Nasal Blockage - Can't Breathe At Night

[limitme]

My nasal passages get inflamed and I cannot breathe at night.
Unfortunately, I have to use about a squirt of afrin every night....just so i can breathe....I know I shouldn't...but I cannot sleep without it...

I need help....please....I know I can't reply on this stuff forever....especially since people say it has rebound effects that get worse...

I've tried, neti pot....
I've tried nasonex....

I've tried shooting saline mixed with peppermint oil....
nothing opens up my nasal passages so i can breathe all though the night except afrin.....

I live in Houston.....
I need help....

i don't have a deviated septum...because with afrin I can breathe through both passages at the same time occasionally....

I don't know what to do.....I know its probably allergies....that cause my passages to close up....

I'm thinking about seeing an allergist....

any help is appreciated...

 

[kind2creatures]

Have you ever tried something like those Breathe Right Nasal Strips? A guy I used to work with used them during the day, and said it helped with his congestion.

https://www.breatheright.com/products_nasalstrips.aspx

 

[nightowl]

I just went through the same thing with Afrin. They say not to use it more often than every 12 hours, but I think it's a mistake to use it at all. I just had to decide that I was tougher than the medication and it took about a week to be able to breathe normally at night. I cheated a little though...by using my BIPAP machine at night for sleep apnea.

 

[limitme]

I just went through the same thing with Afrin. They say not to use it more often than every 12 hours, but I think it's a mistake to use it at all. I just had to decide that I was tougher than the medication and it took about a week to be able to breathe normally at night. I cheated a little though...by using my BIPAP machine at night for sleep apnea.

i can't sleep at night breathing through my mouth...I just can't...I'll have dreams that I can't breathe very well....whether its me going underneath the water or something...then i'll wake up and realize I'm not able to breathe through my nose...its horrible....

 

[nightowl]

In my case they gave me 15 liters of high pressure oxygen at the hospital to save my life...which they did... but it burned the inside of my nose and shrunk the passages, especially on the the right side, till it was almost closed by the time I was released on March 5th. That's why I tried the Afrin, which gave instant relief, but started tightening up again less than two hours later. In the hospital I was told not to use petrolium jelly as a lubricant, but the little tube of lubricant the nurses gave me said white petrolium jelly. I used it to make a barrier between the nose and the burning oxygen. I was down to 5 liters by the time I came home but that is still very high and burns. Later I crept back up to 12 liters and I'm now back down to 5.

Believe me, limitme, I can totally understand your misery. The only things I can think of that might help is to ask your pharmacist if there is something similar, over the counter, that would work without the side affects. He may even suggest a prescription drug or nasal spray that you might ask your doctor for. It sounds as though you need to see an allergy or pulmonary specialist if you were having trouble breathing in the first place.

Good luck in finding what will work best for you.
nightowl

 

[jfh]

Here is something that I tried. It worked; except for one thing. It did not take long afterward for me to remember why I went on Afrin in the first place. I have to address problems of allergies, small passages, leaky gut, and constipation - all adrenal related weakness. https://www.rhinostat.com/ OTC nasal spray is evil. I fill a nasal spray bottle with salin solution and about a fourth of it with Afrin. I'll do this until I think I'm ready to bear a few days of breathing through my mouth again.

and something else https://www.iherb.com/Eclectic-Institute-Nasal-Support-Nettle-Eyebright-310-mg-45-Veggie-Caps/2935?at=0 Nettle is reputed to be very good for sinus, among so many other things.

Here is something else I tried. Unsuccessful for me; as I have some reaction to pineapple. https://altmedicine.about.com/cs/herbsvitaminsa1/a/Bromelain.htm

 

[Arrowwind09]

Afrin is a dangerous medicine, at least it was for me. When every I used it I would end up with infections. Pseuphedrine is better, at least it was for me. I use to get the 12 hour tabs and sometimes take 3 in 24 hours when it was bad.

