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Post by flanz on Jul 9, 2020 4:54:24 GMT
My sympathies, fellow sufferers. I'm hoping you can weigh in with some advice/experiences of your own.
I have had severe allergies for 5-6 months of every year since 4 years after we moved to California, so for about 28 years now. I can't take steroidal inhalers due to horrible side effects. I can't take Claritin or other non-sedating antihistamines due to horrible side effects. I've seen 3 different allergists over the last three decades. I'm not a candidate for allergy shots as I had them back in Canada in my late twenties. I've been told that is the reason that I show I am not allergic with current scratch testing; I only react to the positive control. I do take Sudafed and use NeilMed Nasal Irrigation system along with Tylenol for bad sinus headaches.
At times I have had horrible post nasal drip that causes a really sore throat and nasty nausea. I haven't had those symptoms in a severe way in recent years. This allergy season has gone on longer than usual and I'm really suffering and I have def. been aware of some post-nasal drip and sore throat. I have had to avoid all outdoor activities for 3 months and now that I feel like the pollens are finally manageable, I have been going on two mile walks after dinner with DH.
Yesterday I had a really good, energetic day and we got home from our walk around 9 pm. I went to bed at 11, reading for about half an hour, as is my usual. Then it was impossible to sleep. I felt like I couldn't catch a deep breath which made me anxious. I haven't used my rescue inhaler in years but I always make sure to have one on hand. After tossing and turning for a few HOURS I got up and put Vicks Vaporub and socks on my feet. Honestly, that often helps me with "tightness" as well as albuterol. It didn't help last night. I eventually cracked open a new inhaler and used it around 4:30 a.m. I then went to bed and tried to fall asleep. I slept from 5:30 to 10 or so and have been miserable all day. I'm exhausted but breathing easier, much easier, than I was last night.
I am now suspecting that since the horrible feeling of not being able to breathe deeply started after I'd been lying down reading for a while, that PNDrip might have caused those symptoms.
Tonight I'm going to use my inhaler about half an hour before bed. Fingers crossed that that, and taking Sudafed first thing in the morning and again late afternoon will have me feeling human and productive tomorrow.
Would love to know if you think PND ever causes you to feel short of breath, and also what you do about the PNdrip.
Thanks!
Update July 13
I'm almost nervous to jinx myself but after that really hard night and an awful next day and a half, I have been much improved.
I used the rescue inhaler prophylactically before bed that next night and haven't needed it since... but I'm carrying it with me on the rare occasions I leave the house. I got really spooked by that experience. I am irrigating my sinuses with NeilMed twice a day and taking two Sudafed three times a day for now. Drinking extra water. I've ordered marigold tea which did a brilliant job of drying up my severe PND many years ago. (I shared more about it in my last long reply on page 2.)
I sincerely thank each and every one of you who replied on this thread, and I'm sorry you suffer too! (((HUGS))) I hope you've read something here that will be a useful too for you if you're in need of new ones!
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Post by Lexica on Jul 9, 2020 5:38:48 GMT
I'm sorry you are suffering. I've had asthma all my life and live on inhalers, allergy pills, and a nasal spray that I think might help you with your nasal drip. It dries up your nose, but not to the extent that you feel strange. It just stops the drip. The one I use is called Fluticasone Propionate and I get it at the Kaiser pharmacy. I think Flonase is a branded version. I'm finding this past few months to be more triggering than usual for me. I could be the fact that I'm packing and kicking up dust or the stress of what is happening in the pandemic. I just requested a stronger inhaler from my doctor yesterday because I have had too many days where I feel my lungs are tight and I can't get enough air.
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Post by vjlau on Jul 9, 2020 5:49:32 GMT
Nasal spray! It's the best!! I never would have thought so, but after many months of suffering just like you a few years ago, my doctor recommended. It cleared up all my symptoms in 2 days.
Good luck and feel better!
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Jul 9, 2020 6:05:07 GMT
I have post nasal drip, almost daily and have my whole life.
I always feel like I have a thick hunk of mucous in my throat.
