sinus hell

I have had sinusitis and blocked nasal passages for years, made worse by using beconase nasal spray which was repeatedly recommended by some GPs. Eventually I was referred to ENT and the consultant prescribed steroid sprays, however she advised that nasal irrigation was more effective than medication. I tried the nasal irrigation using NeilMed nasal rinse kit (e.g. available from Amazon) and already after the first use, my nasal passages felt so much freer. I have used it since, initially daily but now once every week or so and I am almost back to normal (I did not use the prescribed meds). I can blow my nose again, I can breathe freely, I sleep better and the accumulation of mucus in my throat has gone. The NeilMed kit is based on the same principle as the Neti Pot system but I find it easier to use, less messy as the opening of the spout of the Neti Pot feels too large for my nostrils. I also use Stérimar salt water spray to help clear my nose if required.

I had chronic sinusitis while hooked on dairy with cheese, ice cream and coffee frappes being the biggest culprits. I gave up dairy, meat, and gluten 25+ years ago and never suffered again. Dairy is the #1 cause of sinus and breathing difficulties. Treat the cause, not the symptoms. Try it for 10 days and see how you feel. It won't cost you anything. That's the real test. There was no going back for me. Like you, I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. Good luck!

The only thing that ever worked for me in 40 years was Sudafed Congestion and Headache relief. I don't have frontal sinuses as seen on a skull x ray !"

I feel for you. Sinusitis is a miserable condition.

I don't want to sound patronising but I haven't had it now for a few years.

I have de-dusted my house to reduce triggers. I now use allergy Henry to get rid of the slightest dust. I clean my curtain and shampoo my carpets and soft furniture twice a year. I keep my bedroom well- ventilated (always leave the door open even if just a little) and wash my bedding regularly. Open windows in all living areas.

I prempt an episode by taking de-congestants as soon as I get the tell-tale signs. I only take sinutab as some will make you drowsy.

I steer away from milk, cheese and dairy and drink herbal teas.

I recently bought a bamboo pillow and this has been a big help too.

Hope you get some relief soon. There is nothing worse.

Hi, I used to be in a lot of pain from sinusitis and eventually followed advise and cut out all dairy products. This was a while ago but now I am completely free from it and my breathing is normal. Even the odd cold or two is not that bad.
I would definitely recommend trying this, be patient as it isn't instant.

Busy bee I can sympathise with you. I use to suffer with sinus problems but I was going to an oesteopath to have my back done. He asked me how I was and I told him I would be better without sinus problems. He said forget your back this week I can sort your sinuses. Apparently he was an acupuncturist too. He did what he had to and went away still suffering with bad back and sinuses. When I woke next day my nose run like a tap but from that day I haven’t had sinus problems. 10 years on😀

Try sterimar it's a salt solution you can buy over the counter without prescription . ENT suggested it as well as steam with menthol crystals be careful to shut your eyes !

I had the neilsmed sinus rinse bottle with the salt sachets but I found my nose became painfully dry and caused nose bleeds so gave up with it.
I have annual rhinitis as well as other allergies and people do not realise how miserable it makes every day life.
I am dairy free, lactose intolerant since I was a child, drink plenty of water and have tried every cure under the sun including homeopathy on the NHS a few decades back.

Very interesting,I have slightly different symptoms, nasal passages always feel very dry and one side is usually blocked especially when lying down. On turning over blocked side changes.
When I do have a cold no runny nose, never have to use tissues but sinus headaches, toothache lasts for weeks. Very little sense of smell and a problem with one ear which won't pop so slightly muffled permanently .
I saw an ENT consultant years ago who said could see scarring of the tubes and the ears do take time to clear, but no treatment or other recommendations.
If I have a cold I use a decongestant spray only a few times as not sure if I could be making things worse.
I can live with it, but it's awful, dry eyes(snoring too!)
NHS has worse to deal with, so many desperate and in pain.

That’s horrible for you busybee6969. It’s a vile thing. I’ve had sinus problems since having my first child in my 20s. My then GP prescribed Otrivine nasal drops. He told me to continue using them but to buy them myself which I did for three years, (I asked him if this was safe and he said no problem). Otrivine ruined my nose lining. Beware of these, although I’d hope the ingredients would be better now, but using them constantly for three years resulted in a huge and very unpleasant operation and 8 days in hospital away from my 3 year old. It’s awful when you can’t breathe through your nose. One consultant said ‘just breathe through your mouth at night then’ as if that’s going to be any help 🙄. Some good suggestions on this thread though.

PS, I was also told by a subsequent doctor never to use a nasal rinse aid as I have tinnitus and it would, or could, make it much worse. Anybody with tinnitus found that?

I feel your pain, I have perennial rhinitis, had allergy tests, steroid nasal sprays, even had my sinuses washed out under anaesthetic and the inside of my nose trimmed to no avail. I used to get recurrent infections but now I have one every couple of years if that. I use Sterimar, it's a natural saltwater spray, no steroids which you can buy online or from most chemists, I also use a facial steamer with a nose attachment and use just water to steam with. That has made mine so much better and without any side-effects. I hope you find relief soon.

Ellylanes1

Very interesting,I have slightly different symptoms, nasal passages always feel very dry and one side is usually blocked especially when lying down. On turning over blocked side changes.
When I do have a cold no runny nose, never have to use tissues but sinus headaches, toothache lasts for weeks. Very little sense of smell and a problem with one ear which won't pop so slightly muffled permanently .
I saw an ENT consultant years ago who said could see scarring of the tubes and the ears do take time to clear, but no treatment or other recommendations.
If I have a cold I use a decongestant spray only a few times as not sure if I could be making things worse.
I can live with it, but it's awful, dry eyes(snoring too!)
NHS has worse to deal with, so many desperate and in pain.

