my nose and throat

[DebbieDo]

G'mornin all you heppers!
I just did #6 last night.  For the past couple of weeks my nose has been extremely dry. I have some alleriges and i have been taking Claritin and my nose spray, but, it doesnt seem to help..Also throughout the day i use saline.  Sometimes when i blow its bloody or the mucus is tinge yellow and nose runs (not always )  Question?  Does anyone else has this?  I know i read something about the nasal thing.  Is there anything else i might do.....its so annoying and i dont see the GI til the 23rd?  Otherwise i have been dealing with the fatique pretty well.
Thanks in advance ......and for all the support that i have read here....Deb

[DebbieDo]

Also, my throat is sore mostly in the morning.....and then it goes away til evening....and then back again in the morning....this has been going on for a week or so....

[ringading]

yup, i have the same thing and think i have since about the 3rd week, now week 12....i have read suggestions to invest in humidifiers..spl. and keep it beside your bed at night etc...my throat, nose and mouth is SO dry at night that it wakes me up every hour or so, so that i need to take a sip of water in order to continue breathing...or so it feels.( OH, WHY DON'T I BUY ONE OF THOSE...DUH )..also there are some special candy like things i have read about to help with this....its back in the archives somewhere....but i am sure someone will know and post it to you.....although, unlike you, i am not taking anything for allergies at all....i just 'blow' when i need to....lots....and 'PICK" when i WANT to....good luck kiddo

[Oreos]

My nose and throat get extremely dry, especially in the morning.  I'm on 12/48 and it's been like that since the beginning.  I can attest to the humidifier.  I bought one and put it in the bedroom at night.  The extra moisture in the air softens the sinus and throat tissues and makes it easier to breathe too.  I found a basic humidifier at the local drug store (sold with the vaporizors in the cold relievers section).  I find the dryness goes away for the most part during the day after my morning shower.  I think the shower steam helps with the dryness.  I also tend to wake up during the night and have a blast of water.  These meds really dry us out!  Also, I've found Biotene mouthwash helps with dry mouth, especially at night.

Oh, this is so much fun!  Gotta keep our eyes on the PRIZE and deal with these inconveniences along the way.  

[scruffy]

From my experience(33/48weeks peg-intron/Rebetol)the runny nose and sore throats are normal sides.For me they eased off considerably around 10 weeks.That's approximate, my memory was never too great.I still get occasional cough and some stuffiness but not bad.I would'nt use any more then absolutely necessary of antihistamines as they will dry you out even more.water-water-water.Hang in there.

[MajNeni]

If the mucus coming from your throat or nose is opaque, yellowish or grayish or greenish, you're probably dealing with an infection.  This should be seen by a doc, and may require a short course of antibiotics.  I had two sinus infections during tx; after antibiotic tx, the other symptoms went away.  Clear mucus tends to be from allergies.
Point to remember:  during HCV tx, you can still catch regular stuff such as colds, strep, etc.  
In addition to humidifying my bedroom, I used an ointment on my nose and any other tender areas.  Combined Vit.A&D ointment with a little zinc ointment; added a dash of triple antibiotic ointment when indicated.  This helped a lot, especially in my nose and around the corners of my eyes, where I often got little cracks.  Biotene toothpaste & mouthwash helped keep down dry mouth and mouth sores.  
For those of you who clean your noses very thoroughly with whatever tools are at hand... keep those nails short.  Scratches heal really slowly, like every other wound during tx.
Good news:  10 days after finishing tx drugs, my saliva turned on like Niagara Falls.  Ah, not to have a dry mouth!  Isn't that better news than the scrap over CBS and the halftime show?
Maj Neni

[CARUU]

I like a saline gel called Ayr.  They also make a spray.  It really feels good in the nose.  Also, my GP recently prescribed Nasonex for "Colorado Dry Nose".  I've used it a couple of times and it helps runny nose, but I'm leary of yet another med. caruu

[LadyDi64]

