For some reason, whenever I swim, I get crazy amounts of ear wax buildup over the next couple of days. I used one of those Japanese ear picks for a while, and it helped, but then I discovered this glorious device. Fill it with warm water, shoot it into your ear, and repeat. The first few sprays probably won't produce much, as it needs to soften up the wax a bit first, but then big chunks of wax start coming out of your ear and suddenly you can hear so much better. It's the most satisfying thing ever.
The photos in the Amazon reviews are disgusting, but they'll give you an idea of what will be coming out of your ears.
Costco is great, but check Amazon. We're in a similar position. 365 pills on Amazon is $15.99. Obviously Costco is awesome for other things but you might be able to save even more on the Zyrtec. Here is the one we buy for reference: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G9E1GYA/
As a reminder - you can get a YEARS SUPPLY of generic Zyrtec on amazon for 15 dollars.
GoodSense All Day Allergy, Cetirizine HCL Tablets, 10 mg, 365 Count
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G9E1GYA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0atjCb26SFH7S
You’re welcome.
buy one of these. Using a syringe means you have to keep doing it like she did instead of 1-2 times with one of these or a neti pot.
They're pretty good for fast relief. Doesn't last too long IME, but I use mine when I don't want to take pseudophedrine and I can't take afrin again. Need to use distilled water or boil the water first or you can make a sinus infection worse.
This is what I use: https://www.amazon.com/NeilMed-Sinugator-Cordless-Pulsating-Premixed/dp/B005UO6NRA
But their regular squeeze bottle is great too.
Definitely ensure you are using distilled water. I heat it in the microwave for 25 seconds so it isn’t too cold. Depending on your microwave and your preference you may want to do shorter or longer.
The key is to use this after. https://www.amazon.com/Acu-Life-Ear-Wax-Removal-Syringe/dp/B000SOJXGA
It's a syringe for your ears that won't let the water go directly on your eardrums so you can put more pressure than a regular syringe. Works well for me.
Just saying, this ear wax removal syringe with the tip that won't let you shove it in too far, and with holes to spray the water at the sides of your ear canal instead of blasting it straight at your ear drum is the only way to go.
Skip the local pharmacy. Just order a 50ml ear cleaning syringe off amazon. Get a bowl of warm water and flush your ears with it until all that shit comes out.
When one side of the nose is completely clogged up, the neti pot doesn't cut it, so I went on Amazon and bought an nasal irrigation system with an electric pump that delivers the saline solution with pressure, and let me tell, it's a beast!
SinuPulse, here it is.
I am curious, is this any different to using a sinus rinse? Something like this. I already do the rinse once every couple days and want to try other things to help with my blocked nose..
This is the one I got at the local CVS. Looks like this one on Amazon is the same.
Price is a few dollars more than I remember. Maybe I got it on sale, idk. Anyway, it's stupidly simple for how well it works.
I imagine others work similarly well? I haven't tried them. The more pressure you have the ability to deliver deep while aiming, and having an exit path for the water, the better. On mine, the weird blue tip helps with making sure there's an exit path.
Probably the most important part of the technique is figuring out where your ear wants it angled. I also like to use my free hand to pull back on my ear, which straightens the canal.
Amazon sells the same brand as Costco for $15 for a years supply without the need for a membership. You can buy it here. If you have Amazon Prime, you can get it shipped overnight for free.
Amazon Prime. Subscribe and Save.
I like having it show up at my door along with a bunch of other predictable essentials.
https://www.amazon.com/GoodSense-Allergy-Cetirizine-Tablets-Count/dp/B00G9E1GYA/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1515010981&sr=8-4&keywords=cetirizine&th=1
Like saline but these were specifically to not irritate moist tissues (like the inside of your nose) while cleaning them. I linked the one I use. Isotonic rinse
I found that using the NeilMed face hole rinser seems to help.
I also occasionally use oxymetazoline nasal spray.
Yeah that sounds about right. The first week I couldn’t believe how weak I felt. I guess my body was working hard healing.
What surprised me is that is isn’t a sliding scale of feeling better. It’s highs and lows really. Expect some setbacks- especially after the debridements. I feel that makes your body heal over again.
I’ve been going with the sinus rinses 3x a day. I hate them but I think they help. I use the neilmed sinugator which automatically pushes the water up your nose and has a pulsating action. And I bought a bunch of gallons of distilled Water and saline rinse packets from Walmart.
You’ll do great. Just listen to your body and take it easy.
The day after I had a post-op appointment first thing in the morning. The Dr said the debridement he did would count as the first cleaning.
The second one I did was later that day. TBH I have the bottle but if found this to be more effective. It does all the water pushing automatically and also pulses so I think it is better than just a gentle stream.
To answer your question I don’t think you feel the saline water over a wound as such. The discomfort is
a) just the feeling of temperature (cold/warm or hot) inside your nose
b) the feeling of pressure when it is pushing something out.
I bought many gallons of distilled water from Walmart (89c I think) and just microwave a 3rd of a gallon for each rinse. I don’t mind them much now but if I was given a choice I would not like to do them.
My dr said I should do them for at least 3 more weeks but suggested I keep doing them even after just as a matter of hygiene like brushing your teeth.
Hope this helps.
