My Itchy, Sneezy Nose

Image courtesy of Ambro
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The insides of my nostrils have been itching for a few days now.  And when the itching gets unbearable, that's when I have sneezing spells.  If only I could reach inside my nose and scratch that itch.  Arrgggghh... So now, I am feeling really out of sorts.  And as I have mentioned before (almost a year now hehehe), I cannot go pill popping anymore.  

My alternative to antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays is just to get plenty of water and sleep.  And water myself a lot, I do, very religiously.  Sleep helps a lot since I am relaxed and you don't sneeze when you sleep (at least you have to wake up first hehe).  The moment I wake up though, I'd be sure to give a minimum of 5 big sneezes (with gusto!).  Sometimes, it feels like my nose would pop out from my face, but it's actually such a relief with that automatic body reflex to flush out allergens.  It's a good thing also that I have my own office cubicle so I can sneeze all I want and nobody has to run away from my direct assault.  

Of Cold Spells and Hypertension

Achoo!!!

It's that time of the year again when I am having watery eyes, runny or clogged nose, a lot of sniffing, itchy eyes and nose.  I hate it when my nose is runny as it gets red and irritated with constant wiping of tissue paper.  On the other side, I hate it even more when my nostrils are clogged and I had to breathe through my mouth, which causes another problem...dry throat and if I'm really running out of luck (not that I believe in luck but for lack of terms, I'd call it that), I would eventually have sore throat or worse, inflamed tonsils.  On top of that, sometimes, I would feel like I'm running a fever as well.  Eventually, you'll find me turning off the air conditioning unit to ward of the chill creeping over me.

Bradycardia...What!?

Heart coronary arteries, a photo by Patrick J. Lynch on Flickr.

It was a fine Sunday morning some months ago, after having late breakfast, I took a tablet of Metoprolol, a medicine used to treat hypertension.  That was the second medicine prescribed to me since Amlodipine did not effectively lower my blood pressure.  About 45 minutes later while I was already walking towards church to attend the service, I felt like I would pass out.  However, I didn't see stars and my vision remained clear.  Thankfully I didn't black out although the feeling was like I had lead shoes and I was in need of a cane to steady my weakened knees.  I was alone so my instinct was to look around and find something to hold on to.  No poles, post, or wall near enough so I had to keep walking and get to church as soon as I can, maybe get help if the condition worsens.  It was like going extremely low on battery, like energy oozing from my body.  I was glad to be able to sit down after that walk that normally takes me less than 5 minutes only but that instance, it might have taken me twice as long.

Medicines Are Meant To Be Taken, Not Taken for Granted

Last week, after 28 days of taking Lipitor (Atorvastatin) to manage my cholesterol level, I thought, that would be the end of it.  No more forcing big tablets down my throat.  I almost choked twice on it because it was that huge (or my throat opening is so small hehehe).  So  naturally, I am pleased to know that I am down to the last tablet and I eagerly went to the doctor to inform him.  My heart sank when he said to take it for another month, this time at half dosage.  I was thinking, was my cholesterol level that high or was it just to ensure that the levels are quite under control?  I was also concerned that taking medication for cholesterol might have an adverse effect on my liver.  Apparently, the doctor saw no signs that my liver is in danger because of this medication.  Just the same, I was already prepping up for the blood chemistry but I suppose that has to wait for another month. Not that I'm excited to be poked with needles again, but I sure would like to be medicine free, at least this particular one that's giving me a hard time to swallow.  

 

 What do YOU eat for breakfast?, a photo by Lintilla on Flickr.