Sneezing

Hi, I'm new and posted for the first time today in the introduction board. I was told to post my concerns here. My big one is this: I sneeze several times every morning. Weird - but always have. Doesn't matter is I'm taking allergy meds or not, still happens. I am very concerned about this. :nose:

That's a very interesting bodily wake-up call! How unique!

I can understand your concern. Coughing or sneezing can be uncomfortable if they take you by surprise. You may want to keep a pillow or folded blanket handy to put across your incision (If you're having a belly cut and not a vaginal surgery) for a little support during this time.

I guess the other question is: Are you one of those dainty little "achoo" people or do you cut loose with a window rattling WAHOO!! that folds you over when you sneeze? That could make a difference in your body's reaction to your nasal aerobics!

One other thing - I notice that you are from Colorado... here in New Mexico, I use nasal saline mist a couple of times a day whether I'm stuffy or not. The dry air here can make my sinuses bleed waaaaaaaaaaay back up there and I get the sneezies if I'm not careful about keeping my sinuses moist.

Have you tried that? There is no medication in it, just salt water that comes out in a fine mist.

When I had my pre-op this week I meet with a nurse who was wonderful and had also had this surgery herself (TAH). She has already shown me how to prepare myself for both sneezing and coughing after surgery.

She showed me that you place your tummy pillow directly over your tummy. Then you lace your fingers togehter and place your hand over the tummy. She said you should then lean forward when you sneeze or cough as much as possible. Kind of like leaning into it. She said it's still gonna smart but she found this does help.

She even drew a picture for me of how to lay in the bed after surgery. She recommended never laying flat or even with your legs flat out in front of you. She said to always have pillows behind your head and under your knees to keep the pressure off the stomach muscles.

I hope some of this helps.

Tina

Thank you SO much for your replies!

I feel much better now that I know there are actual ways to make things like sneezing and coughing easier.

As for the nasal mist - my dh swears by the stuff. Maybe I should try it too....

Thanks again for your help. I don't know where I would be without this site!

Next time you feel you are going to sneeze, press down hard on the bridge of your nose. That stops me from sneezing. I wish I could avoid the coughing, UGH!

Try saying the word FISHSHSHSHSHSH when you don't want to sneeze - something about the SH sound in that word helps alleviate the tickle that causes you to sneeze.

It doesn't work all the time, but it has definitely helped me in the past!!

Hi
I have a cough from allergies..I found wearing the belly binder all the time helps quiet abit, especially when a cough sneaks up before I could add pressure over my incission. The band keeps a little pressure in place all the time. I also found that (for me) putting a little more pressure on the right side and just below the incissionwith my hand and by bringing that leg up and bending slightly into in helped even more. Good luck to you sweetie on your trip to the castle and what works best for you..