Hi everyone... I have had dry mouth and nose & sore throat for the last 4 months... got a sinus infection and hasnt been good since. I use a humidifer in room at night and it helps. I have such dyr eyes that i had to go to eye doc and have him put plugs with holes in my tear ducts due to dry patches on the eyeball. I use drops all day long and nose spray. My skin is so dry that it hurts to wear clothes some times....I just got over thrush in the mouth and another sinus infection. seems like it never ends.I also use oral balance in my mouth at night. It helps a little. I wake up in the morning and my tongue is stuck to the roof of my mouth. The good news is I only have 8 more weeks to go.

[MajNeni]

I've heard that you can only use saline nasal spray for about three weeks, or you may get a rebound effect; the symptoms you started with, only worse.

[DownThisRoad]

I had a CAT scan done to see if my sinus were infected again.  I've had sinus surgery previous to starting my treatment meds.  I am told by my ENT not to use anything (Nose sprays) due to my surgery.

My scan came back clear and it was determined by my GI that the riba really acts up with the sinuses and nose and throat.  I was even put on a high dosage of antibiotic during my 8th week of treatment, but didn't clear up.  My GI said to use a little of the 'Ocean' saline spray but not to use it everyday for the mere fact tha Majneni mentioned in this post.

I've used the Ocean very sparingly, and it does help me tons with the dry nose and being able to clear and blow my nose.  I live in Colorado where we suffer with dryness due to the altitude here.  Coughing and nose problems are major complaints from people who take these medicines.

I've put up with that now for 40 weeks.  Whew !!

[MajNeni]

Deb, passing 40 - weeks - is another nice benchmark.  Pat yourself on the back.  MN

[DebbieDo]

Thanks everyone for your replies......i think i might have a slight infection.  I thought you could use saline  as often as needed...My mother doctor once told her that.  I use vaseline, neosprine, saline, and i will get a humidifer on Thurs to use during the night.I think picking my dry nose started this in the first place.  I wil not do that again......Yes, i noticed that little cuts do take longer to heal now.  Well, thanks everyone.....i appreciate all you input....Im so grateful that i found this site.  Love you guys.....Deb  :)

[Galen]

While I agree with Majneni that over use of saline nasal spray can result in rebound problems, that usually only happens with those that have other medications in them such as a decongestant.  The problem with saline ones seems to be the additives such as preservatives.  The following is a recipe for hommade nasal spray.
In a sterile container, mix one cup water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of baking soda.
There are a few preservative-free ones on the market but they can be hard to find. One is called Entsol and you may ask your pharmacist about it or others.

[Galen]

I just did a quick search and found a homepage for Entsol which offers the stuff for purchase
http://www.entsolwash.com/

[Honey15637]

If I could do anything at this point for my husband...I wish I could find something to relief his drainage, cough that has been going on now for 3 to 4 weeks.  I'm checking in to Entsol for some relief.  He is working 12 hour shifts and I just talked to him and he is feeling terrible.  Said if he could just get rid of all the cold like symptoms..He would feel better.  Now he is starting to think he really has a cold but I don't think so as it has been so long and it would have healed now. I haven't had that but have had the dryness in my nose and if winter ever goes away and I am not running heat then this may help us alot.  Any suggestions for just stopping a cough for at least 24 hours so he can rest!  Thanks guys...you are all the greatest!

[Honey15637]

Thanks...(((HUGS))  I'm on my way to walgreens right now. I will let you know definitely as we are ready to try anything.  This board is awesome!

[DebbieDo]

Thanks for the info......I will get some Entsol. The idea of homemade saline interest me....I need to get something to put it in.......thanks again....I will get a humidifier tomorrow when i go to Walmart. Nose seem better today.  This is the worst sx thus far.  I feel pretty good otherwise.  Deb

[whybabe]

Try a humidifier in your house.  I had one in my bedroom and livingroom and it helped me tremendously.  Good luck!
Deb