I use a combo (or sometimes all)
Zyrtec
Mucinex
Neti pot
Flonase
Nasal spray
Gargle with salt water
Drink a lot of water daily, it helps to thin out mucous.
There are days when I feel like my throat mucous is so thick, I wish I could stick a bottle brush cleaner down there and give it a swirl, then pull it out. I'm sure it would come out dripping with thick gooey mucous (sorry TMI). Or, I wish a Doctor could stick one of those hose sucker thingys(like at the Dentist to suck up the saliva) down my throat and suck out the throat mucous.
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RedSquirrelUK
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,724 
Location: The UK's beautiful West Country
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Post by RedSquirrelUK on Jul 9, 2020 10:09:23 GMT
There's a product available in the UK called Nasaleze that I use when my hay fever starts. It is an inert powder nasal spray that you puff up your nose. I believe it works by combining with the nasal secretions to form a barrier in the nasal passages. That prevents the allergens from getting to the mucous membranes and causing PND. It contains no drugs so you don't get side effects from it. They ship to the US and it's available on Amazon. Worth a try?
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Post by uksue on Jul 9, 2020 11:23:13 GMT
My asthma nurse started me on nasal spray mometasone furoate last year and it’s completely eradicated my postnasal drip problem . This has helped my asthma enormously . I’d been using beconase on and off for years as I have had perennial allergies all my life, but it had stopped working for me.
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Post by flanz on Jul 9, 2020 20:07:36 GMT
HUGE THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS REPLIED!  And I'm so sorry you suffer terribly too! (((HUGS))) Question for everyone: Since it's been years since I used a rescue inhaler, can you please tell me if you ever take it prophylactically, ie. when you don't feel you need the "rescue" but rather to prevent feeling that way? I vaguely remember my doc telling me I could easily take it twice or more a day for a period of time when my allergies were really bad. Lexica and@uksue - I can't use Flonase or other steroid inhalers. They cause me to feel incredibly jittery and turn me into a crying exhausted Zombie. Ditto Claritin and other "non-drowsy" antihistamines. vjlau - please let me know which nasal spray helped you so much. ScrapbookMyLife - OMG, I can so relate to the thick mucous issue. Gee, maybe I should ask my dentist to suction my throat.... only half kidding! I've been wondering if Mucinex might help. How often/ when do you decide to take it? @redsquirreluk - Nasaleze sounds really interesting. I do a similar thing with a Qtip and vaseline petroleum jelly, to physically prevent pollens from attaching to my nasal passages at the tip of my nose. I'll look into that. Thanks again, you're all so kind and helpful! |
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Jul 9, 2020 21:00:34 GMT
ScrapbookMyLife - OMG, I can so relate to the thick mucous issue. Gee, maybe I should ask my dentist to suction my throat.... only half kidding! I've been wondering if Mucinex might help. How often/ when do you decide to take it? I take Mucinex when I feel like my throat mucous is really thick. Generally I will do a 2-3 day course of it, once or twice a month as needed. That with lots of water, helps to thin it out. If there were someplace that offered throat mucous suctioning, I'd be all for it. |
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Post by jubejubes on Jul 9, 2020 21:09:39 GMT
flanz I take a newer drug (pill) called Blexten (bilastine tablets 20 mg x 2 a day) from Aralez Pharmaceulicals. I also use an inhaler, Avamys made by GlaxoSmithKline. I live in Ontario. There are no generic for these meds. Edited to add: I am now an Unstopable Pea.
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RedSquirrelUK
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,724
Location: The UK's beautiful West Country
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Post by RedSquirrelUK on Jul 9, 2020 21:54:05 GMT
flanz No, I never take the rescue inhaler as a preventer. It works by reducing swelling of the airway walls, not narrowing from excess mucus. So it would be best to stop the problem at source (PND) rather than treating symptoms, so nasal sprays are probably better to start with. You get side effects from the steroid inhaler but not the rescue one? What side effects do you get? Albuterol makes me horribly shaky for the 1 to 1.5 hours after taking, but the only side effect I get from my Qvar is a hoarse voice and a vaguely heavy feeling in my lungs. The instructions say to gargle and rinse mouth out after each use to prevent oral thrush. I've never been able to gargle but I rinse thoroughly and so far (not quite 2 months) I'm free of oral thrush. Fingers crossed it stays that way.
