hippiechick wrote: 
not mine - since I don't get one

 Manbird wrote: 
His paycheck, not yours

 oldslabsides wrote: 
All I know is that many many rx drugs challenge your liver function. Combine that with booze and you've got some issues. Read the fine print about the drugs you take. I'll bet you a paycheck they mention something about liver function. Did your Doctor do blood tests to check your liver before prescribing? 

 triskele wrote:
Sign up for a free account at Medscape and research the various therapies. Some are effective, some aren't, and some have some unpleasant side effects.

One of the meds I'm on (or perhaps a combination) makes me very resistant to the effects of alcohol.  wtf?

 romeotuma wrote: 
yeah, we know all of that already....looking for some possible personal experiences and input.  thanks, though.  maybe i should have put this in the snoring thread....

we're considering having dave go through "the pillar procedure" for his snoring.  does anyone out there have anything to say about it?

 DaveInVA wrote: 
Steroids also cause osteoporosis

 kysmet wrote: 
Nasonex and Flonase are steroids and can have side effects including increased risk of certain cancers.
Also from Nasonex site:
Nasonex is a steroid and may suppress the immune system. Although this is more likely to occur with oral steroids, it is still possible with nasal steroids (such as Nasonex). Taking steroids may put you at a higher risk for infections. Certain infections (such as chickenpox or the measles) may be more dangerous if you are taking Nasonex.
My Doctor told me never to take any steroid based product long term. Also many steroid based products loose effectiveness as your body gets used to them, My Doc said if you really need to use steroid products to switch them every month or so so they don't become useless after a couple of months.
I can't take a Loratidine based product long term because it is known to aggravate enlarged prostate condition which I have.

 DaveInVA wrote: 
You coulda had a V8!



Much as I like natural solutions, and I like all the ingredients, I think I will have to pass on this one.

 kysmet wrote: 
The other stuff in it is good for you also. For instance, Garlic is a natural antibiotic and antiviral but it's only effective for that if its raw. Once its crushed it oxidizes and looses many of its healthy attributes after just 15 or 20 minutes. Dark, leafy veggies raw have anti cancer properties etc..

 cc_rider wrote: 
I've been on Nasonex for years and swear by the stuff.  I have year-round allergies so there is no such thing as "seasonal" for me.  I have asked my doctor on a few occasions about staying on it and I've been told that it's safe, although, if I only had seasonal allergies, I would probably only use it when needed.  I've tried Flonase also but didn't like that stuff at all.

 DaveInVA wrote: 
Or you can just suck it up and eat the pepper

 hippiechick wrote: 
I've been taking Loratidine (Claritin) for a few months. This time of year is oak and pecan season, and it really makes a big difference for me. Nasal steroids (Astelin, Nasonex, et al) are good too: they target the cells in the nasal passages which generate all the histamines. Both Loratidine and steroids take a week or so to get well established, and it's probably best not to stay on them too long, but for seasonal stuff they work.

During cedar season (Dec-Jan), sometimes the cedar pollen is so bad it actually makes people sick with 'cedar fever'. A little-known but very effective short-term remedy is a steroid shot. When it gets really bad, my local quick-care clinic will give me a shot of cortisone (?), which starts reducing symptoms in under an hour (!!) If you only use it for the very worst symptoms, and only once a year (or less), it's not that big a deal.

 hippiechick wrote:  i rely on sudafed PE, and afrin nasal spray...but i try not to use either on a daily basis.
i have constant sinus and ear congestion.  natural remedies have not worked for me, so in this case, i have turned to allopathic remedies.

you may want to try using a neti pot to cleanse your sinuses, so that the fluid doesn't back up into your ear canals.

i found that consumption of dairy products increases the mucus in my ear canals, so i avoid dairy foods as much as possible, and that helps tremendously.

 hippiechick wrote: 
Most of the stuff out their either makes me drowsy or has other potential bad side effects when used long term. Even Claritin isn't good to take long term.
I have the same kind of sinus problems and what works for me is hot peppers. They have the best decongestant and are all natural and no harmful effects. I use a juicer and make a veggie drink every day for lunch and one of the key ingredients is the hot pepper (chili or jalapeno) It really does work.

3-4 Celery stalks well cleaned
1 large garlic glove (or more smaller ones)
1/3 average size cucumber (skinned as they are waxed)
1 jalapeno or chili pepper (top with stem removed first)
1 small tomato or 1/2 large
1 dark green such as 1 broccoli crown, large Kale leaf, spinich etc.
1 level tablespoon of either wheat or barley grass powder
Add some of the pulp and mix
Tastes awful but very healthy.

I feel like I have fluid in my right ear all the time. It doesn't surprise me because I have stuffy sinuses all the time.

Does anyone take something on a daily basis that clears your sinuses with a minimum of side effects?

 mzpro5 wrote: 

She's lucky no one dropped a quarter in there and selected a pack of nabs...

 hippiechick wrote: 
  Spoil sport 

 mzpro5 wrote: 
When I worked in an office, sometimes I would walk by someone's office and see them sitting with their leg tucked under them or they were humped over their computer, and I would tell them about the importance of ergonomics, and how the damage builds up over time. Some listened, some didn't.

I also told one young lady, as tactfully as possible, that everyone can see right down the back of her pants the way she sat, and she did cover that up.