Blood pressure medications and non-allergic rhinitis

[kushami36]

A few months ago I posted about having trouble finding a vasodilator that I could tolerate. I eventually settled on a low dose of amlodipine and ditto of candesartan, which was working reasonably well.

However, I’ve had a sore, dry nose, alternating with runny and stuffy, and a post-nasal drip. Also had a small but persistent nose bleed. Turns out, vasodilators dilate the tiny capillaries in your nose and can cause non-allergic rhinitis.

Doesn’t sound like too much to put up with, but my nose has gotten so out of sorts that there are sore patches inside and I think it could easily get infected because the skin is so delicate now.

I need to find out if the medication is the problem, but if I reduce it my symptoms will all come back.

So what next?

I’ve got a couple of other options, but they aren’t easy to access. Might need to see a new hypertension specialist in Melbourne (2.5 hours away).

I never thought it would be so hard to find a blood pressure medication I could tolerate, but I know other people here have been on a long journey too.

(Edited because I blabbed on too much)

[Noodlesalad]

I have been put on various bp medications in the last 6 months initially I was told there were a number of medications I could try , however the side effects of most of them I couldn't tolerate eventually I was told they were running out of options and were writing to the community cardiology team for advice.Their reply took 3 months, despite being told it would be quick and I was taking and just tolerating Doxazosin but my blood pressure was still high and I was having irregular heartbeat symbol on monitor.

I was then put on Verapamil which I was determined and with wonderful encouragement from Be Kind stuck with at first I was in two a day it's now been increased to three per day and one Doxazosin. My blood pressure is still on the high side but nowhere near as bad and my irregular heartbeat still present.

I have now been referred to the AF clinic.

I think next week the Verapamil will be increased again because my blood pressure is still on the high side.

It's been a long journey and some of the side effects have been very unpleasant but I've stuck with it and glad I have.

I too get a very sore nasal passage but hadn't contributed that to the medication.

I hope you and your GP are able to find a medication that helps.

[kushami36 in reply to Noodlesalad]

I’m gald you found something that works. I’m sorry to hear you’ve got a sore nose too though. I had heard about some blood pressure medications causing a cough, but only realised last week that they can also cause a sore nose.

Originally I thought it was allergies, which I do get seasonally, but then I realised my allergies had been gone for several months but the sore nose remained.

My GP is thinking about sending me to see a hypertension and medication specialist, so we’ll see how that goes.

I hope the AF clinic can help you.

[Noodlesalad in reply to kushami36]

Thank you.

[Holiday12345]

Since I have started on lercanidipine (which works by dilating blood vessels) last Jan I have started getting very bad nose bleeds (never had one in life before). I was also on anti coagulant so that made them last longer. Stopped the anti coagulant but still getting heavy long nose bleeds. Now nose is dry and totally out of sorts. I keep asking doc and cardio and ent about the blood pressure tablet but no one really knows. Blood pressure is good though. Unfortunately I have also tried so many other meds for the bp but have had adverse reactions (like I do to many meds) so not a lot of options

[kushami36 in reply to Holiday12345]

Yes, it’s hard, isn’t it. Having nose bleeds isn’t good, but then neither is high blood pressure.

From what I’ve gathered, any vasodilator can cause nose bleeds, dryness, sniffles, stuffiness, etc.

Have you tried a dry nose spray? I find it helps a bit.

[Holiday12345 in reply to kushami36]

I’ve had nose cauterised and bactroban nodal ointment. But now using saline nose spray from Boots. Is that the kind of dry nose spray you mean?

I had also tried Neilmed saline nasal gel as ENT told me it would last a bit longer but I had a bad reaction to something in it possibly the aloe Vera? GP this morning has just said Vaseline as did ENT. But I’ve read it’s dangerous to put Vaseline up your nose esp with lung issues which I have as well if you inhale any into your lungs. 🤦‍♀️. So I’m using just a tiny amount at front of nostril. But I think all this stops you producing your own mucus. It’s a viscous circle. Terrified to move atm as just waiting for nose to burst again. Blahh

[kushami36 in reply to Holiday12345]

The one I got from the chemist is called Flo Nozoil, but I live in Australia so the brands may be different here. It says it is a moisturising spray for dry noses made with sesame and vitamin E oils.

I don’t have lung problems so I’m not sure if it would be okay in that regard. The spray does say not to use it an hour before lying down or going to bed.

It seems to be more helpful for the dryness than a saline spray, so if your doctor says it’s okay I think it would be worth a try if you can find a similar product.