Anyone have suggestions for sinus problems?

[billwendy]

When my sinus are already clogged, the netti pot doesnt work for me - does anyone else have this problem? Its like I cant get the rinse to go beyond the blockage....

Also, is the pseudafed that you purchase from behind the counter any stronger than the one in the isle? what about 4 hour vs 12 hour vs 24 hour?

I just finished a zpack and am still clogged up!! Its been almost 2 weeks now and I have lost my taste too!! I hate that!! Whats a sure fire way to get rid of this...lol....

Thanks!!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

When my sinus are already clogged, the netti pot doesnt work for me - does anyone else have this problem? Its like I cant get the rinse to go beyond the blockage....

Yes. I have found that boiling a pot of water and then breathing the steam (carefully...don't want burns!) will help loosen that stuff up. A hot shower will have the same effect. If I'm really congested I will use steam first, and then the neti pot or sinus rinse.

 

[SadieDog]

When my sinus are already clogged, the netti pot doesnt work for me - does anyone else have this problem? Its like I cant get the rinse to go beyond the blockage....

Also, is the pseudafed that you purchase from behind the counter any stronger than the one in the isle? what about 4 hour vs 12 hour vs 24 hour?

I just finished a zpack and am still clogged up!! Its been almost 2 weeks now and I have lost my taste too!! I hate that!! Whats a sure fire way to get rid of this...lol....

Thanks!!

The decongestants behind the pharmacy counter have a different ingredient than those sold on the shelves. I was told by 3 different pharmacists that the ingredient in the pills sold on the shelves do not work for most people. They did nothing for me. I only buy 4 hour (4-6hr) b/c the 12 or 24 hour do not last nearly as long as they say. Then you are left having to wait hours before you can take more.

I was also told by 2 different Doctors, one at a hospital and one at an office, that Zpack does not work well for many people with reoccuring sinus infections. Zpack did not work for me. I was feeling better when on the drug, but once I was done taking it, I got worse again.

When I am really stuffy, the water from the neti pot takes a lot longer to drain out.

 

[SadieDog]

Yes. I have found that boiling a pot of water and then breathing the steam (carefully...don't want burns!) will help loosen that stuff up. A hot shower will have the same effect. If I'm really congested I will use steam first, and then the neti pot or sinus rinse.

Oh yes, I forgot to say. I breathe in steam with apple cidar vinegar. The vinegar really gets things running.

 

[MomToOne]

My sinuses became so blocked for so long a few years ago that my co-worker nicknamed me "Darth Vadar" Seriously, both sides were completely blocked and no air was getting through and I had to completely breathe though my mouth. I tried a neti pot, but my sinuses were so blocked that it didn't work (even hot showers and the like wouldn't open them enough for the water to flow).

I was put on several rounds of antibiotics to no avail. I felt like many doctors wanted to write me off as just complaining about a cold so they did very little for me. None of them seemed to believe me when I told them I had been completely congested for months. But finally I changed primary care doctors to someone who realized how miserable I was and put me on Nasonex permanently. I swear that stuff is MIRACULOUS!!! Within about 4 days I was finally breathing, and within a week you'd never have known I had a problem. If I go off it, within a few days I am congested again, so I expect to be on some sort of medication like this forever. Maybe you just need to use this type of medication permanently as well??

 

[SadieDog]

My sinuses became so blocked for so long a few years ago that my co-worker nicknamed me "Darth Vadar" Seriously, both sides were completely blocked and no air was getting through and I had to completely breathe though my mouth. I tried a neti pot, but my sinuses were so blocked that it didn't work (even hot showers and the like wouldn't open them enough for the water to flow).

I was put on several rounds of antibiotics to no avail. I felt like many doctors wanted to write me off as complaining about a cold so they did very little for me. None of them seemed to believe me when I told them I had been completely congested for months. But finally I changed primary care doctors to someone who realized how miserable I was and put me on Nasonex permanently. I swear that stuff is MIRACULOUS!!! Within about 4 days I was finally breathing, and within a week you'd never have known I had a problem. If I go off it, within a few days I am congested again, so I expect to be on some sort of medication like this forever. Maybe you just need to use this type of medication permanently as well??

That's great Nasonex works so well for you. I used to be on it too until I developed the constant terrible burning sore throat that would never go away. I don't think my post nasal drip helped that situation. I'm on Nasacort now. I only wish it was less expensive.

 

[lattemomof3]

Thanks for all the great replies. I bought the sinus rinse & bottle today. Does Nasonex require a prescription?

 

[Justsyd2]

I haven't seen anyone mention this, so I will. I've had allergies and sinus infections all of my life. Last year I was diagnosed with food allergies. After doing a food elimination diet, I have been allergy free for a year = no medication!

You might want to try that avenue.

