A few days ago I started Nasonex (spelling) for sinus congestion that was found to be from an MRI. The box says you should see symptoms get better in a few days. It has been 4 days on the spray and I cannot breath at all, I sound hoarse and an suffering way more then before I even knew I was congested. Is this normal. If so how long can I expect to feel like this roughly? Thanks for any help. Oh and I can tell that I am getting cleared out but still feel miserable.
Nasonex does not have an immediate response like Afrin. My allergist told me Nasonex works better when you have been taking it gradually over a period of time. It is not a fast acting spray. Never use it more than directed.
Try a neti pot or Neil Med Sinus rinse to get some of the stuff out. It really works.
I would agree with other posts...try a neti pot. it's a warm salt water rinse to irrigate your sinuses. it really works!
We have a Neti pot in our household in case of cold/congestion. Once you get over the eww factor and the fact it feels weird to do, it does work very nice.
My 9-year-old daughter used Nasonex last summer due to the fact she has a grass pollen allergy; she never had any problems/symptoms like you're describing. She also used an irrigation sinus cleaner too, though, so not sure if perhaps you need to irrigate your sinuses as well as using the Nasonex.
I also wanted to mention that more allopathic doctors are unaware that an allergy to casein or whey proteins, which was found in cow/dairy products, can produce sinus/sinusitis/rhinitis problems.
I suffered from sinus problems and congestion for years--in fact, I even had to have a permanent T-tube put in my right ear after sinus problems made my eustachion tube collapse--and when a naturopathic doctor tested me and it was discovered that I have a severe casein allergy--wow! what a difference it makes when you give up eating/drinking something that makes you feel sick!
I have been off all dairy now for two years and have the best and uncongested sinuses I've ever had. I also have no bronchitis, and my asthma is clearing up as well! My asthma specialist is absolutely dumbfounded that giving up cow dairy could have such an impact on my health. He is cautiously saying that dairy "could" be a promoting cause--remember, allopathic doctors are not taught to look for the cause of the problem, only to put a Band-aid on the problem. So for him to even acknowledge that cow dairy might be a contributing factor in my rhinitis/sinusitis/asthma problems is a very big leap.
And a real bonus for me, because he's willing to work with me on it. I've gone from taking Advair 2x/day to only once, and it's looking like my asthma only flairs in cold weather, so I should be able to get off it in the summer. And if I continue to work with my naturopathic doctor and get my body back to what it should be--healthy--I might be able to get off Advair completely.
Sweet.
I would check back with the doctor who prescribed it. If you had a sinus infection visible on an MRI I'm surprised they didn't also prescribe an oral antibiotic. Unlike many of the other posters, I didn't really like the neti pot. I use a saline nasal spray instead (similar concept--clean out the sinuses with a saline solution). However, I've had good luck with seeing a chiropractor when I feel a sinus infection starting or even after it's started. They can adjust your sinuses to improve drainage. There seems to be some confusion amongst the posters about different types of nasal sprays. The one you have is an anti-inflammatory type medication and works best over time if used regularly to decrease inflammation. The types that many of the posters are referring to that you can buy over the counter are the ones that can cause problems and most doctors no longer recommend them. I used to suffer from chronic sinus infections, but have gotten relief from Nasonex, a chiropractor and allergy medication. Good luck.
I swear by my nasal rinse by Neil Med. It is a squeeze bottle...easy to use ....and even for kids!! Need to get the gunk out!! Also keep your humidity in your house at 30-50%. hope it helps.
your sinus may be irritated from the spray, which may have caused them to swell so you feel congested when really you are not. I say stop the spray and take some Ibuprofen to help reduce the swelling. advil also makes a cold relife medication.
Decongestant nasal sprays and nose drops may cause a problem called rebound congestion if used repeatedly over several days. When this happens, the nose remains stuffy or gets worse with every dose. The only way to stop the cycle is to stop using the drug. The stuffiness should then go away within about a week. You should also contact your doctor. I would also recommend a neti pot for nasal irritation. It is recommended by Dr. Oz and my personal physician encourages the use of it. As to the nasal spray causing a loss of taste... that is for the nasal drops Ziacam which isn't a nasal spray decongestant but a homeopathic over the counter cold remedy. Good luck.
I would say stop using the spray. I recently heard about a nasal spray the can cause permanent throat damage and permanent loss of taste and smell. I don't remember the brand (and maybe it was one of those urban legends). Talk to a pharmacist. A lot of times they can answer questions better than a doctor about how medications should be working.
