Nasal polyps, Windpipe bulge

posted May 2007

I seldom take a good rest without it being because of injury or illness.

I haven't worked out since Monday (5 days ago). Planned a rest week, but was going to be more active. All I've done is walk slowly for 20-30 minutes.

Exercise and diet might help my sinus issues, but the fact is I still have major problems with polyps. Mucus production is very high right now.

After 9 days the neck issue has cleared...at least it doesn't hurt when lying on my right side (weird because the pain is only felt on the left side.) I might have pulled a small muscle deep in my neck when trying to breath through my nose and exhale out the mouth.

Saw a couple of Docs this week to get opinion on the neck. Both recommended a CAT scan of the soft tissue. One did a scope down the throat and saw a "bulge" which might explain the pressure I feel on the windpipe when I take a deep breath. That has subsided. Same Doc wants me to go on Antibiotics, which don't work for polyps. He said he had trouble getting through my sinuses to my throat with the camera due to polyps. I've had them removed 3 times in my life and they always come back. Flonase helps to reduce inflammation when it's at the worst. I may be dairy and gluten intolerant, but not sure. When in Texas last spring...I felt great...no congestion.

Increased my suppliments (probiotics) to stablize good bacteria in stomach. Also, taking more enzemes prior to meals. Using Flonase until I can smell clearly, which means polyps have shrunk.

I need to shrink these polyps. They will destroy bone structure over time and that is impossible to replace. This hasn't been right in years. I've tried every med and non-med solution known and still I suffer with this. IT MUST STOP!

When to rest?

posted over 2 years ago

Starting to feel a little run down...enthusiasm declined a bit this week. Today started with a "don't know what I'm going to do except spin." Ended with a smart move to eliminate a couple of chest/arm exercises because I'm feeling sore. Focused instead on quads and hamstrings. Did a personal best squat of 250 lbs. 6 repetitions (good form 3,1,1 tempo) followed by 120 lb. leg curls X 6.

Total Calories for the day: 1050

Sinus Problem Gone

posted April 2007

For almost one month I was beginning to doubt my sinuses would improve. I desperately used Afrin nasal spray, flonase, and finally antihistamines to get rid of what started as a minor sore thoat and ended up as chronic inflammation and sinus congestion. I couldn't breath out of my nose. I couldn't smell the worst odors, and I couldn't taste much of anything. It was depressing!

I had not used anti-histamines in almost 3 years!

I floss my teeth with a mint floss. I could NOT taste the mint.

Finally after a week of anti-histimines and flonase my nose started to clear. All the while I had been using "sinu rinse" to "FLUSH" the mucuss from my nose. The "material" was greenish crap that seemed to have no end!

NOW I can smell and taste again 99.9% without anti-biotics which is the VERY first thing the Doc would have prescribed. I continue to "rinse" my nose 2-3 times a day, but have stopped all meds.

Feeling really good!

posted over 2 years ago

Starting to smell odors (good and bad!)....

Today was just a normal recovery day (580 calories). Yamuna for 25 minutes, 45 minute walk at 4.5 mph 5 degrees, some core and stretching 15 minutes.

I tapered off this week trying to eliminate aches and pains. Those back to back double workouts are too much for me, especially when I try to up the weights each week.

Tomorrow is spinning...will do no more than 40 minutes at 85% MHR versus the usual 93% or so.

Have to decide whether to rest next week or start phase I golf or do Colgan hardcore for 3-4 weeks prior to medicine ball/plyometrics.

Lactose Intolerant?

Spinning and Legs

posted over 2 years ago

Last day of phase 6 and it was leg blast day. Spinning am and leg work out after an 1 1/2 hour break. All moving parts still functioning. Nose is still stuffy, but better at the moment (flonase is kicking in).

I'm really starting to wonder if I'm lactose in tolerant. Trying to take an enzime before meals to help.

Still having itches at night for past 2 weeks coinciding with sinus problems. Small hives....

Phase 6 Aches update

posted March 2007

Since last post:

Monday: Spinning AM; Chest/Back/Core routine PM
Tuesday: Combined Legs/Cardio
Wednesday: Recovery
Thursday: Combined Chest/Back/Cardio
Friday: Spinning AM; Legs PM
Sat: Recovery

Totals about 4500 calories burned in the week.

