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Posted 5/30/2009 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, from when I was young, I remember I was never really able to breathe from both side of my nose, always from one side and randomly from both sides. Then back in 07 I got an allergy test done and the results were:

Dust Mite P &F = 3+
Cockroach = 2+
Oak = 2+
Ragweed = 2+
Timothy Grass = 2+
English Plantain = 2+
Histamine Control = 3+ (not sure what this one is)

Mild divination of the nasal spectrum to the right.
7mm oval soft tissue density in the interior of the right maxillary sinus, representing a mucus retention cyst or polyp.

Beginning of April, I started having some issues where my nose would completely shut off, having to breathe from my mouth. On and off. Then for a couple of days, I had to wake up, luckily, early in the morning, being not able to breathe out of my nose.

I've always taken Zyrtec for itchiness. So I tried Zyrtec D which did not work at all for my congestion. So a few days ago I tried Sudafed 12 hours which seemed to work. But my congestion is really bad at night. Like all of a sudden, nose will completely shut off and then after fighting it, it'll go back to normal for 30 sec and it'll open up all the way where I can breathe from both nose and then go back to completely shutting off. I'll be up for an hour or two like this and then it'll go away on its own. Sometimes even Sudafed doesn't work. Then for the last couple times, taking Zyrtec makes my nasal blockage worse?

It's outside/inside. Checked for dust mite and that is under control. When the pollen level is completely low, still happens. For the past few days, no oak pollen here or any of the other stuff listed above.

Mucus will come out when I blow my nose, but sometimes it just doesn't come out at all. Sometimes its yellow but most of the time its clear. No blood, unless its really dry and fighting to blow my nose then maybe a little spot but no dripping blood.

I've tried netty pot but never works as most of the time one side is closed. Also, this is ONLY on the left side, but when I breathe in really hard, it feels like something is vibrating as if I'm snoring or something. Will go away sometimes but has been there for the past few weeks.

Now I'm beginning to wonder if it is really allergy or what? Cold water makes it worse. Being in the basement, where its colder makes it worse. I can take Sudafed 12 hours everyday once a day but I don't want my body to get used to it that I have to take it always to breathe. UNLESS I HAVE TO and there's no other way beside it.

Any suggessions/ideas? Please help. BTW, I don't have insurance anymore since March so I am not able to go back to the doc easily w/out having to spend a lot.
Posted 5/30/2009 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi MohaimenK,
No health insurance is a problem, since I think your best bet would be the use of prescription nasal sprays...Astelin (an antihistimine) and Flonase, or Nasacort, or some type of steroid nose spray for inflammation.

I spent my life as a mouth breather until I was put on these drugs, and my nose has been great ever since. During peak spring allergy season I take the Flonase twice a day rather than the once I usually do, and it really does the trick.

The thing is, these sprays take time to be effective. I've been told that the Flonase I take this week is helping me next week, etc.
If you get some insurance, or have another source for these sprays, I think they'd do the trick for you. You have to be very compliant and consistent taking them.

One more thing:
Nasal washings are just about free, and are the absolute greatest thing for your nose. I do them morning and night, and whenever I come in from being exposed to pollen. If I'm having more problems, I'll do them more often as well. It's ideal to do nasal washings before using the nasal sprays as well.

How to:
Put some (preferably plain/non-iodized) salt into a container, and fill the container with very warm water. Shake the container to mix.
pour the salt water into your cupped hand over the sink. Lean over and sniff the water deeply up your nose, then let it drain into the sink. Do this repeatedly, then blow your nose. If you've got lots of congestion, repeat. If you forget the salt it'll hurt, but as soon as you do it with salt water, it'll feel fine.
I can't recommend nasal washings enough. They kept me from needing sinus surgery, and has helped me avoid countless sinus infections.
Good luck!
Denise
Posted 5/31/2009 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
Well if I'm going to take prescription meds, I might as well take sudafed which is working for me. But wondering if this is caused by allergy or something else. I guess I'll find out when summer hits. I did the netty pot thing, which is pretty much the same thing you're speaking of, except not having to inhale anything inside, which is dangerous. It uses the same salt water packets inside the container. But netty pot didn't work for me either. Somehow cold sets it off more........
Posted 5/31/2009 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi MohaimenK,
The Sudafed is fine if it's helping you, but it only treats the symptoms, not the cause--which is inflammation of your nasal passages and sinuses. I don't think there's much doubt that your problems are allergy related. The steroid nasal spray reduces the inflammation, which reduces the swelling, that causes your congestion.

As far as the safety of nasal washings:
I've been doing them for probably 20 years and have had absolutely no problems. If you lean over the sink and breathe in deeply, there is no chance of aspirating the water. I'm an asthmatic, and if there were any risk, I would not do them. My allergy/asthma doctor recommended that I do them. They are completely safe and effective--more effective than the Netti pot.