I had pretty severe mountain cedar allergy when I lived in Texas. It was really really bad and this is about the time of year it comes around. Usually the news will report what pollens are happening daily. Do a search on this forum for pollen count. It is a website that will help you find reports on pollen in your local area Check the pollen counts EVERY day.

For me I used many different things for the mountain cedar allergy. Some things would help for a year or two then stop working. Finally I came across Pycogenol and that CURED my mountain cedar allergy. Haven't had it now for at least 4 years.

I think that homeopathy does better will allergies that an allergist. I would exhaust that path before I went to an allergist. I went to an excellent homeoapth in Dallas named Judith Pruzo. She use to work in a clinic with Dr Johnson, it was an environemental dieseses speciality. I don't think she is with him anymore. They did a lot of work regarding allergy. In my opinion she is worth a trip to Dallas. Houston probably has some good homeopaths also.. can't say who though. Judith is a master.

See if you can get some idea of what you are allergic too by following the reports. When I had mt cedar allergy it was every bit as bad.

 

[nightowl]

limitme,

How are you doing? I think I must be feeling the "Ripple Effect" because I have had a stuffed up nose the past couple of days!

nightowl

 

[limitme]

limitme,

How are you doing? I think I must be feeling the "Ripple Effect" because I have had a stuffed up nose the past couple of days!

nightowl

I'm doing good...thanks for asking....
I'm doing good because I'm using afrin at night.....but I did dilute it with saline....it still works exactly the same....
I only use 1 squirt in one of my nostrils....

it'll last all night usually....

I use the afrin menthol mist.....I don't think the spray works as well....

anyway...I'm going to keep trying to dilute it....
and occasionally I'll use my neti pot.....

I've realized that neti pot is for maintenence....it does not solve the problem....but it keeps your nasal passages in better shape....

and afrin works just as good even when you dilute it considerably....

I'm eventually going to go to an allergist....its just hard to find the time.....

I have to little boys and just had a little girl about 2 weeks ago....so its been busy here...

 

[nightowl]

With all the kids and a new little baby, no wonder you are desperate for sleep! I'm in a hurry for a late dinner but do appreciate the info about diluting Afrin! Thanks!

 

[Naturalman]

A couple of thoughts come to mind. First, I always think NATURAL rather than any kind of medication as medications so often have serious side effects. Aside from those suggestions you've already received here are a couple of thoughts.
1. Do you have a balanced humidity in your home. Since you live in Texas, and, depending on where in Texas, this can vary. If the air is too dry it can cause those kinds of problems. Here in Michigan I burn wood for heating and it tends to make the air dry so I often will get seriously plugged up if a window isn't cracked. You might want to consider a humidifier if this is a problem.

2. These kinds of conditions are often a symptom of a deeper problem. Often times "leaky gut" causes the immune system to produce antibodies that will result in sinus conditions. You may want to consider dispensing of the medications because these only make the conditions worse. If you have an intestinal problem it will need to be addressed by use of probriotics.
You may have heard recently about the use of various medicines used for digestive problems causing other more serious conditions. The same is true of medicines used for respiratory problems--they always have a detrimental effect someplace else.
Have you use antibiotics over the last couple of years? Do you use NSAIDS? Consider these.

 

[limitme]

A couple of thoughts come to mind. First, I always think NATURAL rather than any kind of medication as medications so often have serious side effects. Aside from those suggestions you've already received here are a couple of thoughts.
1. Do you have a balanced humidity in your home. Since you live in Texas, and, depending on where in Texas, this can vary. If the air is too dry it can cause those kinds of problems. Here in Michigan I burn wood for heating and it tends to make the air dry so I often will get seriously plugged up if a window isn't cracked. You might want to consider a humidifier if this is a problem.

