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Quick Question: Nasal Steroids

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Posted 3/11/2010 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
It is about that time of year again. Time for my seasonal allergies to get out of control. I used to very successfully use nasal steroid sprays for this and they helped tremendously. However, once I finally found out that Lyme was the culprit for much of my misery, I stayed away from all steroids because I have read so much about how bad they are for people with Lyme. Oh, and I also experienced firsthand how, at least the oral ones, can really embed Lyme farther into your system. Several years ago when I started having Lyme-like rashes all over me that itched like heck (like I couldn't sleep at night from the itching), my then allergist gave me a Medrol dosepac of oral steroids. They didn't help the itching at all (made it worse??), but my heart started going crazy like it can. Ugh.

Anyway, I digress. I would love to know anyone's opinion on the nasal steroid thing. It would really give me some relief if I could use them again!

Thanks a bunch in advance.

Posted 3/12/2010 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Cre,

Welcome to the forum! We just talked about this not long ago and you could probably look if up if you'd like. In my opinion, the steroid amount that goes in your nose is so little, I don't think it would interfere with anything or cause any problems. In fact, one of the members asked their doctor and he basically said the same thing. I used to use the steroid nasal spray when the weather changed because I am always congested, but I recently found a natural nasal rinse called sinus rescue that is awesome. It clears me up really well and I can use it every 15 minutes if it doesn't work the first time. I usually only have to use it once. Just thought I'd let you know in case you want to try something more natural.
Posted 3/12/2010 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for the kind welcome and the quick response! Much appreciated. I think I may attempt the corticosteroid route this year and see how it goes. My environmental/seasonal allergy symptoms consist of really itchy eyes, lots and lots of sneezing, and then that leads to congestion and generally feeling all weird in my head and ill, like worse brainfog than usual. I'll be sure to look up the recent topic you mentioned. I am so new to this that it had not even occurred to me to do that! Wonderful. This forum is an outstanding resource and I am finally glad to be able to use it (my work kept me helping others but not myself). I am sure many of you can relate.
Posted 3/12/2010 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
I used to use the steroid nasal spray also, but it stopped being effective for my allergy symptoms (itchy eyes, sneezing, plugged ears, sinus congestion). So now I use a combination of Claritin (antihistamine), Singulair (asthma/allergic rhinitis med - not a steroid), and the Nasal Rescue (made by Peaceful Mountain; I get it at a local health food store) with pretty good results.
Posted 3/12/2010 3:33 AM (GMT 0)
I said Sinus Rescue but the name has been changed to Nasal Rescue by Peaceful Mountain.
Posted 3/12/2010 12:07 PM (GMT 0)
This sinus/nasal rescue stuff sounds pretty interesting. I'll check it out. I may have actually tried it before. I can't handle Claritin. I do a little better with Singulair. I am pretty sure the reason that I react so intensely in my brain to meds that can stimulate it is that I have a fairly compromised blood-brain barrier at this point. I mentioned this to my rheumatologist a few years ago and he just laughed and said it was impossible -- I would be dead. Now research is showing that blood/brain barriers are not so solid after all, and that not everyone's is the same. I think that is a big piece of the puzzle as to why some people can take, let's say, a supposedly "non-drowsy" formula of a med and still get weird brain effects. Others take the stuff and do not feel any different at all. Just my theory but I'm stickin' with it for now!

I am just glad to hear that others have been able to take nasal corticosteroids without many problems.
Posted 3/12/2010 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
I was on steroid nasal spray for a brief time until I read more about it. The ENT told me it can't get into the blood stream but it surely can. If you swallow any of it, which is kind of hard to avoid not doing, it will get into your system. Since I had a horrible experience several months ago taking steroid shots I didn't want to take a chance with it.

On another forum several people told be about how they healed their nasal inflammation, allergies and infection with a neti-pot. I never heard of it before but checked it out and went to Walgreens to buy one. Since using it I have been able to clear up my sinus allergies (which I never knew I had) and infection/inflammation.

When I went back to the ENT three weeks ago he said my sinuses looked great! He asked if I was using the steroid spray and abx he gave me. I hated to tell him that I hadn't but decided to be honest with him and tell him I was using a neti-pot. He's a old doctor and he knew what it was and said that it's been around a long time and lots of people use it with success and it appears that I'm one of them. He said to keep using it since it's working great for me!

Anyway, here's what it is www.neilmed.com/usa/use_np.php

Like I said, I got mine at Walgreens and it works great!

By the way, I'm not suggesting you not follow your doctor's advice or recommending anyone to not follow their doctor's advice. I'm just sharing with you my personal experience as I know many of us are looking for alternative ways to get healed, whether it be lyme disease or even nasal inflammation. So just take this for what it's worth and come to your own conclusions (which I know you will). smilewinkgrin

Gary

Post Edited (GWB) : 3/12/2010 10:35:31 AM (GMT-7)

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