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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Vasomotor Rhinitis, or what?
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis.
Vasomotor Rhinitis, or what?
by cheermom1, Jun 21, 2004 12:00AM
In 1999 (49 yrs. old), something turned my mucus system on hyper drive; it’s worse after I eat or drink – most anything. I started HRT (CombiPatch) that year and my masters program, while teaching fulltime. Stress.
In the past 4 years, I have seen 12 doctors/specialists: 2 PCPs, 3 allergists, 3 ENTs, 1 gastroentologist, 1 pulmonologist, 1 gyn, 1 psychiatrist. I have had allergy tests (no allergies), 2 reductions of the inferior turbinets in my nose, 6 months of meds (PPIs) for reflux, a plethora of nasal sprays/washes and meds; I’ve had a chest xray, limited CT scan of sinuses, upper endoscopy, barium swallow, 24 hr. PH probe for reflux, nasal smear for eosinophils, & asthma tests. Everything indicates I’m pretty darn healthy! The conclusion is that I have vasomotor rhinitis. The only meds that give me ‘some’ relief are ones that have anticolinergic properties - I live on antihistamines and decongestants.
I am SO OVER having to clear my throat, feeling like my nose, throat, chest are filled with liquid/mucus, waking up at night w/a horrid tickle/drip in my throat.
It seems like it’s mostly women around my age who complain of similar symptoms. I’ve read that progesterone could be linked to v. rhinitis, via the parasympathetic nervous system. I just weaned myself off HRT and am waiting results of a saliva test for hormones – am going to try bioidentical hormones with a new gyn. Since going completely off HRT, my throat/chest congestion and throat clearing have worsened. Comments or recommendations would be GREATLY appreciated.
In the past 4 years, I have seen 12 doctors/specialists: 2 PCPs, 3 allergists, 3 ENTs, 1 gastroentologist, 1 pulmonologist, 1 gyn, 1 psychiatrist. I have had allergy tests (no allergies), 2 reductions of the inferior turbinets in my nose, 6 months of meds (PPIs) for reflux, a plethora of nasal sprays/washes and meds; I’ve had a chest xray, limited CT scan of sinuses, upper endoscopy, barium swallow, 24 hr. PH probe for reflux, nasal smear for eosinophils, & asthma tests. Everything indicates I’m pretty darn healthy! The conclusion is that I have vasomotor rhinitis. The only meds that give me ‘some’ relief are ones that have anticolinergic properties - I live on antihistamines and decongestants.
I am SO OVER having to clear my throat, feeling like my nose, throat, chest are filled with liquid/mucus, waking up at night w/a horrid tickle/drip in my throat.
It seems like it’s mostly women around my age who complain of similar symptoms. I’ve read that progesterone could be linked to v. rhinitis, via the parasympathetic nervous system. I just weaned myself off HRT and am waiting results of a saliva test for hormones – am going to try bioidentical hormones with a new gyn. Since going completely off HRT, my throat/chest congestion and throat clearing have worsened. Comments or recommendations would be GREATLY appreciated.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Jun 25, 2004 12:00AM
, Jun 25, 2004 12:00AM
This is obviously a very difficult and frustrating problem for you. From what you have explained vasomotor rhinitis is the most likely diagnosis for your problems. This simply means that for a variety of possible reasons, the blood vessels lining your respiratory tract are in a more irritable state and react by swelling and releasing fluid. The drainage that you describe is how you experience this.
The most common time for this problem to occur is during thyroid problems and hormonal changes in life: puberty, pregnancy, premenopause. Anything that changes the hormone level can aggravate your symptoms. Almost anything that causes an increased blood flow can also make your symptoms worse. This would include: exercise; heat and cold changes; spicy foods; and emotions, especially stress. It is not likely this is going to go away so soon, but you have a real good chance of this happening after some further changes in your body and life. Until that time, avoiding the exposures and situations that create a change in blood flow will help. Continued use of drying medicines, such as the anticholinergics and the "old" antihistamines, will also help. However the “old” antihistamines can make you sleepy.
I hope an understanding of this problem can be of some help in tolerating and dealing with your symptoms.
The most common time for this problem to occur is during thyroid problems and hormonal changes in life: puberty, pregnancy, premenopause. Anything that changes the hormone level can aggravate your symptoms. Almost anything that causes an increased blood flow can also make your symptoms worse. This would include: exercise; heat and cold changes; spicy foods; and emotions, especially stress. It is not likely this is going to go away so soon, but you have a real good chance of this happening after some further changes in your body and life. Until that time, avoiding the exposures and situations that create a change in blood flow will help. Continued use of drying medicines, such as the anticholinergics and the "old" antihistamines, will also help. However the “old” antihistamines can make you sleepy.
I hope an understanding of this problem can be of some help in tolerating and dealing with your symptoms.
Member Comments (3)
by imbabsj, Jun 22, 2004 12:00AM
Yikes! I'm 57 and I've been dealing with a similar situation for the last year. Mine started after a virus and I just never got better. I do have adult onset asthma diagnosed about a year and ahalf ago however this is a completely different situation according to the docs. I too am coughing up great quantities of phlem and my chest hurts sometimes I still get green and yellow sputum after a year of antibiotics that have failed to knock this out. I have lupus and my Rheumetolgist recently tried a course of prednisone to see if it was a lupus related problem which it did not respond to that either . What the heck could this be ? If anyone has any thoughts I also would like to hear them since I am miserable with this problem.
by cheermom1, Jun 22, 2004 12:00AM
To: imbabsj
I never cough up anything. I just have a constant trickle down my throat, or a globus sensation in my throat - like there's something stuck in there and my throat is closing up. Again, it gets worse when I eat or drink. When it first started in 1999, I would only 'juice-up' for only an hour after eating. Now, it pretty much lasts all day; sometimes I wake up with it, or it can just develop on its own. Wierd.
