Question:

(Matthew Murphy) writes:

Hi Matt, I used to have this as well, for about two years, tried all sorts of stuff but what finally worked was Spenco hard plastic arch supports, which cost about $20.  I have a pair for both pairs of runing shoes, cross-country ski boots and bicycling shoes.  I have not had a relapse for about 10 years.  Good luck. Lyle

Response:

Hi, Has anyone out there ever cured this? I mean to the point that you don’t have to continually ice your feet after running? I have stopped running altogether but now I get it even when I play softball. The turf shoes are probably worse for my feet than running. also, why do orthotics help this condition? Is this just a problem with inflamation of tissue around the nerves? Man, I’m 31! Maybe I’m just too old! Any insight into this and personal stories would be welcome. Thanks, Matt

Response:

Man, I’m 31! Maybe I’m just too old!

Naw! Any insight into this and personal stories would be welcome.

I sent my PF story to a couple of people, but I guess I’ll post it since the subject keeps coming up. I had a very very long bout with Plantar Fasciitis combined with Achilles Tendonitis.  They lasted for 1 and a half years.  I am not a person to give up.  My first doctor tried anti-inflammation drugs.  When that did not work, I had him refer me to a podiatrist.  He kept putting me on stronger drugs until my stomach hurt.  Still no help.  He then sent me to physical therapy where I got ultra-sound, stretching, exercise and ice therapy.  He also had me get cheap over the counter orthotics (berkinstock blue foot beds).  All this helped a little, but I kept relapsing. So I quit running for a while, and started running in a swimming pool with a float vest on, and also swimming.  In the mean time, I changed insurance companies (the above was with an HMO, and my choices were limited).  Then I found a *good* podiatrist who *actually runs* and understood my mental state.  He advised me to add cycling to my routine while he made me some orthotics and I built back into running.  I did this.  He had some good graphite orthotics made for me (made from plaster molds of my feet by an outfit he said made orthotics for the olympic atheletes), and I found that I could start running again with them.  I did however have to start over again with the short runs, and very very gradual building back up.  The cycling and pool running allowed me the non-impact alternative to keep me from overdoing it. I had several setbacks along the way in rebuilding.  My podiatrist and I concluded that the shoes that I was wearing were overpronating too much in the forefoot causing my orthotics to not work as they should.  This is because most shoes have EVA in the forefoot and midsole (a soft material that does not support the orthotic well).  I finally found Soucony Procyon shoes have polyurethane in the forefoot which is harder and more stable. This gave more support for the orthotics to work.  A few more tweaks of the orthotic by the podiatrist and things much improved.  You really do need to work with the podiatrist, provide him with feedback, and keep pressure on him to get things right. Also, I do still get some pain when I over do it (to much speed work or try to run over 40 miles a week).  I have found that if I cut may mileage, do more cycling  and put my foot in a bucket of ice water (10 mins in, 10 out, then 10 in) each day after exercise, I am able to ward off a return. I think the ice water is very important for reducing inflammation.  Do no go longer than 10 mins. at a time, as that will have the opposite affect and cause inflammation.  I have continued to cycle 1 or two days a week and do feel that it has actually improved my running. So I guess my message is don’t give up.  This can be beat.  Experiment and find out what works for you.  I have run for almost 2 years since recovery and am as fast at 44 now than I was at 40 before that all began.  Mark Hays                     |          __o         o  California State Univ, Fresno |        _`<;        <|v

Response:

Hi folks,    I’ve looked every post on this newsgroup and I haven’t found an answer to this question:  What is plantar facitis?  What causes it?   What kind of pain does it cause? Please enlighten me about this either by follow-up posts or e-mail.  I’d really appreciate it.

