Congested Nose

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nzkiwiman

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#146964 4-Jun-2014 11:43

(this is a rant/rage)
ARGHH I hate having a blocked/congested nose -- technically I can handle a blocked nose, but this is something else.
Right side of my nose just will no unclog and when I lie in bed it clogs up even if I am sleeping on my left side (so my left should clog)

As a result, for the past two weeks I have been sleeping about 3 hours a night until I just can't sleep anymore. Then I am up and miserable for the rest of the sleeping time - and then its time for work.

I broke down and saw the doctor today who said I have a nasal infection - however all I got was some Flixonase Hayfever and Allergy spray for it which tells me not to use it for an infection.

So over it .. just want to be able to breathe again

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#1059121 4-Jun-2014 11:44

I use the Lemsip sachets, just add hot water that always fixes me up after a day or two.

JoshWright

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#1059123 4-Jun-2014 11:46

Otrivin is the best thing from my experience, but not sure about a nose infection, you have to be very careful not to become dependent on it, but it works like magic. It gets you through the worst of a blocked nose, but is only really suitable for a couple days use.

Coil

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#1059125 4-Jun-2014 11:49

Boiling water in a bowl and drop a huge amount of vicks cream stuff in there then put a towel over your head. Breath that for 5 minutes and you should be good.

Demeter

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#1059127 4-Jun-2014 11:55

Oh boy, do I know your pain. I'm chronically on nasal spray because it is the only thing that helps me sleep. I get claustrophobic to the extreme when I cannot breathe even out of one nostril. Please please please heed my warning, if you do decide to use nasal spray (I use Dimetapp) do not use it for more than 3 days consecutively. It is highly habit-forming, in the sense that it causes rebound congestion which means you'll have to keep taking it in order to breathe properly even when your condition clears up.

An alternative that works very well as is much better for you (although its kinda gross at first) is nasal irrigation. http://www.neilmed.com/nz/sinusrinse_isotonic.php I have used this successfully in the past - and then I got sick, making me reach for the nasal spray again. Bad move. :(

Good luck, I know how frustrating it is when you can't sleep because you can't breathe properly.

ETA: Flixonase will fix the cause but not the symptoms. If you're after an imediately clear nose that lasts approximately 12 hours at a time, Dimetapp or Otrivin is the way to go.

JoshWright

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#1059128 4-Jun-2014 11:58

Demeter: Oh boy, do I know your pain. I'm chronically on nasal spray because it is the only thing that helps me sleep. I get claustrophobic to the extreme when I cannot breathe even out of one nostril. Please please please heed my warning, if you do decide to use nasal spray (I use Dimetapp) do not use it for more than 3 days consecutively. It is highly habit-forming, in the sense that it causes rebound congestion which means you'll have to keep taking it in order to breathe properly even when your condition clears up.

An alternative that works very well as is much better for you (although its kinda gross at first) is nasal irrigation. http://www.neilmed.com/nz/sinusrinse_isotonic.php I have used this successfully in the past - and then I got sick, making me reach for the nasal spray again. Bad move. :(

Good luck, I know how frustrating it is when you can't sleep because you can't breathe properly.

ETA: Flixonase will fix the cause but not the symptoms. If you're after an imediately clear nose that lasts approximately 12 hours at a time, Dimetapp or Otrivin is the way to go.

Yes listen to this advice. Do not stay on a nasal spray for more than 3 days. I stayed on it for about a week and had a recurring blocked nose for weeks afterwards. Be very careful.

gjm

808 posts

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#1059130 4-Jun-2014 11:58

Demeter: Oh boy, do I know your pain. I'm chronically on nasal spray because it is the only thing that helps me sleep. I get claustrophobic to the extreme when I cannot breathe even out of one nostril. Please please please heed my warning, if you do decide to use nasal spray (I use Dimetapp) do not use it for more than 3 days consecutively. It is highly habit-forming, in the sense that it causes rebound congestion which means you'll have to keep taking it in order to breathe properly even when your condition clears up.

An alternative that works very well as is much better for you (although its kinda gross at first) is nasal irrigation. http://www.neilmed.com/nz/sinusrinse_isotonic.php I have used this successfully in the past - and then I got sick, making me reach for the nasal spray again. Bad move. :(

Good luck, I know how frustrating it is when you can't sleep because you can't breathe properly.

oh so much this...nasal spray is great for unblocking but only use for few days at most. I didnt heed the warning a few years back and ended up with random nose bleeds all the time, nose wouldnt unblock properly even when my cold had gone etc etc. Great for a couple of days but then stay away, even if nose is still blocked.

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MikeB4

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#1059131 4-Jun-2014 11:59

Demeter: Oh boy, do I know your pain. I'm chronically on nasal spray because it is the only thing that helps me sleep. I get claustrophobic to the extreme when I cannot breathe even out of one nostril. Please please please heed my warning, if you do decide to use nasal spray (I use Dimetapp) do not use it for more than 3 days consecutively. It is highly habit-forming, in the sense that it causes rebound congestion which means you'll have to keep taking it in order to breathe properly even when your condition clears up.

