Diluted Dante wrote:

It's been getting rig of the wax, which was plentiful! I think that there were 2 separate problems, as after using the drops I began to be able to pop my ears, which I couldn't do before, though it was still blocked further in. Bought some Sudafed Mucas Relief, and ear seems to have popped! Doesn't feel completely clear, but I'm no longer basically deaf.

I'm an ear popping expert thanks to flying.  99% of the time it's a block on the inner side of the ear drum, which is why the mucus relief sorted you.

Is this a nasal spray?  If so, they can by physiologically addictive, so be careful.  You have your ear canal, then your ear drum, then your middle ear.  If you clamber up a mountain, air pressure decreases, so your ear drum bulges out.  To equalise the pressure, you have a bit called your eustachian tube that runs from the inside of your eardrum to the back of your throat, and you force the excess pressure down that.

If you're blocked up with mucus, your eustachian tube gets gummed up, and you can't bleed that pressure out.  The bowed eardrum isn't as responsive, so that's what affects your hearing.  

Symptomatically, it's alright to keep taking things like that, and if it's a phenylephrine-based decongestant then it's fine, gobble it down.  If it's a steroidal nasal spray, that works by constricting the blood vessels to force your eustachian tube open.  It's extremely effective, but your eustachian tube is opened to (say) 180% of normal size.  That means when the inflammation and mucus clear up, and it settles to 100%, it feels like it's a bit blocked.  

I ended up hoofing up nasal spray constantly after getting prescribed some when learning to fly, and didn't stop taking it because I craved the 180% eustachian tubes.  I ended up with massive spontaneous nosebleeds and stuff.

Hey Dante, try practising opening the ear throat tube. Pushing jaw forward, forcing a yawn and/or doing a joker impression. It's not something people do everyday, if you can get better at it you'll be more confident in clearing it without the spray

Like cock says, knowing how to open the eustachian tube's pretty useful.  Also, hold your nose shut and blow into it as hard as you can; the pressure'll force the tube open and can help to equalise things.

If it's just decongestant tablets, eat the shit out of them until you're better.  It's just the nasal sprays you should avoid overusing.  Also, fix what's making the mucus, do you have a cold?

I've been referred to a skin guy for my black mole.

Subbax wrote:

I've been referred to a black guy for my skin mole.

Cheers fellas, that made me chuckle.

Saw an orthopaedic surgeon about my shoulder today, who looked at my x-rays and said "man, you've had some WORK done there.  When was your *last* surgery?"  He sounded surprised I only had one

Back to the physio on Tuesday, hurrah.

Whoops; I remember the explanation about nasal sprays opening your tubes up to 140% and therefore 100% feeling congested was related to Otrivine, which isn't a steroid thing at all.  Sorry!  They gave me nosebleeds as well though, I think.

Right now, in fact, I'm getting loads of nosebleeds and feel almost permanently congested.  When I blow my nose I only get lots of little nasty brittle dry chunks out.  I think it's the dry air and the permanent air conditioning.

Anyone ever use a humidifier?

All this ear talk reminds me of when my lad had Glue Ear when he was younger, the amount of stuff coming out of his ear was unbelievable.

Back to me though, I have somehow managed to pull a muscle/s in my chest and it keeps catching me off guard. I'm not sure how I did it but it is either down to loading the banner rolls at work (they are fucking heavy, I'm sure much too heavy for HSE) or a good session on the punchbag, either way I'll be glad when it goes.

Kow wrote:

I am currently trying out this alcohol cure.

I've been plagued with a bad stomach for years, decades even.

The only thing that stops it is not drinking alcohol.

Drinking alcohol starts it again. It really is a simple on/off switch.

That would be unfortunate.

I don't think I'm allergic. Small amounts occasionally is fine. Large one off or small sustained is what kicks me off.

I'll have to stop reading this thread while i'm eating.

My sinuses are still killing me, and to compound the misery I seem to have developed a bladder infection. Went to the doctor today and she's given me a week's course of antibiotics. 
Asked me if I'd be able to provide her with a couple of urine samples while I was there for analysis. You know you're not well when a lady doctor asks you on the spot for some pee and your able to reply, "sure, how much would you like?"

not been a great year for health this

g.man

I feel like a bag of smashed crabs.

It's just the 6 beers and 3 measures of brandy that I felt the need to drink alone last night. Thank fuck the mrs is back today.