Several of my friends swear by their Neti Pot regimen. One of them has been prone to sinus conditions most of her adult life, and after using one to clear off the last round of nasal-oog, she's been using it regularly (every other day, I think), and hasn't had any returns of the oog.

I haven't tried it myself, because I just can't wrap my brain around it.

September Day Leach · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007, 17:42 (GMT) Post subject:

The Neti Pot rox!! Hands down, one of the funkiest feelings, but after you rinse out your sinuses with warm salt water, the difference is AMAZING! If you do it though, use seas salt or Kosher salt. Table salt doesn't work that well for me

Amanda Geyer · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007, 17:47 (GMT) Post subject:

Table salt has iodine added, and sometimes also an anti-clumping agents (which is why with Morton's it still flows freely in damp weather). Kosher salt doesn't.

Bob Bair · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007, 17:58 (GMT) Post subject:

Neti Pot. Wow, it has a name. I've been doing it for years. I usually use some sort of saline nasal mist, tilt my head back and squirt. With some practice you know exactly how much and how long to hold it that way to get it nicely routed through everything w/o having it run down the back of your throat.
Sounds gross, but it's great!

Allison Scussel · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007, 01:03 (GMT) Post subject:

I suffer from allergies too, but I wonder if anyone else has the same problem as I. I only suffer in the fall, as oppose to the spring & summer months like so many others.

Sinusitis is my worst enemy from mid September through late November. After seeing the doctor year after year, I ended up settling for home remedies to prevent fall allergies altogether. A combination of warm lemon water with fresh garlic (directly from the clove) works wonders. When my sinuses are stuffed, a pot of hot water with a towel over my head clears me right up.

It also doesn't hurt to wash your hands for a minimum of :30 seconds each time you visit the restroom. That's a tip I just saw on Disc Health Channel last night.

Also, do NOT use anti-bacterial soaps. They strip away your body's own bacteria preventing you from fighting germs naturally. You're better off sticking to plain soap like IVORY. (Again, another tip I caught on Disc Health Channel a while ago)

Here's to happy breathing!!
lügen

~Allison~

Steve Crabill · Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007, 21:22 (GMT) Post subject: Mama said

After it's all said and done, it's like my mama used to tell me, "An allergy is nothing to sneeze at."

Kim White · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007, 00:19 (GMT) Post subject:

Thank you all for your suggestions! Sounds like I need to pick up a Neti Pot! I've been using 'simply saline.' The infection is clearing up, so hopefully I'll record an audition or two in the next couple days...

Kara & Robert: Yes, I went to an ENT before we moved. He did sinus surgery, because one side was completely blocked. Also, he lazered off my uvula (a procedure I STRONGLY DISCOURAGE). Since the move, I hadn't had problems, but the 'honeymoon phase' of a new location finally wore off. So, it's probably time to find an ENT here (LOL! Just in time to move again...).

Allison: When my children went to school, they were amazed that everyone didn't sing "Happy Birthday" while washing their hands....LOL!

Thank you!

Bob Bair · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007, 17:54 (GMT) Post subject:

Woah! They removed your uvula completely? I'd be afraid that would change the characteristics of my voice. Some singers credit the uvula with letting them produce a vibrato with their voice. What has that procedure done for you?

David Oxford · Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007, 02:31 (GMT) Post subject: Cure for Allergies

I don't have a big problem with allergies, and never have really....but I had an acquaintance from long ago who told me a story that I has since been substantiated to me on numerous occasions - so I'm assuming there's something to it.

The real "cure" for allergies, it seems, lies with the honey bee. You see, honey that has been produced somewhere within a 30-mile radius of where you live contains all the allergens, bacteria, molds, spores, etc. etc. in your atmosphere. So, if you ingest at least a teaspoon of local honey, every single day of your life, your body will build up a natural immunity to all the allergens that give your sinuses fits - and you'll soon find that you are no longer affected by them again!

I remember that the whole conversation came up one day after someone was commenting on how much they'd been sick over the past couple of years (not just with sinus problems) and my buddy looked at her and said, "Do you ever wonder why it is that neither of you have ever seen me sick in all the years you've known me?" We thought about it and agreed...and then he shared his 'secret' with us.

Seems like such a simple formula for health - but, as I said, I have heard this same story through the years from numerous other people who swear by it. So, you might try it! It probably wouldn't give you immediate benefits (in fact, I've heard you can get worse before you get better because, in the beginning, you are actually introducing MORE allergens into your body) but it seems the long-term - and lasting - benefits are very real. Just a teaspoon every day, like your daily vitamin...and you can add the honey to anything: your coffee, your tea, anything you might normally sweeten - or just have it on a piece of bread or whatever - just so long as you ingest it.)

Here's to your good health!
David

Kim White · Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007, 03:18 (GMT) Post subject:

David: Hey, there's a dose I can handle! Lately, I've been adding honey/lemon to my tea... so I'll be the preverbial guinea pig. However, since I just started Claritin & Flonase, I'm not a good control subject.

Thanks for the suggestion -- hey, it wouldn't hurt!

Bob (Disclaimer -- graphic post ahead): I strongly advise against removal of the uvula for several reasons:

1) It's the most painful thing I've ever experienced (I consider it more painful than my triplet pregnancy/delivery).

2) It may have made my sleep/voice better, but at a cost: The short answer is that now my soft pallet doesn't close enough to create enough saliva for certain foods (especially carrots). They get painfully stuck in my chest. My Dr. Recently prescribed 'fake saliva' so we'll see if that helps.

3) The upside is that when I get a sore throat, it's less severe -- less to become infected/inflammed.

All that said, I'm not a man or a singer, so the change in my voice is probably minimal by comparison.

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007, 15:26 (GMT) Post subject:

[quote="Allison Scussel"]I suffer from allergies too, but I wonder if anyone else has the same problem as I. I only suffer in the fall, as oppose to the spring & summer months like so many others.

Sinusitis is my worst enemy from mid September through late November. quote]

August through November is the worst time for many folks who suffer seasonal allergies. Meet the poster child. oy. I had recently read about a combo of Claritin and Singulair (originally for asthma) having been found effective with few side effects for seasonal allergies. We worked with our doctors to get the whole sniffly family on board. After just two weeks we're already feeling much better. If allergies get you down too much, it might be worth investigating for just the fall, to head off trouble at the pass. I wish you well.