My symptoms exactly - at night one side blocked, turn over and I can feel the blockage sliding to the other side, but blowing my nose has no effect, really frustrating. I know that there any many worse off but it doesn’t help when your sleep is interrupted several times each night. I have tried everything mentioned here, as well as cranial osteopathy, this did help for a while, but the symptoms have returned and I can’t afford to go back for another course of treatment. My GP told me to take an anti histamine before bed, that works most nights, but not all.

This is an interesting thread - thanks for starting OP, although I’m sorry you’re suffering. I’ve been through similar experience, but after a year long wait to see ENT the young whippersnapper of a consultant who saw me gave me a leaflet on SILENT REFLUX. He said the camera showed little and sent me away with a squirty salt water thing for up my nose (no use for me sadly) and my leaflet. Silent reflux is when stomach acid leaks out at night and travels up to the pharynx and can set up irritation in throat, nasal passages and ultimately sinuses.
I’ve been treating myself for that (two pillows, no large meals at night etc etc) and its helped no end. Just a thought.

Sasta

PS, I was also told by a subsequent doctor never to use a nasal rinse aid as I have tinnitus and it would, or could, make it much worse. Anybody with tinnitus found that?

I only used a simple nasal wash once. No fancy stuff- just some salt water in the palm of my hand. It was messy but it worked.
I also have tinnitus and suffer with eye and ear problems. No issues this winter though, as I have kept my house warm whereas previously I was trying to save money and I had terrible tinnitus, sinusitis and impacted ear wax.

It has cost more, but kept me well!

I used the kit Welshy mentioned but after a while the mixture burned when I used it so just went with sea salt instead,you can get those kits at Costco,but honestly I don’t think that would help as yours sounds so awful.I read the other day chewing gum helps to clear sinuses but again I don’t think that will help you——— the whole thing sounds horrible I really hope you get to see a Specialist that can sort it out

I know this is an odd question but .....'Does the clear fluid coming from your nose taste of salt water?'

Sinuses washout only lasts years. Try rubbing Vicks Vaporub behind your ears and pulse points, and on the soles of your feet, then wear socks before you lie down. Too early to go swimming, but that helps, I find. If you make a saturated solution of kitchen salt, and gargle, it might help, especially of you learn how to expel the liquid through your nose.

Sympathies with everyone suffering. I had this last month. It started with what I can only describe as sensitive teeth. I wasn't sure what it was until a week later when it became apparent it was sinusitis. I found salt water sniffs, gargling with salt water, drinking lemon and honey drinks and paracetamol helped. It was horrendous though and seemed to go on and on with what I can only describe as nuclear reactive fluorescent snot towards the end which did strangely bring relief! I am still weirdly experiencing sensitive gums (but not teeth) I'm not sure if this is related or not. Has anyone else experienced this?( It may not be connected ) I'm lucky at my age (late 50s) I still haven't lost any teeth or had a filling, although I shall be sure to mention this to my dentist if it persists as I have a check up early July

Croatia, oh yes the florescent horrible snot! I could hardly believe the colour.
Interesting my father (who suffered with sinus problems) years ago bent down from the waist and when straightening up again had a real gush of totally clear water/liquid from his nose. The odd thing was it was icy cold, how can that be when it's inside your body?? I remember it happening vividly. Very strange.
Yes I have the sore gums too.

Floz,
How interesting, I do suffer from acid reflux, so I will follow your lead and fingers crossed. Thankyou

Ellylanes I too had slightly blocked ears and loss of smell for a while though fully back to normal now. I have to admit I did do the salt water sniffing 5-7 times a day far more than recommended but the stuff that came out made it worth it. My husband ended up going to the doctor's and was prescribed a steroid spray, he had slightly different symptoms than me though and a very bad cough (he still has a lingering cough). Weirdly he said I developed a snore too ( not something I've had before!)

I have had post-nasal drip for the last two or more years. I have just started taking an anti-histamine to see if that helps as my blocked nose affects my sleep and makes me keep waking up.

Croatia1 - what as the proportion of salt to water when you did the salt water sniffing and did you use distilled water or boiled water that had cooled, please?

Can you describe how the salt sniffing works as I would like to try it? Otherwise I shall have to try I am also going to try the NeilMed sinus rinses but am worried about them as I hate the sensation of water in my nose and I am prone to nosebleeds because of having to take blood thinners.

Many thanks.

Hi Rambling rose I used about three quarters of a teaspoon of salt with full cup of boiled water and then let it cool (if you can use it while it's tepid that's great). I then block one nostril pour some salty water into the other cupped hand and take a large sniff in. Use same side cupped hand as nostril. It's best to do this over the sink and have a tissue ready to gently blow your nose after each nostril is done. Repeat with other nostril. The salt water solution should be enough to do several times a day, add a tiny bit of freshly boiled water if it's too cold. I think there are instructions on the NHS website (although I think from memory they also add bicarb? not sure why, the method I use my grandfather used to use, he lived till 96 and went over 85 years without seeing a doctor so didn't do him any harm!). It just feels a bit like when you go swimming and get water up your nose. Let me know how it goes.

Goodness, what an interesting thread! So much to relate to, but in particular Ellylanesl. I’ve got every single symptom, Elly. Didn’t we used to call it catarrh years ago? I can also add pressure in my ears which I’ve had for years, plus a muffled sort of whoosh. And then, on top of everything, a balance problem when the crystals in my inner ear become disturbed. Poor old soul! But seriously, lots of helpful hints here that I’ve never heard of, I’ve just been soldiering on …