Post Nasal Drip part 2

[Bronchiectasislady69]

hi everybody again. I thought I would carry on with what’s been happening as some of this may actually help others? In my other post I said I had this horrible drip going down the back of the nose to the throat and I could not sleep. Really getting me down and miserable. I have Bronchiectasis and Asthma so not helping at all.

Thanks to a lot of advice on here I started to fight back by buying a wedge to prop me up in bed at night. This has been very helpful although that drip still keeps happening! I was given by the Doc,( yes I actually got to see one )a Steroid nose spray. The 1st time after using it it started to upset my sinuses but have persevered with the second bottle as I found a video on here of how to actually put them into my nose properly!, UTube have got the video and it’s called Vic Veer How to use Nasal Sprays properly. He is an ENT doc. Yes they have to go on the lining of the nose to the side, pointed to the ear. You must NOT sniff them up but leave the spray on the lining. This was all the things I was doing wrong!! No instruction from that Doc just told to do for 2 months. So far I think I have wasted 24 days of putting this up my nose and straight up to my brain! I have also before doing the steroid spray, bought a Neti bottle and some saline and BiCarb sachets that somebody on here had recommended . I give my nose a good wash out of the mucous in the mornings before inserting the Steroid Spray. All this I have learnt from here not from my useless Doc who just handed over the Steroid spray and actually refused to put me on the months and months waiting list to see ENT. I did message surgery again and said would it not make sense for me to get a Referrel whilst I wait the 2months on the Steroid Nasal. So I did get somebody to say yes although my letter has not come yet?

Hope the info about the steroid spray proper use may be a help to somebody but another ask from this very helpful sight. Has anybody on the steroid spray had bad effects from it? I do suffer badly when on the oral steroids with panic attacks and feeling very anxious. I have been feeling this again in these nose drops but only just put 2 and 2 together? I think?

Best wishes to you all and what a wonderful sight this is

Mona x

[Troilus]

Hi there. I had the same problem as you which went on for years. I used a Beconase nasal spray and spoke to my GP who said he couldn’t prescribe anything stronger and just keep using it.

Roll the clock forward about 2years and I mentioned it to my respiratory consultant - mainly to let him know I had stopped the beconase as I thought it make me more congested. He referred me to ENT. I had just short of a years wait before I got an appointment, by which time I had restarted the beconase.

At the appointment he put a camera up my nose and down my throat checking my voice box while he was there.

Upshot - persistent allergic rhinitis. He prescribed a Flixonase nasal spray, two sprays each night about an hour before bed. I can continue to use the occasional blast of Otravine. He has written to my GP to tell him that if my problem persists the next step is nasal drops and an antihistamine nasal spray.

So far so good. I’m sleeping on one pillow. Morning peak flows have gone up. I no longer have to clear my throat when I first get up. Breathing is much clearer through the nose although I still have that feeling that it is not quite clear - I would love to be able to blow my nose properly 😁

[Bronchiectasislady69 in reply to Troilus]

Hi Troilus it sounds like you have been through it for a long time with not much help either up to now. I hope I haven’t got to wait so long for relief from this. I have never suffered with anything like this before. I always get my fair share of chest infections in the winter and the usual antibiotics and oral steroids. The summer I usually get a bit of respite from it all but o no not this time now I have got this which drips down to my chest. It’s a constant battle to keep it clear! I do wonder if that is my problem like yourself persistent allergic rhinitis but would like that ENT appointment to determine the problem? I will make a note of Flixonase nasal spray. Glad to hear it seems to be working for you 😃 not sure these steroid ones are doing me any good?

Best Regards

Mona

[Troilus in reply to Bronchiectasislady69]

I don’t think the appointment was to determine allergic rhinitis- I knew I had that , hence the Beconase, but it used to be seasonal. I think my consultant may have been thinking of polyps.

See how you get on with your current treatment and if you don’t improve ask your GP if you can try Flixonase. Like I say, I’m not cured completely but the post nasal drip has stopped, which is a relief - sometimes it was like my nose was running down my throat!

