Dry sinuses/nasal congestion!?: Going crazy with... - Thyroid UK

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Dry sinuses/nasal congestion!?

rustyempire profile image
33 Replies

Going crazy with nasal congestion combined with super dry sinuses. This is not typical for me, and I’ve read thyroid can impact this. This is now week 2 and the dry sinuses combined with nasal congestion is unbearable. Anyone with recommendations for the best over the counter remedy/RX is appreciated!! Im already trying a humidifier and no difference. 👃😶‍🌫️💊

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rustyempire profile image
rustyempire
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33 Replies
Lalatoot profile image
Lalatoot

Strangely enough nasal congestion can be linked sometimes to stomach problems. The body makes mucus to protect the stomach lining. However this can also produce congestion in the nasal cavities. How is your gut function.I first read about the link in a book about the gut. I will see if I can find a link.

Imaaan profile image
Imaaan in reply to Lalatoot

I read that pepcin and the acid from reflux can irritate the lining and cause congestion.

rustyempire profile image
rustyempire in reply to Lalatoot

that wouldn’t surprise me in the least that it’s stomach issues related. Another member mentioned Vit D levels as well

Imaaan profile image
Imaaan

How's your vit d levels? Optimizing it and your thyroid may help.

Im in the same boat as you and currently interested in trying a saline nasal rinse with sodium bicarbonate. The two brands I'm most interested are arm&hammer and Neilmeds.

It could be a histamine issue causing the congestion and you might possibly benefit from a beef thymus and kidney supplement or a DOA supplement. Chamomile also helps with histamine.

rustyempire profile image
rustyempire in reply to Imaaan

I’ve heard that XClear is a good one from another thyroid group. I’m ordering on Amazon as we can’t buy it here in stores.

Imaaan profile image
Imaaan in reply to rustyempire

Forgot to mention that as well. A dental assistant recommended ot to me. Haven't tried it yet. I'm on a sleep apnea group and a member mentioned the blue bottle with the white top was more better. Let me know how it goes if you do order it. I'll probably try the saline and sodium bicarbonate first since it helps neutralize the acid and pepsin

rustyempire profile image
rustyempire in reply to Imaaan

this might be of interest possibly for a DIY version

aaaai.org/tools-for-the-pub...

Imaaan profile image
Imaaan in reply to rustyempire

Thnxs

Buddy195 profile image
Buddy195Administrator

A forum member recommended Sterimar nasal spray to me and I found this really helped. It’s just purified water.

malancy profile image
malancy in reply to Buddy195

I use Sterimar Congestion Relief spray - micro-diffused sea water enriched with Copper. I've found it works wonders.

Celestialbeing profile image
Celestialbeing

Did you have covid? I had covid five weeks ago. Started with a fever then welts and hives all over, positive PCR test and at-home test. Since that time my sinuses have been a mess. Nasty post nasal drip and cough from it.

Arkenstone profile image
Arkenstone

When I had very severe sinus infection, The RNTNE Grays Inn Road Hospital ENT asked me to do nasal irrigation for 6 weeks. He said it is very effective. I did it religiously and today more than 8 years later I have not suffered from another nasal infection or irritation. I used to be plague by it every few days for more than 15 years.. Your pharmacy will have a nasal irritation kit. However, it takes getting used to because it can be slightly uncomfortable in the beginning.

rustyempire profile image
rustyempire in reply to Arkenstone

thanks I will seriously consider it now.

Regenallotment profile image
Regenallotment in reply to Arkenstone

I use warm pre boiled water with salt in a shot glass and snort it through 🦋

Arkenstone profile image
Arkenstone in reply to Regenallotment

I was told by the ENT that salt water does dry the sinuses. That is why the over the counter formulations add bicarbonate of soda to prevent the drying effect.

Regenallotment profile image
Regenallotment in reply to Arkenstone

oh wow that’s good to know, thanks for sharing x

Marz profile image
Marz

X-Clear helps to ease congestion and a protector too. Enables me to blow my nose ! Grapeseed Extract seems a helpful ingredient. Works better than Sterimar for me. I have just come through another bout of painful sinusitis lasting over 2 weeks. I have had catarrah issues for most of my 76 years and only learnt later in life of the gut connection.

Karen_lee profile image
Karen_lee

Hi I have has horrible Sinus trouble for 6 weeks made me so poorly put it Fownhope to long covid not thinking it was my underactive thyroid. All I do now is use a salt spray and take paracetamol.

BeePurple profile image
BeePurple

I use Sterimar when it gets bad but also take antihistamines daily and have a nasal spray. I know that dairy sets me off too but it is not as bad as gluten so I have been living with it. I did get probiotics and they help (when I remember to take them). I was taking them at a different time of day due to ingredients that might compromise the effectiveness of my levo.

Shkmigmo profile image
Shkmigmo

I had exactly the same problem. It appeared when, after being on autoimune paleo diet for 7 months (and feeling wonderful), I introduced eggs. Initially I had no reactions so I presumed that I can tolerate them. But after binging on them every morning for breakfast for 20 days (because I love them and missed them so much) I started feeling nasal congestion and it came gradually. I did literally all examinations of my sinuses available (all different scans of the head, took antibiotics, antihistamines, asthma sparays...). Only one thing was left and that advice came from my pulmonologist: check for the food intolerances. Then I realised that the only change that happened was introduction of eggs.

