Chronic Congestion & Confusion

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Juli L. Dawson - 22 Apr 2004 19:54 GMT

Hi,

If anyone can share some insight with me. I have had on-and-off, what I
felt were fairly regular and normal instances of nasal congestion
throughout my life. Then around Christmas last year, it started again
with a cold as usual but the congestion never went away. I almost got
dependent on Afrin and OTC sprays before going to a doctor and getting
Flonase. That only moderately improved things. After a month of that,
I decided to do without Flonase and found myself back where I started.
So, I returned to the doctor only to be prescribed Nasaonex and Allegra-
D. By my count it has been almost five months since this began. The
only part of Allegra that's helping me is the "D"-psuedoephedrine, and
that's a lot cheaper to buy without the Allegra.

The Nasonex, like the Flonase before it, only helps to a small degree.
Taking it alone wouldn't be enough, just like taking Allegra-D or
generic pseudoephedrine wouldn't be enough, but even the combination
isn't perfect. I'm still not completely cleared up, and I also have to
take a night-time Sudafed to sleep.

My doctor seems a bit convinced that it's allergies. I don't have any
other symptoms of allergies. Well his words were something along the
lines of "I don't know; it's really hard to tell with this kind of
thing". I'm going to probably see a specialist if my visit with him on
Monday doesn't turn up anything.

Could this be the result of a deviated septum? I did have trauma to my
nose when I was little. My only question would be why this didn't start
happening as much until recently? If not, what else? I'm not into the
idea of being on medication indefinitely, especially something that
elevates my heart rate and possibly my blood pressure. I feel
caffienated and spacey all the time, which is good sometimes, but it
also sometimes makes me irritable and moody.

I'm just confused, looking for answers. I did a lot of research online
and didn't find anything concrete. I'd like to know why for five months
I haven't been able to breathe properly through my nose and why even
with a prescription spray and decongestant I still have discomfort. I
don't show any other symptoms, no fevers or runny nose or watery eyes or
anything. Just a really stuffy nose, and that's it.

Anyone care to comment? :)

Thanks!

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Flash - 22 Apr 2004 20:31 GMT

> Hi,
>
> If anyone can share some insight with me. I have had on-and-off, what I
> felt were fairly regular and normal instances of nasal congestion

Juli,

The following suggestion my seem odd, but it works ...

Visualize somebody yor something you are really mad at, and
then physically throw punches at the image vigorously and
angrily. Do this until you get the anger out and you are
somewhat fatigued. ( A good 30 seconds or so should work. )
Seriously throw the punches and get it out. ( Of course, only
attempt this if you are physically fit enough to do this without
hurting yourself.)

Right after you are done throwing punches and you are resting,
your nose should clear up. When clear, breath through your nose
slowly and deeply. Once you are opened up, note if you have
an feelings of allergies such as sneezing or wanting to sneeze,
itchy eyes etc. I'm betting it is allergies. I got allergies
when I turned 30, I had not had them before. Along with the
allergies came the dizziness, and sinus infections.

Flash

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Don Brady - 22 Apr 2004 23:35 GMT

>Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>only part of Allegra that's helping me is the "D"-psuedoephedrine, and
>that's a lot cheaper to buy without the Allegra.

Probably true but the decongestant can have side effects on blood pressure etc,

>The Nasonex, like the Flonase before it, only helps to a small degree.

Are you sure? Have you taken it every single day for a couple of months?
It needs to be taken long term. It is not risky like the decongestants or
Afrin.

>Taking it alone wouldn't be enough, just like taking Allegra-D or
>generic pseudoephedrine wouldn't be enough, but even the combination
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>thing". I'm going to probably see a specialist if my visit with him on
>Monday doesn't turn up anything.

You should - you really would need at endoscopic exam and maybe a CT Scan to be
more specific. Otherwise we are all guessing...

>Could this be the result of a deviated septum? I did have trauma to my
>nose when I was little. My only question would be why this didn't start
>happening as much until recently?

One can't really answer those questions accurately. Inflammation is
cumulative and eventially it gets to a point.....

> If not, what else? I'm not into the
>idea of being on medication indefinitely, especially something that
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
>Anyone care to comment? :)

It's probably just a standard pattern of inflamed turbinates due to allergies
or irritants.

You could have the septum corrected and the turbinates surgically corrected,
but

(a) it can be botched so you have to be *very* careful about who does it (no,
the first or second suregon you see is probably *not* the best person).

(b) you might eb able to avoid the need if you eliminate all dust and mold and
use Nasonex or Flonase permanently.

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Javi - 11 Jun 2007 06:24 GMT

Hey i have about the same problem always with a stuff nose i don't have a
runny nose or inflam tourbines cause i had a surgery for that but i still
can't inhale right with my nose. I went to the doctor and the doctor said its
allergies and i told him that Allegra doesn't help or the sprays.

So am going to a different doctor on layton mountains clinic something like
that so maybe he has my answers cuase its rediculous i feel a lack of energy
every day and irritated i feel like sleepy almost all the time

I hope you found your answers so you can help me too

>Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 40 lines]
>
>Thanks!

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