An alternative that works very well as is much better for you (although its kinda gross at first) is nasal irrigation. http://www.neilmed.com/nz/sinusrinse_isotonic.php I have used this successfully in the past - and then I got sick, making me reach for the nasal spray again. Bad move. :(

Good luck, I know how frustrating it is when you can't sleep because you can't breathe properly.

ETA: Flixonase will fix the cause but not the symptoms. If you're after an imediately clear nose that lasts approximately 12 hours at a time, Dimetapp or Otrivin is the way to go.

You should add a this is extremely GROSS warning to the Neilmed Nasal rinse,

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Demeter

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#1059133 4-Jun-2014 12:02

KiwiNZ: You should add a this is extremely GROSS warning to the Neilmed Nasal rinse,

It really is, hehe. But I can tell you from experience, you're willing to do just about anything no matter how gross it is if it promises to help you breathe.

robjg63

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#1059141 4-Jun-2014 12:35

Hey guys, you are mixing up the 4 types of nasal sprays.

Decongestant sprays
Short term use - a decongestant. Reduces swelling immediately and if used for more than a couple of days your sinus will get dependant on it.
When you stop taking them some swelling can occur - which might make you want to reach for them again cos you feel worse etc.
Its called a 'rebound' effect.

Antihistamine
For allergic reaction - use as prescribed should be fine.

Corticosteroid
Flixonase etc - its a mild steriod - not addictive - a few side effects - read the pamphlet - usually ok for a couple of months - used for seasonal hayfever etc takes up to a week to start working 100%

Saline
Salt water mix - actually washes things out - be careful about this - check online for recipes - you need non iodised salt and a little baking soda. Does generally make you feel better. But if you have an infection you need to be careful as your sinuses are damaged already - forcing saline water through 'could' cause you more problems if you arent carefull.

With sinus infections doctors sometimes prescribe a decongestant and a Corticosteriod based spray - the first one opens thing quick and you stop it after a couple of days. At the same time you take the second one because it takes 5 days or so to kick in properly. I have had this a few times - I hate sinus infections!

Personally - I find the best thing ever is to buy some tea tree oil (supermarkets/chemist).
Get a little bowl of boiling water and a towel.
Pop the boiling water in a bowl - chuck in a few drops of tea tree oil - stick the towel over your head and put your face over (not in!) the bowl of steamy water and breath deeply in through your nose and out your mouth.
It stinks like old leaves.
It stings your nose.
It will make you gag.
Your nose will water like crazy - but it works I swear!
Might take a couple of days but it works better than anything.

It is antibacterial apparently - so it will help.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

sittingduckz

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#1059146 4-Jun-2014 12:54

Do you have a master filter installed? You will get congestion due to the signal to nose ratio, also your internal wiring can cause issues if it snot up to scratch.

[Having a bad day - apologies for the pointless comment

]

I'm not a complete idiot, I still have some parts missing.

nigelj

856 posts

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#1059179 4-Jun-2014 13:35

sittingduckz: Do you have a master filter installed? You will get congestion due to the signal to nose ratio, also your internal wiring can cause issues if it snot up to scratch.

[Having a bad day - apologies for the pointless comment ]

Darn, someone beat me to the *DSL congestion joke, personally I was going to do something along the lines of Com Com, exchange backhaul, and line cards, oh well.

On topic, personally I've had the issue on a reasonably long term basis off & on and found that it's just a case of micro-managing the environment as much as possible, not so much dust etc, but temperature and breeze/condensation/humidity. Unfortunately the optimal conditions to prevent congestion seem to cause me to wake up with raging migraines, so it is relatively lose-lose.

ubergeeknz

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#1059183 4-Jun-2014 13:41

As a chronic sufferer of sinus infections myself, I can strongly recommend the neilmed sinus rinse. Do it twice a day (or more) and then keep on it if you get this sort of thing often, also useful for allergies.

But if you do this a few days and there is still green/yellow thick stuff coming out + sore face then you probably need antibiotics to help clear it up.

Batman

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#1059184 4-Jun-2014 13:46

ask for ENT referral. do you have health insurance? they will give you definite tests/answer. not geekzone.

nigelj

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#1059185 4-Jun-2014 13:52

joker97: ask for ENT referral. do you have health insurance? they will give you definite tests/answer. not geekzone.

Wait. This isn't Geekzone M.D.?

Batman

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#1059187 4-Jun-2014 13:57

blocked nose for the 2nd time in 5 years -> geekzone.

"for the past two weeks I have been sleeping about 3 hours a night until I just can't sleep anymore. Then I am up and miserable for the rest of the sleeping time - and then its time for work." -> consider ENT specialist

if it happens for the third time in 3 months -> 100% ENT specialist

brain abscess from chronic sinus infection -> neurosurgeon

howabout that ;p

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