Then I got back to autoimune paleo diet again, and in addition to that used this strategy to recover:

- Sterimar spray with Manganese, couple of times a day.

- You have to keep your nose moist. I used "Nisita" nasal ointment, and applied it couple of times a day

- When the congestion was realy severe, I'd use a spray with a small dose of corticosteroids. You can use it only for max 3 days in a row, so use it cautiously. My strategy was to "open" breathing channels with that and than I would use any spray with the see salt in it to rinse the sinuses ( e.g. Aquamaris spray). After that, I'd apply Nisita cream.

It took me a month to recover.

Okay, so after that I was curious and introduced eggs again and kefir, on two different occasions. The same congestion appeared.

I would use the above-mentioned strategy to recover from it. I'm sure that it all started from the gut and the food intolerances.

Then, it happened again even though I was on an AIP diet. This time I was confused.

I tried to remember what was different this time in my meals. And the only thing that I could identify is a beef protein powder that was not strictly declared as gluten-free.

I got that out from my diet, applied the above strategy and recovered.

So, in my case, it was definitely due to food intolerances (gluten, dairy, eggs).

I hope this helps!

rustyempire profile image
rustyempire in reply to Shkmigmo

thanks for the in depth reply! I’m curious if you have tried a good digestive enzyme yet?

Shkmigmo profile image
Shkmigmo in reply to rustyempire

I have, and have been using them all the time (experimented with different brands), but still experience the same sinus issues when consuming something that doesn't agree with my immune system (I have hashi). Maybe they are not that good...But I'm not quite confident that they can eliminate the reactions completely...

TVOReason profile image
TVOReason

a mixture of bicarbonate of soda, salt and sugar and really clears the congestion for me

Half a pint of boiled but cooled water, a level teaspoon each of bicarbonate, salt and sugar, mix well and then pour some into the palm and take up into the nose with the other nostril closed, repeat on the other side….. have the tissues at the ready

Nellies47 profile image
Nellies47

Hi, I have this all my life. I have sjogren's too but I have heard that thyroid disease can cause dryness too. My sinuses get so dry they crack and bleed. I use neil med sinus rince, it's very easy to use and the only thing I've found that's soothing. You can use it as many times as you like. You can get it in the chemist. I find any other sprays etc are irritating. Hope this helps, Nelly

elwins profile image
elwins

make my own salt spray and finds that works well. Lasts for sometime.

Helcaster profile image
Helcaster

Hello rustyempire, I know how painful this can be. Two things have helped me recently, taking aloe Vera Capsules, the non laxative type I get from Tiny Pioneer, also I've recently changed my HRT to Prasterone, which is a DHEA formulation. I don't know how old you are but being post menopausal really dried all my muscous membranes up. I have noticed for the first time in years I can actually blow my nose. You can also get an aloe Vera spray for dry noses, which I haven't tried. My nasal passages get really inflamed and when it's really painful as a last resort I will use a beconase spray. It's a relief to be outdoors especially on a damp day, have a good walk, that starts my nose running which relieves congestion.

Valeriu profile image
Valeriu

Sterimar nasal spray ( sea water) and Quercetin supplement; Quercetin will help absorb the Zinc too....I also use Xlear from iHerb or Swanson....Good LUck :)

Batty1 profile image
Batty1

You probably need a humidifier because indoor heating can be a mess to your sinuses …. You can try a Nasal wash and I apply very thin amount of vaseline inside nostrils when I get really dry … if you have sinus pains might need to see doctor to make sure you don’t have infection.

BonnieG123 profile image
BonnieG123

I use Claritin. It helps. I’ve been having similar problems with stuffiness, sneezing, and dry sinuses also. I have allergies, but this is different. The Claritin really helps but the there’s another stronger one with a DH (I think) after it. I can’t take that one because of my blood pressure. That’s ok with me as it’s more expensive. Ifnyouve never tried Claritin get the least amount you can. They used to have a 10 count in a foil push out pack but I haven’t seen them in a while. Best wishes.

Regenallotment profile image
Regenallotment

I found NAC powder in my smoothies has helped to clear all kinds of mucous, makes me cough a bit, (but in a good way).

TammyAnnMajka profile image
TammyAnnMajka

Try nebulizing saline

editheve profile image
editheve

sorry for the late reply on levo 10 years 2 years ago started suffering with sinuis issues stuffy nose face nose roof of the mouth pain for at least 12 weeks ant b s ushally clear it but had it again since nov 22 still suffering today had 3 lots of ant bs if you on lev o you may have grown sensitive to the ingrediants if you are it causes sinus issues its not the levo its the fillers they use ivd asked for tirosint same levo no fillers not got them yet hope they are a mirical cure 13 weeks in pain google symptoms of recurring sinus issues and levo hope this helps .

Strollingrose profile image
Strollingrose

I use Mometasone Furoate a nasal spray for chronic nasal congestion due to a deviated septum and it give me some relief. It may be worth giving it a try . It is on prescription from my doctor.

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