Short of trying Prednisone for relief of congestion and sinus problems that follow my swims...literally, the Rx was called in last Thursday; I searched for some other options.
First, I was baffled as to how five days on the steroid was going to change what happened on Tuesday when once again I was exposed to the trigger!
Second, I could go to sleep and tomorrow would be better anyway made me think the solution lay somewhere else.
It's not the first time I've searched for solutions but I was getting more desperate, in large part because I was getting more severe reactions from the stimulus and feeling like I lose two days a week if I swim two, or three if I swim three...I'm not very effective making phone calls, talking to people...basicially doing what I need to do for work or for parenting!
I did what any modern girl does and googled it. A USA Masters Swimming forum served up exactly what I needed. I poured over pages of a forum where supportive athletes shared their trials and offered up solutions. There were my exact symptoms over and over:
Congestion that begins after a swim in the indoor pool about 4-6 hours later when it really becomes unbearable for the remainder of the day, and knowledge I'll feel better the next day.
The severity that is better on shorter days and worse on long, that is progressively worse as the my swimming increases in duration and or frequency- and more severe reaction almost every time.
The collective conclusion is that with more exposure the immune system's response gets stronger and stronger to fight what it perceives as foreign. Indoor pools seem the worst- whether it's chlorine for sure no one really can say. Outdoor pools do effect most who are symptomatic less- and lake or open water even less yet if at all. Blowing out the nose though too is part of the equation- the more forceful blowing out nose for breathing means the tissues of the nose become inflamed- much of the congestion problem.
Sprays- OTC, or Rx haven't helped after initial improvement, seasonal daily intake of Rx pill for allergies also seems to have no effect, OTC decongestants, allergy meds....no effect other than drugging me so I want to nap or feel like a fog!
The solutions: nose plugs, vaseline in the nostrils- both seemed to work for others- so I made my way to the store! I battled with the plugs staying in place more than I swam yesterday- but the 45 minutes I was in the pool- proved no problems the rest of the day. One or two sneezes I can deal with. Not one person asked if I had a cold or swam- major success!
Haven't decided if I will find some plugs with a little strap so I won't lose them in the lake. Less concerned about loss than about them coming off my nose! And a little concern for the fact I have an Olympic distance tri on Sunday and its Wed- I'll have swum once more with the nose plugs and can't say "I'm used to them" yet.
Oddly, my allergy doc did ask in passing- two years ago if I wore nose plugs. At some point over this time he also I think asked if I blew bubbles out my nose. I don't know that he followed that with any statement- it might have been information gathering on his part...but it seemed then he was on the right track, we just didn't pursue it. And at the time I looked at him as if, "of course" I breath out my nose and that it might be crazy to think I'd wear nose plugs.
Call me crazy. I can breath.
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