Wondered if you had any advice for me. I have under active thyroid currently at ok levels I think. Also have fibromyalgia. I've suffered for many years with dry nasal passages along with dry eyes and mouth. Consequently I get mouth and sometimes nasal ulcers. I can live with most of it if I can get a good nights sleep but the dryness of nasal passages keeps me awake and it feels like nothing is moving up there, it's all so dry and uncomfortable. I've been tested for sjorgens and lupus and both were negative. Over the years I've tried everything such as sniffing up water, sniffing pepper, nasal washes, nasal sprays, olbas oil, steam, steam machine, decongestants etc and whilst steam gives some relief it's only for the time I'm actually steaming passages. I'm desperate as I'm trying to care for my mum and need to get enough sleep so as not to be irritable. Rheumy wanted me to try plaquenil but gp wasn't keen, probably because I'm on so many meds already. I use what I think is a steroid nasal spray but Is that just adding to the problems by drying everything out ? Any advice?? Many thanks x
Written by
Littlemissmuffet
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I am so sorry to hear of your discomfort.It is most unpleasant.
Have you tried a humidifier in your bedroom at night?
I do use a steroid nasal spray very occasionally,for sinus issues which can cause mild headache on waking.This spray definitely causes dryness.I get dryness of the tearducts especially,leading to dry eyes & that is one reason I rarely use it now.
Dry eyes are common post-menopausally.Some herbs,like sage are drying.
Since going GF & keeping dairy very low(especially avoiding cream,ice-cream,creamy cheese etc & sticking only to cheese & yoghurt)my sinus' issue is much improved.If I slip up,I wake with sinus headache symptoms.
I now use Dr Mehta's Sinugator,& use only his sterile sachets,with boiled cooled water.
The worst thing was living in a damp valley(airborne mold spores etc)I now live by the sea.It is very very windy.
I would suspect that your issue may be a side-effect of one of your medications?
Thank you for your reply. Yes I do sometimes use a humidifier but overuse caused damp patches in bedroom so it's a fine line that I haven't got right yet. I may try to cut out as much dairy as I can and see if that helps. No I don't think it's medications as its gone on for so many years. Ive had sinus surgery twice but not helped with this. I will try and stay off the nasal spray too and see if that helps. Thank you again for trying to help me, I shall try your suggestions and will also look into sinugator. 😀👍
Hard cheese & yoghurt are low in certain dairy components.Can't remember if its lactose or certain proteins.Its the creamy stuff that triggers me.
I gave up gluten to try to reduce antibodies.The improvement in my sinuses was not something I was expecting,but if I slip I get a reaction in my sphenoid sinus.
Naomi did you get diagnosed with sphenoid sinusitis and if so how difficult was it? I've been reading up on it and the fact that it disturbs sleep may be a critical factor for me. I have short term memory problems and recently at my eye test the optometrist discovered that I had lost a small circle of vision but could see no reason for it. I'm just wondering if it could be relevant. Many thanks 😀
Hi Littlemissmuffet.Sorry for delay in replying.Been away & offline for a week.
I have not had that diagnosis.I have come to the conclusion it may be a possibility,myself,from reading everything on sinuses in the Merck Manual(home medical encyclopedia)
After years of chronic sinusitis with at least one sinus infection requiring 2 courses of antibios every year & 2 consultations with NHS ENT consultants telling me I do not have sinusitis or a sinus issue,I have given up on getting help or a diagnosis from the NHS.The 2nd ENT appointment followed the worst sinus infection ever.I had to sleep sitting up for weeks,as usual,but the pain that built up as I inevitably slipped down in the night was unbelievable.I would come down to spend the rest of the night in a chair,with ice-packs,pain-killers & steam inhalation sessions(bowl,head under towel,no additives)
When the ENT MD told me I had no sinus issue & must ask to be referred to neurology,beginning with a CT of my head,I again came to believe this may be implicating acute inflammation of the stenoid.It felt like pressure on my brain.
My own believe is that this is totally related to an underactive thyroid & possibly the auto-immune element,related to systemic inflammation.
That was just over a year ago,as I was coming off thyroxine,onto T3 & starting LDN.Have since gone GF,but relapse when away from home for short periods.
I am convinced improvements have been related to moving out of a damp valley full of molds etc & coming to live by the sea,plus T3,GF,LDN,low dairy & getting the right supplements,especially D3,iron,B12,vit C Bs in the methyl form etc etc.
I can't imagine how I would have coped with that level of pain, I feel for you 😕 I've had some strange looks from radiologists when complaining about my sinus pain as they said I had no frontal sinus and it wasn't until I had a ct scan that it revealed my frontal sinus was the size of a pin head and not visible on X Ray. I've been ok now for a week or so but find your theory really interesting. I'm sure that my sinus affect my brain because I can feel it. Sometimes my sinuses give me bad dreams and completely prevent me from sleeping which consultants have told me is not related to sinus issues but it really feels like it is. Thank you for your reply I shall continue to research it. 👍🤔
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Mild Sjogrens? Is that a thing? 
Over medication or adrenal problems?
Anyone had speech problems with thyroid?
T3- small dose. Feeling awful
Problems with Teva?
