Feeling ill . . . Someone Might Listen

jeffreyc · Since 23 Aug 2006 43 Posts

Two weeks ago JesusJones started a thread called “Feeling ill from the water” http://forums.iwindsurf.com/viewtopic.php?t=12553&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0. Because of all the disturbing comments of symptoms that matched my own and alohannie’s description of the “Brawny paper mill/plant in Clatskenie spewing out Black Liquor” drove me to write an email to the following:
crk@columbiariverkeeper.org
brentfoster@gorge.net - Director Columbia Riverkeeper
philip.jeff@epa.gov
Chun.Eva@epamail.epa.gov - Office of Compliance and Enforcement
bussell.mike@epamail.epa.gov
BILLINGS.Jim@deq.state.or.us - Oregon Department of Environmental Quality-water quality
leszaitz@news.oregonian.com
TraceyL@katu.com - KATU Special Projects Producer

Many of them have responded. (Surprise, I expected to hear chirping crickets) We have been asked using this forum to answer to a questionnaire:

1. sailing/swimming location
2. time of year
3. type of symptoms and their duration
4. Average number of times people are in the water a month
5. average duration of time in the water total
6. typical number of times people actually swim and dunk their heads in a month (lol) Laughing

7. do you get these symptoms if you windsurf or kite at other places?
8. contact info (name, email, address and phone #.) if you feel uncomfortable, email this this info to the email list above.
9. additional comments/information:

Please try and all questions in order and be complete. I will make sure the people listed above are watching this thread. Our job is to supply the info if you truly want to be heard…

Thanks and pass the Sudafed
Jeff

stevegriffith22 · Since 14 May 2006 434 Posts Obsessed

I was just told by my allergy() doc that actually one of my problems with river nose and sinus issues may actually not be my allergies at all.

I guess that when you wreck real hard and force water from the river up your nose, that the toxic gunk that has been stopped by your mucas and nose hairs is now forced into the area in which is was supposed to have been protecting, thus creating crazy amounts of irritation, fighting with the sudifed bottels, and visiting allergy docs.

I then asked him why it doesn't happen when I get a ride around the washing machine on the coast and he said that salt water was like a natural clenser!

The king of bad allergies.

sg

pura vida one · Since 22 May 2007 80 Posts

good job, man. i inhaled a ton of water learning at the hr and my teacher said it was from all the pollen on the water. i didn't believe it for long. no way, not a chance. i'm very familiar w/ even severe alleric symptoms; this was toxic shiznit in the columbia. the ocean is more like a giant neti pot: the saltwater's osmotic property kills all the invaders in our sinuses and mucus membranes. peace

Teague · Since 10 Jul 2005 114 Posts Really Windy Places Stoked

I always get Gorge nose real bad and always wondered how much of it was my allergies. I know the river gets a lot of runoff from the spayed fruit fields and all the industry makeup. Suck though whatever the culprit is. I'm in that damn river a lot!! Shocked

Teague · Since 10 Jul 2005 114 Posts Really Windy Places Stoked

gabe · Since 16 May 2005 491 Posts Obsessed

teague, i thought you were scared of the coast? Shocked

funkysub · Since 14 Jul 2005 56 Posts

I used to get this all the time when I was windsurfing more in the Columbia. Not able to breathe through my nose overnight sort of thing. Had almost forgot about it since I haven't had it in the 2 years since I started kiting most of the time. Trying to jibe a windsurfer, I was falling in the water all the time, just don't seem to have that same issue kiting.. I'm not pushing it enough with my kiting I guess.

Bettyboarder · Wed Jun 27, 07 2:34 pm

I have really bad allergy so it's hard to relate what is what but last summer or summer before it was a really nice day took the jetski down to the poolamette to watch the wakeboard show. Keep jumping off the ski and swimming, I was so sick for the next 3 days. My stomach was messed up, you can figure the rest out.

I always feel bad after kiting at Sauvies, stuffed up and sore throat for a couple days.

I would say I am in the river at least once a week in HR, take my allergy meds and I am ok.

Teague · Since 10 Jul 2005 114 Posts Really Windy Places Stoked

Teague · Since 10 Jul 2005 114 Posts Really Windy Places Stoked

I really dig kiting Kalama but that is one spot that always leaves me feeling ill. Got to figure though as it being so far to the end of the river that it has to have the highest concentration of pollen, pcb's, oil, ecoli, algae, nuclear waste, etc. Good wipeouts there will literally burn my eyes and nose. And the water tastes kind of funny too. Confused

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster

good sesh in river poo = Very Happy

----------> Smile

---------> Confused

------->

---->

-->

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

For stuffy river head - used to get headaches - sinus - until found this stuff:

Rhinocort - spray it 3 times a week and does the trick - got nosebleeds with some stronger stuff - haven't had any issues with this

http://www.rhinocortaqua.com/

Garret · Since 07 Sep 2006 254 Posts Portland Obsessed

Went out for a session on Friday-- by Satuday night had shaking chills and if you turn this guy around

was having that as well. Started antibiotics on Monday and I am better, but I think I had girardia. Have not been that sick in a long time. You would think with all tha arsinic, murcury, pesticides and polution in the river that it might kill the girardia, but not so--- Have heard some other people have been sick as well--

jeffreyc · Since 23 Aug 2006 43 Posts

all good comments BUT, the riverkeepers, epa and deq are more interested in the answers to the questions. here's my response;

1. kite and windsurf from stevenson to maryhill
2. april thru oct.
3. uncontrolable sneezing attacks, total sinus meltdown, blocked ears, fatique, I've had sinus and ear infection. Clears up after 2 days out of the water.
4. in water 8 times/month
5. 2-5 hours/session
6. 40 head dunks/hr. That's on a good day. A dunking can last 1/2sec. to until you cry uncle. The question should be the velocity of the nasal injection...
7. No. Only the columbia
8. 541-490-6067 jeffreycas@yahoo.com

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

Kayaking the Willamette gets me everytime I have contact w/ the water. Of course this is no surprise to me because I'm pretty sure the hell has some run-off flowing in. Very Happy

1. sailing/swimming location
Salem - anywhere on the Willamette
2. time of year
Jan - Sept
3. type of symptoms and their duration
Total plugged nose & river cough once for 4 days!
4. Average number of times people are in the water a month
I'm there about five times a month.
5. average duration of time in the water total
Three hours
6. typical number of times people actually swim and dunk their heads in a month (lol) Laughing
Probably 10.
7. do you get these symptoms if you windsurf or kite at other places?
Not the beach!

pdxmonkeyboy · Fri Jun 29, 07 12:30 am

where is the guy with his eyes welded shut with puss?

Scribble · Since 18 Nov 2005 636 Posts NoPo Addicted

Thanks for reminding me of that nasty week.

1. sailing/swimming location... Jones Beach to 3 mile
2. time of year april to October
3. type of symptoms and their duration... Red Eye like symptoms (eye was red and hurt with puss). and last year a nasal infection with a bloody nose that lasted over a month
4. Average number of times people are in the water a month... 8
5. average duration of time in the water total... 2-4 hours
6. typical number of times people actually swim and dunk their heads in a month (lol) Laughing... around 40
7. do you get these symptoms if you windsurf or kite at other places? NO
8. contact info (name, email, address and phone #.) if you feel uncomfortable, email this this info to the email list above. Andy Miller, millej9@hotmail.com 2033 N. Humboldt St. Portland OR 97217
9. additional comments/information: It sucks to wake up with your eyes pussed shut.

Andy