Word of warning!!
I have the flu…BADLY… and over the weekend took some sudafed, which I’ve taken all of my life without incident.
Sunday I lost vision in my right eye. Went to the ER for dehydration Monday morning, but they ignored that and looked at my eye. Evidently the Sudafed blocked the drainage in my eye and cause a temporary glaucoma The pressure build up pressed against my optic nerve causing the blindness.
Many tablets, eye drops, ophthalmology appointments, etc., the pressure has gone down, but I’ll need to have surgery on my eye to keep it from returning.
Bottom line…stay away from the sudafed!!
I owe my vision to the quick actions taken by the ER folks! They were great! But if you start having problems with your vision, DON’T hesitate to get to the ER to get it checked, or call your doctor to get into see any eye doctor!
It’s nothing to mess around with!
@Tadlem43 The loss of vision, even in only one eye, is so frightening. I hope this situation is remedied by the surgery; which is really scary too.
I’ve gotten to a point where I won’t take any OCT cold or flu meds. I drink plenty of water and maybe an Ibuprofen but never more than 400mg.
@accelerator@Tadlem43 I have found that sinus irrigation with (sterile) saline solution a couple times a day works wonders for my congestion when sick.
@accelerator@Tadlem43 yeah having a good eye doctor is really important especially as you get older and have more vision issues. Not just the people in the shopping mall that fit you for glasses.
My wife had an incident where our playful cat scratched her in the eye, and our eye doctor came in on a weekend to see her. Luckily it was not bad and he just prescribed some drops to minimize irritation. Bad cat! But good doctor.
@Tadlem43
Hi and sorry that you had that happen, but you almost certainly already had some degree of narrow angle glaucoma pre-existing that was exacerbated by the cold medication[s].
As [reasonably decently] explained by the Google ‘AI’: Sudafed [and other OTC symptom-relieving medications] can trigger glaucoma in people with [pre-existing] narrow-angle glaucoma.
Sudafed contains pseudoephedrine, which can cause the pupil to dilate. This dilation can close the drainage angle in the eye, which can trigger an acute glaucoma attack.
Explanation
Narrow-angle glaucoma: This type of glaucoma is also known as closed-angle glaucoma. It affects about 10–15% of people with glaucoma.
Pupil dilation: Decongestants and antihistamines can cause the pupil to dilate. This can be dangerous for people with narrow-angle glaucoma because it can close the drainage angle in the eye.
This causes the intraocular [literally in the eye] fluid pressure to build up, which can in turn, compromise blood flow into the retina starving retinal tissues of oxygen and nutrients.
Acute glaucoma attack: An acute glaucoma attack can be sight-threatening [and really really scary!]
What to do
Talk to your doctor about any medications you take, especially if you have glaucoma.
Have your pharmacist review your medications.
Avoid decongestants if you have glaucoma, especially if you have narrow-angle glaucoma.
@accelerator@macromeh@Tadlem43
A great tool to prevent secondary sinus infections- but do NOT use un-sterilized water lest you get a ‘brain-eating amoeba’ infection:
"Using tap water for nasal irrigation, like with a neti pot, can potentially lead to an amoebic brain infection, specifically from the parasite “Naegleria fowleri,” commonly called the “brain-eating amoeba,” if the tap water is contaminated with this organism.
This is a rare but serious risk, and experts strongly advise using distilled or sterile water for nasal rinsing to prevent infection.
Key points about this risk:
The parasite:
Naegleria fowleri is a single-celled amoeba that can be present in warm freshwater sources, including some tap water supplies.
How infection occurs:
When contaminated water enters the nose, the amoeba can travel to the brain through the olfactory nerve, causing a life-threatening infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).
Why tap water is risky:
While most tap water is treated to kill bacteria, it may not always eliminate microscopic organisms like Naegleria fowleri.
How to prevent infection:
Use sterile water: ONLY use distilled or sterile water for nasal irrigation.
Boiling Tap Water
To ensure sterility, bring the water to a full rolling boil and maintain that boil for at least one minute.
High altitude considerations:
At higher altitudes, you may need to boil water for longer (around 3 minutes) due to the lower boiling point.
Check your water source:
Contact your local water authority to inquire about the quality of your tap water.
Symptoms of amoebic brain infection:
Severe headache, Fever, Nausea and vomiting, Stiff neck, Confusion, Seizures, and Death. "
@accelerator@PhysAssist@Tadlem43 I use our (untreated) well water + a sodium packet for sinus irrigation, but I first boil the water for 20 minutes. I figure that any life form that survives is superior and I can only benefit from them colonizing my brain.
Though, 2 years ago, we had a UV sanitizer and FeSu [iron/sulfur] filter installed, which seemed reasonable, unlike water softeners- we like our water’s taste, but wanted less stains and [the rare] odors.