I had plantar facitis for several months one year.  After trying ice and rest, I could only ease the pain but not get rid of it.  My problem was solved when I bought some arch supports for the shoes I wore to work.  Since then I have not had a problem with platar facitis. Good Luck, Dave Bauerle

Response:

…deletions… Does anyone have an idea of how long one should expect to wait (or how long it took them) for this to heal up?  I’m going batty– that thread on depression from lack of running fits me perfectly. Many thanks,    —Mark Mark A. DeLoura      sci.virtual-worlds.apps co-mod     Loral ADS, Bellevue WA

Most of the time the problem goes away in a few months, if treated aggressively. I have been dealing with the problem for years.  It’s just one of the prices we "biomechanically challenged" folk have to pay for the joy of running! (Curses, Matt Mahoney! ) Oh, by the way, I forgot that cortisone shots and ultrasound are sometimes prescribed to deal with the problem.  Find a good sports medicine doctor and get some professional advice! — David B. Considine                             Voice: (301) 286-4299 Code 916, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center     Fax:   (301) 286-1754

Response:

…deletions… Does anyone have an idea of how long one should expect to wait (or how long it took them) for this to heal up?  I’m going batty– that thread on depression from lack of running fits me perfectly.

I know many people have said that they have continued running while treating plantar facitis and it went away.  I also know that many people suffer for years while continuing to run and treat PF at the same time. I tried to continue running (slower and shorter distance) but my PF seemed to get worse and worse.  I finally decided to quit running until I healed completely.  It took a total of about 6 months.  After about 5 months I didn’t feel any pain.  I didn’t start back running until one month after I didn’t feel any pain. I never did use any type of orthotics because I didn’t think my problem was due to a structural defect.  I believe my problem was caused by increasing intensity/distance too quickly.  Now I’m injury free and a good bit smarter .  If I have another problem, I’ll probably try orthotics. Abstinence may not be the best solution … but, it is a potential solution.  Besides not increasing distance/intensity too quickly, I stretch after every run.  I believe lack of flexibility may have also attributed to my PF injury. Doug Gilliam

Response:

DeLoura) writes: does anyone have an idea of how long one should expect to wait for this

  (plantar fascitis) to heal? I had this problem for over a year – saw a podiatrist and two orthopedic surgeons and had three cortisone injections.  Finally, the second orthopedic surgeon I saw, who was a sports medicine specialist, told me that if I kept running on it that the worst that would happen is that the fascia would eventually rupture, which would initially be painful, but which would not create any disability, and would result in a cure to the problem similar to the relief one gets from surgery. I ordered, and began wearing a "Count’rR-Force" Arch Brace from a company in Arlington, VA (with which I am not affiliated in any way) and began wearing this device anytime I was on my feet.  My pain was gone within two weeks, and I have continued, perhaps supertitiously, to wear this device anytime I run, and have had no recurrence of the problem in two years. That’s my two cents.  It may not work for everyone, but anyone who has had  this problem knows that you will try most anything to get rid of it.

Response:

Muscle strengthening exercises, antiinflammatories, rest, ice, orthoses, taping, and shoes with good arch supports are some of the ways that have been suggested on the net in the past for dealing with the problem.

Thanks for the informative post!  I’ve had this since running a race too hard in a pair of shoes that weren’t good for me (now I know to avoid Reebok Ventilators, at least.)  I’ve been trying to get it to heal up through rest, taping, and the use of orthotics, but it won’t heal!  Arrgh!  It’s been several months now, and every time I try to stretch it through yoga or running, it goes back to square one (or maybe two.) Does anyone have an idea of how long one should expect to wait (or how long it took them) for this to heal up?  I’m going batty– that thread on depression from lack of running fits me perfectly. Many thanks,         —Mark Mark A. DeLoura      sci.virtual-worlds.apps co-mod     Loral ADS, Bellevue WA

Response:

DeLoura) writes: does anyone have an idea of how long one should expect to wait for this  (plantar fascitis) to heal?