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Post by katlady on Jul 9, 2020 22:15:41 GMT
I hope you find something to help! Allergies and Asthma together is awful!
I've been asthmatic most of my life. I take puff of a generic Albuterol daily. I take it in the morning because I found that I can't fall asleep right away if I take it at night. I also do a daily nasal rinse and use Flonase for my allergies. I have a rescue inhaler, but only use it when absolutely needed. I try not to depend on it.
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Post by Lexica on Jul 9, 2020 22:20:22 GMT
There's a product available in the UK called Nasaleze that I use when my hay fever starts. It is an inert powder nasal spray that you puff up your nose. I believe it works by combining with the nasal secretions to form a barrier in the nasal passages. That prevents the allergens from getting to the mucous membranes and causing PND. It contains no drugs so you don't get side effects from it. They ship to the US and it's available on Amazon. Worth a try? Your post reminded me that years ago I had an allergist prescribe a preventative spray for me that worked as you describe. He explained that it worked like a clear varnish to coat my nasal passages to prevent a large percentage of the allergens from getting into my system. It worked like the product @redsquirreluk is describing except it was a prescription product. I didn't feel anything when using it, meaning no buzz or keyed up feeling. It didn't have a fragrance either. It just felt like I was coating the inside of my nose to protect it. You could ask your allergist if they can recommend something if you don't get an improvement with the Nasaleze. I'm sorry you can't use the nasal spray that I use. It works wonders. Over the years of using all of these products, there have been times that I respond like you describe, shaking and jittery and like I want to jump out of my skin. But it wasn't always like that even when continuing to use the same product. I would sometimes get the reaction, but after using it for a while I seemed to build up a tolerance and the reaction stopped. Other times, I could use a product for a few months with no reaction and then suddenly get the jittery feeling after a single use. I did notice that if I was extremely tired, I would feel jittery but when well rested I did not. For me, the benefit of being able to breathe was worth getting that weird feeling occassionally. Now if it happened every time like you are describing, I would have to rethink that. |
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Post by flanz on Jul 9, 2020 22:31:47 GMT
flanz I take a newer drug (pill) called Blexten (bilastine tablets 20 mg x 2 a day) from Aralez Pharmaceulicals. I also use an inhaler, Avamys made by GlaxoSmithKline. I live in Ontario. There are no generic for these meds. Edited to add: I am now an Unstopable Pea. Thanks jubejubes! I am originally from ON too. <3 <3 <3 Had not heard of this drug. Which symptoms does it most help you with? |
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Post by flanz on Jul 9, 2020 22:33:56 GMT
flanz No, I never take the rescue inhaler as a preventer. It works by reducing swelling of the airway walls, not narrowing from excess mucus. So it would be best to stop the problem at source (PND) rather than treating symptoms, so nasal sprays are probably better to start with. You get side effects from the steroid inhaler but not the rescue one? What side effects do you get? Albuterol makes me horribly shaky for the 1 to 1.5 hours after taking, but the only side effect I get from my Qvar is a hoarse voice and a vaguely heavy feeling in my lungs. The instructions say to gargle and rinse mouth out after each use to prevent oral thrush. I've never been able to gargle but I rinse thoroughly and so far (not quite 2 months) I'm free of oral thrush. Fingers crossed it stays that way. I can't use Flonase or other steroid inhalers. They cause me to feel incredibly jittery and turn me into a crying exhausted Zombie. Ditto Claritin and other "non-drowsy" antihistamines. I do get the jittery feeling short term after using albuterol but it's not bad. With the steroids, I simultaneously feel jittery and like I can't keep my eyes open. And I get weepy for no reason. |
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Post by flanz on Jul 9, 2020 22:35:11 GMT
I hope you find something to help! Allergies and Asthma together is awful! I've been asthmatic most of my life. I take puff of a generic Albuterol daily. I take it in the morning because I found that I can't fall asleep right away if I take it at night. I also do a daily nasal rinse and use Flonase for my allergies. I have a rescue inhaler, but only use it when absolutely needed. I try not to depend on it. Thanks! Sorry, I'm a bit confused. Albuterol is a rescue inhaler... You use it every morning and then what do you use as a rescue med? |
