I caught a cold last week that has turned into a sinus/ear infection. I’ve been on antibiotics as of Saturday. Today is Monday and I think I should be feeling better than I am. I’m not asking for medical advise, just what your experience has been with such things. My question is, should I quit using nasal snuff at this time? I haven’t been able to smell or taste anything since last Tuesday, so the snuff enjoyment has really been diminished. However, I “need” the nicotine or I go into “withdrawals” which really sucks. I have cut down on my consumption greatly, but was just wondering if your experiences has shown that total abstention from snuff at times like these will allow for a better recovery.
@snuffertony I am in the exact same boat brother, I mean word for word, you nailed it! I use to not care when I lost taste and smell due to a cold but now with snuff it SUCKS! you would think from snuff being inside your nose you would be able to smell it a little, but no not even a hint! I would love to hear what others have to say! and looking forward to people replying to your post. Thanks
Whether you lay off or not, salt water, like a Neti pot or Ayr nasal spray with gargles helps. I tend to trim down if not lay off altogether.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, I’ve been rinsing my sinuses every night before bedtime for the past 4 or 5 days.
You might try making a steaming pot of salt water, turn the heat off so its not boiling, and put a towel over your head to breath the steam. That or a warm mist humidifier might help. Gargle with salt water and / or Listerine.
@snuffertony “I need the nicotine or I go into withdrawals” Speaking from experience, if I’m having withdrawals I’m normally on the mend. Any time I’m sick with something like that the last thing I want is coffee or nicotine, so you might be on the mend, however, I have zero medical experience. On the subject of antibiotics, again I can only speak for myself but, it’s normally on day three that things start improving and slight withdrawals start returning. I’m guessing it’s probably not the best plan shoving snuff in your nose if your infection is sinus related but, I’m not a doctor. Also depending what you read, nicotine apparently has antiseptic qualities but, I’m sure this would only be externally. Sorry that’s been zero help, hope you feel better tomorrow mate, withdrawals suck. It’s a shame you don’t have any chew for killing the nasty withdrawals
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Thanks for the encouragement iceman. Maybe I will feel better tomorrow. I also thought about the antiseptic qualities of nicotine. Don’t know if it has any effect on the bacteria that cause ear and sinus infections, though.
Can’t remember what site I saw it on but apparently, nicotine can destroy more than a dozen types of bacteria. But, it can also kill protective bacteria that normally fight off infection. Which begs the question, do snuff takers get lots of colds?
Only remedy for me is Neti pot, 5 times a day. And, of course, lots of menthol snuff. Also drink a lot of water, specially because of the anti-biotics.
I remember some time ago now, listening to the local radio an interview with one of the last remaining independent chemist who was retiring after many years of running his shop. (It got taken by Selles) The person doing the interview asked, what is the best remedy for a cold? His reply was; Of all the remedy’s and medicine in my shop, All I take is Paracetamol, the juice from half a lemon and a teaspoon of honey in a cup of hot water. I’ve taken his advice since, no expensive beechems powders and all the other stuff since!
Snuffertony, Lot’s of what you got going around here. I had a chest cold that wouldn’t go away. Finally got treated with amoxocillin and am much better now. I cut down but didn’t eliminate snuff. It was great to meet you at Tangiers a couple weeks ago. You can use sweet dry snuff as dip if your sinus is still bothering you - you get a lot of nicotine that way too. Get better soon!
Hey Stitch! How are you my friend? I’m feeling about the same today. I will be getting a long holiday away from work after tomorrow, so maybe the time away will be good for me. Thanks everyone for your input. I have cut down tremendously on the snuff and will try to “lip” some of the American scotches. Also, I still have some stems from the Rustica I got from Roderick. Chewing on them should release a bit of nic, I would imagine. 
Ive had eight weeks off work - swine flu, sinus and chest infections. It cerstainly doesn’t go well with a sinus infection. But it was a joy to start again, I even got a buzz like a kid on his first smoke!
@snuffertony how do you feel today? I feel better but still have no smell or taste 
I only have 4 anti-botics left so I hope I get my taste back here soon! Hope you feel better! And have a Merry Christmas!
@snuffster Bummer dude! Eight weeks of feeling like crap. My heart goes out to you brother. I’ve heard that the swine flu is either very mild or it hits you like a truck. No in between. I’ve got a feeling that I’m gonna need some stronger antibiotics. This is day 5 on amoxicillin and I don’t feel much better.
Hookster, I too am still sans smell and taste! I hope you also feel better soon and have a Merry Christmas!
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Snuffertony: thanks mate. Getting there at last, my doc says there is a big post virul sysndrome thing going on for a lot of people also a virus that can follow on and make airways hyper sensitive - which I had. It’s all curable (if you are robust enough) by the right amount of rest and antiB’s if you need them. My advice was don’t go anywhere near work - if your contract etc allow it - till you are fully fit. I went back halfway through and lasted two days. Now Im staying off till its completely burnt out which thankfully looks like it will be in another few days. This is one of the few times I’m glad to be a public servant as we tend to get less hassle with genuine sickness.
glad you can take time off fortunatly I’ve got a four day weekend and then another coming up. Yeah I just recently got over a 8 week flu recently. it seemed to be a trial flu. It every week one symptom would be worse then the others. My least favorite week was the stomach gi part, I looked pregnant that week.
Bob, I know completely how you feel, hope you are ok now. Whats the usual deal with sickness leave in the US: get sick, get sacked? I imagine your cops and public servants get the same deal as us?