Thought it was allergies but it’s actually the wrong time of year in California. I’m wondering if I’m alone in having these symptoms: runny nose and frequent sneezing? Had it for a few months now. It isn’t accompanied by a sore throat or other cold systems and I don’t have a temperature.
I also have runny eyes but gathered from various posts here this is due to our meds as they tend to dry so many things, including mouth and eyes. A visit with my new ophthalmologist confirmed this yesterday.
Thanks for any information you might share.
All best,
Kathleen
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Red1246
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I assume you're on Ibrance or similar drugs...you didn't say. I'm taking Ibrance/letrozole and have similar issues as you do. I tend to be often sneezy, but it's been terrible the last couple of weeks. I'm in Chicago, and it's still the dead of winter here so nothing should be in the air causing allergic symptoms. I've been taking Allegra which helps a little. But I'll wake up having to blow my nose 25 times and sneezing like crazy or will suddenly start sneezing anytime during the day. Right now, it's fine. I can breathe fine, no watery eyes, etc. Maybe I'm getting allergic to my cats. Whatever, it's making me nuts!
Sorry for not mentioning my meds: I’m also on ibrance and Letrozole. Interesting you describe exactly what I go through daily. Must be the meds so I’ll check with my oncology nurse when we speak Monday.
Glad to hear you’re in one of my favorite US cities: love Chicago!
Btw: I’ve heard the least harmful of the allergy remedies is Zyrtec. Sorry but I can’t remember what one needs to avoid in others. It came from a reliable source, though.
Thanks again for your response. Let’s hope there’s something we can do about it.
Yes...I had a runny nose on Ibrance and I still have on my new med Afinitor...I think it’s one of the side effects we have to tolerate...annoying though
I’m taking Claritin as someone on here said it was good for bone pain so I thought it might help with the runny nose....but of course it didn’t because it’s not an allergy which causes it!!
Thanks Barb - though I’m sorry you too have these symptoms and they’re annoying, I’m glad my thoughts on origin are pretty much confirmed. Sarcie has the runny nose too and it’s just too coincidental not to be ibrance or Letrozole related. My PCP has insisted it was allergies but it’s just not the right season yet here.
Hope you’re having a good weekend! I’ll report back if I hear anything from onco nurse tomorrow re treating our symptoms. ❤️
Kathleen
My nose is always running it seems. Allergy meds don’t make a difference. Maybe it is the Ibrance or letrozole
I’m guessing since you and Barb have the same, it is meds related. Probably not much to do about it in that case, but will check with onco nurse when I speak with her tomorrow.
I too have the runny nose and eyes. I do have allergies year around in Oregon (I think mold allergies kick in in the wintertime) but my allergy meds don’t seem to be working half so well as they used to. I’ll be interested in your oncologist nurses take on it. I feel like I need stock in the Kleenex company these days! Elaine
Hello! I too have been suffering with the same sneezing and runny nose - so annoying! I have had it for the last 16 months. I was on Letrozole and Kisquali which both failed. And switched to Fulfestrant, Ibrance, and a trial drug called Getatolosib. I am no longer taking the Ibrance as I could not tolerate it. I take benedryl and Sudafed for the sinus issues but I can tell you I started using a humidifier about a month ago and it’s been a game changer. I only run it at night while I’m sleeping but I know it has helped a lot.
Thanks Kathleen - yes, the combo I’m on now with the trial drug has been working amazing - I’ve been on it for about a year now - fingers crossed. Take care.
Also have clear funny nose. Worse when I wake up. Also thought maybe allergy but doesn't seem to change. First time mentioned to ooncologist, said might be related to met in bone in skull....but said let s monitor. I was on xeloda,got worst.
On a break from.it,not better.
Going to.ask a homeopath got suggestion
May you and everyone be blessed with well being,good news and complete recovery .thank u for sharing,considered allergy medicine basically to rule out allergies. I think of it as body's way to clear out the chemicals from the body
I have the exact opposite problem. My nose is extremely dry most days, past the point of normal. It hurts. It’s weird how different the meds affect us. I’m also on Ibrance and Letrozole.
I have the runny nose also. Sinus related. Just first thing in the morning. It got worse when I started on Ibrance and Fulvestrant. Better during the day. I suspect it is a combination of allergies and meds. I think even in winter there is a lot dust mites in the air. And we spend more time indoors. Less fresh air. I live in Ontario Canada.
I'm on Afinitor and one of the side effects is cold like symptoms. My nose runs and my eyes c water so bad it's like I'm crying. I'm extremely stuffy and when I blow my nose I get particles of blood. Seeing Oncologist next month and going to talk to him about it. Allergy pills are just helping a bit.
I have a runny nose all the time. It is a reaction to one of my heart meds I think. I do not have sneezing. It is strange the reactions you can get to certain meds. I am often checking my meds reactions if something is different, hope you can find out....feel better soon.
I went to ENT, about my runny nose. The dr told me it was the Arimedex. He told me to use Flonase and Zyrtec. I use generic. He said when it was under control to stop Zyrtec and just use Flonase. It worked for me, but when I have an occasional unrelenting runny nose I get out the Flonase. It was horrible before. I was also on Verzenio too. We have got to control our noses. Lol lol Good luck!
I too have the sneezing and wet nose. My eyes are dry and I use 2 types of eye drops as recommended by my ophthalmologist. At night a gel and in the morning regular.
Whilst on ibrance I had dry eyes, one symptom of which is streaming eyes! The glands that produce the fluid which lubricates the eyes get blocked or stop working. The eyes react by producing lots of tears which don't lubricate the eyes and so the eyes produce even more tears - hence the streaming. A lubricating eye drop (without preservatives!) help a lot. Also a gentle heat pad on the eyelids will help.
Thank you so much - it’s what my ophthalmologist mentioned and was confirmed by my onco nurse today. She said I might additionally use Zyrtec for the stuffed yo nose is but not in favor of steroidal nose sprays like Flonase or other.
I’m in CA too, and frequently get the drips and sneezes for no apparent reason. I’m not sure there is a wrong time here for allergies—and our histamines are probably out of whack too. Worry only if you get a fever...otherwise life just goes on! (I also have dry eyes, etc)
for me, some is allergies. ENT has me on SubLingualImmunoTherapy (SLIT). the rest is Ibrance side effects. when i spoke with Pfizer recently, i was told 1% of the population has a correlation with sinusitis, while on Ibrance.
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