Good luck with your problem.
Hope you find relief soon.
Denise
Posted 5/31/2009 5:28 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Denise. I'm going to try your way. Not exactly sure, hope I don't inhale the water too much. Is there a way to give a detailed description?
Posted 5/31/2009 7:48 AM (GMT 0)
It could be that you are allergic to cold temperatures...do you get a rash during wintertime?

I agree with the suggestion to try the steroid nasal sprays...
Posted 5/31/2009 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi MohaimenK,
I'll try to describe the process in more detail.

1. Get a container--I've even used an empty water bottle...it doesn't matter. I don't measure the salt, but you'll know if there's enough or too much. If there's not enough salt, the water feels uncomfortable--if there's too much, it'll taste too salty. You may be able to get a handle on just how much, and want to measure it. I just keep adding water if it's too salty, and add salt if it's not. (remember, I've read that plain salt is the best to use...apparently iodized can be irritating. I've used both, but try to stay with plain.)

2. The water should be quite warm. Not hot...but very warm. It is more comforting that way.

3. I'm "righty", and pour the water into my cupped left hand, as I lean over a sink. Immediately, I sniff the water deeply into my nose. BELIEVE ME...IT WILL NOT GO INTO YOUR LUNGS, because you'll be leaning over. I have done it for years, an no matter how deeply your sniff it in, it never goes into your lungs...it'll just come out your mouth.

4. After you've used up all the water in your container, it's time to blow your nose. You'll be surprised at all the stuff that will come out.

5. If you've got a really stuffy nose, it's harder to get things started, but once the water is getting up there, it'll clear things out. I will often do the procedure two or three times if my sinuses are really bad.

If I'm having lots of problems I'll do it more than my normal morning and night. After the nasal washings, your nostrils and sinuses are clear of mucous, and ready to be coated with the steroid nasal spray (if you can figure out a way to get it)...

Good luck! Even without the prescription steroid spray, the nasal washings should help your situation greatly.
Try it out and see how it works for you! Give it a chance.
My sons were having bad sinuses because of allergies, and were surprised at how well the washings worked for them.
Hope they work for you, too!
Denise
Posted 5/31/2009 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Razzle. As a matter of fact, I do get rash but always. I thought it was due to dust mites as I'm allergic to them. But during the winter time, while I'm at home, I've noticed all sorts of red marks all over my back and front. But now that you mention it, I haven't noticed it at all after it got warmer. I will keep an out for it. But for the rash, I always took Zyrtec.

Denise, thank you very much for the description. I will give it a try.

Oh, as far as the spray, is Nasaral the same thing??? If so then I think I can get that free!
Posted 5/31/2009 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi MohaimenK,
I never heard of Nasaral, but I checked it out online, and yes, it is a topical steroid spray, so should work just fine. That's great that you can get it for free!
Give it a try, and see if it helps. Do the nasal washing, then blow, then apply the spray.
Good luck!
Denise
Posted 5/31/2009 11:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Denise, gave it a try, and you're right about it not going into your lungs. It pretty much felt like my first netty pot I bought, which was by Ayr. It's a bottle and you squeeze the water in rather than letting it flow naturally. I did you way w/ my right nostril which worked just fine because its not blocked. The left one is about 95% blocked so I tried hard and hard didn't work. Went into the shower, took a steamed shower, nose didn't open up anymore. So I tried the Ayr bottle and closed my left nostril, forced the water in through my left. It barely goes through. Then the last try, I think I popped my ears and now they hurt like crap everytime I breathe our hard so I had it. LOL Well, during most of the time, I always breathe out of my right nostril as my left one is closed. But randomly, left one will open and right one will close and very rarely, both will be open. Well, as far as anything coming out, a little bit of mucus came out which was it. Not much yellow stuff. Oh, btw, in my left nostril, or right (sometimes), when it's closed, I stick my finger in it and feel like a soft ball that you can push up. But I've felt that for the last 17 years or so. But today I'm fine, I can breathe out of my right nostril, as it is my normal way I've been doing since I was 8. But at night, both will shut down completely, which hasn't really happen for the last few days as I've been taking sudafed everyday. Today I'm off Sudafed and want to see how things go as I dont' have work tomorrow morning.

As for the Nasaral, I often got them from my doc before and my parents get them often from their doc if they ask for nasal spray. I don't know how long it takes for them to start working but in the past, I always felt as if they didn't work or they went into my throat and made me feel uncomfortable. But that was years back. So I never gave any second thoughts about nasal sprays. But this year, things are the worst of all for me so I guess I'll have to see if they work, as I'm paying close attention to my nose and allergy this year.
Posted 6/1/2009 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
Hi...
I do know what you mean...when a nostril is blocked, it is hard to do the washing...The steroid spray takes about a week or two to reach its peak effectiveness.

