Severe allergic rhinitis help

[SJ789]

I'm really hoping someone can help! I suffer with very severe allergic rhinitis every year during hayfever season, each year it seems to get worse. It gets to a point where I literally cannot get any air in through my nose, I can only breathe through my mouth.

I have tried every antihistamine, nose spray I can get my hands on and nothing gives me proper relief. I only have one nose spray I have found that gives me slight relief for maybe a couple of hours, and the bottle says it should not be used more than 7 days in a row but I have had to use it since the beginning of June continuously.

I had a telephone appointment with a doctor the other week explaining how bad the situation was and that it is really affecting my life now it's been going on so long and my sleep is constantly interrupted because I cannot breathe properly. He didn't listen to a word I said, could not get me off he phone quick enough and was quite frankly just rude, tried to prescribe me tablets I've had before and know do not work, then just "prescribed" me a nose spray that isn't even on prescription, it can just be bought off the shelf. He didn't listen when I told him I have tried all these sprays before and none work.

I'm at a complete loss of what to do! I'm utterly fed up of not being able to breathe properly and sounding like I have a constant cold for months during summer! I have even shone a torch up my nose and can quite clearly see on the right side especially just how swollen it is inside, there is only the tiniest gap for air to travel through!

Sorry for the long rant! I just wondered if anyone else suffers like this and what do you do!? Are there any solutions or can you give me any advice on getting a doctor to take me seriously!? I've lost all faith in mine through multiple appalling visits.

Thank you!

[superstar63]

Watching with interest as I have allergic rhinitis and not had much luck with prescribed antihistamines or nasal sprays. Just ordered some Loratadine to see if that helps.

[gigibea]

I have rhinitis, it's particularly bad at the moment because of the pollen.

I've tried all the sprays, daily antihistamine and steaming but no relief. My nose looks really puffy at the moment also!? Not sure if this is normal but it's bloody miserable.

I have antibiotics to use if a sinus infection starts but touch wood no signs of infection just stuffy and puffy!

[190190tnt]

He was referred to a paediatric allergy consultant, did some skin prick tests but it just confirmed what we already knew, we have another appointment in a couple of months, I will ask about immunosuppresant therapy

[LaingsAcidTab]

Have you been to an ENT?

[190190tnt]

DS has really bad hay fever can barely see, eyes streaming, lips swelling, excessive sneezing has had to take up to 4 antihistamines on occasions. Dymista was recommended but surprised to see it has some sort of scent, the last thing you want to stick up an already inflamed nose! DS tried it but couldn't tolerate it and immediately sneezed it all out! He has also been prescribed montelukast, but I have seen online it has been linked to mental health problems, suicidal thoughts so am going to discuss this at his next appointment. In the meantime, daily struggle to keep hayfever at bay - am now going to try red light therapy using nasal probes...

[sciencepotato]

I have a similar routine and also find it's keeping my asthma at bay. Did you ever need to change this routine because of pregnancy?

[sciencepotato]

I love dymista, it's been a game changer for my asthma and rhinitis. Did you use it in pregnancy too?

[Sooverthemill]

I have bad all year round allergic rhinitis and now use a salt wash frequently when it's really bad, wash my face and hands frequently and use loratadine every single day plus a nasal spray from the GP Mometasone 50 micro grams. This sorry has revolutionised my life and has definitely reduced the amount of ventolin I need to us when the allergy is really bad. Using Sudafed or similar wasn't working at all so I went to GP in desperation.

[SJ789]

@YeahNahWhal I am currently trying to not use any sprays for this week to see if maybe I have caused it myself from overuse of the one spray I do use. So far it is starting to feel easier during the day to breathe but the swelling is still there. I struggle most at night I find it's like my nostrils just close up, don't know whether it's because I'm lying down!?