My weight and strength have increased. Bodyfat staying around 14.5%. Last weight 186.6.

Dead lift one time 270 lbs. (did 10 reps of 190 x 3 sets)
One arm row: 65 x 6
Push ups: 15 quality x 3 sets
Pull ups: 3 sets of 3 plus 160 lb. on lat pull down machine.

Aches and pains inventory:
1. L. hip is ok now that I cut back on the running on Tues and Thurs. AND stopping the contra one arm one leg row (do on bench)
2. R. knee a little tight. Could be the new nike Frees...Was fine on Tues after slight injury doing deadlifts on Friday. Tweaked it again and felt nothing until Thursday am. May have been after walking 45 minutes with Nike Frees.
3. Nose still congested...can't smell much...99% gone. :-(
4. R. & L elbow tender after massage therapist put extra pressure after chest/back workout. Got to watch that!
5. Both quads are tight and small muscles around r knee are tight. Not unusual 48 hours after leg workout!
6. Not sleeping that well. Pain not the issue, the nose is.....Data A averaging around 20 mins. the last 8 days after an 8 day run of 26 minutes....
7. Looking forward to rest after next Thursday.

Didn't do cold plunge on Wednesday. Thought being that the cold could aggravate the nose. Didn't notice much difference in congestion. Muscles are a bit more sore on Thursday.

Allergic Reaction

posted December 1, 2009

Today I discovered why my sinuses have been "acting up" for the last 40 days. One of my supplement DGL contains MILK! This is a supplement that is supposed to aid digestion and was suggested to me several years ago. It comes in a couple of forms...raw, and flavored. The RAW contains no dairy. The "chocolate mint" contains flavoring derived from MILK. The containers are almost identical.

Almost two years ago I eliminated dairy, milk casein, whey etc. from my diet after reading that "dairy" is a primary cause of sinus problems. 3 days after QUITTING dairy I could smell odors.

I've had nasal polyps removed 3 times, nasal surgery, countless other medications and trips to the Doctor. I've taking reams of anti-biotics. NOTHING gave me long term relief until I QUIT dairy.

Will see how quitting DGL does to improve my sinus issues!

Update: December 6, 2009

Day 5 and I'm feeling great...unbelievable. The Doctor wanted to put me on anti-biotics and medral pak (steroids). Did neither! Just stopped the DGL which I think I'll never take again even if they guarantee me that there's no dairy in the non-flavored one!

I called the company and asked why would they put dairy in a supplement for digestive health??!! They said because people didn't like the taste. Fact is both products taste like crap..... They put me through hell and it makes me angry to think about it, but I'm also very happy to be feeling normal again....can smell and taste again....SWEET!

Update: 1/4/2009: Had new test and discovered sensitivity to SOY and EGG....UGH! Soy is especially negative so I'm quitting immediately. The good news is that my lower intestines have healed completely! That means I'm absorbing nutrients "normally." The elimination of soy creates many issues...several of my supplements contained soy. A real surprise was that a supplement prescribed by Doctor contains milk, wheat.... Dairy is the single biggest problem. I've carefully reviewed my diet and removed all soy containing foods and supplements.

Egg is another story. I've cut out 75% of eggs from my diet. The only ones left are from "egg protein" and a small amount in my quinoa muffins.

Results so far indicate improvements in sinus issues. My sinus passages are much better than usual.

sinus-movie

5472 Calories Burned

posted over 2 years ago

Final week of phase 2 of golf. Hard week but no issues. Ran 2x's intervals on basketball court 4x length of court at full speed, then 1 minutes job, sprint, jog, sprint, then 3 minute recovery...did 3 sets plus 5 minute warm up and warm down. Spinning 2x's both intermediate. Did medicine ball routines.

Nose is clearing up on non-dairy diet. Adding about 2 servings of fruit per day. Weight 183.6 and 14.5% BF.

Left hip flexor issue goes away with running plus a little more stretching AFTER exercise.