Persistent nasal trouble, nothing is working!

Ears, nose and throat
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I made a post a while back about the trouble i was having in regards to my nose. I have very swallon turbinates, and persistent chronic allergy symptoms for months. Resulting in my loss of taste and smell. I went to the doctors and they prescribed me steroid nasal spray, which after a week started to show some results. I used this along side clarityn and it worked great for about 2 weeks! I could finally taste and smell again. But for the past 3 weeks im back to square one again, Completely blocked up, constant allergy symptoms and loss of smell and taste. 

I went to the doctors again yesterday, begging for an allergy test to find out what the cause of this is. They told me its not widely available anymore so I can't be tested for it unless i have an idea of what it is... He then referred me to the ent clinic, and the wait is 4 months just to be seen ( it took me 4 weeks just to get an appointment with the doctors) He gave me some more allergy tablets which do NOTHING. None of them work any more, I've tried every brand to try along side my steroid spray. The spray does nothing anymore either. I am honestly at the end of my tether with this now, the past 9 months have been miserable. I've completely lost my appetite too as I just can't enjoy food. Can anyone please give me any sort of advice that i can try? literally anything. I've tried most things that I can think of but at this stage im desperate to get this sorted. 

2

Hello, reading your message you're exactly the same as me.  Firstly do you live in England.  If so you'll be able kto ask for the same medication I'm currently using.

I too lost my smell and taste for years and years.  The blocked nose, together with blocked ears (for me) Flixonase Steroid Nasule DROPS are now the only thing that works for me.

If you don't live in England, it' unlikely you'll be able to get them.

It may benefit you have a short course of Prednisolone steroid tablets (if he will prescribe them) a one off

short course would sort you out, b getting rid of all the inflammation.  Smell and taste will return too.  I know what a miserable condition this is.  I suffer ETD...Eustachian Tube Dysfunction, allergies and Rhinitis.  I take a daily Cetrizine antihistamine.

Regards

Anne

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Hi Anne. I'm been suffering similarly for 8 months. I've tried three steroid sprays and find Flixonase to be the least potent compared to Nasonex and Dymista but everyone is different. They worked for a while but aren't cutting it anymore. Today was my last day of a 5 day course of Prednisolone for both chronic swollen turbinates and asthma but it hasn't made that much of a difference. Has anything else worked for you? Did you have allergy immunotherapy? I can't start until April and am relying on it to help

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Hello Saturn,

  Many, many years ago I started a course of injections to try and densensitise.  Sadly, in those days I suffered bronchitis and after the third injection I was quite poorly, so was unable to resume.  I expect these days it's all a different way of doing it, calling it immunotherapy....haven't been offered that.

All illness are about our immune systems and getting it to work properly....strong immune, strong and healthy body.

I don't think the 5 day course was long enough that you were prescribed.  Mine is usually a 20 day reducing method, as you may have seen my previous posts.

I only go on about the medication that's helped me.  Prednisolone mustn't be used too often.  I only end up on that when I'm desperate, which in the past has been maybe every other year, or two.  My last course was April 2017 and I'm happy to announce I've been pretty good ever since.  However, like you've said, the sprays don't work for long enough.

I think you'r in England for you to mention the Fixonase spray....other countries can't seem to get it.  But, you will need to now ask for the stronger Drops, Flixonase Nasule Drops.....administered with head hanging over bed.  I've had to use them this morning as my right ear blocked up.  I give it 30 minutes, give a gently squeeze of nostrils, blow and the tubes work again, for another week.  My main problem is ETD.  I'm trying to reduce the Cetrizine antihistamine to every 2 days now.  But again, had to take one this morning.  Post Nasal Drip started again, plus getting blocked up during the night.  the Nasules will sort that out too.

I too suffer asthma, but that's been controlled for years using Qvar inhaler...no problems these days !!

So ask your doctor to either prescribed a longer course of Pred.  Alternatively try the Flixonase Nasule Drops.  I'm sure you'll find relief after approx 1/2 weeks, possibly sooner.

I know how awful this chronic condition is.  You're lucky you don' suffer Eustachian Tube Dysfunction too, as that is far worse than swollen turbinates.  I use Otrivine when I get blocked during the night....reduces swollen lining in the nose and after approx. one minute I can breath again.

It's all the inflammation that's causing the problems.  Have you been checked that you haven't got polyps up your nose.  I have, but have shrunk due to the Nasules, that I now only use once a week.  I did have surgery to remove the polyps many years ago when I had sinus surgery too....sadly, suffering allergies and asthma they grow back.....causing considerable problems with breathing.

I'm due to see my ENT consultant on Wednesday and hope he doesn't take me off the Flixonase Nasule Drops.

I do hope you get sorted soon and let me know how you get on and try and answer my questions too.

Thanks

Anne

 

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Thank you I will send a PM about this so I don't distract from Yorisou's query.

