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Original poster

Post-nasal drip driving me absolutely crazy

31 replies

Pegs11 · 15/10/2023 20:58

Hi, I’ve been living with post-nasal drip for about 13 years. Doctor suggested saline nasal rinses but I can’t tolerate them. GP won’t refer me to ENT because it’s not viewed as serious enough. But it’s got so bad over the past couple of months it is stopping me from getting to sleep and it’s driving me crazy, to the point I feel like I’m going to properly lose it and start screaming and smashing stuff. I’m just so uncomfortable and irritated by it ALL the time. And it’s worst at night because there is nothing to distract me from the discomfort.

Has anyone with post-nasal drip found a way to manage it or reduce it?

OP posts:
Mummy08m · 15/10/2023 20:59

Gaviscon

Greentomatoes21 · 15/10/2023 21:01

Humidifer over night? And a hayfever type nasal spray like beconase? (This builds up over about a fortnight betore seeing huge difference - not for long term use though).

bringmelaughter · 15/10/2023 21:02

What sort of saline rinses have you tried? Positive pressure bottles or gravity (Neti) type pots? What is it that you can’t tolerate?

They are an excellent treatment for post nasal drip so worth thinking about whether it could be adapted so you can tolerate.

RiderGirl · 15/10/2023 21:03

I feel like I was given a steroid nasal spray when I had it which sorted it, but I'd be surprised if you've not tried that already!

Sausagis · 15/10/2023 21:04

Air purifier helps me (mine being triggered by dust/environmental pollution).

Lyracappul · 15/10/2023 21:20

Ryaltris is a nasal spray that I heard health professionals discussing for nasal symptoms recently. Ask your GP about it ?

indianwoman · 15/10/2023 21:32

I'm prescribed Avamys for deterring sinusitis and it helps stop post nasal drip. I'm supposed to spray every day but forget sometimes. It does deter both.

Youneedtobelower · 15/10/2023 21:49

It's horrible

whysorude · 15/10/2023 21:56

My post-nasal drip stopped when I went dairy-free.

CrystalMaisie · 15/10/2023 21:57

Avoiding dairy worked for me.

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 15/10/2023 22:00

What do you mean you can't tolerate a nasal rinse? They are simple and pain free 🤔

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 15/10/2023 22:01

Also I read about milk/dairy causing things like this so maybe look at your diet and find out what is actually causing it

WhatToDoNoww · 15/10/2023 22:03

Pegs11 · 15/10/2023 20:58

Hi, I’ve been living with post-nasal drip for about 13 years. Doctor suggested saline nasal rinses but I can’t tolerate them. GP won’t refer me to ENT because it’s not viewed as serious enough. But it’s got so bad over the past couple of months it is stopping me from getting to sleep and it’s driving me crazy, to the point I feel like I’m going to properly lose it and start screaming and smashing stuff. I’m just so uncomfortable and irritated by it ALL the time. And it’s worst at night because there is nothing to distract me from the discomfort.

Has anyone with post-nasal drip found a way to manage it or reduce it?

Sorry to hear that. I know how horrible it is as I have similar on going issue. I went to see a doctor privately last week after years of suffering & was told its silent reflux after he checked my nose with a small camera. Please insist on being put on the ENT list. If you aren't getting anywhere with a phone call. Put it in writing & tell them it's affecting your mental health.
Do you have other symptoms? Eg dry throat, lump in the throat etc. I can send you the whole list I was handed at the appointment if you like? Air purifier & Gavison advance to start with untill you get checked. Hope you feel better soon.

Insommmmnia · 15/10/2023 22:03

Saline nasal spray with xylitol, i have no idea if the xylitol made a difference it was just the quickest nasal spray I could get delivered. Takes about 3 days to clear it up, it does come back occasionally but then the spray works again

oishutup · 16/10/2023 03:02

I have sinusitis / post nasal drip / allergies / asthma which give recurrent problems and I say a private specialist last week as I have got so fed up with the symptoms.

Things that usually work - avamys for 12 weeks - spraying morning and night religiously

  • using sterimar every day
  • avoiding dairy

But - I also found about LTR (laryngopharyngeal reflux) which also caused my post nasal drip. My hot lemon that I was drinking to soothe my throat was actually triggering the symptoms and constant clearing of my throat. So maybe look into that too?
Good luck.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 16/10/2023 06:58

whysorude · 15/10/2023 21:56

My post-nasal drip stopped when I went dairy-free.

So did mine, took 6 weeks along with steaming twice a day.

longwayoff · 16/10/2023 07:01

Have you tried an anti histamine?

Soontobe60 · 16/10/2023 07:03

Antihistamines work for me.

Franticbutterfly · 16/10/2023 07:06

I get this from some dairy and certain toothpastes. What happens when you do a water fast? (If you've ever tried it?).

Casdentwo · 16/10/2023 07:19

No cheese after lunch time ..game changer......stops within couple of days

Original poster
Pegs11 · 16/10/2023 12:04

Thank you for all the tips folks! I’m going to try them ALL. So desperate to be rid of this, or at least for it to reduce to a more tolerable level so I can get to sleep more easily.

I do hate the saline rinses as I find them just so salty and disgusting. But I wonder if perhaps I’ve been making them too strong. l will try a weaker dilution.

Giving up milk would be really difficult but I will try it for a few days and see if it has an impact.

I tried an antihistamine (Piritize) last night and I felt like it improved for about half an hour but then it came back.

As for reflux, I have been having Rennie tablets before bed but these don’t work. I’ve taken Omeprazole in the past for acid reflux but honestly I can’t remember if it helped with the post-nasal drip or not. I stopped taking them after a while as they are not very good for your gut in the long term. I will give the Gaviscon a go!

OP posts:
Chiaseedling · 16/10/2023 15:46

If you’ve had reflux in past, it prob hasn’t gone away and could be root cause of p-n drip.
get some gaviscon advance and check out Drs Koufman and Aviv online.

LeefsPrings · 16/10/2023 15:50

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 15/10/2023 22:00

What do you mean you can't tolerate a nasal rinse? They are simple and pain free 🤔

I can't stand them either.

longwayoff · 16/10/2023 16:11

Have just recommended Silicol gel to my daughter for reflux. Google it. Buy some. Try it. Take an antihistamine before or after food. Take Silicol after food. I hope this helps.

inloveandmarried · 16/10/2023 16:17

RiderGirl · 15/10/2023 21:03

I feel like I was given a steroid nasal spray when I had it which sorted it, but I'd be surprised if you've not tried that already!

I had post nasal drip all my life and it came to a head when my throat started closing up spontaneously 30 years later. It was horrible and I'd pass out and wet myself before my vocal cords relaxed again so I could breathe.

The ENT prescribed nasal steroid drops for two weeks then a nasal steroid spray daily.

This has sorted the issue out effectively.

You can get nasal steroid spray from your GP without seeing ENT.

Explain to your GP that the nasal wash hasn't helped and you need more to dampen down the inflammation. Ask if you could try the steroid spray for a few months to see if it helps.

It takes 12 weeks to really make a difference.

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