How Can I Be Allergic To AIR!?
Oct. 14th, 2004 01:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dr_tectonicYou don't care, because it's health-related and that's one of the most boring topics in the world, but I'm writing it down in my blog so that maybe next year, when it happens again, I can look here and remember what to do about it.
Two weeks ago, I had that obnoxious virus-y thing. It was basically done with in pretty short order, but I have this lingering cough that just keeps... lingering. Pretty much the same thing happened last year, though that time it took me seven weeks (how embarrassing!) to decide that maybe that was longer than normal for a cough and I should go to the doctor.
So I went to the clinic and saw Dr. S., and yup, it's the same thing. I have post-nasal drip that causes the cough, coughing irritates throat tissues, irritated tissue generates post-nasal drip, and the whole thing becomes self-perpetuating. It seems to be basically an allergic reaction to cold air. That's right, AIR.
I have a seasonal allergy to the changing of the seasons. WTF!?! SUXX0R! (as the kids say)
But the nice thing is, now that I know what's going on, I might be able to nip it in the bud next time around. I have a prescription for pills that are basically heavy-duty guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine. And I can take straight-up dextromethorphan for cough suppressant until the other two kick in. He also gave me a prescription for flonase, but hopefully next winter if I stomp any cough with the other OTC meds quickly, I won't need it.
You know, some of those pharmaceuticals names are kind of fun. Dextromethorphan. It's a superhero name!
But still. I'm allergic to winter air?! Bah!
Two weeks ago, I had that obnoxious virus-y thing. It was basically done with in pretty short order, but I have this lingering cough that just keeps... lingering. Pretty much the same thing happened last year, though that time it took me seven weeks (how embarrassing!) to decide that maybe that was longer than normal for a cough and I should go to the doctor.
So I went to the clinic and saw Dr. S., and yup, it's the same thing. I have post-nasal drip that causes the cough, coughing irritates throat tissues, irritated tissue generates post-nasal drip, and the whole thing becomes self-perpetuating. It seems to be basically an allergic reaction to cold air. That's right, AIR.
I have a seasonal allergy to the changing of the seasons. WTF!?! SUXX0R! (as the kids say)
But the nice thing is, now that I know what's going on, I might be able to nip it in the bud next time around. I have a prescription for pills that are basically heavy-duty guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine. And I can take straight-up dextromethorphan for cough suppressant until the other two kick in. He also gave me a prescription for flonase, but hopefully next winter if I stomp any cough with the other OTC meds quickly, I won't need it.
You know, some of those pharmaceuticals names are kind of fun. Dextromethorphan. It's a superhero name!
But still. I'm allergic to winter air?! Bah!
no subject
Date: 2004-10-14 03:26 pm (UTC)Then again, DxM also is psychoactive in large dose. Wheee.
There was a Heinlein (or Clarke?) character with an air allergy in one of his later books. But all of those books sucked (and blend together in my head) so I have no idea which one. She had to eventually move to a satellite, if I recall right.
no subject
Date: 2004-10-14 04:48 pm (UTC)Entex . . .
Date: 2004-10-17 03:35 pm (UTC)Entex is good.
This ends this LJ commercial.
--G
no subject
Date: 2004-10-19 04:31 pm (UTC)Anyway, I get the horrible winter PND as well. I find that upping the water consumption helps too- thins the mucous and sooths the throat. Man, I wish I could get a flu shot this winter- now I have to worry about flu that turns into pneumonia.