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ok

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Hi there, I feel for you as I think everyone in this group is in the same boat. I have had the same problems but having moved to a different area, I have been lucky to get a sympathetic doctor.  I suggest you change your doctor if possible as I have managed to get blood tests done re allergies and am awaiting results. Apparently results take 6 weeks! However after that it will be interesting to see what happens. I too have been on a variety of sprays etc but find that going back to Betnesol steroid nasal drops really help me. Am also taking Evening primrose oil as was suggested, too early to say if it’s helped but will carry on. This is a miserable condition, you are not alone, best wishes Barbara

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Hi Anne, thanks for your reply

I do live in england yes! I did ask for some drops when I visited the doctors last week but he tried to tell me they didn't do them.. which I knew wasn't true. I feel like im just getting brushed off by these doctors it's incredibly frustrating. 

I am booking myself in the urgent clinic tomorrow, as i felt something funny in the back of my throat this evening. I had a look in the light and this thick kind of sludge just fell down. Gross I know but im really weirded out by this now! It's got me thinking maybe theres something else going on with my nose/throat. I'll be asking for a different doctor and i'll make sure to ask for the drops and some sort of steroid tablet. 

Inside my nose is just completely blocked up now with these growths, at this point im not even sure if its the sides of my nose being so swollen or other growths but they have these yellowy marks over them. So i'm guessing I have some sort of infection too. 

I went and bought some primrose oil tablets and quercetin tablets which was recommended for natural immune support, so i'm also hoping these will help. 

 

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Thank you barbara. I'm returning to the doctors tomorrow in the urgent clinic due to whats happened this evening, but i'll be requesting a different doctor as I feel as if i wasn't taken seriously last time. Hopefully I can get somewhere tomorrow, and maybe come out with a different type of medication. 

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Hiya. I’ve just come across your post. So just incase you are still suffering. 

I spent 18 months in exactly the same situation as you. My dr wasn’t really interested. I fact he told me to learn to live with it.  After completely losing it, he suggested I pay privately to see a consultant called dr Nair, practising in Winchester (this was years ago). He was amazed, as he saw it as a straight fwd condition. He prescribed antibiotics, 2 weeks of prednisalone then flixonase nasules 2 x daily for life.  (Not spray). I have been fine for about 10 years. My problem has reacurred as I have moved to France and they only issue the spray and I am having trouble again. 

Please try these remedies as I know how desperate this makes you feel. 

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Good morning Denise,

I have the same problem as yourself.  I too use Flixonase Nasule Drops, the Spray stopped working for me.  I suffer Rhinitis, Allergies, Sinusitis and Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (blocked ears).  I see my NHS ENT consultant twice yearly with these issues, he's brilliant !!  I have had sinus surgery in the past, but problem always returns.  I'm now only having to use the Flixonase Nasule Drops approximately every 7 days, once a day now.  But not too sure what will happened during the pending Autumn and Winter months....will probably be back to using it every day.  we've had such a brilliant Summer this year in England and once the pollen ceased I seemed to improve.

It seems other countries are unable to get the Flixonase Nasule Drops as I've been in conversation with people on this Patient Forum.  My nephew, who is a pharmacist in the US, has told me they can only get Flixonase Spray over there.  Shame for these people as the Drops really DO WORK !!

Regards

Anne

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Hi I have very severe nasal congestion sometimes where i can't breathe at all due to nose being blocked.anything with oxymetazoline or xzylometazomine helps ie otrivine.its very distressing when you can't breathe and I get very panicky. I had blood tests chest x ray and spirimetery test for asthma.it was found I have severe dehydration and I have been drinking loads of water since which has helped ease my symptoms

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Hi Anne. 

I only just noticed your reply.  I’m glad you seem to be doing well. As I mentioned, I seem to have relapsed as my taste and smell is almost non existent at the moment, which i believe is because the spray is not reaching the correct area. I am worried I could have a polyp growing as when I use the spray then quickly lay back for a few minutes, it’s not absorbing, I can feel it going down my throat when I stand up.  

More strangely, when I do get some smell and taste it disappears when I sit or lie down. I have no smell/taste when I awake in the morning. I would love it if you could remember to ask your consultant the significance of this if you remember?  It’s driving me insane, I feel I have to stand up and walk around all day.  I’m seeing a doctor again on Friday, but I don’t hold up much hope. 

Thanks for posting. 

Dx

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Hi Patricia. 

This is going to sound strange, but have you heard or read about the 2 minute cure for nasal congestion? It’s worth a try. You breath out and then take small shallow slow breaths for about a minute and because your nasule cavaties detect a drop in oxygen intake, they open up and drain. This should clear the passages. Obviously it isn’t a cure but a relief. 

Good luck. 

Dx 

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Hello Patricia,]

I too suffer nasal congestion, but on my left nostril.

I go to bed not blocked but within in few hours it's

awful.  i sit up and use one squirt of Otivine then

I'm able to sleep right through the night.  I rarely

suffer this problem during the day, but when I do

I use Otrivine again.  I've had to use it now pretty

much every night through the very hot suffer we've

had this year (not complaining about that though).

