Unfortunately I don't have insurance so I've been trying to go this on my own. I have had surgery twice on the right side of my head to open up the sinuses. They were so blocked that they had to drill a hole in my forehead to get to the upper sinuses on that side. Everything was OK for a while than I started to have flare ups - mostly with charges in the weather. I have also had a terrible problem with congestion - but not drainage - if that makes sense. No runny nose and nothing running down the back of my throat. But my nose is so plugged up and it dry so I can't blow it. I have a Neti pot and often I'm so congested that I have to fill the pot more than once - for one side - to break up the congestion. At first I won't be congested for a couple of days but now within and hour or two of using the pot I am congested again. This fall/winter I've been miserable that weather changes at least twice a week - or so it seems. Each change wipes me out and they are getting worse. Sinus pressure, head aches, tooth aches and I think this last time it moved into my chest. I take a minimum of 4000mg of C, 100mg of zinc along with other supplements. I've tried psudoepedrine, diphenhydramine, loratadine, NasalCrom, Flonase, SneezEze and when it really gets bad and I know that I have an infection GSE (grapefruit seed extract). Steams seems to help short term. Have I missed something short of going to the doctor - which I really can't afford right now.
Marc
2006-12-16 12:15:12 · 4 answers · asked by Marc 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
I'm wondering if you might have other underlying issues.
Airborne Allergies can be signs of hidden food allergies. These hidden food allergies are often "mild food allergies" but can cause the sinus congestion, headaches, tooth aches, and chest congestion.
See the following link for more symptoms:
http://www.womentowomen.com/inflammation/allergysymptoms.asp
That this seems to be a continuous problem, I'd look into foods that you probably eat daily. Such as eggs, milk, wheat, corn, soy/peanut.
You may want to try avoiding all of these for a month, and see if there is any improvement. It can take up to two weeks to see major improvement, but you should hopefully see it in a few days.
After avoiding it for a month or so, try adding it back in (with benadryl handy) one food (as pure form as possible) every 3 days. Record any symptoms. I'd also recommend keeping a food/enviromental contact journal as well. You may eventually see patterns of foods relating to worse vs better days.
Up until a year ago, I used to be on Zyrtec, Nasacort AQ, Patanol, Psuedophed, Guaifenesin, and occaisionally an inhaler. After finding my food allergies and avoiding them, I'm now drug-free and breathing fine.
2006-12-18 01:07:53 · answer #1 · answered by V 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Marc! All I want to recommend to you is to see a board-certified allergist when you can. They focus on non-surgical treatment of allergy and sinus disease, and they have excellent tips on treatment and prevention of severe nasal congestion. You are doing great with sinus irrigation, but this is obviously not enough. For example, if you have dust mite allergy, and your pillows, mattress and comforter are over 6 months old (and you have not put dust mite proof allergy encasings on them (available at Kmart, Walmart, and Target, for example)), then you are getting significant exposure and will not likely ever clear up. Also, it's important that you do not have nasal polyps causing the congestion, which can worsen with certain oral medications in some people. No insurance makes it difficult, but board-certified allergists can keep the costs down by offering medical, non-surgical evaluation and treatment and refer you to surgery only as a last resort. If you can invest in encasings, or at least new pillows, it should help if you have dust mite allergy as a start.
Good luck!
2006-12-16 13:18:06 · answer #2 · answered by fixafriend 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Honestly you are doing the only thing that I would have suggested which is the Neti Pot. Those make a big difference. if that isn't taking care of it I think you may need to see the doctor again unfortunately.
2006-12-16 12:27:02 · answer #3 · answered by courtneyc2002 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Resolving the ailment from the source is the main effective medical look after my section...... check out lactose intolerance ..... sinus themes are notoriously concerning to unaddressed lactose intolerance.... as are acid reflux ailment, severe belching and gassiness, bloating and cramping and constipation themes, fatigue and exhaustion after eating, achy bones, insomnia, temper swings, irritability, problems and migraines, small pellet formed stools, mucous on your stools etc.etc..... it costs around $70.00AUD to get hydrogen breath examined for lactose intolerance...... contained meanwhile attempt removing milk and dairy for some days and see in the experience that your indications hamper any..... and improve your intake of sparkling low sugar end result like berries and watermelon and clean eco-friendly salad vegies........ wealthy in calcium and magnesium nutrition C and fibre too. attempt eating purely unprocessed ingredients which you have arranged your self for each week .... and get your bounce back. peace
2016-10-05 09:56:03 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