Can't breath through nose, shortness of breath

[Cosmogal]

I have been taking Zyrtec-D and at first it seemed that was working but now I am having more stuffiness. I can't breath through my nose. I have tried nasal sprays to no avail. I have tried other over the counter meds such as Claritin and Tylenol Sinus but none work. I go to bed at night and I am fine for a bit but always wake up at about 4am. I am exhausted and am not getting enough sleep. Off and on I have been having a little shortness of breath. I am not sure if I am combining too much with that as well. I go off and on because I am worried about using nasal spray too many days in a row. I also am plugged up so much that I can't even blow my nose. Nothing comes out! I can feel it drip though in the back of my nose. I went to the doctor and he was going to put me on a nasal spray but he forgot to. I have been on that same one before however and it didn't do anything. I am thinking of seeing an allergist. Just don't know when I can get in one and where and if they are covered under my insurance. I am just worried about breathing and getting sleep. I am at my wits end! Help!

[RYAN1627]

Try OTRIVIN.......It helped me ALOT

[gabe209]

Have you tried to put a little bit of Vicks Vapor rub below your nostrils? It is a simple procedure I use to get my passages open again.

[Stuffy911]

What should I try next? My allergy is so bad . I can't breath thru my nose ,seem obstruction 100% .i have to breath thru the mouth. I tried  Allegra d , sudafed , tylenol sinus , NSS drops all didn't help.sometimes it's worst ,my heart rate went up to 130-150 , I almost go to ER because I can't breath, can't talk and palpitation .any emergency drug /method recommendation ?
Thank you.
Tb.

[trImbol]

When there is cold i will not be able to breath very well

[nena989]

im having breathing problem since last 1 year. i cannot breathe through nose properly specially at night when im about to sleep. i wakeup at around 2-3am and my sleep gets disturbed. i got checkup by a doctor but he said that its because of some tension. Now m using nasal drop, i get sound sleep with this bt i cannot use it continuosly. please help.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Good to know that you are doing well now.

It is indeed nice of you to follow up and keep us posted.

Regards.

[Cosmogal]

Allergy shot went great! No reaction what so ever. I am doing very well. I am breathing so much better. I have been doing nasal irrigation and I swear by that!!! I can't believe the difference in me lately. I hope it continues. My energy levels have been much better as well. It helps that I am not having a hard time breathing as well. Anyway, if anything else changes I will let you know. Again, thanks for all your advice.
Paula

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Are you taking your asthma medications - your inhalers regularly? Are you using a spacer with the inhalers?

It would help to review your inhaler technique once by a medical professional.

Do let us know how the allergy shot goes.

Regards.

[Cosmogal]

Well I am having my first allergy shot tomorrow morning. I am still having shortness of breath. Not sure why. I am doing the nasal irrigation as of yesterday.  I really like that. Anyway, I will let you know how it goes.
Paula

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

How are you doing now?

Do update us on the latest.

Let us know if you need any other information.

Regards.

[Cosmogal]

Thanks, I will try that irrigation. I have heard that its good. Its nice to know I am not alone. Mine was complicated by panic attacks as well. Its not easy. I have never had allergies this bad before. So as you can imagine, I have been going crazy thinking its something else. Now that I have them under control life is getting better! Best of luck to you as well.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Good to know that you are doing well now.

It is indeed nice of you to follow up and keep us posted.

Regards.

[rugger22]

Hey I was having THE same symptoms as you about a month ago and it made me anxious and miserable.  My Dr. told me I have mild asthma that is stirred up by seasonal allergies.  A pulmonologist just put me on an Advair inhaler (which I use with a spacer which works very well), and nasonex nasal spray which also works very well.  Before I got those meds, when I was stuck waiting for my Dr. appt. and miserable...I tried nasal irrigation.  I liked it because it seemed to wash out any pollens and gunk that was up in my nasal cavities.  You could consider trying it just as another thing that could help your symptoms.  I wish you luck!

[Cosmogal]

Great advice I will do that. I am very close to the fires that are going on in Florida and the smoke is aweful so I try to stay inside. I really had a good day today. Life is slowly returning to normal.
Thanks
Paula

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

You need to be careful about your asthma medications and try to avoid dust, smoke and fumes exposure.

It is good to know that you are better now.

Try to avoid the substances you have documented allergies to , and keep oral antihistamine medications at hand for use in case of a sudden flare up of symptoms.

Do keep us updated.

Let us know if you need any other information.

Regards.