Thanks to all of you that replied to my post– I’m happy to say that over the past three weeks the pain has disappeared.  I think this was largely due to icing in the evenings, and weekly stretching in a yoga course I was taking.  I didn’t run at all during this time. After the pain went away, the ankle and front left side of my foot (left) made crunching sounds for a few days, but now appears to be completely normal (last yoga stretching caused no pain or crunching at all.) The crunching makes me wonder if this wasn’t a stress fracture of some sort instead, but I’m going to give it a few more days and then try out a new pair of shoes and light running to see what it feels like. Again, many thanks for your collective wisdom!         —Mark Mark A. DeLoura      sci.virtual-worlds.apps co-mod     Loral ADS, Bellevue WA

Response:

I must fall all over myself apologizing profusely. One of our own comes to the group with a simple question, which I didn’t feel qualified to answer, but instead chose to make jokes. Given the recent posts, I should have realized that this running business has turned far more serious than I could have ever imagined. Depression, prosac, etc. In my defense, weak as it may be, and still not an excuse, I must admit that running to me is merely recreation. Although I’ve put in probably 50-80 miles weeks for the past 12 years, and am always trying to be competitive in the local races, I shamefully admit that I ocassionally purposely take time off. Sure I still get in a two hour trail run once a week, but then only two 5 easy five milers the rest of the days. And I keep this up for 2 months! I consider it a mental and physical rest, but I realize that is beyond the comprehension of most these days. This inevitably prevents me from injury, the main bond between runners, so I make light of it. I promise that if Lucas Harper feels the need to post another slam on me, I’ll leave it at that. I only wish him luck in topping his flame. (The "Dick" part is worth repeating.) And I assure all that I will keep the day job. And I’ll try to adopt the theme that winning is everything, even if it means living a lie, because big brother _is_ watching.

| |  If you don’t know it’s because you don’t have it. | | Not necessarily | |  What, are _looking_ for another injury to get?  :) | | Uh…I’ll assume that you were trying to ask me that question.  The | answer is no. | | There are plenty  others out there without the pronunciation or | spelling confusion… | | That is why I asked the initial question in the first place, which | remains unanswered. | | Try rec.s.and.m… | | Damn, that was so funny, I almost forgot to laugh…  Don’t give up your | day job.  Try rec.failed.flames, Dick.  Have a nice day. | | Winning isn’t everything, its the only thing.  Anyone who says otherwise | is lying.  And always remember, Big Brother is watching… — Richard F. Barrett (505) 667 6319

Response:

Hi folks,         I’ve looked every post on this newsgroup and I haven’t found an answer to this question:  What is plantar facitis?  What causes it?   What kind of pain does it cause? Please enlighten me about this either by follow-up posts or e-mail.  I’d really appreciate it. Winning isn’t everything, its the only thing.  Anyone who says otherwise is lying.  And always remember, Big Brother is watching…

Response:

| | Hi folks, | |   I’ve looked every post on this newsgroup and I haven’t found an | answer to this question:  What is plantar facitis?  What causes it?    If you don’t know it’s because you don’t have it. What, are _looking_ for another injury to get?  :) There are plenty others out there without the pronunciation or spelling confusion… | What kind of pain does it cause? Please enlighten me about this either by Try rec.s.and.m… | follow-up posts or e-mail.  I’d really appreciate it. | — Richard F. Barrett (505) 667 6319

Response:

 If you don’t know it’s because you don’t have it.

Not necessarily.  What, are _looking_ for another injury to get?  :)

Uh…I’ll assume that you were trying to ask me that question.  The answer is no. There are plenty  others out there without the pronunciation or

spelling confusion… That is why I asked the initial question in the first place, which remains unanswered. Try rec.s.and.m…

Damn, that was so funny, I almost forgot to laugh…  Don’t give up your day job.  Try rec.failed.flames, Dick.  Have a nice day. Winning isn’t everything, its the only thing.  Anyone who says otherwise is lying.  And always remember, Big Brother is watching…

Response:

That is why I asked the initial question in the first place, which remains unanswered.

