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612551 tn?1450022175

Nasal congestion (plugged up) when lying down

Looking for exchange of ideas and treatments on treating/stopping nasal congestion.  I have more specific information but will spare the reader from these details until some connection is found.

I have little or no congestion when sitting up, especially not when standing/walking.
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612551 tn?1450022175
I was disappointed with the prescription spray, with the cost of even a generic I expected more results.

The lesson learned for me was saline spray is more than a moisturizer, the saline is a mild decongestant, and you can use it often with not kick-back or side effects.  

I've use a netipot too.  I have not been impressed with it either, but after mowing or doing anything dusty or with a lot of pollen I figure the flush with a neti must help and it too is a mild decongestant.

I haven't read back to see what I have already posted here, so I my repeat, hope not in disagreement with myself : (

I also have mild obstructive sleep apnea which aggravates the congestion problem.  The only good personal news I have is I didn't have these problems until I became an older person, so I had many years free of such.
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Avatar universal
Thanks Jerry. I will try combining fluticasone propionate nasal spray and saline nasal irrigation as advised because each of them alone dont work for me.
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612551 tn?1450022175
I have and continue to use Fluticasone Propionate and saline spray.  This works okay but not as well as Afrin... but I can't use Afrin continuously.

The Flut seems to have a cumulative effect, better with regular use.  

I think it would be bad to use saline spray following the spray of Flut.  However, when I wake up at night a two or more hours after using the Flut at bed time, I use saline and it helps a lot.  I think the Flut is absorbed in the first 30 minutes, in fact I think I read that in the description that came with that prescription.

Remember, I am giving patient experience, not medical advice.
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Avatar universal
I have had sinus problems for a long time. The doctor recently prescribed fluticasone propionate nasal spray and some antibiotics. Is it okay to combine the spray with saline nasal irrigation? If so, how do I combine them?

Isaac
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello and hope you are doing well.

Based on the location of different sinuses, the drainage is affected by different postures. For the frontal sinuses, they are located between the eyes and drain more on standing up. Whereas the maxillary sinus located in the cheek bones, drain more on lying down. So, if the drainage into the nose varies with posture, it’s more likely to be due to sinusitis. If your symptoms are mild, you could try steam inhalations and breathing exercises, it will help resolve your symptoms in the long run. Also, you may need to check if any specific allergens are triggering your symptoms. And, yes a referral to an ENT specialist may help with your specific symptoms. Good Luck.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.
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612551 tn?1450022175
Thanks for your help.

I had posted this congestion problem on a couple of forums/communities and will move to focus activity to only one thread.

As I posted elsewhere, I have a prescription for Fluticasone Propionate nasal spray, use twice a day.  I had used that in the past with limited success.  I now have a fresh bottle and plan to try it again over then next 30 days (the bottle has only 120 metered sprays).  I have also started using saline spray several times a day/night to "irrigate" - and have considered returning to using a netipot to irrigate (flush) my sinuses.

I am coming up on my annual medical physical exam and will discuss with my primary care additional actions, perhaps a referral to a ENT specialist or maybe his treatment of any infection.  I don't recall him ever saying he suspected an infection.  
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello and hope you are doing well.

Sinus infection causes blockage of flow especially when a person lies down. The blockade is affected by the side to which the person turns also. This is more so with frontal sinusitis. Sinus infections can cause stuffiness of the nose with nasal blockage, which can make breathing through the nose difficult. You will need to consult your primary care physician for proper assessment. In the meantime practice good breathing exercises, humidify your room and do steam inhalations.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.
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