Here’s another example of why I always tell people to keep a journal.

I know, in the abstract, that the nasal corticosteroid sprays (like Flonase and Nasacort) have to be used every day in order to be effective. My allergy doctor told me this.

But somehow I always seem to forget. Nasacort helps me a lot (better than Flonase) but when I’m doing well, I stop taking it. Some people take it for years on end, but the risk of side effects does go up. So I always figure when I’m doing well, don’t take it, so I’ll be able to use it again when I need it.

Well, I started using it again, and I’m back up at twice a day.

I’m on my third day now (so, six regular doses without missing anyway) and I already notice an improvement at my new apartment.

I noticed it when I first walked in to the disgusting hallway, with the carpet that hadn’t been replaced (or vacuumed!) in 30 years.

I was like, “Wow, it’s not that bad today!” Even though it’s super humid today, which actually makes dust AND mold worse.

Then it hit me… nothing has changed at my apartment. It probably IS worse.

But…. I’ve been on Nasacort for 3 days!

And technically, since they say it can take 7 days to fully start working, I think I can expect even better results in a few days.

So, at least that’s something. Nasacort does give me a slight headache, but at least I’m feeling much less panicked about losing a ton of money on having to move AGAIN.

So… yeah. This is why it’s good to write stuff down– I think even the act of writing it can force it to become permanent on your mind.

I think even having an ongoing journal can sort of shift your mental state towards thinking more critically. If I wasn’t in journaling-mode, I might have glossed over it without thinking about the Nasacort connection at all.

Hopefully in the future, I’ll remember not to give up hope– not without going back on Nasacort twice a day.