The original question about Plantar Fascitis.  The Plantar Fascia is a sheet of fibrous tissue running along the bottom (plantar) surface of the foot.  It connects the ball of the foot to the heelbone:            *    * <- ankle            *    *           *    *    *           *   *    *    **  <-toe             ^     ^             |     |            heel   plantar fascia          Incredibly sad attempt at          ascii graphics representation          of foot and plantar fascia So, you have to use your imagination, but the above picture sort of describes where the plantar fascia is.  Plantar fascitis is when this becomes inflammed due to stress.  (Just remember that "itis" means inflammation, and you can amaze and impress your friends with great medical knowledge of all sorts of "itisis:" Bronchitis, bursitis, phlebitis, etc. Bronchitis means inflammation of your bronchial tubes; bursitis, inflammation of a bursa; and phlebitis, inflammation of your phlebs! ) Plantar fascitis is common in people with flat feet, because more stress is placed on the fascia in that case. Heel spurs also result from inflammation occurring where the fascia connects to the heel bone.   Muscle strengthening exercises, antiinflammatories, rest, ice, orthoses, taping, and shoes with good arch supports are some of the ways that have been suggested on the net in the past for dealing with the problem. — David B. Considine                             Voice: (301) 286-4299 Code 916, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center     Fax:   (301) 286-1754

Response:

Question:

I have to admit, unpleasant sounding as it is, that sinus irrigation with ice water is the quickest cure for my occasional sinus headaches I know of. It stops ‘em right away. I simply use a small cup of ice water, snort the water slowly up my nose till I feel it beginning to fall down the back of my throat; then clamp off both nostrils and "blow" the water into the sinuses. When sucessful, I can feel a stinging sensation in the inflammed sinus. Immediately I release my nostrils and allow the remaining water to drain out into the sink. This techniquecan be repeated if the headache is not cured on the first application. In theory, this is simply applying cold, wet, irrigation to inflammed mucosa. And, it works quicker than any drug I have tried. The technique takes some practice, but once mastered, it can abort a sinus headache that would otherwise last for 18-24 hours.                                             Robert S. Williams, MD

Response:

An allergy to dairy products is one of the most common types of allergies. I suffer from it myself. It can be found in all races, but is more common among non-whites. It can cause any number of problems, including chronic sniffles. Though, of course, all such cases are not dairy allergies, they may be other allergies or another problem altogether. This reminds me of a talk that Dr. Gaby gave at the holistic health expo I attended last week. Dr. Gaby is president-elect of the AHMA (American Holistic Medical Association) and treats using nutritional medicine. He said that when he sees a patient he first gets white flour, white sugar, and caffeine out of their diet. If this doesn’t improve their condition, he then puts them on a diet which eliminates common allergens. He then reintroduces each of the common allegens in a controlled chalenge to see the response. He told a story of one woman who was chronically tired and put on this regime. After drinking an 8 oz. glass of orange juice, she fell asleep on her couch at 8 AM and woke up at 4 PM! He said with a smile, not does only does this approach identify the allergen, it helps produce patient compliance. —

Response:

Do nasal irrigation. It’s the most benign treatment possible. Mix one teaspoon of table salt per one cup of very warm water. Draw it into your nose, and expel it out your mouth. You will need a nasal syringe. You will find them at the drug store. A nasal syringe is nothing but a rubber bulb with a plastic nipple. That’s what you use to dispense the warm salt water into your nose. Do the procedure when you awake, and repeat it before going to bed. Since it’s totally benign, you can repeat it even more often, if needed. — George B. Clark

Response:

While I’m delighted to not be having the usual intense sinus headaches of past autumns, I am still having a problem with severe postnasal drip on a constant basis.  I’ve talked to several pharmacists about alternatives to taking Sudafed or sinus remedies every day, but none of them had any suggestions. Am having no other real allergy/sinus symptoms and dont want to have medication in my body constantly. Since I’ve recently moved, I do not have a doctor to call.

Try eliminating ALL dairy from your diet for at least one month and watch for changes. Jan

Response:

Do nasal irrigation. It’s the most benign treatment possible. Mix one teaspoon of table salt per one cup of very warm water. Draw it into your nose, and expel it out your mouth. You will need a nasal syringe. You will find them at the drug store. A nasal syringe is nothing but a rubber bulb with a plastic nipple. That’s what you use to dispense the warm salt water into your nose. Do the procedure when you awake, and repeat it before going to bed. Since it’s totally benign, you can repeat it even more often, if needed. —

I learned about a similar process as part of a yoga course. (No syringes recommended.) One point we were emphatically warned about was to try and get ALL the water out of our nostrils/sinuses or it may cause an infection. George B. Clark

