Does asthma severity tend to reflect that of sinuses?

[Unfocusedarrow]

I wasn’t sure where to post this but please tell me if it’s out of place as I’l move it.

Basically I’ve had chronic sinusitis with polyps for over a decade. It is more chronic inflammation that’s the issue, with meds the polyps are only small/secondary to the inflammation. I don’t have asthma but my dad developed both asthma and polyps when he was 40, so with this combined with my sinus issues it seems inevitable that I’l get asthma.

One of my issues is anxiety - I missed my nasal steroid last night to give my nose a break as the steroids are always drying it out. I still took the antihistamine and momtelukast. Through the day I got the familiar tingle and fullness in my sinuses m. At about 3pm I was at work and at the back of my sinuses it felt as though I was breathing through cotton wool filled with straw. It naturally caused anxiety even though my lower airway was ok. It’s not the type of inflammation you get with a cold- I find it hard to put in words it’s like an uncomfortable heavy feeling mixed with allergy symptoms. It also made me worry about how bad I’l be if I do get asthma : /. I can’t miss a day without sinus steroids. Yet my ct scan isn’t too bad as long as I’m taking steroid drops twice per day.

I’ve never fully understood what is going on with my sinuses as allergy tests are negative but antihistamines help a little. Without meds my nose becomes totally blocked within days I just don’t understand it. The inflammation is crazy. I don’t know how people with severe polyps with full obstruction live- maybe it’s me that’s soft

Sorry for going on and on. I guess the purpose of my post is to get a bit more insight if I do develop asthma will it likely be severe given the extent of my sinus inflammation?

[Troilus]

I don’t have polyps but I do have chronic allergic rhinitis affecting the turbinates. I also have asthma controlled by high dose inhaled steroids, lama , Montelukast and double dose antihistamine. I also have Flixonase nasal spray, plus an antihistamine nasal spray. I suppose the two conditions are linked by allergies.

I sort of know what you mean about the breathing. When I was first diagnosed with asthma I was quite heavy on the blue inhaler. It took me a while to work out that it was my nasal obstruction that was causing the shortness of breath. I now check before I use an inhaler for relief by breathing through my mouth - if that feels ok I know it is my nose.

I can’t say that having nasal problems is a precursor to asthma. I imagine there are a lot of people who have nasal problems who don’t have asthma and a lot of people with asthma that don’t have nasal problems.

A diagnosis of asthma, should it ever happen to you, is not the end of the world. A lot of people who have asthma have never had a full blown attack - the sort that sends you to hospital. And, there are a lot of people ( the vast majority I would think ) where asthma causes no problems at all once they are on the appropriate medication.

So, if I was you I’d take my nasal drops and leave the rest for the future. Take a breath through your mouth when anxiety strikes to reassure yourself that you are ok - do it as often as you like and hopefully that will help.

[Unfocusedarrow in reply to Troilus]

Thankyou, your reply has really helped to straighten my thoughts out a bit

It is better to be objective and keep things simple (ie focus on breathing out the mouth for reassurance when sinuses are playing up) as you said. It sounds so obvious when typed out!

Hopefully there will be better all in one treatments for respiratory and sinus issues in the future I think it’s heading in the right direction

[Troilus in reply to Unfocusedarrow]

Hi again. Just a quick note to say that when I’m checking it is not asthma I judge it on an in breath.

[Unfocusedarrow in reply to Troilus]

Ah ok, how come an in breath as I thought asthma affects the exhale first..

[Troilus in reply to Unfocusedarrow]

My understanding is it affects both. Inflammation can cause swelling which narrows the airways as do bronchospasm. If the airways narrow less air can get in and out. The out breath is important as you need to breath out what has gone in to prevent overinflated lungs.

I use an in breath because it is easier to judge. The air from my nose always feels warm. The breath in through my mouth feels fresher somehow. Also, I’m checking if I’m getting enough air - does it feel right sort of thing.

[Lynneypin]

I have both, started with sinus issues and asthma followed 4 years later. My ENT said to rinse rinse rinse… recommended NeilMed bottle but I use Sterimar sprays for convenience and find them really helpful. And safe. Xlear is also good for me, I carry it around and use it several times a day.

[crille]

Hi,

Like you, I have problems with sinus polyps. Also, I am asthmatic which is a quite common combination. For my asthma, I take Relvar Ellipta.

You wrote, "I can’t miss a day without sinus steroids". To me, it sounds as you have developed rebound rhinitis medicamentosa, which is caused by overuse of topical nasal decongestants.

Some nasal sprays contain benzalkonium chloride against swelling. It works very well at the beginning, but later you need to use more and more of this spray, and you are "hooked". This happened to me. Finally, I got the help from my Doctor, who changed the spray to Budesonide (a corticosteroid without benzalkonium chloride). Now, I use Budesonide 25 days a month and rest for five or six days. This regimen keeps my polyps at bay and I breathe very well, even during the night, without any feelings of anxiety. I am not a Doctor, so I don't know if this would help you. Maybe you should speak to your Doctor.

Take care!

[Unfocusedarrow in reply to crille]

Ohh that’s interesting. I certainly don’t use decongestants but I think the steroid sprays/drops I use - mometasone and fluticasone may have that chemical in. I was putting the weird symptoms down to my condition as if I miss a day I go very allergy like - a heavy uncomfy feeling and swollen feeling. I’l try some budesonide spray for a while and test if it’s this. Thanks

[Venta55]

hi so sorry to hear your problems I’ve had chronic sinus problems including polyps my gp told me to but a netti pot and Nettie salt for a nasal wash out I use mine regularly and find it helps you can view how to use it on you tube

Hope this helps you