As a smoker I didn't experience a lot of seasonal sinus issues. But I sure did after I quit. Pure misery for six months. It got so bad I had to by-pass my regular doctor and seek specialized care due to the fact that I started to have anxiety attacks that revolved around not being able to breathe at night. Nothing prepared me for that experience. Weird, weird, weird! Coming out the other end of that particular dark tunnel is a true relief! I finally get to experience the rest of what is so good about not smoking. Deep nose hits of fragrant spring air that are like a delicious snack to the ole nasal palate! Yum!
The ear, nose, and throat guy I saw is a big believer in washing the crud out of the sinuses with water.
I was pretty much thinking to myself: "Oh, yeah...like that's gonna happen." But eventually I went and got the supplies which amounts to a squeeze botte, distilled water, and packets of the saline stuff you mix in the water. And I found out it works to keep El Schnoz in tip-top working order. If you're one of those who discovered the "joy" of allergy/sinusitus/rhinitus, etc. after ditching the smokes, you may want to pick up a box of the nasal wash stuff from Walmart and give it a shot. I would recommend the squeeze bottle over the neti pot. I also like to keep a Vicks Inhaler with me to have something to inhale for a little buzz, and Fisherman's Friend Lozenges for a nice substitute hit when one of those instinctive habitual urges to
"do something" comes along. They aren't so imperative any more, but sometimes it's nice to have something to answer them with that feels good and helps me appreciate breathing more rather than less.
I smoked fairly regularly for something around 45 years. I wasn't a particularly heavy smoker, and the medicos tell me I have little if any bad consequences from it. I suppose moderation,a very active lifestyle, and decent diet helped dampen the damage, but at 60, it seems like I needed to quit tempting fate and
start acting like a grown-up instead of a little kid sucking his thumb to keep his cool. I've had a relatively easy time quitting this time. I guess it was just my time. Whatever reason for it, I'm grateful. That gratitude
attitude will get you places you could neve otherwise go. Quitting smoking is probably a minor miracle, but
It's doable. I would hope that we attract more who get it done earlier rather than later. I will mention that I was a black-out drinking chronic alcoholic who was in rehab 3 times beforehe was 21...(old enough to drink)....HAHAHA. I've been sober and happy since and believe that alcohol is a hundred times easier to kick than the pernicious weed.
Ask for help when you need it, and give thanks when you get it. Tell the devil to get behind you!