[Cosmogal]

Hello!
Well since I last posted I have had allergy testing done. I found out I am allergic to cats, mold, pollen and ragweed. I have 3 cats so I was none too happy about that. I am going to take measures to protect myself. I will be getting allergy shots soon. I haven't had anymore coughing.
However I have been noticing a pattern with my shortness of breath. One of them is when I am bothered by something and I have been under alot of stress. Another is when I am not consistant with my meds like my advair and nose drops.
I did talk to my doctor about my issues and she put me on Lexapro. I think it was for the best. I do however hate hate hate to take meds. I am not a very compliant patient! I have learned not to mess with my asthma meds and keep taking them on time.
So far I am doing okay off and on. Yesterday I didn't do too well with breathing. Had to use my inhaler cause of the fires around here and how hot it was. Today was a good day and no issues. Claritin D however causes me to get less sleep. I try not to take it everyday.Anyway, thanks again!
Paula

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

You should definitely ask your doctor to get a chest xray done.

Let us know how the allergy testing goes.

Do let your doctor know about the cough. What colour is the expectoration?

Glad to know that you are feeling a little better symptomatically.

Do keep us posted.

Let us know about any other doubts that you have ad do post us about how you are doing.

Regards.

[Cosmogal]

Well my allergy testing is on thursday. I have a question though. Since I have been on the prednisone ( I just finished) I have been coughing alot and bring stuff up. Now when I went in before about the shortness of breath I was not coughing, But ever since I have been on the meds and I started coughing I have been able to breath better. How come they would diagnose me with asthma and not do a chest xray. I know I have allergies but I am pretty sure they were worse because I was having other issues, like a cold that made it worse. I called the doctors office the other day to tell them how I still couldn't breath well and that I didn't think the inhaler and advair were working. I gave them my work number and my cell to call me back. Istead they called my home phone when I wasn't there. I was not happy! But since then with the cough I have been okay with the breathing, Anyway, I will let you know what comes of my allergy testing.
Thanks
Paula

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

You can relax - you will not get the side effects that you mention. Like i said in my previous post they are caused by long term steroid medications.

You could take domperidone for tha nausea.

It is good to know that you are doing well.

Keep us posted.

Regards.

[Cosmogal]

I am already on protonix because of my gastric bypass. So that should be good. Goodness though I feel really nausea when I first take it. I take it before bed and it was better last night. I forgot to mention that my GYN put me on VagiFem (I had a hysterectomy) and I took my first dose the same day. I think my reaction was caused by the hormones. I am not going to take that though again till I finish this course of prednisone.
The allergist was suppose to call me yesterday and never did. I will give them a call today and find out.
So you don't think I will get those side effects? Its starts out at 40mg and goes to 10mg and so because its not that long I shouldn't get that? Oh thank goodness! I remember when I came out of surgery last year from my hysterectomy and my face was so swollen from all the fluid and I cried cause it looked like I put all my weight back on. I know, I am paranoid! Just never want to got back you know?
Anyway, since I have begun these treatments I am feeling so much better! Relief....finally!
Thanks
Paula

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

This is a low dose , short course steroid regimen and should not cause the side effects you are concerned about. They are caused by long term steroid medications.

You should take an antinausea antireflux medication as you might have some symptoms of reflux or heartburn.

Let us know about the appointment with the allergy specialist too.

Let us know about any other doubts that you have and do post us about how you are doing.

Regards.

[Cosmogal]

Oh on the prednisone I take 4 the first 2 days, the 3 the next 2 days, then 2 the next 2 days and then 1 the next 2 days. Then I will be done with it. I am worried however cause I have had gastric bypass and hope I absorbed it okay. Last night I slept okay but I didn't feel very good and when I woke up in the middle of the night I had been sweating. The dose is only 10mg, will I gain weight or get a moon face like some side effects I have read about? That worries me cause I am trying to lose weight and I don't want a moon face either. When I saw him yesterday, I did have a slight temp 99.0 and I usually run low. I should hear from the allergist sometime today. I will let you know.
Paula

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

It feels good to hear that even with the limitations of this form of communication we are still able to help you to some extent. Glad to know that the postw as of some help.

It would be advisable to contiue with the prescribed medications - but discontinue the prednisone as and when advised by your doctor - you are not to take it indefinitely. What dose has been prescribed?

Let us know about the appointment with the allergy specialist too.

Let us know about any other doubts that you have and do post us about how you are doing.

Regards.

[Cosmogal]

Me again! Well my visit to the ENT went well. I had an xray done of my nasal passages and that was fine. He inserted some kind of tissue with a decongestant and did some suctioning. He prescibed a nasal spray and prednisone. He told me to continue with everything else and an allergist is going to call me tomorrow to set up an appointment. I will hopefully find out what I am allergic to. Anyway, thanks again for all your help and wonderful suggestions. It made me prepared for todays visit.
Thanks
Paula