 

[susianew]

Just a reminder...Patanase and Nasacort (and Nasonex) all have rebates or copay reduction coupons you can get from their websites- saves you $10-20 per RX as long as you don't have federally funded insurance (Medicaid, Medicare Part D or Tricare)

 

[brewcrew]

Neti Pot, neti Pot, Neti Pot!!! I used to go on antibiotics 4 times a year for sinus infections. I started taking a claritin every night and using a neti pot. I have had one sinus infection since and it has been two years. Watch the neti pot video on youtube. Good luck!

 

[MomToOne]

That's great Nasonex works so well for you. I used to be on it too until I developed the constant terrible burning sore throat that would never go away. I don't think my post nasal drip helped that situation. I'm on Nasacort now. I only wish it was less expensive.

You know what - I messed up. I'm on Flonase, not Nasonex. And I found I had to cut back on the Flonase dosage from what my doctor initially recommended (but she had warned me I might need to play with the dosage). Instead of using it twice a day, I only use it once. If I use it twice I found my sinuses actually became too open for me - I was smelling EVERYTHING. And there are a lot of really unpleasant smells out there! I found I also got headaches when taking it twice a day, and got a few minor nosebleeds. It could have just been a coincidence, but all that stuff went away when I cut back to just once a day.

 

[MomToOne]

Thanks for all the great replies. I bought the sinus rinse & bottle today. Does Nasonex require a prescription?

Yes, Nasonex requires a prescription. Flonase is a similiar product, and requires a prescription as well (both are cortosterioids, but don't freak - very little gets into your blood stream and they aren't like the "steroids" you hear horror stories about). Flonase has a generic, which can make it a lot cheaper. I don't know if there is a generic Nasonex.

 

[Planogirl]

I can't take too many medications because of other medication I take. As strange as it sounds the Netti Pot really helps me.

 

[suecait]

subscribing

 

[SadieDog]

You know what - I messed up. I'm on Flonase, not Nasonex. And I found I had to cut back on the Flonase dosage from what my doctor initially recommended (but she had warned me I might need to play with the dosage). Instead of using it twice a day, I only use it once. If I use it twice I found my sinuses actually became too open for me - I was smelling EVERYTHING. And there are a lot of really unpleasant smells out there! I found I also got headaches when taking it twice a day, and got a few minor nosebleeds. It could have just been a coincidence, but all that stuff went away when I cut back to just once a day.

Flonase was the 1st one the Dr put me on b/c it was the least expensive. I went off that when I got SCARY TERRIBLE nose bleeds. OMG they were so bad and not easy to stop. I will spare you the details. When I saw an allergist and told him about the nosebleeds, he said he does not like to prescribe Flonase b/c it's so drying and hard are many patients sinuses. That's great that once a day works for you.

 

[SadieDog]

I haven't seen anyone mention this, so I will. I've had allergies and sinus infections all of my life. Last year I was diagnosed with food allergies. After doing a food elimination diet, I have been allergy free for a year = no medication!

You might want to try that avenue.

I forgot that the Dr mentioned this to me. Thanks for the reminder. I also had a Dr say some sinus issues are due to acid problems. He said for some people, instead of the normal heartburn, acid may back-up into the sinuses. I do not experience regular heartburn but he asked if I had a matalic taste in my mouth. Yes, I did. I am now trying acid reducers.

I did have allergy testing that didn't show any food allergies. I wonder if the food elimination diet would still be necessary? I went the allergy shot route until I had a rare, late, serious reaction. After the reaction, they were pretty concerned and I stopped. I'm quite allergic to dust mites.

 

[Gigi22]

DH suffers from sinus problems and frequent nosebleeds. His ENT advised getting a cold air humidifier for our bedroom. We haven't done that yet, but DH's sinus problems have lessened since we got a new central humidifier--the controls are programmed on our thermostat.

 

[SadieDog]

DH suffers from sinus problems and frequent nosebleeds. His ENT advised getting a cold air humidifier for our bedroom. We haven't done that yet, but DH's sinus problems have lessened since we got a new central humidifier--the controls are programmed on our thermostat.

I use a humidifier during the dry winter months too. I does help, along with saline spray.

 

[secretpantssam]

I'm going to try those nasal rinses now. I have really annoying allergies and I'm sick of having to take medication for it 1 because the decongestants always make me feel shaky, and 2 I hate having to buy them at the pharmacy and give them my license and everything (I feel like I'm committing a crime for having a stuffy nose!)

One woman I work with said she takes a spoonful of local honey everyday and her seasonal allergies have gone away. I may try that too and report back.

 

[cush1]

I see an Allergy Doctor. I'm a big believer in specialists. She told me about the sinus rinse (made by the same company as NetiPot). It definitely works! Once you find out what you are allergic to through testing, you can avoid certain activities and/or know what meds to take.

Since it is just on one side of your nose, have you had a CT done to see if you have sinus polyps and/or a deviated septum?