Non-allergic rhinitis

[torque]

I was just wondering if anyone else suffers from non-allergic rhintis. I think I have this. I get about 2 weeks every month, when my nose gets all stuffy. I get post nasal drip, my ears feel plugged and sometimes I get dizzy. I have seen an ENT, but she said I was "all better". I think stress is agrevating it again. I had allergy tests done- and everything was negative, so I know it is not allergies. I think it might be hormone/stress related. I started taking flonase again, but I am not sure if it is safe to take every couple of weeks. ANy ideas or comments would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!!!

[Jordy]

I get non-allergic rhinitis.  It is often hormone related, but I became more susceptible to it after a severe sinus infection two years ago.  Nine years ago I had a septoplasty with INCREDIBLE results--a perfectly functioning nose no matter what time of year.  Then this bad infection and it was like being back to square one, minus the deviated septum (I had a deviation and over-enlarged turbs that at the time did not respond to meds, so those were trimmed lightly along with a straightened septum).

I have almost no allergies, confirmed by the allergy tests.  Hormones, humidity, and sleep positions effect me the most.  My ENT tried me on several different sprays to keep the turbinate in my right nostril tamed down (I tend to only get stuffy in my right side.)  Flonase gave me bad chronic headaches.  Nasonex occasionally combined with Astelin worked pretty well but I developed nasal bleeding after long term use of the Nasonex.  Now, since last fall, I have been on Astelin only, right nostril only two sprays twice a day, and it is doing a pretty good job of keeping my nose feeling like it did before the infection (i.e. VERY good) with almost no side effects.  It tastes bad if it reaches the back of the throat, that is all.  I also do a saline nasal rinse every night, which helps before bed a LOT.

Before anyone mentions the fact that Astelin is an antihistamine for allergies, yes it is, but it also has a soothing effect on nasal tissues that are non-allergically irritated by specific factors (like temp, humidity, etc.)

[torque]

Thank you for your feedback!! I have been telling myself that I need to do a saline spray, but I havent done it yet. I think I will pick some up this weekend and see how it goes. I get congested on whatever side I sleep on. I have tried sleeping on my back with my head propped up with a couple of pillows. this seems to help a bit, but gives me a stiff neck. I have an appt in July with my doc. I think I will see how it goes with the saline spray- and trying to reduce my stress (haha!). if it still doesnt help, maybe I will suggest the med you said. I am willing to try anything! Thanks again for your comments!!

[vaccaro]

I have a similar problem as you.  i had enlarged inferior turbinate on left side and had coblation surgery to reduce its size.  I did fine for 19 months, that is, utnil i just caught a cold after Thanksgiving turning into an infection and it triggered the turbinate dysfunction again.  However, I have not had any type of hormone testing but I am on nasacort.  My docotr has prescribed Astelin in past but it seemed to make my nose much more dry.  Did you have any type of hormone test to see if this was affecting your turbinate ?  I also use AYR saline nasal kit and wash my nasal passages twice daily.  I get congested on the side I sleep on.  I have to always sleep on my right side to keep my left turbinate from swelling so bad it feels like a balloon up my nose and I'm smothering to death. My right side of my nose seems to be okay.  I would like to know if you had any type of hormone tests to see if this is an effect on the turbinate and how you are doing now. Thanks alot! Vaccaro

[Mangesh]

hellow ,
this is dr mangesh a consulting homoeopath.

I have found beautiful result in allergic rhinitis with homoeopathy. Just try it one and let me know.