post Nasal Drip

[Bronchiectasislady69]

Hi everybody and hope you are keeping well?

I have Bronchiectasis Asthma and not too bad Emphysema. I am not too terribly breathless and am able to do walking exercise. I am on 3 puffers including a Steroid Fostair 200.

I had a terrible winter after Feb right through to the end if May. I cannot say I ever picked up really after 2 lots of Clarithymycin 500mg and a long Prednisolen course which if anybody reads my other blogs I ended up having to taper off as I never go very well on them. They make me feel quite mental and ill. Finally off of them I thought as it’s summer things would be better! But no —— June was a bit better but it did not last for long. I got a horrible Post Nasal Drip which has been hard to get rid of. I do try though to help myself and went down to the Health Centre and they gave me a Steroid nose spray. I bought a wedge to prop myself up in bed with pillows which has helped but every morning at 6 I am awake clearing my throat it’s seems endless. Then I stopped the steroid spray as I felt I was getting an upper respiratory infection and panicked! The drip has never really stopped and now I feel it’s going down ☹️☹️ I really do try to help myself and do so much chest clearing . Over an hour in the morning and sometimes lunchtime too and also night time of Course. I have a flutter and work really hard to keep things up. I do my circle of breathing too. I think it may be a nebuliser next?

Not really much help from the Health Centre but I am seeing a Physio next week. This all seems proactive but I am SO depressed that I just do not feel well with all of this. I could put up with this constant mucous if I actually felt well. Does anybody else feel things are getting them down and how do I get a handle on this Post Nasal Drip and why have I got it?

Thanks for reading

Mona by name and moaner by nature!!

[djbctla]

Reflux could b at the root of your nasal drip, - it was mine.

I asked the doctor to send me to an ENT specialist, severe reflux diagnosed.

My lansoprazole medication was increased.

I never looked back.

On occasion I use nasal spray.

Best of luck BERNARDINE

[Bronchiectasislady69 in reply to djbctla]

Thank you Bernardine for your reply. This horrible nasal drip wakes me up every morning at 6 and yes I can feel some acid in there so yes what you are advising makes sense. I do have a hyitus hernia and I do suffer with indigestion and acid. I am on one Omeprozole first thing in the morning with lots of water. I am going to the Docs again tomorrow so will see what she says about increasing the dose and see if that helps too. I will do anything or take anything at the mo. It’s making me so miserable ☹️ just want to have some respite from it

Thanks again for replying x

[djbctla in reply to Bronchiectasislady69]

Hi Bronchiectasislady69

Insist u need more reflux medication.

Don’t forget to ask about an urgent ENT appointment, as u are awake coughing most of the night, and during the day, feeling exhausted all the time.

Explain:

It’s very embarrassing as u are the only one coughing continuously. U feel the need to explain to everyone that u not sick, (particularly with covid etc.,) it’s your Asthma.

BERNARDINE 🤗🤗🤗

[Caspiana]

Hi Mona. 😊 I had post nasal drip about ten years ago. Mine was caused by a deviated septum in my nose and I had to have an operation. There are so many reasons why people get this, viral infections in your nose and throat, allergies to pollen and pollutants, rhinitis, sinusitis and the list goes on.A firm diagnosis and treatment is in order so I recommend you see an ear, nose and throat consultant to find the root of the issue. One thing that helps is a nasal rinse, although you must be cautious with this and follow instructions to a T. You don't want to accidentally get anything down your lungs. I'm sorry you are in such discomfort. Best wishes to you.

Cas xx 🌿

[Bronchiectasislady69 in reply to Caspiana]

Thank you Caspiana for your reply. I am seeing the Doctor tomorrow again so I am going to suggest that I see an ENT specialist. I did get a Neti bottle and have been rinsing my nose with a salt sachet from Amazon for Neti bottles. I have used only distilled water. I was a bit worried to read your reply saying be careful not to get it on my lungs. I do hang over the sink and let it run out of the nostril. I hope that’s the trick? I think though it’s helping slightly I think?

Thanks again for reply and will let you know what the Doc says? Xx

[Caspiana in reply to Bronchiectasislady69]

Yes, you are doing it right then. You'd know if any got into your lungs, the coughing would be relentless. Please do let us know how it goes. xx 🙋‍♀️🐕

[Mellywelly]

Hi. My sister is on the waiting list for ENT because she has terrible cough and like you has a really bad post nasal drip and she ends up going from bed to settee so she can prop herself up to sleep. She is always trying to clear her chest. I would just keep venting to the doctors and even try your pharmacist for his or her input too. I know what it's like to get really down with your health but please don't give up. I wish you all the best. Please keep posting as I find this site very reassuring and helpful 😉

[Bronchiectasislady69 in reply to Mellywelly]

Hi Mellywelly Thank you so much for your reply. Yes I know how your sister feels. I am propped up in bed but cannot get very comfortable and even then the horrible dripping starts so I sit right up and just go to the loo and start trying to cough it up and blow my nose and then back to bed. Needless to say very tired and fed up. I hope the Doctor can help me tomorrow . Will let everyone know

