Nasal congestion and nasal spray

[mikenj]

Hello,

I have been having problems breathing through my nose for several years.  I have used over the counter oral medicine (Claritin) which provided some relief.

A few months ago I went to an ENT Doctor.  The ENT Doctor examined my Ears, Nose and Throat.  

After the exam the doctor told me that I had a deviated septum and possibly a nasal polyp.  The ENT Doctor prescribed Nasonex and also told me that surgery may be an option.

I have found that Nasonex has worked well for me and I am able to breath through my nose.  Sometimes I notice that I can breath through both sides.  

As a general rule if medicine helps is it wise to not consider surgery?  How long can people use Nasonex?

Thanks,

[cskychen]

Nasonex is a kind of steroid. the local use can prevent systemic side effect of steroid and it will need several weeks to get it's maximum effect. You should follow the dosage that your doctor prescribed.
Long term use of low dose steroid may affect your immune system.

You may have 2 problems: nasal septum deviation and nasal polyps.
You should know which causes your nasal obstruction. They are different and need different surgery approach.

Almost everyone has a nasal septum deviation. The indication of surgery(septoplasty) is depend on patient's feeling of nasal obstruction, the impact in daily life, if it become easily nasal bleeding, or it obstruct the natural sinus opening.

Alos, your may need to clarify if there are nasal polyps or not. If there are nasal polyps, it usually means your nasal sinus doesn't ventilation well,possible chronic sinusitis, and need surgical intervention(functional sinus scope surgery).

There are other manners to improve your nasal obstruction like local injection of steroid to your inferior turbinate or laser abrasion procedure.

Some patient come for surgery because of long term use of nasal decongestion drug.
Some old man will have difficulty in urination if they took nasal decongestion drug.
They need surgery to improve their quality of life.

Hope its helpful

[National Jewish]

Nasal steroid sprays, like Nasonex