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Post by SockMonkey on Jul 9, 2020 22:37:31 GMT
I'm sorry you are suffering. I've had asthma all my life and live on inhalers, allergy pills, and a nasal spray that I think might help you with your nasal drip. It dries up your nose, but not to the extent that you feel strange. It just stops the drip. The one I use is called Fluticasone Propionate and I get it at the Kaiser pharmacy. I think Flonase is a branded version. I'm finding this past few months to be more triggering than usual for me. I could be the fact that I'm packing and kicking up dust or the stress of what is happening in the pandemic. I just requested a stronger inhaler from my doctor yesterday because I have had too many days where I feel my lungs are tight and I can't get enough air. Fluticasone is what my DH uses - Yes, Flonase. He has asthma/allergies. It helps. |
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Post by SockMonkey on Jul 9, 2020 22:40:44 GMT
HUGE THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS REPLIED! And I'm so sorry you suffer terribly too! (((HUGS))) Question for everyone: Since it's been years since I used a rescue inhaler, can you please tell me if you ever take it prophylactically, ie. when you don't feel you need the "rescue" but rather to prevent feeling that way? I vaguely remember my doc telling me I could easily take it twice or more a day for a period of time when my allergies were really bad. Lexica and@uksue - I can't use Flonase or other steroid inhalers. They cause me to feel incredibly jittery and turn me into a crying exhausted Zombie. Ditto Claritin and other "non-drowsy" antihistamines. vjlau - please let me know which nasal spray helped you so much. ScrapbookMyLife - OMG, I can so relate to the thick mucous issue. Gee, maybe I should ask my dentist to suction my throat.... only half kidding! I've been wondering if Mucinex might help. How often/ when do you decide to take it? @redsquirreluk - Nasaleze sounds really interesting. I do a similar thing with a Qtip and vaseline petroleum jelly, to physically prevent pollens from attaching to my nasal passages at the tip of my nose. I'll look into that. Thanks again, you're all so kind and helpful! What are your daily maintenance meds? Have you seen a pulmonologist? DH takes Brio and Incruse, and used to take Singulair (montelukast) but weaned off of that and is doing fine on just Brio/Incruse and daily Claritin. At one point his asthma was so bad he almost died; he was hospitalized twice, once with intubation. In order to find the right daily maintenance meds, we sought out a really good pulmonologist who specializes in eosinophilic asthma. You should not be using a rescue inhaler as your only maintenance med. |
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Post by jubejubes on Jul 9, 2020 22:58:19 GMT
flanz I take a newer drug (pill) called Blexten (bilastine tablets 20 mg x 2 a day) from Aralez Pharmaceulicals. I also use an inhaler, Avamys made by GlaxoSmithKline. I live in Ontario. There are no generic for these meds. Edited to add: I am now an Unstopable Pea. Thanks jubejubes ! I am originally from ON too. <3 <3 <3 Had not heard of this drug. Which symptoms does it most help you with? Blexten is taken twice a day for seaonable allergic rhinitis for hay-fever. I have been using this medicine for 2 years. |
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Post by katlady on Jul 10, 2020 0:51:21 GMT
I hope you find something to help! Allergies and Asthma together is awful! I've been asthmatic most of my life. I take puff of a generic Albuterol daily. I take it in the morning because I found that I can't fall asleep right away if I take it at night. I also do a daily nasal rinse and use Flonase for my allergies. I have a rescue inhaler, but only use it when absolutely needed. I try not to depend on it. Thanks! Sorry, I'm a bit confused. Albuterol is a rescue inhaler... You use it every morning and then what do you use as a rescue med? Sorry, I meant a generic Serevent. |
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Post by lisacharlotte on Jul 10, 2020 0:51:41 GMT
Everyone in my family has had success with Flonase.
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Post by librarylady on Jul 10, 2020 1:21:19 GMT
I stay away from the nasal sprays as literature says those can cause other problems (being addicted to them)
I took Claratin every day for awhile. I am now using Zyrtec every day.