Many Thanks x

[Mellywelly in reply to Bronchiectasislady69]

You sound like a mirror image of my sister. She gets really fed up where she gets depressed and down. Please let us know how you get on. Good luck 👍

[Izb1]

Please insist on getting to the ENT department without further delay. I had a very bad cold that started all my problems. My sinus's were infected for almost 18 months before I finally got to see ent. Although i had an operation it didnt cure the problems and thats because it was left too long. I have an over production of mucus that is hard to control and this then gets on my chest. Nasal washes are a must for me along with nasal sprays. I have found NAC is better than Carbocysteine for me. I sometimes use antihistamine if this all gets to much as it dries you out x

[Bronchiectasislady69 in reply to Izb1]

Hi there Izb 1 Thank you so much for your reply. I am definitely going to ask to see an ENT specialist and hope it’s not too long a wait but I suspect it will be. I keep seeing NAC mentioned instead of Carbo. I have been prescribed Carbo and go through boxes but not really sure it really helps?i may give NAC a go instead. Can I buy this at Boots or more Holland and Barratt?

Many thanks

Mona x

[Izb1 in reply to Bronchiectasislady69]

Ask your gp to change this over to Nac rather than buy it. I only buy mine as i dont use it that often now x

[Alberta56]

I hope some of this advice will help. I can't add anything but sympathise. Some conditions seem to go on for ever, which is enought o get anyone down. I hope there will light at the end of the tunnel.

[Bronchiectasislady69 in reply to Alberta56]

Thank you for your supportive message much appreciated x

[Mooka]

I suffered from post nasal drip and had loads of chest infections because of it. ENT recommend neilmed sinus rinse. You can get this from chemists and the usual internet shops. Make your own solution as per the nhs website. Do this regularly- you’ll soon get the hang of it. Sterimar also helps. I’ve had the FESS operation twice to widen my nasal tubes and that has helped enormously. Just the scar tissue to cause a problem now. I hope you get some relief from some of these suggestions.

[Bronchiectasislady69 in reply to Mooka]

Hi Mooka thank you for your reply and suggestions. It is making more sense to me why I keep getting bad chests with this nasal drip. What I thought was interesting too was about your Ops on your nose. I broke my nose years ago and had 2 ops on it as breathing was always a problem through it. I think this could could come into play with my recent probs. I think I really do need to see an ENT specialist. Hope it’s not too long a wait though

Thank you for you reply much appreciated x

[PAP48]

Post nasal drip is very unpleasant. I have bronchiectasis and the post nasal drip doesn't help I'm sure. I take pantoprazole for acid reflux. Have you tried nasal washing? I use Neilmed Sinus Rinse, have done for a good few years. Recommended by my consultant. The pack is available from Boots, other good chemists and Amazon. I use it a few times a week to get rid of the gunk lurking in my sinuses. I find it invaluable and all totally natural. Might be worth a look. Good luck.

[Bronchiectasislady69 in reply to PAP48]

Hi PAPA48 I have just seen your reply to me about this horrible Nasal Drip I have got. I have just ordered some Neilmed sinus rinse from Amazon. I have a Neti bottle which I have been using but just with an ordinary saline solution. I have realised the Bicarbonate is not in these sachets whereas the Neils med has. I have gone for the Extra strength so hope that will be more helpful. After having a good rinse in the morning and then blowing the gunk up I put in the steroid spray. I have been using it for about 3 weeks now the steroid spray but Doc said to carry on for 2 months for improvement. Not noticed yet? Nagged them to put me in the ENT waiting list but have just read on the NHS sight the Doc could at least have had a look up my nose for polyps but she didn’t just gave me the steroid spray and said be on with it! Trouble is everyone on here knows dripping mucous going on the chest is not good for us!

Thanks for your reply. I hope your nasal drip manageable now?

Best Regards

Mona x

[PAP48 in reply to Bronchiectasislady69]

Hi Bronchiectasislady69, hope you'll get on OK with the Neilmed solution. I keep my PND under control by using the Neilmed every other day or so. I, too, have a steroid nasal spray, not sure it does much good to be honest. I have also tried steaming with something like eucalyptus oil. Nothing helps me as much as nasal rinsing though. Good luck and I hope all goes well for you. Take care. Penny x

[Bronchiectasislady69]

Hi everyone who replied to my Nasal Drip issue which is making my life a misery! I went to the Doctor this morning and I am back on a steroid nasal spray. I tried one for a couple of weeks and it made me feel like it gave me an upper respiratory infection and I panicked!! Anyway trying it again to see if it will stop this horrible thing. I have also been putting it up my nose the wrong way too! I will say in my defence nobody showed me how to put into my nostrils. I looked it up on utube and it has to be put in almost sideways aiming it towards the corner of my eye. Just praying this will eventually do the trick. Also taking extra Omeprazole for the reflux and tonight I have ordered a nebulizer as I am beginning to realise that the only way to keep infections at bay, is , although really hard work it’s keeping that muck up and off the chest.

Thank you all that replied to my post. This site is invaluable and great to be able to talk to people on here that are going through the same thing

Best Wishes Mona x