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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Allergies § loss of smell senses
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Allergies § loss of smell senses
by Tee1, Feb 17, 2003 12:00AM
I’ve been taking Antihistamines for approximately 12 months, prescribed by my doctor.
I have tried to knock them off and have stopped taking them on a few accessions, but the symptom return with a vengeance.
I get symptoms that could be associated with flue, severe backache (lower back), aching muscles, and swollen joints. Itchy, watery eyes. Running nose, part of the time and blocked sinuses, headache around eyes & cheeks.
My senses of smells have gradually diminished to the point that I have very limited senses and have to ask other for their opinion.
Any suggested cures
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Feb 24, 2003 12:00AM
, Feb 24, 2003 12:00AM
Antihistamines may help with itchy, watery eyes and a runny nose. Blocked sinuses can cause headaches around the eyes and cheeks. Decongestants may help with blocked sinuses. A combination antihistamine/decongestant may help with all of these symptoms. When these symptoms come and go the medicine is taken only when the symptoms are present. When these symptoms are always present, the medicine is generally taken on a regular basis to keep the symptoms under control.
Your sinuses can be very important to your sense of smell. When they are blocked, you may lose your sense of smell. If you prefer a non-medicine approach, check with your doctor to see if doing nasal washes regularly would be helpful for you. A nasal wash helps remove mucus and bacteria from the nose and sinuses. This can temporarily relieve your blocked sinuses. Please read our Nasal Wash MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/nasal.html for more information about this technique.
If you’re still unable to smell, your doctor may recommend using a prescription nasal steroid spray regularly after doing the nasal wash. A prescription nasal steroid spray can decrease sinus swelling and mucus production. This generally provides a more lasting decrease in sinus pressure and improves sinus drainage. This may lead to a return of your sense of smell. A nasal steroid spray does not provide immediate relief of symptoms and may require several weeks of routine use to become effective.
Please check with your doctor about the severe lower backache, aching muscles, and swollen joints.
Your sinuses can be very important to your sense of smell. When they are blocked, you may lose your sense of smell. If you prefer a non-medicine approach, check with your doctor to see if doing nasal washes regularly would be helpful for you. A nasal wash helps remove mucus and bacteria from the nose and sinuses. This can temporarily relieve your blocked sinuses. Please read our Nasal Wash MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/nasal.html for more information about this technique.
If you’re still unable to smell, your doctor may recommend using a prescription nasal steroid spray regularly after doing the nasal wash. A prescription nasal steroid spray can decrease sinus swelling and mucus production. This generally provides a more lasting decrease in sinus pressure and improves sinus drainage. This may lead to a return of your sense of smell. A nasal steroid spray does not provide immediate relief of symptoms and may require several weeks of routine use to become effective.
Please check with your doctor about the severe lower backache, aching muscles, and swollen joints.
If you are anywhere near Denver, you may wish to consider having an evaluation at National Jewish Medical & Research Center in Denver, CO, website www.NationalJewish.org. It has links & info about becoming a patient, as well as MedFacts about allergies and triggers. Otherwise, you can ask your internist to refer you to a certified allergist. A large teaching hospital with good allergy department may be a good place to try.
Aloha,
Starion