I have had rhinitis for a few months now. I also have some allergies and was treating this problem with Allegra, which has always helped in the past, it didn't help! I also have developed a middle ear problem that makes me miserable daily,ie; dizziness, pressure in my ears that I cannot equalize, loss of some hearing and just general "I feel horrible" type stuff.
Three weeks ago I got a bad cold and suffered thru that. It passed about a week ago and then the cold was gone but I still had the congestion,etc. just like before the cold. Finally I sought a Drs. advice and after an examination and hearing my complete medical history he told me I had non-allergic rhinitis.(he was more specific but I don't remember the specific type of non-allergic rhinitis) I questioned how he could know this when the symptoms for allergic type were almost identical and he said that with my description of the symptoms I had, the lack of results of allergy meds that worked previously and the color of the tissue is my nasal passages ( this was a key factor) he could say I had the non-allergic type. He went on to say that a normal tissue in the nasal passage is pinkish like the inside of your lip and if it was varying hues of red or even bloody he could tell if it was allergies, a cold or if there was yellow or green discharge, an infection. BUT..... if the tissue had a bluish tinge to it ,it was a definite indicator of this type of non-allergic rhinitis!
I also had some type of blockage in my eustachian tubes and he explained to me how he knew this from what he saw when he looked into my ears with that little pointy thing with a light in it they use. And of course my description of the symptoms. He was right on when he knew the right ear was worse than the left ear from what he could see of the ear drum from the outside. This guy has been practicing for 40 years and seem to be pretty good and thorough in his analysis of the situation in my sinuses and middle ear.
Now after my history of adult sinus problems I was ready for him to perscribe antibiotics and steroids and I really don't care for either one because the side affects are bad with me with these drugs. To my suprise he did not!!
He said to start on Mucinex and Afrin nasal spray,(both over the counter meds). The nasal spray is to be used in a specific way to help clear the ear canal. I tilt my head back and to the right (for the right side), that makes the ear canal tilt down so the spray can get into that area, spray 2 squirts, then hold my nose and mouth and swallow 3 times, then ,still holding my nose blow GENTLY to try and equalize the pressure in the ear canal.
He says this will work, it will take some time, some cases take weeks........ but it has never not worked yet when done twice a day correctly.
I'm into the third day of this treatment and I have already noticed a lessening of the pressure in my ears and I'm hearing a little better. I'm not cured but things are improving slowly. A lot less congestion and pressure in my head and no headaches! Also when I wake up I can breath thru my nose.
Also I have been pretty much living with daily doses of Advil and sudafed and I haven't had to take either for three days now!
I'm hoping the improvement continues. I have an appt with the Dr. in about a month.
I will try to follow up on this site when I have more info. on my condition and treatment.
This is a debilitating condition and I hope my sharing helps someone with similar problems a little.
Tom
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