Blocked head. Can't clear nose. Dry sinus' and 'ringing deafness !'

[mel]

Does anyone know a solution ?  Can I buy anything to loosen the mucous which has dried in all the orifices of my head ?  I cannot blow anything out of my nose !  I cannot breathe through my nose. My mouth is so dry that to breathe in and out through it is purgatory..I cannot sleep or relax because of this

Is there ANY medication that anyone know of, that can make the mucous softr so I can blow it out of my head, thus breathing, and hearing again.

I have had Sjogren's now for 15 years.. It's just mouth and eyes, but I get these ear and sinus/etc infections 3 to 4 times a year,and it is driving me nuts.. It persists for weeks.

Thank you to anyone who can help.

mel

[Joe S.]

Welcome to this forum.

Living in Minnesota it is so dry in the winter that my nose will bleed and scab over. Moisture is best to open it up. Have you tried vapor? My oldest daughter move to Vancouver island because there was more moisture in the air and she had less sinus infecions.

[finallyadx]

Have you tried mucinex???  Or Saline spray?  Also have you visited with a dr to see if you have a sinus infection??? Do you see an ENT?

It sounds absolutely miserable. 

Hoping you feel better soon.

Sending positive thoughts your way.

Kim

[mel]

Thank you Joe and Kim

Joe:  I live in Yorkshire, in England, and you would think that the cool d  Iamp weather would be helpful in this problem, but no.. I have tried massaging my facial muscles in order to try and free the pressure behind my nose, as I know the sinus's get blocked and I try to manoeuvre the blockage... But its just like a 'solidly set honey' consistency and nothing will be budged.. I have tried a nasal spray, which affords some short term relief. I am sorry that you have the problems with your nose.. I will look out for a vapour remedy.. Maybe Blepha Steam ?

Kim :  I have not tried mucinex, I haven't heard of it but will look it up to see if it is available in the UK, and also Saline Spray..

Regarding doctor.. yes, I go to docs regularly when I start out with excrutiating ear pain then I know I am in for another episode.. She gives me antibiotics for the ear infection, and then the ringing deafness starts, and the blocked head pressure.. It goes on for weeks. I am sure I am losing my hearing - as all I hear when I get it is a great roaring sound like I am in an iron foundry, and I cannot hear any outward sounds when that happens. People have to really shout in my ear !

I have been to ear nose and throat.. they just say 'don't geet water in your ears if you can help it.. I think they are baffled.. But I am sure it is all to do with Sjogren's. I think one doctor in the past has agreed with me on that.

Thanks for your thoughts and good wishes, it is much appreciated.

[Kathy57]

Mel,

Do you ever use Neilmed Sinus rinse?  It is actually a nasal irrigation that I feel would be helpful for you!  It comes with pre - prepared packets to make the irrigation solution.  It is very easy to use and can really help get rid of thick mucous.

You can buy these in the US at any drug store over the counter.

I don't know what you have in the UK. But you could also try a Neti Pot.  They are easy to use as well and very cleansing.  You need to get that awful gunk out so that you don't get an infection.  Also if you don't want to buy the premixed packets, for the solution, then you can make your own.

I use both.  Take one cup distilled water (or I will boil water and let it cool completely), and add 1/4 tsp of salt and 1/4 tsp of baking soda to one cup water.  Shake well and use that with your Neti pot or Neil Med sinus rinse.

I like to heat it up to soothing "warm" before I mix the solution.  Just make sure it is not too warm.
You can do sinus rinsing twice daily without any adverse reactions.  It is also very moisturizing for sore dry tissues.

Don't be afraid to do it.  It is easy.  You just lean over the sink and gently tilt your head.  Trust me it will do you good.

Also do you have a facial steamer?  Those are great, too.  I agree with the Mucinex.  I take generic.  I believe it is Guaffenesin.  (Sp?).

If you have an infection than u need an antibiotic.  Also, you can use a Q tip and out a little Vaseline on it and gently coat the inside of your nose.  Very soothing.

Vaporizer is a must.  The most important thing I can tell you to do is get a nasal saline irrigation system going ASAP, whether it be Neil Med or Neti Pot.  You have to "clear" the gunk out of those sinuses!

I have been where you are.  No fun.  I wish you well and I know I have no right to know or ask, but I'd love to know how this works out for u.

Kathy

[mel]

Hi Kathy, and thanks for your good advice. It's this nasal irrigation that I just dig in my  heels, when I think about it and feel that I just can't do it..  The thought even, makes me cringe..

I once tried the beginnings of it, but I nearly 'gipped' ( English word for vomiting )  and the back of my nose was sore and stinging for days after.  I couldn't even start the operation. It is breathing back through the nose, water, isn't it ?  I just wish I could get over that horrible feeling and thought, but it would seem like torture, or drowning to me.. There must be an easier way for people like me who balk at the very thought of taking in water through the nose.

And although I think you are correct in that it may help.. I just couldn't do it.. And I know people will think.. ' ok then, put up with it' - it's a hurdle I just can't get past!

I do appreciate your help and suggestion though.  You are far more brave than I !

