
Many of us, myself included, come from a dysfunctional family which adds a lot of weight to the challenges of caregiving. I have read stores on various threads on other topics and decided it would be good to have a thread just for this topic for people to share, vent and discuss.
The idea for this thread originated on the thread named "The Caregiver....How are YOU doing today?"
Don't let Christmas obligations get you down. They are only obligations we put on ourselves. At the end of the day do what is best for you.
But here it is.
Ditch the Sudafed.
Suck on a lozenge with Zinc and lemon.
Thank you so much, Gershun. 🧡
The problem is that my upper sinus area is SO painful at times. I've never taken pseudoephedrine, but I figured I'd give it a shot to alleviate some pain and pressure. The tension in there is making me nuts.
I don't have a clue what's going on with my womanly bits. I hit menopause, I guess? But in a such a way that it makes me think there could be something else going on. Gyn appointment is scheduled for March -- they couldn't see me sooner, and the nurse didn't think it was an emergency. I don't think it's an emergency, either. But it's misery making.
Has anyone else ever experienced nighttime adrenaline surges + hot flashes..? I looked online, and it seems it could be related to the big change. I have them constantly, sometimes every night for several days, then not so bad, then they come back.
I'm just going to drug/sedate myself to get through until next year... lol. Half kidding, half not.
Do you have asthma?
((((Hugs)))).
Thank you, guys. I needed this right now.
My PCP thinks all of my breathing issues lately are related to sinus infection/sinusitis. I'll see what the ENT says and go from there. I've never had asthma, but it has felt like that to me at times. Constriction, I can't get the air in there.
I think I'm beyond any practical advice, though I appreciate the kind intentions.
I was at my doctor's yesterday. Seems I have to wait this out and see what specialists say.
I'll be ok. I have allergy & anti anxiety meds to help, as needed. My biggest issue is not sleeping due to inability to breathe well and having panic attacks/hot flashes at night.
And then the crying/breathing attacks during the day. Whew. It's been a rough ride. Thanks for the compassion and support, all. Much appreciated.
Feel better soon! And Xmas, don't push yourself.
Or it could be the dreaded M too. That really threw me for a loop.
I hope you start feeling better fast.
ali - health issues, oh dear. Re holidays - be sure to do what is good for you. Toss the FOG out the window.
I have had something similar to waking with panic attacks and I have had a lifetime of sinus infections. They can be very painful. I have found pseudephedrine to be a lifesaver. Just be sure you keep well hydrated. I can't sleep with a stuffy nose either. I fnd that pseudoephedrine with ibuprofen does a good job. Another thng that has helped me is mucinex (guaifenesin) which loosens the mucus so the sinuses empty out better.
Like I said I have woken up with my heart racing and panicking when I was around "that" age. Getting on thyroid meds helped. So did a bit of ativan and eventually an antidepressant which was one which also relieved anxiety. Never had hot flashes. Hope you get the female stuff sorted out. The difficulty getting a breath might be a sleep apnea caused by the stuffiness. I have that occasionally when I am more stuffed up that usual. It's very unpleasant.
Hugs and prayers. Sounds like you have a lot on your plate.
I'm going old school with saline nasal washouts, deep breathes & wet wash clothes.
But a prescription for a beach holiday would fix it all in a jiffy... Maybe adding a drink with a tiny umbrella in it 😁🍹
Glad, I think it's RSV, but who knows? I have lung funk as well.
Golden, thanks for the input and support. Really, I'm doing just fine as school has ended, and my schedule is much lighter, but then this dumb sinus/sleep/breathing/panic business has been driving me crazy for a couple of months. I'm thankful it wasn't this bad before, like during school.
This new panic is just a mystery to me. It started around July, but I figured it was due to school... but then it kept going. And the idea of being on edge and highly emotional during the holidays -- the one time a year I'm around family -- is freaking me out. I wish my psych would prescribe something like five benzos for emergencies, but no matter how much I plead my reasoning, he won't do it.
You don't. Why not take it easy on yourself? Maybe psych would prescribe taking a break from your family this year. You really do not have to do it, you know.
Where, if anywhere, would you like to go? Even a staycation.
beatty - sorry that you have these issues too. Your solutions are good. I find deep breathing helps several things.
ali - I just clicked that my sinus issues stem from allergies - mainy food allergies but also mold, pollen, things that float around in the air. I had terribly painful sinuses accompanied by sore throats for years and years which greatly improved when I stopped eating foods with gluten, and dairy. That may be an avenue for you to pursue. I still have stuffiness but nothing like as bad.
As far as hoidays go, I am with glad. You don't HAVE to spend time with your family during holidays. You really don't. You are allowed to put yourself and your wellbeing first, whatever that means. I didn't attend the funerals for either my fatherr or my mother for that reason. The sky didn't fall in. A few noses were out of joint, but they recovered and I avoided some very stressful times. I just didn't need any more of the fam dram.
sharyn - how are you doing?
"Dear Santa, How about a functional family for all, this year?
Xxxooo"
"Believe in your elf."
"A dysfunctional family is any family with more than one person in it."
"How many of us have looked at our family and thought, "Well, aren't we just two clowns short of a circus?""
"I can't keep calm, my family is crazy."
We all knew you are one smart lady!