[ForestFreda]

Yes there is a great series of videos from Abraham the pharmacist on using nasal sprays, inhalers etc funny and informing

[Patk1]

I've been using steroidalternative nosespray for bout 45 yrs,no ill effects.i have to change occasionally if becomes less effective.ive chronic rhinosinusitis.without the spray, sinusitis is very painful + affects how I feel,quality of life with constant head + face pain+ nasal symptoms.I learnt the hard way - if u stop using it,symptoms return.quickly. I use sinus wash when have sinusitis,I use boiled water cooled.i also take antihistamines.im glad it's working for u

Ps an ent piece of advice - don't blow nose hard as it can cause mucous to drop into sinuses

[Bronchiectasislady69 in reply to Patk1]

Hi Patk1 Thank you for replying. I have carried on with the steroid spray over the weekend but I am going to contact docs tomorrow and see what alternative I can get that does not include the steroid but works? I am so fed up with this dripping on my chest and also not really knowing what is causing this? It certainly gets me down as it seems endless my chest clearing and throat clearing too. Thank you the advice too about not blowing my nose too hard. Sometimes it seems SO tempting to do that as I get so annoyed with this constant mucous and not being able to get rid of it. I have started an antihistamine taken at breakfast which I think is helping? Did you ever get to see an ENT specialist? And if not who told you it was acute rhinosinusitus ? I have never suffered with my sinus's before this is just so weird and so frustrating that this has started happening. Bronchiectasis on its own is bad enough without this feeding it!

Best wishes

Mona x

[DollyDutchGirl]

Have you tried Carboncisteine ?? My consultant added them to my asthma armoury a year ago - taking 2 capsules three times a day has helped. I also have a steroid nasal spray to help the same symptom. 😊

[Bronchiectasislady69 in reply to DollyDutchGirl]

Hi DollyDutchGirl Thanks for replying . Yes I am on Carbo. I have sachets not tablets. I did see my Respiratory Nurse last week and she said try to cut down on it as it could be contributing with this Nasal Drip but to be honest I have not done that. I find the mucous is quite thick going down my throat and hard to get up so still need the carbo to thin it. Bloody nightmare really. On Antihystimines too and a steroid nose spray which I hate! Nothing seems to be working. Got a telephone appointment tomorrow with the Health Centre to see if another nose spray will do any better? Hate steroids in any shape as I am not good on any of them as well!

Best wishes to you and stay well

Mona x

[DollyDutchGirl in reply to Bronchiectasislady69]

I’m so sorry that you’re struggling so much with the post nasal drip issue. Asthma alone is dammed nuisance - and doctors don’t always mention all the ‘add ins’ that suffers have to contend with. Most of us know about the awful chest tightness, the hacking coughing, trying to sleep propped up, the seemingly constant use of oral steroids and, the subsequent side effects - it’s often the sneaky things like the post nasal drip often come as a surprise!! I don’t think I’m alone, that despite having a wonderful consultant at the hospital’s excellent respiratory clinic - a lot of knowledge is gleaned from sites like this one - or (of course) Dr. Google. I truly hope that you find something - or someone who can help you very soon. Kindest wishes 😊x

[Bronchiectasislady69 in reply to DollyDutchGirl]

Hi DollyDutchGirl Thank you SO much for your kind comments. I am glad to hear you have a supportive medical team. My respiratory nurse at our hospital is lovely but it’s her availability that is not good. Our Health Centre has a Nurse who does everything and has done a course in Asthma only! So no proper Respiratory care there at all! I have learnt for myself an awful lot from this wonderful sight and yes UTube. Tonight I have been doing a really good session on there of active circle of breath!! This nasal drip is producing so much more mucous it’s quite exhausting getting it up. I think I hate the tight chest the worst though as I am terrified it will be the beginning of a chest infection again which could mean more steroids. I absolutely hate them and I think they hate me too!,

Best wishes and keep well xx