runny & blocked nose post Rhinoplasty

Hi there

I had my 1st rhinoplasty with alar plasty Aug 2006, revision in  July 2007 after developing severe hypertrophy of the scars closing my nostrils (about 3 mm in diameter,could barely squeeze a small cotton bud in my nostrils, I had to breath from my mouth ONLY, interfered with my sleep, waking up from dry mouth)

The revision was successful, with a lot of skin & mucosal grafts from the nearby nasal areas, the nostrils were restored to an acceptable size allowing me to breath, they started to constrict again , but seems to have stabilised now, one nostril stabilised beter than the other, one nostril is small the other is within the normal standard acceptable size) I was advised to dilate my nostrils which i have been doing twice a day for the 1st 5 months, now, not so much often, as they seem to have stabilized)

I am 6 months post revision  Rhinoplasty, I have blocked nose most if not  of the time & runny nose with sneezing... Helped only with CPM=Chlorpheniramine = piriton, an antihistamine & nasal sprays such as sinex/otrivine & similar xylymetazoline hydrochloride.

Nasal sprays alone were not enough, the CPM is what really helped.

I have taken a 1 month treatment of :
CPM 4 mg, 1 tab twice a day , &
Beclomethasone Dipropionate 50mc twice a day
xylymetazoline hydrochloride  2-3 times a day

All symptoms stopped  within 1 day,

After that I decided to decrease the dose gradually to get off that treatment. The symptoms recurred after few days..

I try NOT to get dependency on CPM, so i try to avoid it as much as possible,  & take it for few days only , 1 tab / day when the symptoms are very bad.  seems to help in few hrs, my breathing is good & much less runny nose. I still use the nasal spray 1-2 /day.

My Question is  , will I get dependency on CPM?
How long can I still take the CPM?
Is there any other procedures that needs to be done?
Will my symptoms improve with time?  how long?

Thank you

Anastasia

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

CPM is not addictive.  However, your problem is relative complex enough, that your treating physician would be the best source of information about continued treatment.  It would not be appropriate or advisable to recommend a treatment course without a full direct examination and evaluation for the source of your persistent runny nose.