Post nasal drip

[lisah335]

I have had post nasal drip for about 2 months, doctor put me on fluticasone propionate which has helped as not as bad but noticing still having nausea in am especially with having a cup of coffee with creamer as like today I drank just a little next thing I am throwing it right back up. I am over 50 and just went to allergist who diagnosed me with asthma and all allergy tests showed I wasn't allergic but my question is is it the creamer making me sick or the actual coffee. My post nasal drip is actually better as not gagging every morning and feeling like a river running from nose to throat but now this.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Post-nasal drip (PND) occurs when excessive mucus is produced by the sinuses. The excess mucus accumulates in the throat or back of the nose. It can be caused by rhinitis, sinusitis, or laryngopharyngeal acid reflux. It can be enhanced or sometimes even caused by allergies.

Please check out with an ENT specialist if you are having chronic rhinitis or sinusitis. If you have chronic sinusitis then it can lead to continuous production of mucus and less drainage leading to post nasal drip. Transillumination test and X-Ray or CT sinuses can help in diagnosing it. If allergic rhinitis is the cause of PND then it can be diagnosed by skin ***** tests or blood tests like RAST.

Take plenty of fluids throughout the day and inhale steam as many times as possible. . Inhaling steam from a bowl of hot (but not boiling water) may help to soften, and loosen, the build up of mucus in your nose. You may also find that adding some menthol crystals, or eucalyptus oil, to the water, helps to ease your symptoms of catarrh.

Use an over-the-counter (OTC) decongestant combined with an anti-inflammatory analgesic (pain reliever) like Ibuprofen. However, you should not use decongestants for more than 5-7 days at a time. You can also OTC antihistaminics like Benadryl or zyrtec for some days and see if they provide relief or not. Some chronic cases may need oral steroids or steroid nasal sprays and antibiotics. These can be taken only after prescription.

Allergic rhinitis may need immunotherapy in chronic cases.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[bsmsl]

hi and welcome to the community.

Sorry about your diagnosis.  I have several thoughts for you. What kind of allergy testing was done?  RAST blood testing is not considered to be as accurate as the sking testing.  If blood testing was done, I suggest you request skin tesing.  It is more expensive, but much more accurate.

There are several different types of non-allergic rhinitis.  It sounds like you would benefit from a nasal steroid spray.  

Also, you need to discus the possibility of reflux contributing to your PND.  Reflux can also be the sole cause of asthma like symptoms.  So if asthma treatment doesn't make you feel better, you should see a GI.

I have no thought on the coffee and creamer other than have you checked that the creamer is not past its date.

Take care and feel better.
God bless.