Chronic breathing problems, postnasal drip

[jonesey_11]

For about six months now, I've been unable to take a full breath and am experiencing constant postnasal drip. The mucus is clear for the most part, and I have no congestion. It all started with a cold that slowly turned into this... in the first month or so the breathing problems were a bit worse but as it stands right now, I can't take a full breath and have some difficulty breathing, and an occasional dry cough. It seems to get a bit worse at night but I don't notice any change on exertion. I visited a doctor recently and after taking several deep breaths for her, I had some very bad chest pains for a while after the appointment. There's no wheezing and it's fairly constant and consistent, which I was told wasn't common if it were asthma. I'm puzzled, any thoughts?

[National Jewish Health]

The first question to be answered is, why can’t you take a deep breath?  Is it weakness of the respiratory muscles?; the, perhaps unconscious, fear of pain if you do?; is there a feeling of obstruction to inhaling that cuts-off your breath, before it is complete?; or something else that you feel when you get to the point where inspiratory air flow stops?; could you have weakness or paralysis of one of two of your hemi-diaphragms?; has a chest x-ray been done to rule out something that might be blocking one of your bronchial tubes?; and have pulmonary function tests (PFTs) been performed?

You should discuss these considerations with your doctor.

Good luck.

[laaz]

Ten to one what you have is Vasomotor rhinitis.  Sometime after a viral infection the nerve endings are affected and just become constantly irritated.  They sometimes call this non allergic rhinitis or vasomotor rhinitis.  I have the same problem for 6 yrs. now as well with a small fiber peripheral neuropathy after a bout with the flu bug.  Had sinus surgery - did nothing but made it worse.  I irrigate my nose 2-3 times a day with Neil- Med sinuse solution rinse for 6 yrs. and it does nothing but it might help you.   Mention this to your ENT doctor.  By the way nasal or oral steroids did not help with the constant post nasal drainage.    Let me know how things are.       Laaz