I feel pretty good. Catching up after being gone from the house for 3 weeks over Christmas and New Year’s in the caribbean. Planning to work in the ER Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this week.
Leave again next Thursday for Costa Rica for a week.
@Star2236
Just back from 3 weeks in the Carib
St Lucia 12/25-12/29
Island Windjammer Cruise (26 people on a sailboat) 12/29-1/4
St Lucia 1/4-1/5
Martinique 1/5-1/10
Guadeloupe 1/10-1/16
Costa rica trip:
Fly into San Jose, pick up car and go to La Fortuna area, then Guanacaste/Tamarindo area then Monteverde Cloud forest. (1/30-2/7) Booked a package for $549 for transport, car, lodging then did some add ons for the extra day and trip to/from Miami. The link is to a similar package but slightly different itinerary. Be aware they book flights on Spirit so luggage etc is extra. Also an extra cost for insurance on the car that is collected at the agency when you pick it up. Still, it’s a remarkable deal…
@chienfou
Thank you, I’m looking into it right now. I’ve seen those deals before but I didn’t know if they were legit bc anybody post anything on the internet and it’s so freaking cheap. Have you used it before for a vacation?
Getting used to the smell of mold under my carpet and the warped parquet floorboard underneath. Ripping and rolling everything is causing aches at my age (8 hours of work requires 8 hours in the tub and 16 in bed). Ah, I thought I could work forever.
@pakopako@pmarin
I’ll hit 70 this summer, and while I have certainly slowed down and am not capable of quite as much as previously possible I can thankfully still do at least 85% to 90% of what I used to do. Slightly more hesitant about getting up on a roof at this point, but that’s probably wisdom rather than ability!
All you people with flu remind me maybe right now during this boom time to mask up again, at least for a little bit. I was never anti-mask but kind-of dropped the habit. If in a crowd I still do it but mostly avoid crowds and shop early when stores open.
@pmarin
Also, we keep hand sanitizer in each driver’s door handle pocket-thingy to use immediately upon returning to our traveling temporary sanctuary [car].
You never know where other people’s hands have been, or what surfaces have been sneezed, coughed, etc. on, and hand-to-eye contact is one of the most common ways to contract an infection at any time of year.
Check this out- even though the peak has been reached and decline is imminent- look at the incidence map: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/surveillance/2024-2025/flu_report_current_week.pdf
I worked in our local ER last night (for the first time in over a month). Fully 75% of the people we saw were there for flu-like symptoms. Virtually every one of those tested positive for flu. And yes this is creating a huge problem as local hospitals get overwhelmed by flu patients. Had to bypass three different local hospitals to send a patient over 90 miles to Birmingham with a hip fracture.
Moral of the story: vaccination, hand washing, masking and exposure limiting are your friend during this time.
@sillyheathen@ybmuG Sorry about that. I had pneumonia at age 20 and was the first time I realized I was mortal. Luckily it was the kind that responded to antibiotics but still took a while to get energy back again. I can’t imagine facing that now at 3x that age.
My wife had an experience with a totally different kind. Eosinophilic Pneumonia. At the time it seemed like it was new to most doctors. It took a pulmonologist to do extra tests and prescribe Prednisone. Antibiotics didn’t help and maybe even made it worse. So I learned there are many different kinds of pneumonia. And a competent medical team helps.
Meh
GREAT!! (I’m forbidden to tell you why though lest I get my comment removed). If you know me though, you know!
I have the flu, so…
@PooltoyWolf ?? didn’t get that vaccination, hunh??
CVS had all those signs up…
Bed rest, plenty of liquids, no excessive work, …
Throw down some chicken soup, maybe.
Hope you get better soon.
@PooltoyWolf GET WELL SOON!
@Kyeh Thanks! I’m managing about as well as I can.
@PooltoyWolf Same here and have had it for a week now. Ugh!!
Hope you feel better.
@Tadlem43
Meh-ish with a side of okay-ish
Well, my dog is mad at me. Refused to take her out for the 29th time today.
Dept of Dog Efficiency has to set some bounds.
Just going to bed. She can wake me up if she gets that desperate.
@phendrick So is Elon Musk’s Doge also controlling your Dog? Perhaps the dog just needs a firmware update.
I have some sand in my eyes but other than that, doing just fine
Word of warning!!
I have the flu…BADLY… and over the weekend took some sudafed, which I’ve taken all of my life without incident.
Sunday I lost vision in my right eye. Went to the ER for dehydration Monday morning, but they ignored that and looked at my eye. Evidently the Sudafed blocked the drainage in my eye and cause a temporary glaucoma The pressure build up pressed against my optic nerve causing the blindness.