2. These kinds of conditions are often a symptom of a deeper problem. Often times "leaky gut" causes the immune system to produce antibodies that will result in sinus conditions. You may want to consider dispensing of the medications because these only make the conditions worse. If you have an intestinal problem it will need to be addressed by use of probriotics.
You may have heard recently about the use of various medicines used for digestive problems causing other more serious conditions. The same is true of medicines used for respiratory problems--they always have a detrimental effect someplace else.
Have you use antibiotics over the last couple of years? Do you use NSAIDS? Consider these.

I'm in Houston...and usually its pretty humid here...although, I might start using one for additionally humidty at night...that's a good idea...
all I have now is a Vick's vaporizer....that doesn't work half the time...

I'm not sure if I have leaky gut....how could I tell? I will start taking some probiotics....can't hurt, right....its good for you...

the only thing I use is saline diluted afrin menthol mist....

I would like to goto a Traditional Chinese Doctor and have them treat me with herbs and or acupuncture....

does anyone know a good accredited TCM doctor here in Houston?

 

[Naturalman]

limitme, I'm not sure there is a definate way to determine "leaky gut" but if you were to find a practicioner who is trained in muscle response testing, or a TCM practioner, a Naturopath, or even an open minded MD they would ask you series of questions about eating habits, use of Nsaids, antibiotics, or other drugs to determine if you suffer from some kind of yeast overgrowth. The destruction of the "good" bacteria in the intestines is one of the things, and probably the primary thing that leads to "leaky gut". The problem is that there are so many organs and systems that can be affected by "leaky gut" that it often is not even considered.
I have found that often times when a person is suffering from respiratory problems, sinus, ears, throat,etc. it is related to intestinal problems.
Think of your mouth, nose, skin, urinary tract, and intestinal tract as being like chimneys for the release of toxins. If something is working improperly in one of these chimneys the others have to carry the load.
I believe, strongly, that almost all, if not all, dis-ease begins in the digestive and intestinal tract. So, if these are not working properly the other systems will be affected.
Here's a suggestion. Go to a mirror and stick out your tongue. Look at the back of your tongue and see if there is a heavy, whitish/yellowish coating, sort of greasy looking. If so, you probably have an intestinal issue. It is not written in stone but it's a good indicator. Of course, if you've just had a cup of coffee or some thick banana flavored ice cream you may want to wait awhile
You should be having two bowel movements per day and somewhat consistant in texture.
Digestive enzymes are also in order as they should be used along with the probriotics. The enzymes should be taken with meals and the probriotics should be taken either at night on an empty stomach or in the morning on an empty stomach at least a half hour before eating.
If I can be of any further assistance let me know.

 

[u&iraok]

Does it just happen during allergy season, limitme? Or all year round? If it's all year round I would try and find the cause--food allergies, bacterial or fungal infection, etc.

I had constant 24-hour sinus drip and a stuffy nose for several years. It wasn't nearly as bad as yours but sometimes if I was laying on my back it would make me choke. It went away with MMS--making me think it was some kind of infection but it came back only not as bad. I took 6,000 mg of Vitamin C, 10,000 IU Vitamin D and 25,000 IU Vitamin A every day for a couple months and now it seems to be gone.

I was wondering if sinus problems can be attributed to Vit D deficiency but I couldn't really find anything when I looked it up.

 

[limitme]

Are any probiotics good?
Or is there a particular brand?

I've seen those dan yogurt drinks that have them...

I'll check my tongue....

I actually have pretty regular bowel movements everyday...at least 1.


Its usually not blocked up year round....definitely more so during the winter months.

I will definitely start taking some probiotics....
I already take vitamin D 3.....I bought some of the Vitamin Shoppe Brand drops....I think it was a 2000 UI bottle.
I take about 5 drops....roughly about 10,000 UI a day...some days I forget.
are most vitamin D 3 supplments (drops) about the same?

I'm going to start taking some vitamin C as well.....

I used to take Carlson's Super D Omega 3 fish oil....

I had tried to give my kid some (3 yr old)....I wasn't thinking......I gave him about a 1/4 teaspoon....poor guy had a runny (dark poop) diaper....
I won't be giving any of my little ones fish oil again anytime soon....


quick question:

Does anyone know the name of this tea and where I can buy some?

