Albany, NY
If you are like I am, a chronic suffer of sinusitus, then Albany, New York, is one of last places on earth you should consider as a place to live. Don’t get me wrong, I love everything else about this place, after living here for 20 years. However, I have been literally devestated, overwhelmed and unanchored, by the effect allergies have had and continue to have on my life. I have had major and minor sinus surgery, am now resistant to a list of antibiotics.
Above all else, please know that you should be seeing an otolaryngological allergist, not just an “allergist,” for the most accurate levels of skin testing. Anyway, when you get this bad, it doesn’t matter. Just having to deal with the question of giving up everything you have worked for, your house, your job (with seniority), your family…and you are told that the only solution is to go somewhere else by your general physician, your “allergist” and the best-of-the-lot ENT surgeon is so busy, you can’t even get back in to see him when you need him. You always get a best-of-the-lot physician’s assistant, who does a fantastic job, but it’s the surgeon expert you want to talk to.
Anyway, the “allergist” that I saw for 16 years and who gave shots that only made me come out worse (before I found to otolarng. ENT allergist) told me on a 3-yr reunion consultation, that “Albany just isn’t for everybody” and “I am only an allergist,” so the only solution is for me to move…to where ? I have read a testimonial from someon who has lived in Iowa, Colorado and North Carolina, who said that the ONLY place he ever lived and felt relief from the condition, was a subtropical island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Would someone please help and give a clue?
My aggravation with sinuses starts in October when we turn the heat on up here and it continues until May. Last year, it took 2 antibiotics at once to stop chronic bronchitis that hit like rock after I had a 12-day course of steroids. Can anyone out there give me some constructive advice on where I might live? — Devestated in Albany
I lived in Albany growing up - in Florida now; Albany rates the best in the country and Titusville where I am is worst. I have been suffering for years also and was reasearching myself when I came across this site and your posting. I’ve lived all over myself and i guess I can’t remember enough to make any credible statements as to where is better - but I’m sure trying to go somewhere for some relief myself. I was just in Co for 2 months - the symptoms were clogged nose but no headaches like I have now.
Comment by craig willison — February 7, 2007 @ 11:43 am
I’m wondering if your problem might be with mold? Do you have a forced air heating system? If this is the case, it might have nothing to do with where you live geographically, and more to do with the quality of your ventilation ducts. Seasonal allergies hit in the spring and fall — yours sound like an indoor allergy. Given the information that it’s connected to the heating system makes me think mold. Have you considered having a thorough cleaning of your heating system? If you have mold allergies, you would be better off living somewhere with hot water baseboard or radiator heat. Just my thoughts. I suffer from mold allergies and asthma. Other than a blast of REALLY cold air, the only thing that will cause an asthma attack for me is an allergic reaction to mold.
Comment by Michelle Meeks — September 26, 2007 @ 7:28 pm
Drink lots of water throughout the day and have your doctor prescribe an over the counter decongestant called ENTEX PSE. It’s cheap and it works great. I lived in the Albany/Colonie area for years and found that moving (which I’ve done plenty of since) didn’t change anything. And, I also had sinus surgery only to have my left sinus passage collapse everytime I lay down to this day. Try this, close one side of your nose by pressing down on your other nostral with your finger then breathing in and out. Do the same with the other side. If you cannot breathe well out of one side or the other most of the time these pills will help you. I take one half of an Entex PSE before bed and another half by setting my alarm one hour before getting up. A whole one kept me up at night otherwise. I am now sleeping better because I’m breathing better which means I get REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement), the best kind. My biggest problem prior to discovering this was extreme fatigue to the point I thought I had fibromyalgia. I’ve also noticed that barometric pressure makes it worse and when we have a string of dark overcast days it can be unbearable. By taking these pills consistently and drinking lots of water throughout the day I think you’ll see a big difference. And, you can take more than one each day if you need to. Caffeine also helps especially if you are stuffed up due to a cold/flu as caffeine is a direatic which helps remove excess fluid or moisture from the body. Also, eating six lighter meals a day (snack sized) vs. three heavier meals seems to help a lot with my energy level. This is especially true in the winter months. If you feel tired a lot after you’ve eaten this switch coupled with the sinus maintenance strategy above might improve the quality of your life greatly. I’d like to know if you try it and if it works. As I said, I’ve lived in many places since leaving NY years ago including Tennessee, Texas and Florida and sinusitus coupled with barometric pressure problems has been my biggest problem regardless of where I’ve lived. The fatigue you feel throughout the day is most likely due to your inability to breathe well when lying down at night. We need REM sleep in order to function well and you might not be getting that. I sure hope this advice helps you. I’ve been suffering with similar symptoms for years. I’ve recently returned to NYS and now live near Syracuse. After moving here this time from Northern Indiana I’ve noticed the same pattern. Heavily overcast days trigger most of my problems coupled with sinusitus. The Entex PSE, lots of water throughout the day, small meals and exercise (I do the treadmill 4+ times a week) helps me tremendously. Good luck and I’d love to know if this helps you! My email address is seemefly06@msn.com
Comment by Deb Robinson — October 2, 2007 @ 3:36 pm