Stuffy nose at night

[Jenny]

Just wondering if many of you have a stuffy nose all night long. Mine goes from one nostril to the other depending on which side I sleep on and really interferes with my already compromised sleep. I'm wondering if this is yet another Sjogren's thing or something separate. I use a myriad of saline sprays. I got dependent for a while last year on regular nasal sprays so I had to wean myself off of them and I'm afraid to use them again except in an emergency. Not sure if I should bother going to an Ear, nose and throat doctor or not.

[Carolina]

Yes Jenny,

I have always had a stuff nose and post nasal drip.

Which resulted in mouth breathing.

Mouth breathing is IMPOSSIBLE with a dry mouth - your mouth ends up like sand paper, it's that dry.

I use: 

Nasal Saline Spray, over the counter.

Followed by

Nasonex, prescription

Morning and night.  My nose is not stuffy and no post nasal drip.

Some things have been made much better, and I'm grateful.

Let's see what others post.

Hugs

Elaine

[Daisy1234]

Hi Jenny:

Just wanted to bring up a couple of non-medical factors that perhaps you may wish to include or eliminate to see if they may help because you mentioned having some concerns about getting back on nose sprays.

The first item I would suggest for consideration is the dryness of your bedroom as that too can cause nasal stuffiness as well as lack of air ventilation.  If its too dry or too stuffy, that can affect how plugged up one can get.

Additionally, you mention that you are a side sleeper, so your pillow can also possibly affect the quality of air you breathe at night.  You might want to try changing to a new pillow to see if that makes a difference, as there are schools of thought that we are supposed to replace our pillows fairly often.  Hair and body oils will have soaked into a pillow's fabric and stuffing after a year of nightly use, making it a potential breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria and allergy-triggering dust mites. Using protectors can double the life of your pillows.

If none of these are a factor, then you may wish to consider getting some medical help for this problem and yes, it can also be another "gift" from Sjogren's.

Wishing you the best,
Daisy

[lolo1979]

YES YES YES!  I've had this same exact problem for years and years, well before I knew I had sjogrens.  It is not nearly as noticable during the day, but at night and when I wake up in the morning, one side or the other is stuffy (as you said, depends on which side I slept on).

I've not really done anything for it since it doesn't impact me too much during the day. 

[Shade]

Hi Jenny,

You've gotten some good suggestions.  What I would also try, is Mucinex or its generic, deconomine.  It may only take one pill to do the job.  Mucinex is a mucous thinner and I swear by it.

Also, opening a window to exchange the air, then after closing the window dusting and vacuuming real good could help.  I also have an air purifier in my room and just added a warm mist humidifier three days ago.

When I went to an allergist (before Sjs hit and my sinuses became bone dry) he recommended washing my sheets in hot water because that would kill any dust mites that were on them.  Also, washing my comforter every so often really helps me (Not in hot water).

Wishing you a good night's sleep very soon!

Shade

[Joe S.]

I have had this for years. Because I sleep on the couch for part of the night, I do not roll over I flip end for end. I have a tissue near to blow my nose. If it is too impacted, I will move to the recliner to breath through both sides of my nose. The side that is down will plug. It may be related to pressure on your lung when you are trying to breathe. You may try rolling more toward you back and see if that helps.

There is a Brahma breathing exercise that I have done where you breathe through one side then the other. You finish by breathing through both sides.

[season]

Stuffy nose, bleeding nose, plugged nose, pain in nose, swelling on one side of the nose, dry and extra dry nose. I think I have had it all.

One more-----sometimes it's difficult to get enough air thru my nose.

[namakb]

I have had the same problem for years. Two years ago when I had my deductable met because of an apendix I went to an ENT. He did a CT scan and said the septum was deviated and I should have turbinite reduction. I opted not to do it because it was not a constant problem only when sleeping.
I do use Seagates Olive Leaf Nasa Spray which is all natural so you can use it as often as you like. It really works but not for extended periods like it might not work all night you may wake up and have to use it again or you may not. It does work long enough so you can fall asleep. Also, it may take up to 5 min to work especially when you are laying down. You can buy it on-line at Amazon.

[irish]

Just to letyou know that the nose does alternate nostrils on its own. I was surprised tohear this but my ENT told me several years ago that the nose alternates from one nostril to the other throughout the day and night. Probably this is impacted by position and other factors.

I get stuffy much of the time and some of it is because of the dryness, some is related to the immune/autoimmune response and is helped by Astelin or Flonase nasal spray. I try to keep the sprays to a minimum because of the drying issues.

Also, a humidifier is necessary especially with the dryness of the seasons., ie., AC in summer, furnace in winter and the dryness that comes with the Fall air. Good luck. Irish

[lea78]

I have also been experiencing a stuffy nose for quite a few months, i have now started to use a humidifier to see if that help.

[newhorizons]

The stuffy nose thing just makes me so D mad! Have now been seen local ENT and local Pulmonary. Then over mountain to Duke and say ENT and ENT surgeon.

All I got out of all this effort is Duke doc suggested I lose 15 more pounds and to sew a tennis ball in the back of my gown. His anticipated result is that I probably will not longer suffer from sleep apnea and can stop using my CPAP machine.

I hate this CPAP machine so much that finally to try to get some feeling for this idea that may have to sleep rest of life with it on each night. Came up with the name of Miss Windy for it!!

Yes, I have a deviated septum though my nose stopping up on one side at night creates havoc... makes me have strange dreams... and, when get awake enough realize one side, usually R side is blocked.

Thanks for letting me rant. Just know, I'm not done with effort to part ways with Miss Windy!

Suggestion to offer to Sjoggie friends is to get you a hygrometer (measures humidity level in room) and thermometer and place it on wall at your eye level not close to heat source. Saw them at Walmart today...

Often I feel hot or cold and go and look at my gauges and it's 70 degrees and 50% humidity... so I adjust myself...sweater, often gloves, or take something off!!!

[Jenny]

Thanks all for good advice. Glad to know I'm not the only one suffering all night.  It really reeks havoc with my already spotty sleep.  I'm going to buy a humidifier and try yet another spray and see if it helps.  If not, yet another doctor appt.

[Yvonne]

Jenny,
I have used the nasal strips at night and that really helps my stuffiness.  Also for the dry mouth I am using XyliMelts every night.  I get them from my dentist office. They are just a little disc you let dissolve in your cheek at night.  That has made a big difference for my dry mouth.
Good luck.
Yvonne

[A66eyroad]

Do the nasal strips have a strong adhesive? I'm ugly enough, I'd hate to have a big red splotch on my schnoz!

[Joe S.]

Welcome to the forum, Yvonne.