Sick of Being Sick

Just after Thanksgiving, I started having some sinus problems. I attributed it to the inversion going on in Utah at the time. When it's really cold and no storms or wind are blowing through, the pollution in the air gets trapped down low and it can cause health problems. I tried toughing it out, but my sinuses were miserable.  Next came sneezing and then some horrible coughing. I finally gave in and saw a doctor. He determined I had bronchitis and a sinus infection. Antibiotics in hand, I was happy to have a long Christmas vacation to try to tackle and get rid of this illness.

My vacation was not as much fun since I was sick, but it seemed like I was starting to get better. New Year's Eve and New Year's Day found me getting sicker, however, and I was back at Instacare. Lungs and ears were clear and I tested negative for strep. The doctor pronounced it a virus. All she could do was give me cough medicine to relieve the symptoms. The inversion had gone away with various Christmas snow storms, but it returned for the beginning of the new year. The bad hair definitely didn't help!

It's bad enough feeling the way I do and going through boxes and boxes of tissues. Add to that the tasks and responsibilities that need to get done around the house. Our beagles have had to stay inside more because of the bitter cold. If I don't make sure they get enough potty breaks outside, I will be stuck cleaning up their kennels. The house doesn't clean itself and my family hopes to eat dinner every once in a while.

Everyone likes to share their recommendations for how to overcome an illness.  I've inhaled steam (fairly sucessful), used a neti pot (didn't work at all this time), and put a heating pad on my forehead (soothing). My brother suggested humming at a particular frequency to break up the sinus congestion. Many, many people recommended doTerra oils - it's very popular here in Utah, but I don't have any of the oils. As a kid, my dad used to insist on hot lemon juice with honey as a magic remedy. I hated lemon at the time so I refused to try it. Vick's Vaporub is mentioned a lot, too. I've applied it to my chest, under my nose, and even in my nose. I also tried applying it to the bottom of my feet (a Facebook friend suggestion).

I sacrificed the majority of my day today to trying to get more sleep in hopes that I can handle the week ahead. Feel free to share your own recommendations in case I haven't tried them yet.