[Tharrell]

Yikes Mel, how misarable you must feel! Just wondering, but are you breathing though your mouth when you pour water up your nose? That will help with the gagging. I don't think you are supposed to "breathe in" the saline solution through your nose. The problem may lie in how you do it. But if you can't tolarate it then boil up a pot of water with some eucalyptus, take it off the burner and when comfortable enough grab a towel stick your head over the pot with the towel over your head and just breathe. That should loosen up the mucus enough to make it run. I know going in and out of heated houses and cars will dry you out as well. Drink plenty of fluids as well.

[mel]

Hi Tharrell

I thought a saline solution had to be ' snooked back' up through the nose, and then spat out opf the mouth ?  (Sorry if that is not right, it does sound horrible doesn't it ? )

Correct me if I am wrong.

Someone needs to put down just what is involved, in detail really.

When my nose is completely blocked though, I have tried the pot of water, and I put some 'Vicks' into it.. It's a mentholated Vaseline like substance - and it stings the eyes, but when I try to breathe in the vapours, my nose is so blocked that  can't breathe it up, however long I persist.

Seems there is no hope, but I will keep on looking for a remedy that will help.

Thankyou so much for your help and concern.

[grammad97]

Mel-
Sorry you are not feeling well.
Saline spray is an over the counter( doesn't require prescription)mist to moisten your nasal passages. It is not meant to be spat out nor should it end up in your mouth. You just squeeze the bottle and sniff  gently. It will keep your poor nose moist  and help  you breathe.
If you can tolerate eating something spicy/ hot it will cause your nose to open and drain. I dab Chinese mustard on something and my nose drips and gushes. It burns my mouth a bit but it's worth it to get my nose unplugged.
Hope you get relief soon.

[Tharrell]

Well Mel, that may be you problem then. You don't snook it. If you use a neti pot you just pour it up one nose, hold the other side closed. Leave  it in a bit then tilt your head so the open side is pointed over the sink and let it pour out again. Or use the saline spray which you use as a nose spray. I like to use the neti pot because it actually washes out all the crud. I had to do that after my sinus surgery to wash out all the blot clods.
Good luck!

[Head2Toe]

Mel - I can totally relate to your fear about nasal rinses - it took me AGES to get up the courage, but I finally broke down and bought a Neil Med (brand name) plastic bottle.  As others have said, I find that warming the water helps, and yes - ONLY breathe through your mouth, then the water will run straight through your sinuses and out your other (open) nostril.  I think the Neil Med brand comes with a really impressive little booklet that explains how it all works.

I like the plastic bottle because I don't have to tilt my neck very far (arthritis).  I just lean over the sink, position the bottle, slightly tilt my head - and squeeze. 

If you absolutely cannot bring yourself to do a nasal rinse, I've found that saline nasal sprays are just as effective.  Start with a gentle one - as some pack a shockingly powerful spray (I swear some could clean the siding on a house!)

I also struggle with packed sinuses that simply will not release the mucous.  The pain can be excruciating.  In my case I believe it has more to do with the sinus and nasal tissues being swollen than the mucous being too thick - although it's likely a combination of the two.  I use a saline nasal spray followed 15 minutes later by a product called Nasonex (prescription) - and I do that twice a day until the mucous starts to move.  Then I reduce the Nasonex to once a day, but continue using the saline twice a day.  It takes a week or two, but eventually my sinuses drain.

Oh!  And ice packs on the forehead and bridge of the nose.  I don't know if it helps to reduce the swelling - but it does help me cope with the pain....

Please ask your doctor to refer you to an ENT.  I hope you feel better soon. 

[4Kids]

There is a product here called Nasogel which is worth its weight in gold. It is a gel which keeps your sinuses and the fluids liquid. If you would like to look it up at a www to the front of this link and copy it to your browser or google nasogel.  neilmed.com/can/nasogel.php  I like the squirt stuff the best. I can't live without it or my nose burns and bleeds and crusts over all the time.

When I had my big flare, the mucous in my head dried to seashells. It sounded like I was at the bottom of a pool and it was choking me. I did the nasal irrigation. You put your head down on the counter and pour the liquid through your nostrils and it flows you do not snort it or choke. If you are having a hard time you just tip your head forward and it pours out.  It has the effect of liquifying the crud and loosening it.  Follow that up with a saline spray AND the nasogel every day.  In the beginning I think I sprayed the spray every half hour or something.  Salagen helped immensely in everything for me, including my sinuses. 

Also putting your head over a steaming bowl of something mint will work and so will the suggestion of eating hot and spicy food.  Go for it.

Once you have it loosened, go ahead and keep up with the sprays all the time. I spray twice a day normally now, only with the gel. My nose does get plugged still occasionally and I have no quick solutions but it is a lot better.

[Sooki]

Mucinex has both an expectorant to loosen everything and a decongestant to dry it all up.  I definitely never need the latter.  But once in a while I use 100% guaifenesin liquid (not the capsules) which is the expectorant part of Mucinex.  The guaifenesin does seem to loosen it all up so I can breathe again.

[BadSeed]

I'll second 4kids' recommendation for Neilmed Nasogel.
That stuff is awesome -- I also get the cemented-into-the-sinuses mucous, all the time.
The Nasogel is nice because it's like any other saline spray -- but the gel seems to cling inside your sinuses much better, and softens things up in a few seconds to a couple of minutes.