I Cant' Breathe....:(

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DoeZ0763

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Ok...I've suffered from severe allergies 24/7 all year round for more than 25 yrs. Just when I thought things were looking up...I didn't have to get my shots anymore...I weened myself off of my nose sprays and allergy pills and now I'm back to where I can't breathe. My nose is so stuffed up its unreal. I can't take the allegra-d anymore cuz it gives me migraines...and allegra does nothing...does anyone have any suggestions? I can't get in to see my Dr. until Dec. I was thinking of the OTC Claritan? Never tried it but I'm getting desperate. I've been spraying my nose with AFRIN every day for weeks now and I know I'm abusing it...but I can't breathe. Help.....:(
 
STOP the Afrin. It is giving you a rebound effect. It is actually causing the congestion!
Try a saline spray - I use Ayr. A neti pot or some sort of full irrigation will help too. Also, give zyrtec a try - it's OTC now. But drop the Afrin. There was a spray that was invented to get peoole off Afrin - maybe Nasalcrom? You could ask the pharmacist but my sister used it years ago to break the Afrin addiction....worked well for her.
 
Thanks...I've been on this AFRIN for some time...and when I say some time I'm talking more than 1 month...lots more...I have some prescribed nose sprays but I look for the quick fix and thats when I get hooked. Just put a call into the Dr. for a new script called XYZAL...never tried this before but reading up on it you take it at night when allergies start up and its basically I believe for the nose but is oral. At this point I'd try anything.

I've never tried Zyrtec or Claratin...which is better? I also put an old air purifier and I put some vapo like crystals in another ait purifier...and I did just sleep for almost 4 hours...

Thanks for your help...I really appreciate it.:dizzy:
 
I use zyrtec. Claritin never worked for me but everyone is different. And my sister was on Afrin for years - not months. Saline rinses and sprays will do just as much good and more than the Afrin. You need to get off it....
 
Update...Since I posted my original question...the same day I got myself a cool mist humidifier(I live in an old house and never feel I can breathe right) also the vicks waterless vaporizer...zyrtec and sudafed and my prescription patanase(nose spray). I slept great the 1st night(finally) and did not use the Afrin. I'm blowing my nose and mucus is finally lettiing lose...both throat and nose. I actually have been on the Afrin for years on and off. I know I shouldn't be using it but it's a quick fix for me to breathe. I honestly think I have a deviated septom(sp?) in the right nostril only because this is the side that is always plugged no matter what. I'm taking the sudafed every 4-6 hours and zyrtec morning and night. So I'm contiplating on whether I should see a nose specialist also for this reason. I can breathe when I go downstairs (main floor) but when I go upstairs thats when I get all stuffed up. I'll stay on this routine until I can breathe totally without any of these crutches. I did use a nasal saline and I when I put it in the right nostril it drained my left no problem but when I put it in my left nostril to drain my right side it went right down my throat(and I choked) and really plugged my right ear which was in tremendous pain from this. This is why I feel I have a problem with the right nostril more so than anything. So I'm afraid of the nasal saline. The pain was alot. Just wanted to update you and see if you had any other suggestions or keep it up. Thanks for all your suggestions:wave:
 
If you are taking Zyrtec and Sudafed, you are probably att he limit of what OTC stiff can do.

You need to stop the Afrin, it will be hard for the first 24 hours, then get much better.

Try buying some Sudafed 12 Hour, rather than regular Sudafed.

Ask your doctor for a steroid nasal spray, there are a few diferent ones, and they are amazingly effective at corabatting nasal congestion. They take a day or two to take effect, but after that, they can control your allergies realy well.
 
Titchou is exactly right about the Afrin. If you've been using it for weeks it is likely that the Afrin is causing your congestion, not the allergies.

For the allergies, the best course of treatment is probably Zyrtec every day (it does seem to be stronger than Claritin but makes some people a bit drowsy), a daily nasal steroid spray (Flonase, Rhinocort AQ) and daily use of a neti pot or SinusRinse bottle.

Xyzal is a topical antihistamine spray that may also help but you'll have to give it some time to see how it compares to an oral antihistamine. You may be better off using a steroid spray that will help reduce the inflammation.

At this point, until you get off of the Afrin, there's no way to tell how much of your issue is rebound congestion from the Afrin and how much is allergies so it's tough to know exactly what will work best.
 
You might see an ENT to determine if you do in fact have a deviated septum. It may also be your turbinates or some other structural issue. My sister had some scar tissue that was blocking one side.
 
Widening the opening to your right nostril, through septum surgery, may make breathing a little better, but it won't stop or reduce the swelling in your sinus and nasal merabranes. If you do decide to have surgery to the opening of your right nasal passage, make sure that you understand the benefits and the risks. Ask the ENT if he thinks that surgery will solve your problems. It might make your problems worse.



The Eustachian Tubes, which flow into the middle ears, have their opening near the bottom, back of the throat, somewhat even with the nostrils. If a lot of liquid gets into the nasal passages, it could get into the Eustachian Tubes and cause all kinRAB of misery, so one should be careful to follow safe instructions when doing any kind of nasal rinse.
 
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