It is annoying...and annoying and annoying.
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katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,377
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Post by katybee on Jul 10, 2020 1:28:50 GMT
I’m sorry. I have the same allergies and asthma. They’ve been really bad this year, and I worry that the air quality in my condo is bad (there’s something wrong with the AC. It stinks, but the HVAC guy just thought I was crazy). I can take meds, but I’m out. So, today, I feel like I have a 10 lb. brick on my chest. Every time I try to take a deep breath, I start to cough. Then I get paranoid that I have the ‘rona! I know it sounds crazy, but do you take an acid reducer? My pulmonologist put me on one (I take prevacid). It helps me a lot. I never even knew I had acid reflux, because I don’t get heartburn. You might give it a try. Good luck.  |
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RedSquirrelUK
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,724
Location: The UK's beautiful West Country
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Post by RedSquirrelUK on Jul 10, 2020 5:45:20 GMT
flanz No, I never take the rescue inhaler as a preventer. It works by reducing swelling of the airway walls, not narrowing from excess mucus. So it would be best to stop the problem at source (PND) rather than treating symptoms, so nasal sprays are probably better to start with. You get side effects from the steroid inhaler but not the rescue one? What side effects do you get? Albuterol makes me horribly shaky for the 1 to 1.5 hours after taking, but the only side effect I get from my Qvar is a hoarse voice and a vaguely heavy feeling in my lungs. The instructions say to gargle and rinse mouth out after each use to prevent oral thrush. I've never been able to gargle but I rinse thoroughly and so far (not quite 2 months) I'm free of oral thrush. Fingers crossed it stays that way. I can't use Flonase or other steroid inhalers. They cause me to feel incredibly jittery and turn me into a crying exhausted Zombie. Ditto Claritin and other "non-drowsy" antihistamines. I do get the jittery feeling short term after using albuterol but it's not bad. With the steroids, I simultaneously feel jittery and like I can't keep my eyes open. And I get weepy for no reason. I can't help wondering whether that horrid jittery, paranoid feeling is down to the propellent rather than the drug. I get that when I'm at the end of any inhaler, and when I first start a new inhaler, but not as bad as you. It only lasts a few days and wears off after a few hours of each dose. Isn't it evil? Hugs. |
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,579
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Jul 10, 2020 10:08:01 GMT
I’m sorry. I have the same allergies and asthma. They’ve been really bad this year, and I worry that the air quality in my condo is bad (there’s something wrong with the AC. It stinks, but the HVAC guy just thought I was crazy). I can take meds, but I’m out. So, today, I feel like I have a 10 lb. brick on my chest. Every time I try to take a deep breath, I start to cough. Then I get paranoid that I have the ‘rona! I know it sounds crazy, but do you take an acid reducer? My pulmonologist put me on one (I take prevacid). It helps me a lot. I never even knew I had acid reflux, because I don’t get heartburn. You might give it a try. Good luck. I second this. My first symptom of acid reflux was breathing problems not heartburn. I don’t think I’ve ever had bad heartburn - but I sure sounded like your description of not being able to take a deep breath. |
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Post by SockMonkey on Jul 10, 2020 12:50:11 GMT
I’m sorry. I have the same allergies and asthma. They’ve been really bad this year, and I worry that the air quality in my condo is bad (there’s something wrong with the AC. It stinks, but the HVAC guy just thought I was crazy). I can take meds, but I’m out. So, today, I feel like I have a 10 lb. brick on my chest. Every time I try to take a deep breath, I start to cough. Then I get paranoid that I have the ‘rona! I know it sounds crazy, but do you take an acid reducer? My pulmonologist put me on one (I take prevacid). It helps me a lot. I never even knew I had acid reflux, because I don’t get heartburn. You might give it a try. Good luck. I second this. My first symptom of acid reflux was breathing problems not heartburn. I don’t think I’ve ever had bad heartburn - but I sure sounded like your description of not being able to take a deep breath. Yep, my DH has that too (along with occasional esophageal stricture...he's a real party). He's on daily prilosec. The reflux can absolutely cause breathing issues. |
