Well...

I went down to St.Joes today to pick my Opti and the other I guess you could call Pre-surgery drugs up. 

Almost $400.00 bucks later, minus a pack of Vicks vit C candy things. I have gotten my four boxes of Opti and other drugs. Boy am I glad that is only like a one time cost. 

And this may seem a bit OT But does anyone know if anything that can clear a stuffy nose. My co-worker mentioned today that my breathing sounded a bit heavy ( mind you I have always been a heavy breather, she just said that it sounded more so today) and my nose does feel a bit stuffed. 

Thanks 

~Lisa

Lisa , i just started using them breath right strips at night about a month ago. I love them because i hate breathing through my mouth when i sleep, and they are fine with my CPAP mask.. And i was using some long lasting dristian during the day. Good luck Krista..

Holy snappers, $400 is a lot! I know I'm going to be on Opti for at least 3 weeks - better start saving now! At least you got it paid, and are on your way to surgery :) 

As for the stuffy nose I use peppermint oil. Unless I am actually sick with a sinus infection, smelling peppermint oil really clears me out. Vicks does the same but I find it burns when I breathe it in. You can find peppermint roll-on tubes at the drugstore but I find it cheaper to just get a small bottle of peppermint essential oil and take a whiff once in awhile. It helps with tension headaches too. The other thing you can try is a salt steam - just add sea salts or Himalyan pink salts to a pot of boiling water and then lean your face over the pot (not while it's still on the stove though!) and put a towel over your head to keep the steam in. Breathe it in until the water cools or you feel you are done - like 5 or ten minutes. I find that always helps when I'm a bit stuffy but not really sick :) 

Awesome! thank you very much ladies! 

I think I might try all of the suggestions! 

~Lisa

I got my blood thinner medication from Shoppers Drugmart.  They ordered it for me and I picked it up a few days later.  My drug plan covered the cost (around $150).  If you have a drug plan at work you should check into getting reimbursed for the medication.  Optifast isn't covered by insurance companies but your blood thinner should be as it's post op medication.

The Himalayan sal****er should clear up your sniffles.

If you don't have a blender I'd invest in the personal size blender from Wal-mart for about $16.  I took it to work with me every day.  I only had to drink one shake using a shaker and it was a totally different tasting drink (and of course, texture).  It's worth every penny as it made the Optifast quite smooth and like a thin milk shake.  Drinking it after using a shaker was just awful...IMO.

The staff at St Joes was good to me while I was there.  Best wishes on your upcoming surgery!

Best wishes on your upcoming surgery!

Neil-Med Sinus Rinse.  You want to stay away from inhaling drugs, as after a while they don't work anymore...called rebound effect.

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/nasal-spray-are-you- overdoing-it

there are some nasal sprays that cause rebound, and some that don't. Otrivin and things like that, do. Check with your pharmacist.

We have a salt lamp in our bedroom and it really helps with our breathing. Dries everything up.

what's a salt lamp?

Plus one for the Neti Pot!