It is very difficult to decide, but the bottom line is you are feeling sicker as you stand there and just want to get home, I know that feeling, except I wanted no help from the doctors even when I notice a sinus infection was looming.

            My husband started first, and I treated him first, but then the next day I got sick; I know where I got this from now!  Knowing what to do, immediately I ran to the allergy medications and it worked for a day; slowly the head congestion began to settle in. With the new rules on decongestion, I purchase the ones that are behind the pharmacy counter. The drug, pseudoephedrine has become a controlled substance in New York, thanks to our experimenting teenagers, so for a decongestion medication I need to show ID!

            This was working just fine until I felt the post nasal drip annoying my throat and finding its way into my chest; I switched to Alavert D, and Mucinex which is for chest congestion. Mucinex contains 600 mg of guaifenesin, in an extended release formula, which is the same ingredient found in Robitussin, but must stronger. Now all this worked just fine, but still I was not improving as well as I wanted to, I had work, the kids, the second job and worse I had lost interest in writing; then I thought Nasal Cleansing.

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            I had this kit with a squeeze bottle and saline packets to mix with warm water, and shoot it up one nostril, and then do the same to the other nostril until the solution was gone. I realized this was similar to the idea of the Neti Pot, which I had vowed never to use; I hate water in my nose. Well let me tell you something, after using the squeeze bottle, I realized there was definitely a sinus infection, but I was not going to be put on antibiotics, especially this early in the “cold and flu” season.

            True I felt miserable for over a week, but after about the fourth day of Alavert D, Mucinex and my neti pot device; I am actually feeling 99% better, without the antibiotics.

Many people don’t realize as soon as they feel symptoms coming on, the must act; and knowing the proper medication and what they do is what is totally very important; as well as understanding your own symptoms. Vitamin C, a little garlic, Vitamin B complete and Zinc, can go along way it helping to boost your immune system, get you better and feeling great in no time at all.

            Again check with your doctor or health care provider to avoid any problems that can arise, and always have symptoms that the doctor can treat. Going in demanding antibiotic for a viral germ, is a waste of money and hinders your tolerance to fight off other germs. Over usage of antibiotics has led to many cases where the person builds an immune against the drug, and have to go through 2,3 or even 4; before they find relief when the get a bacterial infection.

            Keeping cleaning your hands, keeping your hands away from your face, stay away from coughing, sneezing people and keep hand sanitizer in your bag along with sanitizing wipes to use on the shopping cart handle when shopping!