"he saw every student in the cafeteria drinking a kind of herbal tea for the prevention of cold and flu before their lunch. She thought that was very interesting and asked me what they were drinking. I told her that every school in China, from grade school through college, offers herbs to the students during the flu season to prevent cold and flu. There are quite a few teas and herbal formulas available for prevention purposes. In China, these anti-cold and flu formulas will be found in every family�s medicine cabinet. It would be almost impossible to find a person in China who has never taken one. Most of these effective and time-tested herbal formulas come from two important schools in traditional Chinese medicine: the school of cold-induced febrile diseases, represented by Zhang Zhongjing (150-219 AD), and the school of seasonal febrile diseases, represented by Wu Jutong (1758-1836).
Our clients say that their doctors have been surprised by the effectiveness of Cold & Flu Formula (Yin Qiao San), which is a common and popular formula in China."


source: https://www.tcmpage.com/hpcoldflu.html

 

[limitme]

I'm starting to think I do have a deviated septum. Even during the day, one nasal passage is open and the other closed. And before I realized it, after about 2-4 hours, vice versa. But never both at the same time.

 

[knightofalbion]

A few drops of Olbas Oil on the pillow (roughly, where your nose will be) will keep the nasal passages clear and help you get a decent night's sleep.
Olbas Oil is great as an inhalant, when needed, during the day.

 

[Tinamnd]

Have you tried the breathe right nasal strips people say they work.

 

[d0ug]

It is normal that one nostril is open the other closed and in time it will reverse. The naturopath doctor would tell you that is part of the balancing system of the body temperature control. If anyone that does not have a problem check they will find that one nostril works harder than the other and in time it will change.

 

[seano]

I'm not sure if this would be related to the same problem, but I found that when I went for runs I could never take in quite as much air as I wanted to and always felt short of breath despite being in good shape. I tried the breathe right strips and they completely solved my problem! Not the best fashion statement though unfortunately. Eucalyptus oil has be known to help with clearing nasal passages. You could try either steam inhalation (over a pot of water with the addition of the oil), or direct application of 1-2 drops either around the nostril or right over the sinus areas. If you find that the oil is too strong, dilute the oil with a carrier oil such as coconut oil. Good luck!

 

[larryz]

Being a long distance runner, even when I have the impact of running helps open my sinuses at least temporarily. People think I'm crazy to run when I am ill but it really helps me breathe better Plus I can never take a day off. I'm just too addicted.

 

[Carina Mellbin]

I may have the solution but be sure to set an appointment with your doctor just to be sure.

When you’re stuffed up, focus on keeping your nasal passages and sinuses moist. Although people sometimes think that dry air might help clear up a runny nose, it actually has the opposite effect. Drying out the membranes will irritate them further.

To keep your nasal passages moist, you can:

Use a humidifier or vaporizer.
Take long showers or breathe in steam from a pot of warm (but not too hot) water.
Drink lots of fluids. This will thin out your mucus, which could help prevent blocked sinuses.
Use a nasal saline spray. It’s salt water, and it will help keep your nasal passages from drying out.
Try a Neti pot, nasal irrigator, or bulb syringe. Use distilled, sterile water or H2O that’s been boiled to make up the irrigation solution. Rinse the irrigation device after each use and let it air dry.
Sit a warm, wet towel on your face. It may relieve discomfort and open your nasal passages.
Prop yourself up. At night, lie on a couple of pillows. Keeping your head elevated may make breathing more comfortable.
Avoid chlorinated pools. They can irritate your nasal passages.

 

[JanH]

Might want to give NutriBiotic nasal spray a try. It is NOT the usual stuff you find in the drugstore and is not habit forming! It helps clear your nasal passages and lubricates. Contains Grapefruit Seed Extract. Go to their Nutribiotic.com web site and check out the nasal spray and nasal spray plus. They have other good products too (I've bought them for years) so check them out.