@astaingegerdm and all...Ain't it fun being over 70? I keep learning about more health issues and my body keeps changing in ways I could never have imagined in my wildest nightmares...But, I'm learning to better handle the balancing necessary to make it through, accept these changes, even at times get ahead of them.

I began with Neil Saline Nasal Rinse as recommended last year by my ENT. It felt good to have the added moisture and this is a small thing we can do for ourselves that can truly help. In fact, in the last year or so I haven't had the URI infections beginning with a slight sore throat that always leads within 24 hours to bronchitis, then to pneumonia if I don't get a strong antibiotic fast enough or for long enough + steroids...That cycle has been my normal for years. Never have a cold. Frequently have bronchitis that leads to pneumonia. And, since Sarcoid hit my lungs when I was 40, they're susceptible to issues quickly.

I attribute the lack of URI this last year to regular use of a saline nasal rinse AND to daily use of a SoClean to clean my Bi-Pap machine. Funny thing, I just suddenly realized this important change in my health a couple of weeks ago when I had a sore throat that went away after a couple of days. Shocked, as that hasn't happened to me in my memory.

Now, last week I had a horrid sinus headache, migraine-like, full of phlegm, and sneezing/coughing. I expected to be at a crucial care clinic on Saturday. Surprise-Saturday, yesterday, I was on the computer able to open my eyes and not be blinded, spent time outside in our Condo park with several neighbors and dogs, even got a couple of hugs... outside. We had a week of rain as mentioned before, yesterday was lovely and clear and windy and it seemed the air was cleaned of all the allergens. I used the saline rinse several days last week, used Flonase, and took Mucinex a couple of days. Last night, after being outside and enjoying Florida weather and friends...a new experience for me since covid....I'm fine today, Sunday! This is miraculous. I can't remember ever kicking the symptoms, not getting ill after a sore throat or sinus issues. I had the 3 covid shots, but I think this nasal rinse has been my salvation.

How do you make a hypertonic saline rinse? What proportions of Kosher salt to distilled water? I'm using Neil Xylitol Nasal Rinse, after trying two others recommended by the ENT; I had painful, burning reactions to the others. Xylitol is a natural sugar with antibacterial and other beneficial properties that seem to help me and I tolerate it well. The instructions say to use 1 packet for isotonic and ph-balanced rinse, 2 packets for a hypertonic solution. Know the difference?

Well, it's another lovely, clear, breezy day in sunny Florida. I'm a bit tired from yesterday's excursion, so am staying quiet today. Need to charge the batteries.

Be well, Ingegerd, stay safe, and be blessed. Elizabeth