It sounds like you may have a deviated septum (I have one, too). That would explain how one side of your nose plugs more. I know what you mean about how the nose plugs when you lay down. I had a lifetime of mouth breathing until I started nasal washings and nose sprays. I don't know if this is the case for you, but my nose plugs more when I lay on my left side and clears more on my right.

I hope you give the steroid spray a good try. You'll need a few weeks before you'll know if it helps you.
Good luck!
Denise
Posted 6/1/2009 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
Oh my ears are killing me right now from earlier. Every time I try to blow out my nose, it feels like water is stuck inside my ears. I'm sure it'll go away tomorrow. Yes I do have deviate septum.

- Mild divination of the nasal spectrum to the right.
- 7mm oval soft tissue density in the interior of the right maxillary sinus, representing a mucus retention cyst or polyp.

My nose doesn't plug more when I lay down or anything. If it plugs, it'll plug anytime and if is open, it'll stay open. Today I didn't take Sudafed, and I seem to be doing fine, minus my ears. It's never been this bad for me so I can't really relate to it from past. I will keep you updated. I am the type of person that will try their best not to get into meds unless it really has to be done. I always think that if I start taking meds, I'll get depended on them. Reason I asked about sudafed. My dad will get me nasaral sometime this week I think from his doc.
Posted 6/1/2009 10:04 AM (GMT 0)
It's worth a try...as I said, it treats the cause...at least the inflammation part of the cause.
Sorry to hear your ears are still bothering you. Be careful with the blowing. If your nose is plugged, it's got to go somewhere. Gentle...gentle!
Hope you feel better today.
Have a good one.
Denise
Posted 6/1/2009 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Denise, This morning I gave it another try. It seemed to work as I didn't breathe out quickly. My ears feel better. Last night I had to take sudafed to get some sleep. I'm wondering what will happen tonight. I did do again after I came home and worked much better. Nothing much really came out compared to all that I have read online from other people, although it did clear things up for me. Lets see how things go tonight when I go to sleep.
Posted 6/2/2009 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck with it! Hopefully you'll sleep well. Are you taking Sudafed Nighttime? If not, I don't know how you can sleep! Sudafed really wires me! It does work good, though.
I'm glad to hear that the nasal washing worked better for you today. Hopefully it helps.
Sleep well!
Denise
Posted 6/2/2009 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Denise, as it reaches around 10pm my nose seems to be shutting down completely. I guess I have to take Sudafed again tonight to get some sleep. I'll try to see if I can w/out it but if not then I'll have to take it. I take Sudafed 12 hours. I don't really need the 24 hours as I really care about my breathing at night so I can get some good night sleep. I just don't get it, why right around 10pm nose starts to shut down, every night??
Posted 6/2/2009 7:15 AM (GMT 0)
If you have central heating/air, when is it set to change from daytime to nighttime temp. settings?
Posted 6/2/2009 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Razzle, we do have central but the setting is the same all day/night long. We leave it between 72-74. Oh and our bedroom is hotter than all other rooms. Last night, I did Denise's way and it worked. I got my nose clean, well right side at least. But it was clear for me to go breathe and sleep nicely. But in the middle of the night, around 4am, boy o boy, back of my nose/throat felt so dry that it hurt like crap! I think I put more salt than I should have but yeah. Then it was blocking my nose a little bit which wasn't a big deal but the burning feeling was not good at all. I woke up late today so couldn't do that thing but once I get home I'll clean my nose once again and before going to bed. I'm still waiting for my nasaral, which should come on tomorrow or thursday :)

But this is really weird the way it is. I mean, there's no oak pollen or any of the pollen that gives me allergy. So not sure why its like this. I hope the nasaral helps because I don't know what else, unless its my diviated septum that's causing all this.......but i've had that for years now.
Posted 6/3/2009 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
btw, can anyone explain to me, why would my left nostril vibrate (inside) when taking a very quick breathe?? Has been doing it for at least 3-5 weeks.
Posted 6/4/2009 2:53 AM (GMT 0)
There may be a plug of mucus, a polyp, or just a pocket of inflammation that is moving slightly back and forth when you breathe. But it may only be noticeable to you (hence the "vibration") when you speed up the air going through your nose.

Glad the rinsing helped some. Good luck,
Posted 6/4/2009 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Razzle. Thanks! I know from my previous exam from 07 there's been some type of polyp or cyst seen so probably that. Just wanted to confirm. Oh, I just got FLUTICASONE Propionate - googled it, says its Florance. So I believe I'm in business! I will start taking it today. The doc told my dad to also put Vaseline inside nose that'll help as well.
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