Miserable with chronic stuffy nose - what can I do?

[Gastropod]

Dear all,

I've suffered on and off from allergic rhinitis for a few years. Seems to be worse at this time of year, when it's damp and mild in autumn/winter/spring. But usually comes and goes, so I can cope with it.

Anyway something set it off about 3 weeks ago and I've been absolutely miserable with a chronic, constant blocked nose every day since. Nothing seems to work.

• I'm taking a daily antihistamine - loratadine.
• I've tried saline sprays to irrigate the sinuses
• I've tried steam inhalations
• I've tried nasal decongestant sprays: they provide instant relief but I have realised they are actually making the problem worse in the longer run, plus you can't use them for more than a couple of days.

None of these things seem to make much difference. I'm constantly sniffing and blowing my nose. My nose is blocked again just seconds after blowing it. My right nostril is totally blocked all the time, can't even breathe through it. I wake up at night snuffling and sniffing.

It's driving me insane, feels like a perma-cold. I can't carry on like this! Is there anything else I can do? I'm desperate!

Watching as I've been having a streaming nose/ random sneeze attacks since it started getting autumnal. I'm very grateful it's not as bad as yours (sorry) but I've never been able to establish what sets it off...

Any ideas what it might be with you? I know clothes that haven't been worn or washed for a few months (eg winter jumpers, bedding) can set me off terribly - even sorting the kids' wardrobes.

It makes me slow to realise when I'm coming down with an actual cold, as well!

Neilmed irrigation bottles will absolutely wash out your sinuses although they are a bit of a faff. And the relief is temporary though welcome.
Decongestants always make me feel worse when they wear off.
Steroid sprays have to be discontinued every once in a while because the effect gets less after a while. But you can start them up again after a break.
Could you maybe have an infection this time? A dose of antibiotics might be what you need.
Have you been seen by an ent consultant? You might have a deviated septum. I had an op to get mine straightened, it helped.

Have you tried salt and warm water mixture inhale small amounts from a clean cupped hand? Really works for me

It's mushroom and mould season. I too suffer at this time of year. Luckily Benadryl seems to help me, but I do have a constant sore throat due to a constant post nasal drip ... Yuk

Do you know what specifically is causing the allergy? There are all sorts this time of year with mould spores and dust.

Thanks all - no specific source of the allergy identified, though I always suspected mould, and maybe dust. I had an allergy test done for something else a few months ago so they agreed to test for this too, but it was inconclusive, as it showed I was sensitive to various pollens that are in the air at other times of year but that in practice I don't actually seem to react to.

Hadn't considered antibiotics or steroids... I have been fobbed off by GPs in the past so I admit I haven't even bothered trying to get an appointment this time.

Maybe I should ask for a follow up, indeed. Not sure if it's an allergy specialist or an ENT specialist I should consider. NB I'm not in the UK though not far away, in a country with a similar climate. But I have more freedom to choose which medical specialist I consult here.

For the home remedies, I've not tried the irrigation bottles as such, but I use those Sterimar nasal sprays which I had thought have a similar effect. Maybe I need to branch out. Do they work better?

Today continues to be miserable though. Couldn't stand to work in the office as I hate sitting there sniffing and blowing my nose so have come home to work and am about to try another steam inhalation.

I suffer too. I use sterymr water spray and beconaise steroid spray. They seem to help

I recently had sinuses issues even taking a antihistimines.
The pharmacist suggested I take a headcold tablet which cleared my aching nostril.
Codral Day & Night.

Thanks, I'll have a look and see if there's something similar here. Am also going to check at the pharmacy whether there's a steroid spray I can get over the counter. And eye drops! And anything else they can give me...

With the bottle, you make up a 250ml saline solution in the bottle, tip your head down over a sink and gently squeeze the bottle into one nostril until it washes out of the other. You have to breathe through your mouth while you're doing this, it's not a pleasant sensation. Then repeat with the other nostril. So you are totally sluicing out those cavities. The sterimar is much easier but couldn't achieve the same level of cleansing because it's a spray. You have to use sterile water (boiled and cooled), and sterilise the bottle between uses (you can do it in the microwave). The salts come in little pre-measured packs which you add into the bottle and shake to dissolve.

Does it get worse towards evening? If so, you could read up on histamine intolerance

Nattokinase can clear nasal polyps. It helps my breathing. So does mullein leaf.

Nasonex - it's a steroid spray and it will take a few days to work but it's marvellous

Avamys nasal spray sorted my inflamed nose and sinuses, I think you have to get it on prescription

My husband uses a daily steroid nasal spray that is prescribed, have you been to the dr?

Thank you again for the helpful advice! I went to the pharmacy and got an over the counter steroid spray to use every day. Hopefully that will at least keep the worst of the symptoms at bay. And I'll look into the irrigation bottle too, sounds like it could be helpful as well.

I hadn't heard of histamine intolerance. Will research! It does feel more of a "seasonal" thing as it's definitely certain climate conditions that seem to make it worse but who knows. It's good to be informed.

Oh and yes I have mast cell activation disorder which is basically overactive immune System and histamine is released when it shouldn’t.

Alcohol, food, stress all can be triggers and include sinus inflammation

Try beconase that’s how I treated this. Nothing else worked.