Sinus issues and asthma

[Lizzog]

I had a flare up of my asthma last week and ended up on a short course of prednisolone which thankfully has now finished. The virus that I've had seems to have now moved from my lungs into my sinuses - I've had many issues with my sinuses over the years - this virus is the gift that keeps giving!!

Does anyone have any suggestions - I'm currently on Fostair for my asthma - I gave up taking Montelukast as it didn't seem to help much and am now on a nasal spray and take the natural Sterimar one and do steam inhalations with menthol crystals.

Anything else that I'm missing? I'm still feeling a bit out of breath, but doesn't feel like my asthma at all now, it really does feel like my sinuses.

I've managed to get an appointment with a nurse on Friday morning so will see what she says too - but any words of wisdom gratefully appreciated in the meantime!! My head feels so stuffy!

[Itswonderful]

I empathise! There are breathing exercises that can help. Also Neilmed nasal rinse gets in more than Sterimar so that’s worth a go. It might be useful to do the rinse before you use your steroid nasal spray. There’s probably lots of inflammation hanging around too. Good luck.

[Koala365]

I suffer a lot from sinus issues and often the only thing that will resolve them is 2 weeks of some specific antibiotics - either doxycycline or augmentin. It has to be 2 weeks (or more) as one week doesn't seem to take the inflammation down fully and kill the bugs off and the sinus infection just comes back again. I have found that other antibiotics are not as good for sinus issues. If you do get prescribed doxycycline though I would take it after food or it can make you throw up. While inhaling can be good in the early stages of sinus issues, I have never been able to hold off a sinus infection by doing it, sadly. I hope you get it sorted. Sinus issues are just horrible.

[Jimmy-Lyden in reply to Koala365]

Regarding Doxycycline, make sure you take it with PLENTY water (a full glass at least). I was taking it with a gulp of water and kept getting stomach cramps. I read the instructions and there it was, plenty of water. It works, no more cramps.

Doh!

[Koala365 in reply to Jimmy-Lyden]

Yes, I agree. Also I really shouldn't have taken it with just water on an empty stomach then immediately tried to eat some tomato soup the first time I ever took it...that ended in disaster for me and my dining room carpet 😒

[Ts777]

it might be worth giving sterimer a go? I swear by it, I use the pressurised can version.

[Lizzog]

Thanks all - I'm upping my sterimar - I didn't get on with the Neilmed unfortunately, but might dig it out and give it a go! I think it's the classic Autumn allergy stuff at the moment and as you say a lot of inflammation going on still. Going to visit the nurse tomorrow just to check on my chest and see if any more that they can do!

[Celie1]

Hi, you have my sympathy, I get sinusitis too.

I use Neilmed nasal rinse every day and that seems to lessen the severity of sinusitis. I’ve tried the Sterimar, but find it doesn’t quite get up the nasal passages.

I use steam inhalation too (although I know this is a trigger for some people) but it helps when my head is dizzy and fogged up. I also try to drink lots more water.

Hope it clears up soon.

[Lizzog]

Thanks - I'm getting sinus pressure on the top of my head and in my nasal cavities but don't feel like it's infected at the moment. It does seem to take some getting rid of and seems to make me feel breathless - I think it is that rather than asthma at the moment- does anyone else feel breathless with sinus problems?

[Headcase1234 in reply to Lizzog]

you sound like me 😩 it’s miserable and antibiotics really are what clears it and I agree 2 weeks is not enough but my gp won’t prescribe it only ever been able to get it from the hospital. My chronic sinusitis/allergic rhinitis is what has caused the asthma as I never had it before but the constant sinusitis and post nasal drip and a lack of being able to get any air in leaves me short of breath. Nelimed is awful but sterimar is good have you tried the congestion one it seems to work better when really blocked. I have recently been given the montelukast it helped my breathing but made me feel awful tired achey and week plucking up the strength to try cutting them up so I take a smaller dose at first my doc said it sometimes helps people with allergic asthma which is what mine is

[Lizzog in reply to Headcase1234]

I’m going to see if I can get the Montelukast prescribed again tomorrow 👍

[Aisling30]

hi Lizzog, I have had asthma since I was 5 years old. I am now 70. I have been on loads of different inhslers ovrr the years crom Intal to Foradil. I tried Relvar which was supposed to be a miracle inhaler but did nothing for me. I think it was a bit psychological for me since you only took in once in 24 hours. At the moment I am in Symbicort which is good but I was still getting breathless but two months ago my GP prescribed Montelukast. I didn't find any improvement until the last 10 days when I find I can walk without getting out of breath. Apparently it is a slow release tablet. a friend of mine who is a nurse said it can take anything from a week to 3 minths to work. i find I sleep better at night since taking it. Hope my reply helps in some way. I also take one puff of Atrovent if I need it and of course I have a nebuliser which fortunately I very rarely have to use.

[Lizzog in reply to Aisling30]

Thanks - I'm going to mention it to the nurse tomorrow - I might like to give Montelukast another try - I didn't feel it helped massively and now I'm on a nasal spray and that hasn't done much either!

[STH1234]

I'd perhaps start the montelukast again see if that help with the chest maybe speak to astmah nurse about other options I use a nasal spray that's good I'll find out when I'm back home from work.

[Lizzog in reply to STH1234]

Thanks!

[Hazel1010]

hi, I’m using a spray from the docs calledAv Avamys which seems to work really good for my sinus problems 😊

[Lizzog in reply to Hazel1010]

I’m on this too but normally it helps but this has been a flare up so needed something a bit stronger

[juneflo53]

Hello Lizzog, I was diagnosed with Rhinitis before being diagnosed with asthma/COPD. So I've been on Antihistamines - Cetrizide. I too take Fostair and Montelukast - I have to say I'm not happy about the asthma/COPD diagnosis: via phone call without ever seeing the consultant.

Maybe it is worth asking your GP if you do have a sinus condition - and treating that rather than seeing sinus problems as minor.

Hope this helps - good luck.

[Lizzog in reply to juneflo53]

I agree it’s almost seen as something minor to asthma but it can be such a big contributor! I’ve got some more Montelukast to try and another nasal spray (not sure which one yet until I pick it up)- will see how that helps