Many tablets, eye drops, ophthalmology appointments, etc., the pressure has gone down, but I’ll need to have surgery on my eye to keep it from returning.
Bottom line…stay away from the sudafed!!
I owe my vision to the quick actions taken by the ER folks! They were great! But if you start having problems with your vision, DON’T hesitate to get to the ER to get it checked, or call your doctor to get into see any eye doctor!
It’s nothing to mess around with!
@Tadlem43 The loss of vision, even in only one eye, is so frightening. I hope this situation is remedied by the surgery; which is really scary too.
I’ve gotten to a point where I won’t take any OCT cold or flu meds. I drink plenty of water and maybe an Ibuprofen but never more than 400mg.
@accelerator @Tadlem43 I have found that sinus irrigation with (sterile) saline solution a couple times a day works wonders for my congestion when sick.
@accelerator @Tadlem43 yeah having a good eye doctor is really important especially as you get older and have more vision issues. Not just the people in the shopping mall that fit you for glasses.
My wife had an incident where our playful cat scratched her in the eye, and our eye doctor came in on a weekend to see her. Luckily it was not bad and he just prescribed some drops to minimize irritation. Bad cat! But good doctor.
@accelerator Thank you…yes, it IS scary. I’ve never experienced anything like it before, and hope I never do again!
@Tadlem43 holy crap! how scary. hope you’re on the mend and surgery goes well. healing vibes sent
@accelerator @pmarin @Tadlem43 yes everyone should go to an eye doctor regularly whether they need glasses or not, especially as they age!
@Tadlem43
Hi and sorry that you had that happen, but you almost certainly already had some degree of narrow angle glaucoma pre-existing that was exacerbated by the cold medication[s].
As [reasonably decently] explained by the Google ‘AI’:
Sudafed [and other OTC symptom-relieving medications] can trigger glaucoma in people with [pre-existing] narrow-angle glaucoma.
Sudafed contains pseudoephedrine, which can cause the pupil to dilate. This dilation can close the drainage angle in the eye, which can trigger an acute glaucoma attack.
Explanation
Narrow-angle glaucoma: This type of glaucoma is also known as closed-angle glaucoma. It affects about 10–15% of people with glaucoma.
Pupil dilation: Decongestants and antihistamines can cause the pupil to dilate. This can be dangerous for people with narrow-angle glaucoma because it can close the drainage angle in the eye.
This causes the intraocular [literally in the eye] fluid pressure to build up, which can in turn, compromise blood flow into the retina starving retinal tissues of oxygen and nutrients.
Acute glaucoma attack: An acute glaucoma attack can be sight-threatening [and really really scary!]
What to do
Talk to your doctor about any medications you take, especially if you have glaucoma.
Have your pharmacist review your medications.
Avoid decongestants if you have glaucoma, especially if you have narrow-angle glaucoma.
@accelerator
OTC= over-the-counter- FIFY.
Probably my fault anyhow-
Mea Culpa!
@accelerator @macromeh @Tadlem43
A great tool to prevent secondary sinus infections- but do NOT use un-sterilized water lest you get a ‘brain-eating amoeba’ infection:
"Using tap water for nasal irrigation, like with a neti pot, can potentially lead to an amoebic brain infection, specifically from the parasite “Naegleria fowleri,” commonly called the “brain-eating amoeba,” if the tap water is contaminated with this organism.
This is a rare but serious risk, and experts strongly advise using distilled or sterile water for nasal rinsing to prevent infection.
Key points about this risk:
The parasite:
Naegleria fowleri is a single-celled amoeba that can be present in warm freshwater sources, including some tap water supplies.
How infection occurs:
When contaminated water enters the nose, the amoeba can travel to the brain through the olfactory nerve, causing a life-threatening infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).
Why tap water is risky:
While most tap water is treated to kill bacteria, it may not always eliminate microscopic organisms like Naegleria fowleri.
How to prevent infection:
Use sterile water: ONLY use distilled or sterile water for nasal irrigation.
Boiling Tap Water
To ensure sterility, bring the water to a full rolling boil and maintain that boil for at least one minute.
High altitude considerations:
At higher altitudes, you may need to boil water for longer (around 3 minutes) due to the lower boiling point.
Check your water source:
Contact your local water authority to inquire about the quality of your tap water.
Symptoms of amoebic brain infection:
Severe headache, Fever, Nausea and vomiting, Stiff neck, Confusion, Seizures, and Death. "
@accelerator @PhysAssist @Tadlem43 I use our (untreated) well water + a sodium packet for sinus irrigation, but I first boil the water for 20 minutes. I figure that any life form that survives is superior and I can only benefit from them colonizing my brain.
@Tadlem43
Fuck! Man that must have been scary as hell.