I suffer allergies and sinusitis, which the nasal

congestion is probably due to.  I'm going to

start using NeilMed Nasal Rinse again as

I'm sure that helps get rid of any potential

allergens that I'm sure cause the congestion.

Keeping hydrated makes sense.

Anne

 

16

Hello again Denise,

I haven't been on the Forum for some time, but just seen your message in my in-box.

So sorry to read you're still suffering.  Remind me, are you using the Flixonase Spray, or the Drops ?  If you're using the drops you must lie down with your head hanging over end of your bed and remain there for at least a minute so that the drops can penetrate, I move my head from side to side too.....I never feel them dripping down my throat.  I'm now only having to use them every 2 weeks at the moment.  However, as soon as my ears block up again I will probably have to use them more often.

I have noticed since I haven't been using them so often that my sense of smell and taste is nothing like it was when I was using them every couple of days.  However, I don't want to use them more often than necessary due to them being a stronger steroid and I certainly don't want them to stop working like the spray did.

It's miserable not being able to smell and taste, so I understand how you're feeling.  How often are you using the drops (if they are what you're on)  In the beginning my ENT consultant advised me to use them morning and night for 6 weeks.  That's when I noticed my smell and taste return.  Then I started to try every other day, then every other, other day.  Until it was once a day every seven days.  Like I've said in my previous message as soon as the Winter is upon us in England I'll probably be having to use them more often.  They certainly shrink my polyps.  I was told at my last ENT appt that I have one tiny one up my right nostril....maybe this is why when I lie down at night I get completed congested on that side and then have to have a squirt of Otrivine to

allow me to sleep, otherwise I'm blocked up all night on that left side and also end up with a sinus headache.

Let me know how you got on at the doctors.

Regards

Anne

 

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Forgot to mention in message above.  Failing all else, ask your GP for a 20 reducing course of Prednisolone steroid tablets.  They will definitely help you.  You will regain your sense of smell and they will shrink or get rid of your polyps.  They've helped me in the past with my Eustachian Tube Dyfunction and Asthma (asthma been controlled now for a long time).  You'll only need the once course to sort you out, then revert back on to the Flixonase Drops.

Anne

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Hi Anne. 

Thank you for coming back to me. 

I used the flixonase drops very successfully for about 10 years, evening and night, every day, unless I forgot. It’s only the last three months that I have had to use the spray as I now live in France.  I try to use them the same way as the drops by sitting on the bed, spraying then quickly lying back with my head over the bed for about two minutes. 

I see the French doctor on Friday, and language permitting I am going to beg for 20 day prednisalone course. Do you think the fact that my nose doesn’t always feel congested, just inflamed/buzzing and I still can’t taste unless I remain standing for hours, could be that there is a polyp blocking the air flow? My most tender area are the cavaties above my eyes. 

Its so nice to speak with people who understand how desperate this condition makes you feel. I feel cut off from the rest of the ‘normal world’ and see no point in socialising anymore. 

Thank you.

Denise 

 

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Morning Denise,

Ahh, don't feel like you're alone, there are so many of us out there that

are feeling just like you do.  It sounds to me as though you are suffering from Sinusitis.  I get dreadful pain just above my eyebrows, not often these days in the cheek area.  You may be helped with a course of antibiotics too.  I know doctors aren't supposed to prescribe them these days, and we all understand the reason for that.  But my friend suffers sinus issues so bad she has regular courses of antibiotics that she swears really help her....I have found the same too at times.

You don't mention that you suffer ETD (Eustachian Tube Dysfunction).  That's so bad and makes us all feel miserable and withdrawn.  Thankfully, I've had a nice long break from it this Summer, but dread the Winter months when the mould comes on the trees.  I've experienced 6 perforations in my left eardrum over the past couple of years.  

I'd really like to try going abroad again next year for our holiday, haven't risk flying for 5 years, may I think I will give it a go.  I know most peoples ears block up when flying, but if we suffer ETD due to mucus getting into our Eustachian tubes it's so very hard to clear them and miserable suffering for several days before they eventually pop, if they pop at all.  Try taking an Antihistamine daily, you may find they will help you.  I take a daily Cetrizine, which helps dry mucus from sinuses up.

Your doctor will see any visible polyps by putting a scope up your nose, and yes they make us feel very congested.  I used to hear mine rattling when I blew my nose, when I was trying to clear mucus...nothing came down.  Do you suffer many headaches ?.

I'd post you a box of Flixonase Drops through the post, but I don't think that would be allowed, would it ?  I'd do anything in my power to help anyone that's suffering.

If you'd like to speak privately you can find me on f/b.

I've suffered these conditions for so many years, eventually, the ETD caused me to contract Bacterial Meningitis, losing the sight in my left eye and suffering vertigo when lying down too flat.

Do let me know how you get on.

Kind regards

Anne

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