Chronic Disabilitating post nasal drip please help.

[carolg1]

I have going on holiday to spain with my 14 year old son,and I am desperate not to spil our holiday, I have moderate to severe copd which I have under reasonable control, but now I have developed the worst ever postnasal drip which goes into my stomach and the bottom of my lungs I have tried one nasal spray, can anyone offer any suggestions this has been going on for over a year and got much worse recently (just before my hols ) thanks in advance if you can help.

carol

[Hidden]

If its causing an infection would a steroid Nasal spray not help? Speak to your GP as I think you can only get them on prescription.

[carolg1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks I do believe I have tried one steriod nasal spray but there is no harm in asking if I can try another.

Thanks x

[Hidden]

I agree with Marie a quick check with your doc before you go would be a good choice, 2nd choice the pharmacist will be able to advise what may be suitable, the pharmacist will advise if he/she thinks you need to chat with your doctor to be on the safe side and this may well avoid spoiling your holiday.

Good luck with it and have a great Holiday.

[carolg1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much x

[brujapatsy]

cant help on the medical side

but i live in spain

where are you going to be in spain

have a nice time

[carolg1 in reply to brujapatsy]

i am going to Cala de mallorca (hope I have spelled that right) I havnent been away for a while because of my health problem, but my young son is desperate for me to go this year so I have decided to go, god willing just hope all will be well xx

[sadie28]

Hi Carol, there is something that you can buy from boots called NeilMed Sinus rinse. it was recommended to me by the consultant in ENT. it is a kit with a bottle and sachets of rinse. When I went to buy it i said to the chemist I wouldnt be able to use it but it was no problem. It rinses your sinuses out and if you read the instructions it tells you method so yo can also rinse the back of the throat. It cost around £17.00 but you get about fifty sachets in it.

[carolg1 in reply to sadie28]

Thnakyou for your reply it is much appreciated, I will try this as this problem is literally killing me, I will try anything. x

[Hidden]

OOhh I forgot about sterimar, you might try that too, its a nasal wash using sterile sea water. I found it very useful whilst I was struggling on with all this going on prior to my diagnosis. You can pick it up from chemists. its about £8 per bottle and it lasts a good while.

Marie

[carolg1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for taking the time to read and reply, it is much appreciated this problem is ruining my life.

x

[richardcrossroads]

from time to time i still get it but i had an opperation on my nose about ten years ago which nearly cured 100% but i i get the problem starting i use emcure salts it is on the net it is a nassal was a bit messy but works well my surgion also said it was good have a look, there is a similar product now approved nhs but do not know what it is

i blame post nasal drip for my emphysema?

[carolg1 in reply to richardcrossroads]

I totally agree with you richard, I think the pnd is my main problem yet ENT say I don,t have a pnd but it is my chest emphysema that is worsening and I am sure it is because of this.

thanks

[soulsaver]

Yep the neilmed sinus rinse I use and highly recommend. It's way cheaper from Amazon than Boots... but you would have to wait for the post.

This is unlikely to cure it if chronic, but can make it much more tolerable. And if you're lucky the better weather in Spain will improve it, too.

Somebody said steroid nasal spray only available by prescript? Some maybe, but Beconase is the first line prescription in UK and IS available over the counter... at up to £9 (asda pharm)+!, so if free for you on script I'd go that route.

You need to use it for 3 or 4 weeks twice a day before it has an effect... daily do the saline rinse first, get your passages dried (see instructions c/w pot) other wise the steroid just lands on a pile of mucous...use the steroid spray, gargle with hot salt water. Could be 'good' for most of the day, repeat half an hour before bed (so your sinus has time to dry - or you'll be having PND saline...lol!.

The PND drives you bonkers, I know, interferes with your sleep etc... you could use a nose unblocker occasionally for a good nights sleep- Oxymetazoline (Vicks sinus spray, Galpharm, Otravine etc)

DO NOT use it more than a couple of days a week or you risk even bigger problems from 'rebound' - rhinitis medicamentosa

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhini...

PS Has you meds changed when this started?

[soulsaver]

PPS If you're lucky it will improve with better weather over there - are you on an antihistamine for hay fever/allergies? Which could be why it's got worse? Citirizene is available OTC. Or Piriton which can make you drowsy... and help you sleep..!

[carolg1 in reply to soulsaver]

Hi soulsaver, I have tried citizens I'm on it at the moment have been on it in the past too but no changes, when I do nasal rinse absolutely loads of yuk is dispersed but it's not long before it's built up again so I wondered if it was making matters worse, il stick at it a while longer , just sometimes as it drops down to my lungs it feels like it's flooding, thanks for the info. Regards Carol x

[carolg1 in reply to soulsaver]

Sorry predictive text !! I meant citrazine x

[carolg1 in reply to soulsaver]

Thanks soul saver I have been to go and got another antihistamine take care carol x

[soulsaver]

Hope it helps, Carol. PS Dr just upped me to nasonex (stronger than beconase) which seems to be more effective for me... after only 2 days.

Good luck

[Patk1]

I would try a steroid nasal spray,which need to persevere with,and antihistamine eg otc loratidine or cetrizine