Why I'm swearing off decongestants (WARNING: WHINE AHEAD)

No, it's not because you have to buy them from behind the counter now (lame as that is). (Although I read that one company that makes decongestants with psuedoephedrine went from making $100 million a year to only $30 million a year after the rules about how to buy Sudafed-type stuff went into effect. That's a lot of meth...)

It's because I've had two (count 'em, two) kidney infections in the last two months--nay, the last six weeks. I've never ever had a kidney infection before. They are not fun. Fever and chills are not fun. Not getting to go out for my birthday dinner is not fun. Feeling this crappy is not fun.

I've had a cold/sinus infection for about forever, and so I've been self-treating with Vick's Vapor Rub, hot showers/baths, hot drinks, vitamin C, and of course decongestants. Decongestants dry you out (that's what they're supposed to do). Nursing dries you out, too. Apparently the two together, for a prolonged period of time? Gives you a kidney infection. Or at least gives me a kidney infection or two.

So now I'm on lovely sulfa drugs (oh, being allergic to penicillin and nursing, it really cuts down on your options), and grateful that my doctors' office is open on Saturday mornings for urgent care.

So, to recap: Decongestants bad (at the very least while I'm nursing; Mema says Kaylene can't take them at all because of kidney infections). Sinus infection bad. Kidney infection bad. Doctors' office good. Sulfa drugs mostly good. Husband who cleans the church all by himself (took four hours) very very good.

Whine over.