@3ormore3 he was going to give me phexofenodine (might have spelt incorrectly!) I had these tablets a few years ago and not only did I struggle to actually swallow them, when I did they made no difference unfortunately

@Redannie118 I have heard of steroid sprays which is what I thought I might need, if it doesn't go away this week as I try and go cold turkey (!) on sprays then I will push for one


Thanks everyone for suggestions on different sprays 🙏🏻 I will have a look into them! I haven't tried the washing with saline solution just yet as the thought of it makes me feel weird and I'm scared I'll choke or something stupid!! But if all else fails I'll definitely try it! I just want a peaceful nights sleep without waking up 5 or 6 times with a completely dry mouth/lips from breathing through my mouth because my nose is blocked!

[Redannie118]

Mine is by Beconase and its beclomelasone dipropionate 50 mcg/ spray

[dizzycatdance2]

In addition to.the great advice given by others on here.


Have you tried a nasal wash, saline based ? No chemicals/ drugs as such.

This won't calm down a reaction but , for me, the daily washing through reduced the flare ups starting in the first place.

Another thought, if you have trouble outside of hayfever season might you have some nasal polyps. Higher instances of these if you have other nasal issues.

Just a thought.

Hope you can get some relief soon.

[firecracker69]

I too suffer badly with severe allergic rhinitis. I used a great steroid spray for years but it stopped being produced a couple of years back. I struggled immensely since then, trying various other the counter sprays and every god given prescribed one going. Nothing worked. Then recently a friend gave me one of her spare steroid sprays: Ayamys. I've not looked back since. It's brilliant.

It's a pain in the arse trying to speak to my doctor at present. Luckily you can buy this (along with many other prescribed meds) online. I got mine from clickchemist.co.co.uk. It cost £12.89. You need to answers some medical related questions online before you can order it. Pretty straight forward. There are several other chemists online that offer this service, which is a godsend at the minute.

[Pmspam]

What have they given you? I had similar and now have Dymista (prescription) which is AMAZING - no more sinus related migraine, no need to take the tablet antihistamine that knocks me senseless.

[Mothersruin123]

@Redannie118

You need a steroid nasal spray. A high strength one only the gp can give you. I had chronuc rhinitis for years that developed into nasty bouts of sinusitis. When i was given the spray i was really sceptical, but wow total game changer ! Cleared my nose up within days and nowadays i manage with just a antihistamine tablet daily. Ive got the spray on repeat and if my nose starts, i use it and within a day or so its gone again. Well worth a try. If gp is not forthcoming ask for one.

Can I ask what nasal spray you use? I have year round rhinitis which has also been unbearable this summer (tends to be better in office with aircon). I use nasofan and daily antihistamine at the moment but whilst it's making a small difference, I'm still struggling to breathe through my nose a lot of the time.

[BA13]

Sterimar? Have you tried that?

[yikesanotherbooboo]

Sympathies , it's awful. Next year start your treatment at least 2 weeks before you are likely to start getting symptoms.
For now, daily steroid nasal spray , daily antihistamine, sunglasses outside, be scrupulous about hand and face washing when you come in from outside and ideally change your clothes.

[Redannie118]

You need a steroid nasal spray. A high strength one only the gp can give you. I had chronuc rhinitis for years that developed into nasty bouts of sinusitis. When i was given the spray i was really sceptical, but wow total game changer ! Cleared my nose up within days and nowadays i manage with just a antihistamine tablet daily. Ive got the spray on repeat and if my nose starts, i use it and within a day or so its gone again. Well worth a try. If gp is not forthcoming ask for one.

[3ormore3]

Which tablets did he prescribe you?

[YeahNahWhal]

Have you been using a nasal decongestant? Rebound congestion is very real, that's why you can't use them more than a few days in a row, it just makes your symptoms worse.

If it's not rebound congestion, have you tried nasal rinses with saline sachets? I find a combo of oral antihistamine, nasal rinse, gently blow nose (that's important, it irritates my sinuses otherwise) then nasal antihistamine like azep or nasonex.

I have to switch up the antihistamines until I find the one that works for the pollen/grass/leaf litter issue of the season.

If all that fails, ask to see an allergist about immunotherapy.