– Usual disclaimers/caveats apply. It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.  -Epictetus

Response:

Do nasal irrigation. It’s the most benign treatment possible. Mix one teaspoon of table salt per one cup of very warm water. Draw it into your nose, and expel it out your mouth. You will need a nasal syringe. You will find them at the drug store. A nasal syringe is nothing but a rubber bulb with a plastic nipple. That’s what you use to dispense the warm salt water into your nose. Do the procedure when you awake, and repeat it before going to bed. Since it’s totally benign, you can repeat it even more often, if needed. —

Snorting salty water is GREAT for unclogging a nose stuffed with mucus from colds.  I just put the water in a bowl and lean over the sink.  But if you’ve got a small nose (I do not), you might have to use a syringe.

Response:

While I’m delighted to not be having the usual intense sinus headaches of past autumns, I am still having a problem with severe postnasal drip on a constant basis.  I’ve talked to several pharmacists about alternatives to taking Sudafed or sinus remedies every day, but none of them had any suggestions. Am having no other real allergy/sinus symptoms and dont want to have medication in my body constantly. Since I’ve recently moved, I do not have a doctor to call. Try eliminating ALL dairy from your diet for at least one month and watch for changes.

I have heard that certain people of eastern European discent have this intolerance to dairy products.  Not lactose intolerance, but chronic sniffles from eating dairy products.  A woman I know who is half Polish had this problem until she eliminated dairy.  I suspect I have this problem too (I’m part Polish) but have not had the chance to test it (it is hard to give up dairy products during the holidays).  My aunt has chronic sniffles too. Has anyone else heard of this, or have any evidence (anecdotal or scientific) to either back up or disprove this idea?

Response:

While I’m delighted to not be having the usual intense sinus headaches of past autumns, I am still having a problem with severe postnasal drip on a constant basis.  I’ve talked to several pharmacists about alternatives to taking Sudafed or sinus remedies every day, but none of them had any suggestions. Am having no other real allergy/sinus symptoms and dont want to have medication in my body constantly. Since I’ve recently moved, I do not have a doctor to call. Does anyone know any "natural" ways to clear up this probmlem? Humdifiers? Lozenges?  Anything? Thanks in advance.

Response:

: While I’m delighted to not be having the usual intense sinus : headaches of past autumns, I am still having a problem with : severe postnasal drip on a constant basis.  I’ve talked to : several pharmacists about alternatives to taking Sudafed or : sinus remedies every day, but none of them had any suggestions. : Am having no other real allergy/sinus symptoms and dont want : to have medication in my body constantly. : Since I’ve recently moved, I do not have a doctor to call. : Does anyone know any "natural" ways to clear up this probmlem? : Humdifiers? Lozenges?  Anything? I have an identical problem.  In addition, can anyone shed light on skin problems as they relate to respiratory ailments?  Has anyone had any skin problems after suffering from some respiratory problem?  I’d appreciate ANY information.  Thanks.

Response:

   I have an identical problem.  In addition, can anyone shed light on skin    problems as they relate to respiratory ailments?  Has anyone had any    skin problems after suffering from some respiratory problem?  I’d    appreciate ANY information.  Thanks. Persons suffering from allergies often show the problem in more than one area. Often someone with respiratory allergies or asthma also has eczema, either alternating or at the same time. This goes to show the wholistic nature of all illness and the futility of trying to cure a disease by treating its local manifestations. —

Response:

While I’m delighted to not be having the usual intense sinus headaches of past autumns, I am still having a problem with severe postnasal drip on a constant basis.  I’ve talked to several pharmacists about alternatives to taking Sudafed or sinus remedies every day, but none of them had any suggestions. Am having no other real allergy/sinus symptoms and dont want to have medication in my body constantly. Since I’ve recently moved, I do not have a doctor to call. Does anyone know any "natural" ways to clear up this probmlem? Humdifiers? Lozenges?  Anything? Thanks in advance.

