! Re: I can't breathe!

[Guest guest]

,

Hang in there! I know it's tough in the very beginning. You are

doing all the right things. I had the exact same problem that you

did and it was one of the most challenging parts of the recovery

process.

Hot showers helped me. I also had a humidifier, like you. Trying

to sip some hot (warm!) tea can loosen some gunk. I found that and

hot (warm!) broth rather than water helped break up some of that

gunk. Water just didn't cut it for me. Stay way from milk

products ... they are strong phlegm producers.

Also, when you mention nasal spray, remember that products like

Afrin can rebound after a few days. I used a saline nasal spray

(called Ocean here) and I remember in the early days I literally

used it around the clock. I know that blowing my nose would have

solved most of my problems but I wasn't allowed to. So I squirted a

huge amount of the saline into my nose as I " sniffed up " . Since

there's no meds in it, you can use it as often as you need. Somehow

the salty solution did break up enough stuff to be able to get some

broth and tea down, which then in turn flushed more stuff " down " .

I feel for you! I promise it will pass. Your surgeon is right, but

mine was pretty insensitive to it, too. I was pretty mad at him in

the early days (and told him so! Ha!).

Irish!

> I'm one day post op...same day surgery...mandibular and maxillary

> osteotomies.

>

> My throat is so full of phlegm, I can't swallow any of my medicine

> and any water sips drools right out. I'm worried about dehydration

as

> I have only had sips of water in two days!

>

> I'm using the humidifier, steam bath, nasal sprays...but nothing

> seems to be breaking up the phlegm and now my nose is full of

dried

> blood. I'm breathing through the little tube the hospital had me

> on...and I sound like Darth Vader...every breath takes effort.

>

> I tried to relay my concerns to my doctor, but he said it will

pass

> and is normal. I don't like this at all.

>

> Any other suggestions? HELP. I want off this bad ride.

>

>