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Post by sabrinae on Jul 10, 2020 14:52:15 GMT
HUGE THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS REPLIED! And I'm so sorry you suffer terribly too! (((HUGS))) Question for everyone: Since it's been years since I used a rescue inhaler, can you please tell me if you ever take it prophylactically, ie. when you don't feel you need the "rescue" but rather to prevent feeling that way? I vaguely remember my doc telling me I could easily take it twice or more a day for a period of time when my allergies were really bad. Lexica and@uksue - I can't use Flonase or other steroid inhalers. They cause me to feel incredibly jittery and turn me into a crying exhausted Zombie. Ditto Claritin and other "non-drowsy" antihistamines. vjlau - please let me know which nasal spray helped you so much. ScrapbookMyLife - OMG, I can so relate to the thick mucous issue. Gee, maybe I should ask my dentist to suction my throat.... only half kidding! I've been wondering if Mucinex might help. How often/ when do you decide to take it? @redsquirreluk - Nasaleze sounds really interesting. I do a similar thing with a Qtip and vaseline petroleum jelly, to physically prevent pollens from attaching to my nasal passages at the tip of my nose. I'll look into that. Thanks again, you're all so kind and helpful! Yes. My daughter takes her inhaler prior to exercise to prevent an attack. |
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Post by shevy on Jul 10, 2020 14:55:41 GMT
I have had cough variant asthma since I was a child. I have also had environmental allergies since I was a child. I have lugged around an inhaler as a teen and adult. I've also had 4 separate rounds of weekly allergy injections; 3 as a kid/teen and 1 as an adult.
What I've been doing for many years is take singular at night for the asthma and Xyzal for allergies. I take Zyrtek in the morning. I also use a nasal wash/neti pot several times a day. The meds help prevent, but I still have postnasal drip and get stuffed up at times. I use the nasal wash in the morning and at night before bed. If I'm feeling badly and at home, I'll do it during the day also. I also wash my hair or wrap it up like a turban before bed anytime I've spent time outside because otherwise all the pollen in it spreads all over my pillow case at night and into my face.
After the freeze here in MN in the early winter, I'm much better. But Spring summer & fall suck.
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RedSquirrelUK
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,724
Location: The UK's beautiful West Country
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Post by RedSquirrelUK on Jul 10, 2020 21:37:36 GMT
I’m sorry. I have the same allergies and asthma. They’ve been really bad this year, and I worry that the air quality in my condo is bad (there’s something wrong with the AC. It stinks, but the HVAC guy just thought I was crazy). I can take meds, but I’m out. So, today, I feel like I have a 10 lb. brick on my chest. Every time I try to take a deep breath, I start to cough. Then I get paranoid that I have the ‘rona! I know it sounds crazy, but do you take an acid reducer? My pulmonologist put me on one (I take prevacid). It helps me a lot. I never even knew I had acid reflux, because I don’t get heartburn. You might give it a try. Good luck. I second this. My first symptom of acid reflux was breathing problems not heartburn. I don’t think I’ve ever had bad heartburn - but I sure sounded like your description of not being able to take a deep breath. Me three, or whatever we're up to now! Mine started with itchy lungs and a wheeze which I ignored for a month. Then I got the/a virus and got badly breathless for several weeks, and despite inhalers, the breathlessness improved but has never gone away. The inhalers changed it a lot, but the PPI has changed it again. I believe it's called silent reflux, when you have no other symptoms, or not the classic symptoms. For me it was complicated by having the/a virus on top, and the silent reflux stopped it from healing up. I've been on a PPI for a week now. I'll let you know how it goes if you like. |
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Post by anniefb on Jul 11, 2020 1:11:00 GMT
I've had a post-nasal drip most of my life. I take Flixonase (fluticasone propionate) when it's particularly bad but what has really helped over the years is the Neilmed sinus rinse. I use it every morning without fail.
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Post by freecharlie on Jul 11, 2020 3:39:40 GMT
Do you take Singular?
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And I'm so sorry you suffer terribly too! (((HUGS)))