The best remedy that I’ve found for excess mucous, be it from cold, allergy, or climate, it to make a paste by combining honey with the powders of black pepper, ginger, and pipli (sp?) pepper (aniseed or fennel may be substituted for the pipli).  Take one or two teaspoons preferably before meals.  This will also aid digestion.  Also, avoid eating cold, watery foods, such as raw fruit and veg, without warm foods.  Let me know if this helps! Arcata, CA "… in the heart of the redwoods …" eating cold, watery foods, such as raw fruits and vege

Response:

Question:

An allergy to dairy products is one of the most common types of allergies. I suffer from it myself. It can be found in all races, but is more common among non-whites. It can cause any number of problems, including chronic sniffles. Though, of course, all such cases are not dairy allergies, they may be other allergies or another problem altogether. This reminds me of a talk that Dr. Gaby gave at the holistic health expo I attended last week. Dr. Gaby is president-elect of the AHMA (American Holistic Medical Association) and treats using nutritional medicine. He said that when he sees a patient he first gets white flour, white sugar, and caffeine out of their diet. If this doesn’t improve their condition, he then puts them on a diet which eliminates common allergens. He then reintroduces each of the common allegens in a controlled chalenge to see the response. He told a story of one woman who was chronically tired and put on this regime. After drinking an 8 oz. glass of orange juice, she fell asleep on her couch at 8 AM and woke up at 4 PM! He said with a smile, not does only does this approach identify the allergen, it helps produce patient compliance. —

Response:

Do nasal irrigation. It’s the most benign treatment possible. Mix one teaspoon of table salt per one cup of very warm water. Draw it into your nose, and expel it out your mouth. You will need a nasal syringe. You will find them at the drug store. A nasal syringe is nothing but a rubber bulb with a plastic nipple. That’s what you use to dispense the warm salt water into your nose. Do the procedure when you awake, and repeat it before going to bed. Since it’s totally benign, you can repeat it even more often, if needed. — George B. Clark

Response:

While I’m delighted to not be having the usual intense sinus headaches of past autumns, I am still having a problem with severe postnasal drip on a constant basis.  I’ve talked to several pharmacists about alternatives to taking Sudafed or sinus remedies every day, but none of them had any suggestions. Am having no other real allergy/sinus symptoms and dont want to have medication in my body constantly. Since I’ve recently moved, I do not have a doctor to call.

Try eliminating ALL dairy from your diet for at least one month and watch for changes. Jan

Response:

Do nasal irrigation. It’s the most benign treatment possible. Mix one teaspoon of table salt per one cup of very warm water. Draw it into your nose, and expel it out your mouth. You will need a nasal syringe. You will find them at the drug store. A nasal syringe is nothing but a rubber bulb with a plastic nipple. That’s what you use to dispense the warm salt water into your nose. Do the procedure when you awake, and repeat it before going to bed. Since it’s totally benign, you can repeat it even more often, if needed. —

I learned about a similar process as part of a yoga course. (No syringes recommended.) One point we were emphatically warned about was to try and get ALL the water out of our nostrils/sinuses or it may cause an infection. George B. Clark

– Usual disclaimers/caveats apply. It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.  -Epictetus

Response:

Do nasal irrigation. It’s the most benign treatment possible. Mix one teaspoon of table salt per one cup of very warm water. Draw it into your nose, and expel it out your mouth. You will need a nasal syringe. You will find them at the drug store. A nasal syringe is nothing but a rubber bulb with a plastic nipple. That’s what you use to dispense the warm salt water into your nose. Do the procedure when you awake, and repeat it before going to bed. Since it’s totally benign, you can repeat it even more often, if needed. —

Snorting salty water is GREAT for unclogging a nose stuffed with mucus from colds.  I just put the water in a bowl and lean over the sink.  But if you’ve got a small nose (I do not), you might have to use a syringe.

Response:

While I’m delighted to not be having the usual intense sinus headaches of past autumns, I am still having a problem with severe postnasal drip on a constant basis.  I’ve talked to several pharmacists about alternatives to taking Sudafed or sinus remedies every day, but none of them had any suggestions. Am having no other real allergy/sinus symptoms and dont want to have medication in my body constantly. Since I’ve recently moved, I do not have a doctor to call. Try eliminating ALL dairy from your diet for at least one month and watch for changes.

