Nasal decongestants!

[autumngirl714]

Good morning MNers!
For the past, almost 3 weeks I have had a terrible cold.
It started about 3 weeks ago, I seemed to recover but a week later I started feeling unwell again and this past week but nose has been permanently blocked.
I get so frustrated when my nose is blocked as I always loose my taste and I just cannot sleep when breathing through my mouth!

In the last I've used nasal decongestants, which have been an instant relief but I've always found that they make my nose blocked for longer... perhaps the spray irritated my nose more? I don't know.

I just can't bare this blocked nose any longer. I've never been so congested for so long!

I'm starting to wonder if I have a sinus infection it's that bad? I've also noticed little white spots coming and going on my tonsils, also my throat isn't really the problem!

What would you guys suggest. Do I get some relief from the nasal spray? Or if I've got a sinus infection will that make it worse?
I can't bare another day like this!!

I find nasal sprays absolutely useless, have tried so many different brands and not a single one helps. I use those Vicks nasal inhaler sticks as often as needed and a steam inhaler before bed and first thing in the morning.

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/3443121?istCompanyId=a74d8886-5df9-4baa-b776-166b3bf9111c&istFeedId=30f62ea9-9626-4cac-97c8-9ff3921f8558&istItemId=iwaaalapq&istBid=t&&cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59157%7Cacid:278-707-7346%7Ccid:20213315256%7Cagid:%7Ctid:%7Ccrid:%7Cnw:x%7Crnd:9255519674163028467%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:%7Cmt:%7Cloc:1007064&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20213315256&utm_term=3443121&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=&utm_custom2=278-707-7346&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0--6BhCBARIsADYqyL87KC078UfCmTjoaskdJKjEldxJx5m-puTDfWxo9HxXpzfSaelSGB0aAnLcEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

This is the one I use, you can just use tap water with it. Alternatively stick your head over a cup of boiling water with a teaspoon of vapour rub mixed in and save £30, both work great for my regular blockages

Try Sterimar nasal spray. Totally natural and it's like a salt rinse. I swear by it.

Continued use of other nasal unblockers can have a rebound effect. I'd avoid unless prescribed.

You should avoid anything with pseudoephedrine in unless very occasional (less than once a week) it works by making the blood vessels in the nose smaller so you have more room to breathe but the nose tries to get the right amount of blood so the blood vessels end up bigger when it wears off and your nose feels more blocked.

Ones with astrong smell to fool you into feeling like you can breathe better because you can smell are ok but, I think, don't actually make your nose less congested.

You could try a nasal rinse with salt water/neti pot.

Signs of an infection would be pain, yellow/green mucous/discharge something like that and you should get it checked at a GP.

Hope you feel better soon.

You should avoid anything with pseudoephedrine in unless very occasional (less than once a week) it works by making the blood vessels in the nose smaller so you have more room to breathe but the nose tries to get the right amount of blood so the blood vessels end up bigger when it wears off and your nose feels more blocked
This! I made the mistake to start using it daily, they twice a day then 3 times. It git to the point that after a couple of hours of using it my nose was completely blocked.

I finally went to the doctor abd he was horrified when I told him how long I'd been using it. He said I might as well have been snorting cocaine.

He told me to use steroid based spray (available over the counter ) but warned me it would take time to start working and in the meantime I'd have to live with a constant blocked nose.

It was horrible in the first 2 weeks or so but it then started to work. I still struggle with my nose being blocked due to allergies and at times, still use the decongestant but never ever more than a couple of times a week and never fir more than 2 weeks in a row.

Thank you all for your replies!
I'm my desperation I did reach for the nasal decongestant once, and then I've rode the rest out alone!
I too have had the steroid spray and the saline spray.... but nothing ever seems to help!
I can't remember the last time I've been so stuffed for such a long time, it was awful!
Even now my nose is still very snotty and green (yuk!). I do wonder if I've had a bit of a sinus infection, but I'm just hoping to be on the other side of it now!

Has anyone ever tried any mouth spray to use at bedtime to prevent dry mouth?

Have you tried Beconase?

Try Xlear nasal spray on Amazon - it’s saline with xylitol. I’ve used steroid and antihistamine sprays my entire life for allergies & a deviated septum and this is astonishingly good at clearing congestion. Xylitol is really good at clearing up snot.

That it really interesting to know.
I am quite prone to nosebleeds anyway, but I've come to realise that OTC decongestants bring them on, and this explains why.