I hate/d it also. I’ve been doing it for a week now post op and it’s hit or miss each time. I’m doing it 3x daily. I use distilled water that I microwave for a min+ for temp comfort.
If nothing is coming out, maybe the flow is too gentle. I use the NeilMed Sinugator which is a pulsating nasal wash. You just stick it to one nostril and it pushes water up by itself. Maybe it will make a difference.
Also it is important to tilt your head and keep your mouth open.
I haven't lived in Chicago, but I'm considering it and I'm disappointed to hear about the allergies. I've had severe allergies elsewhere, Texas, Florida and MA. The only way I've been able to get consistent relief was to use a sinus rinse in the morning and before bed. I used this one:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RDZFZ0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_VHWP54ZW2NVD6H5AZBMZ
It was awkward squirting water up my nose at first, but I got used to it pretty quickly.
It will irritate the skin on your nostrils until you build up the tolerance. I had success in the beginning with this product. Put a little on and rub around the outside and just inside of my nostrils. After about a week or two no issues.
Ayr Saline Nasal Gel, With Soothing Aloe, 0.5 Ounce Tube https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0010NSC1U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_J5YQW842Y17J0GG0QE84
For nasal congestion - try a sinus rinse. I have https://www.amazon.com/NeilMed-100-Sinus-Rinse-Complete/dp/B000RDZFZ0/ref=sr_1_6_mod_primary_new?crid=3K4ON0SL58A14&dchild=1&keywords=sinus+rinse+bottle&qid=1611162399&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=sinus+rinse%2Caps%2C592&sr=8-6 this - you can get it at walmart/target/most drugstores. PLEASE follow the directions though for use and washing. You need to use sanitized/distilled water and must wash very thoroughly after every use. Don't risk a brain eating bacterial infection especially while you're pregnant!
Acid reflux/heartburn - I had HORRIBLE heartburn for nearly all of my pregnancy. I actually had pregnancy heartburn before I was even 4 weeks pregnant (before I tested). It was MISERABLE. I am almost surprised I didn't overdose on tums/rolaids. Zantac used to be the go to for hearthburn, but that was recalled right when I got pregnant. I ended up using Tagamet and that really helped. It doesn't work immediately though - its a maintenance medication so you have to go on it and stay on it for several days before you see much of an improvement. I stayed on it for most of my pregnancy.
Gas pains - I always just took gas x and that helped but never had severe issues.
Get yourself an "earwax removal syringe". I was having buildup issues in one of my ears that was seriously affecting my quality of life and this thing has been a godsend.
It has a removable guard tip with 2 special design features:
The nozzle splits the water in multiple streams directed more toward the walls of your ear canal thereby reducing risk of damaging your eardrum and also increasing mechanical effectiveness.
The large guard tip prevents excessive insertion into the ear and the large holes around the outside allow water and debris to flow back out the ear freely.
It usually take many flushes, and you need take care with how forcefully you do it. The optimum Angle of insertion is neither immediately intuitive nor apparent for one not intimately acquainted with the structure of the ear, but can be found with a few tries and it's a pretty distinct feeling when you find it. I start with water that is just barely warm, flush with that a few times and then cool it down just a bit, not quite to the point it feels cold mind you. My thought process is that the slightly higher than body temp water will soften and erode any blockages, and that the cooler water helps to stiffen it up enough to easily pass back through the ear and syringe head.
I've found doing this in the shower to be the best bet, I think the recommendations say to use a bowl to catch the runoff water and debris but it's messy and hit or miss with facial hair involved.
The satisfaction of seeing a nearly pencil eraser sized plug of wax afterward and the clarity of my hearing is priceless.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000SOJXGA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_O.18Fb66JQ3RX
Get to any warehouse club (Sams, Costco, BJ's) and you can get a one year supply of cetirizine (zyrtec) for around $14.
Edit: Or just get a similar deal from Amazon for $15 using Prime or subscribe & save.
Use this every night after you're done to keep nose clean and prevent sinus infections which often cause headaches with or without water and hydration.
Yeah, I find that the first 6-12 months at a new school can cause me to be sick a lot.
Other than nutrition, sleep, and hand washing I absolutely swear by these two products:
During cold and flu season, or if I'm with kids that are obviously sick, I have a routine when I get home:
Go straight to the laundry room, strip and put clothes directly into the washer. Then I jump in the shower and use the Neilmed rinse.
I do those things because I hate the feeling of sitting on my bed or couch or whatever with preschool germs all over me.
I really do find that the sinus rinse helps me from getting sick more often, and the immune activator stuff does help kill and shorten colds when I feel something coming on.
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under $20
GoodSense All Day Allergy, Cetirizine HCL Tablets, 10 mg, 365 Count $15.99
Similar to a neti pot, I use Neil Med Sinus Rinse. Along with Flonase, it pretty much eliminated my non-allergic rhinitis. Used both for about a year. Occasionally have to touch things up now and again.
This is something you should consider speaking to a doctor about. Same if you are having trouble breathing at night. CPAP is no fun but treating sleep apnea can have an incredibly positive effect on a whole host of things.
I was doing once per day but I've moved it up to every 8 hours.
I don’t go this hard, but I do use one of thesebefore and after each session.