I have heard that certain people of eastern European discent have this intolerance to dairy products.  Not lactose intolerance, but chronic sniffles from eating dairy products.  A woman I know who is half Polish had this problem until she eliminated dairy.  I suspect I have this problem too (I’m part Polish) but have not had the chance to test it (it is hard to give up dairy products during the holidays).  My aunt has chronic sniffles too. Has anyone else heard of this, or have any evidence (anecdotal or scientific) to either back up or disprove this idea?

Response:

I have to admit, unpleasant sounding as it is, that sinus irrigation with ice water is the quickest cure for my occasional sinus headaches I know of. It stops ‘em right away. I simply use a small cup of ice water, snort the water slowly up my nose till I feel it beginning to fall down the back of my throat; then clamp off both nostrils and "blow" the water into the sinuses. When sucessful, I can feel a stinging sensation in the inflammed sinus. Immediately I release my nostrils and allow the remaining water to drain out into the sink. This techniquecan be repeated if the headache is not cured on the first application. In theory, this is simply applying cold, wet, irrigation to inflammed mucosa. And, it works quicker than any drug I have tried. The technique takes some practice, but once mastered, it can abort a sinus headache that would otherwise last for 18-24 hours.                                             Robert S. Williams, MD

Response:

   I have an identical problem.  In addition, can anyone shed light on skin    problems as they relate to respiratory ailments?  Has anyone had any    skin problems after suffering from some respiratory problem?  I’d    appreciate ANY information.  Thanks. Persons suffering from allergies often show the problem in more than one area. Often someone with respiratory allergies or asthma also has eczema, either alternating or at the same time. This goes to show the wholistic nature of all illness and the futility of trying to cure a disease by treating its local manifestations. —

Response:

While I’m delighted to not be having the usual intense sinus headaches of past autumns, I am still having a problem with severe postnasal drip on a constant basis.  I’ve talked to several pharmacists about alternatives to taking Sudafed or sinus remedies every day, but none of them had any suggestions. Am having no other real allergy/sinus symptoms and dont want to have medication in my body constantly. Since I’ve recently moved, I do not have a doctor to call. Does anyone know any "natural" ways to clear up this probmlem? Humdifiers? Lozenges?  Anything? Thanks in advance.

The best remedy that I’ve found for excess mucous, be it from cold, allergy, or climate, it to make a paste by combining honey with the powders of black pepper, ginger, and pipli (sp?) pepper (aniseed or fennel may be substituted for the pipli).  Take one or two teaspoons preferably before meals.  This will also aid digestion.  Also, avoid eating cold, watery foods, such as raw fruit and veg, without warm foods.  Let me know if this helps! Arcata, CA "… in the heart of the redwoods …" eating cold, watery foods, such as raw fruits and vege

Response:

While I’m delighted to not be having the usual intense sinus headaches of past autumns, I am still having a problem with severe postnasal drip on a constant basis.  I’ve talked to several pharmacists about alternatives to taking Sudafed or sinus remedies every day, but none of them had any suggestions. Am having no other real allergy/sinus symptoms and dont want to have medication in my body constantly. Since I’ve recently moved, I do not have a doctor to call. Does anyone know any "natural" ways to clear up this probmlem? Humdifiers? Lozenges?  Anything? Thanks in advance.

Response:

: While I’m delighted to not be having the usual intense sinus : headaches of past autumns, I am still having a problem with : severe postnasal drip on a constant basis.  I’ve talked to : several pharmacists about alternatives to taking Sudafed or : sinus remedies every day, but none of them had any suggestions. : Am having no other real allergy/sinus symptoms and dont want : to have medication in my body constantly. : Since I’ve recently moved, I do not have a doctor to call. : Does anyone know any "natural" ways to clear up this probmlem? : Humdifiers? Lozenges?  Anything? I have an identical problem.  In addition, can anyone shed light on skin problems as they relate to respiratory ailments?  Has anyone had any skin problems after suffering from some respiratory problem?  I’d appreciate ANY information.  Thanks.

Response: