Severe Nasal Congestion


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Old 04-20-17, 07:22 AM
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Severe Nasal Congestion

So I've been dealing with extreme nasal congestion (stuffy nose) for about a year now, and it is a total nightmare. Nasal decongestants will not work long term due to its rebound effect, making the congestion to get worse or recur. I've also tried the Neilmed sinus rinse and that doesn't seem to help either. Then I've tried taking steaming showers or using humidifiers and that only gives me a temporary relief (about 10 minutes). Oral antihistamines and decongestants do absolutely nothing too. I am at a loss. All these advice was given to me by my primary physician too.
 
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Old 04-20-17, 07:52 AM
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I would ask your physician what the cause of this is. The reality is you may need to move - my best friend lives in Maryland where his allergies and congestion are bad. He's in the Air Force reserve and attached to Nellis AFB, which is basically Las Vegas. He has no allergy or congestion problems when he's in the desert.
 
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Old 04-20-17, 09:58 AM
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Your PP has never suggested something like Flonase? Or one of the other allergy sprays? Not decongestants for the reasons you mentioned. One of the corticosteroids. Flonase, rhinocort, nasacort, etc. They take a few days to work I've found, but they do work.

Unlike sticks friend in NV, when I moved here my allergies actually got worse. Guess I was used to the stuff in VA, but the different pollen producers out here, give me fits about 8 months out of the year.
 
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Old 04-20-17, 10:00 AM
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There are many types of antihistamines... all with different active ingredients. I wouldn't give up on them unless you have tried them ALL. Some are not on the shelf.

For me, (chronic sinus problems all my life) the only one that seems to help is diphenhydromine HCI 25 mg. 2 every 4 hours. (Like Benadryl allergy). I try to take as little as possible... sometimes 4 a day (morning / evening) is enough. On good days I won't take it at all.
 
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Old 04-20-17, 11:27 AM
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I had severe nasal congestion issues that plagued me for the longest time. Turns out that I am mildly allergic to cat's and the two of them that I had were the culprits. My daughter was also allergic but neither of us knew. She was constantly coughing and one day I asked her if she coughed like that at school. She said, "No, only when I'm home". Found homes for the cats and have been issue free for several years.
 
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Old 04-20-17, 12:38 PM
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Here are all the allergy medications I have tried:
  • Sudafed
  • Nasacort
  • Allegra
  • Benadryl
  • Fluticasone
  • Zicam
My physician told me to use Nasacort (2 sprays in each nostril) once a day for at least a week or two, and also use Zyrtec. I haven't tried the Zyrtec yet but I have a feeling that won't work either, but we'll see. And if I am allergic to something, I haven't found the culprit yet.
 
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Old 04-20-17, 01:57 PM
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I see no point in taking allergy medications if an allergy has not been established in the first place.
 
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Old 04-20-17, 02:04 PM
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It's harder and more expensive to actually test for allergies. You normally have to see a specialist to have scratch tests and such done. That's why most doc's will have you try different things to see if it helps. IIRC we don't have any specialists in my area.
 
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Old 04-20-17, 02:27 PM
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Tried irrigating your sinuses with a Neti pot and saline?
 
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Old 04-20-17, 05:01 PM
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I forgot to add the NeilMed sinus rinse to the list.
 
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Old 04-20-17, 09:42 PM
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Yes the neti pot idea is the way to go. But you have to do it right. When I had the sinus issueas you decribe it was related to the tube that goes from the ear to the nose.

Instead of buying expensive stuff my doc told me to use a syringe type thing like they use to clear a babys nose.

You mix salt with clean water( I used RO water) I forgot the ratio.

You dont squirt this in your nose per se' but have to open your jaw in a way so when you squeeze the liquid in slowly the salt solution will go through and drip down your throat. Thats how you know your doing it right.

It will clear those tubes that was the cause I my mucus.
 
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Old 04-21-17, 06:56 AM
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I forgot to add that it is mainly my right nostril that has the most problems.

Here is the sinus rinse I've tried:

It seems to get rid of mucus, but the stuffy nose stays the same. I think I may have a deviated septum because I can feel the space in my right nostril very close together by what feels like cartilage. This may have happened during one of several fights (defending myself) I had in the past. My left nostril has a bigger space for me to breathe through it than the right one.
 
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Old 04-22-17, 02:46 AM
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Thinking

My Two Cents:

First you need to see an ears, nose and throat specialist. To be sure problem is one that may need to be corrected surgically.

If all is well there then you'll need to see an allergist. You'll need the test for environmental causes. Allergies that travel by air. May be locally or globally. These types of pollens and pollutions travel with air circulation. Air knows no boundaries. Hopefully the allergy is locally and seasonal. In your case might not be.

You'll also likely need the testing's for indoor causes which can be factors you can correct. Food is yet another possible cause. Might be something you eat or drink. Or some additive to food or drinks, etc..

Last but highly unlikely is an allergy to yourself!... Yeah! Allergic to yourself... Seriously. Your own bodies immune systems way or method to expel toxins for within your own body system.

Suggestion: See ears, nose and throat doctor first. Then an allergist for testing. Well worth money $$$ spent, IMO. Once you know the cause or causes you can then begin to improve the condition and your own health...

 
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Old 04-22-17, 03:13 AM
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BTW:

Just in case you or someone else thinks they cannot be allergic to themselves, might consider closely listening to big pharmacy TV commercials. We have a medication for just about everything or anything that ails you. Listen closely to the side effects.

Some meds suppress the body's immune system to cure the aliment. Your own body's immune system is functioning at a high level which causes some health conditions. The positive side of this is ones often immune to more common aliments. I.E. rarely sick or ill to more common colds and flues, etc.

And that's the facts.

"And now you know the rest of the story".
(Credit Source. The late but great Paul Harvey)

 
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Old 04-22-17, 09:39 AM
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It turns out that I have an appt in 2 weeks with ENT.
 
 

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