RE: Digest Number 1514

[Guest guest]

Yes, that is what I did. I used about 1 t. salt to about 16 oz. of water. Just

what I tried; no idea if that is a good strength! I then held one nostril shut

while squirting on the other side. And then, as soon as I could clear out the

baby bulb syringe thing, I suctioned away (while holding the other nostril

shut). A little bit of the salt water would always dribble down my throat, and

some of it would come out on its own. I always held my head over the sink, not

back. I did this about once every 2 hours, a squirt in each nostril.

It sure helped me get through my worst day, and the thing that made that day bad

was the mucous. Much more so than pain, or not being able to eat, or feeling

sick.

To those who have mentioned vomiting up blood - my surgeon (Harry Schwartz,

Kaiser LA) said that there is no reason for that to happen to a patient, as long

as the team suctions the stomach before waking the patient up. So I reminded

every nurse, resident, and the anesthesiologist that I definitely wanted that

done. They all said it was standard procedure but I wanted some assurance that

somebody in there would definitely remember! And I never did even feel queasy,

let alone throw up.

Louise

Message: 1

Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2003 20:25:51 -0000

From: es92083

Subject: Re: Digest Number 1512

So you just squirt warm salt water up your nose and suction it right

back out? I'm going to have to try that. I still can't breathe

through my nose at all. Did you hold your head back so it kinda

stays in until you suction or forward so it runs right back out? Is

it uncomfortable?

>

>

> etta and Smooches,

> For what it is worth, I too had the mucuous problem, which I

thought was the absolute worst part of the recovery. I felt like I

was gagging all the time and couldn't even speak much. Finally out

of desperation my husband went and bought me one of those blue baby

aspirators from First Year, and I shot warm salt water up my nose

and then suctioned it out, the way you do with a congested baby. It

worked great. I was able to suction out an incredible amount.

>

>

> It is hard to fathom that you are in that desperate of a

situation, but I was very thankful to get relief. Also, I am

convinced the Claritin and Flonase help. My worst mucous day I

forgot to take the Claritin and it hasn't been that much worse since.

>

> I didn't know about the milk connection and have had a lot

of milk based products such as Slimfast and yogurt smoothies, so

maybe that did make it worse.

>

> It is helpful to know that we all have mostly similar

experiences. A club based upon shared misery!! Louise

>

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