We all know it’s a bad idea to google symptoms, right? I often joke about how my primary physician is Dr. Google. Well, after my big stomach troubles that took forever to get better, then the little cold a couple of weeks ago, I had a glob of yuck in the back of my throat that wouldn’t leave, and on Friday, my ears hurt when I swallowed. Great.
Friday night was very restless. I went to bed super-early but woke up every hour the rest of the night. (Lloyd was up with pre-sale adrenaline.) The pain was bad enough that I looked up ‘urgent care’ at 4 a.m. I was going to be busy at the sale until early afternoon, but I found an option to have a virtual visit mid-afternoon, so I booked it. I entered all my information – insurance, drivers license, address, phone number, symptoms, blah blah blah. It was all done and I realized….. they were going to try to have a video call on my flip phone. Oops.
As it turned out, I could have the visit on my iPad. The lady (she was in Grand Island, I was in Lincoln) was very nice. I told her I was pretty sure it was a sinus infection and she hooked me up with medicine and some other information.
I had already been gargling with salt water, and she asked if I knew about nasal rinsing. I did, but not about the cool device she recommended. My friend Stephannie is a big fan of the neti pot, and I’ve used a regular teapot (sorry) to pour salt water through my nose before. But this squirty bottle? It’s a game changer. You don’t have to tip your head to the side – just load and squirt. Gross, but effective.
So, I am incredibly happy that I can swallow without wanting to carve my ears out of my head.
In other medically-related news, my sister Keren just had hernia surgery yesterday and my brother Phil is waiting on some tests, so prayers for them would be very welcome!
Mom says
Praying, glad you are better.
Brad says
I know someone who is really into those neti pots. I’ve never tried it myself though.
Just make sure you use the approved water additives and suchlike. It seems like I read some awful story about someone using water that wasn’t clean…
Lauren says
Thank you, Jane! I do feel much, much better!
Brad, you are right about the water. They come with little packets of salt solution and say to use distilled water. Thankfully I had part of a gallon from refilling the batteries on the Toaster. 🙂