@accelerator @macromeh @PhysAssist @Tadlem43
Jesus! What the fuck!!! Doesn’t it hurt you if you drink it too?? I’m just gonna stay in my small box, thank you lol
OTC I meant to say.
@accelerator @macromeh @Tadlem43
Good call- same here!
Though, 2 years ago, we had a UV sanitizer and FeSu [iron/sulfur] filter installed, which seemed reasonable, unlike water softeners- we like our water’s taste, but wanted less stains and [the rare] odors.
I’ve been better. Feeling tired and uninspired.
@Salanth yup. Also might be related to this time of year and unusually frozen weather (For most of us)
Cover yourself in down blankets or cats!
I’m not sure How I’m doing, but somehow I am.
I feel pretty good. Catching up after being gone from the house for 3 weeks over Christmas and New Year’s in the caribbean. Planning to work in the ER Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this week.
Leave again next Thursday for Costa Rica for a week.
@chienfou
Where in Costa Rica? That’s a place I definitely want to visit. Where were you recently? It was pretty there too.
@Star2236
Just back from 3 weeks in the Carib
St Lucia 12/25-12/29
Island Windjammer Cruise (26 people on a sailboat) 12/29-1/4
St Lucia 1/4-1/5
Martinique 1/5-1/10
Guadeloupe 1/10-1/16
Costa rica trip:
Fly into San Jose, pick up car and go to La Fortuna area, then Guanacaste/Tamarindo area then Monteverde Cloud forest. (1/30-2/7)
Booked a package for $549 for transport, car, lodging then did some add ons for the extra day and trip to/from Miami. The link is to a similar package but slightly different itinerary. Be aware they book flights on Spirit so luggage etc is extra. Also an extra cost for insurance on the car that is collected at the agency when you pick it up. Still, it’s a remarkable deal…
@chienfou
Thank you, I’m looking into it right now. I’ve seen those deals before but I didn’t know if they were legit bc anybody post anything on the internet and it’s so freaking cheap. Have you used it before for a vacation?
Getting used to the smell of mold under my carpet and the warped parquet floorboard underneath. Ripping and rolling everything is causing aches at my age (8 hours of work requires 8 hours in the tub and 16 in bed). Ah, I thought I could work forever.
@pakopako
Bummer. What leaked?
@chienfou @pakopako I’m at that age too where serious physical work is bad. Good exercise is good but not strenuous bending and lifting.
@pakopako @pmarin
I’ll hit 70 this summer, and while I have certainly slowed down and am not capable of quite as much as previously possible I can thankfully still do at least 85% to 90% of what I used to do. Slightly more hesitant about getting up on a roof at this point, but that’s probably wisdom rather than ability!
TL:DR use it or lose it
Not unwell, thank you.
All you people with flu remind me maybe right now during this boom time to mask up again, at least for a little bit. I was never anti-mask but kind-of dropped the habit. If in a crowd I still do it but mostly avoid crowds and shop early when stores open.
@pmarin
Also, we keep hand sanitizer in each driver’s door handle pocket-thingy to use immediately upon returning to our traveling temporary sanctuary [car].
You never know where other people’s hands have been, or what surfaces have been sneezed, coughed, etc. on, and hand-to-eye contact is one of the most common ways to contract an infection at any time of year.
Check this out- even though the peak has been reached and decline is imminent- look at the incidence map:
https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/surveillance/2024-2025/flu_report_current_week.pdf
@PhysAssist @pmarin
Here’s the full US version (not just NY)
I worked in our local ER last night (for the first time in over a month). Fully 75% of the people we saw were there for flu-like symptoms. Virtually every one of those tested positive for flu. And yes this is creating a huge problem as local hospitals get overwhelmed by flu patients. Had to bypass three different local hospitals to send a patient over 90 miles to Birmingham with a hip fracture.
Moral of the story: vaccination, hand washing, masking and exposure limiting are your friend during this time.
@chienfou @pmarin
Yeouch!
I’m sorry you’re having to deal with that- my fault- unlikely , but:
Mea Culpa anyway!
Meh with a side of pneumonia.
@sillyheathen which side?
OK seriously, sorry to hear that and hope you feel better.
I have a side of sarcasm but it’s on both sides…
@sillyheathen @ybmuG
Medically, that’s a legit question…
@sillyheathen @ybmuG Sorry about that. I had pneumonia at age 20 and was the first time I realized I was mortal. Luckily it was the kind that responded to antibiotics but still took a while to get energy back again. I can’t imagine facing that now at 3x that age.
My wife had an experience with a totally different kind. Eosinophilic Pneumonia. At the time it seemed like it was new to most doctors. It took a pulmonologist to do extra tests and prescribe Prednisone. Antibiotics didn’t help and maybe even made it worse. So I learned there are many different kinds of pneumonia. And a competent medical team helps.