sinus congestion and sleep deprivation

Hi, welcome to Healingwell. I'm sorry that you're suffering so much. I can truly relate. I am on 2 allergy medications and I still get stuffed up when I sleep. Your dry mouth and sore throat can be from sleeping from your mouth open or snoring. When your nose is stuffy while you are sleeping you naturally open your mouth so you can breath. Using a humidifier in your room can help ease that discomfort maybe even help a bit with your stuffy nose. Also, you may want to get a room air purifier. Dust really well in your room, run the humidifier and air purifier. This might help a bit. Have you ever tried Zyrtec? I have been on this for about 6 months now (maybe longer) and it really helps me with the nighttime stuffiness. I take it before I go to bed along with Singulair.

Have you had any food testing done? Do you eat before you go to bed? If you think you have sleep apnea it's best to get tested because long term sleep apnea can mess with many things besides just your breathing. It can cause heart problems, mental alertness etc.

---

Sherry -

Thanks for your response. I'm not ususally so whiney about this. I haven't been tested for food allergies yet, I was thinking of using Alcat to do that, and my allergist is in process of ordering the sleep study.

Thanks too for your suggestions. I was on claritan, but it didn't seem to help much, so I stopped taking it. I'll try the Zyrtec; I didn't know you could take both meds together. I guess I have some shopping to do, it's too bad it's not for something fun like jewelery!

Just a FYI, most insurance companies will pay for Zyrtec if you get a prescription from your doctor. I know it's OTC now but if your prescription co-pay is less then the cost of it then it might be worthwhile to look into. I am actually on a generic form of Zyrtec but the brand name of Singulair (I don't think they have a generic for this yet).

---

My Brother says he doesn't get relief unless he takes H2 blockers in addition to H1 blockers. H2 blockers are meds like Pepcid or Zantac. H1 blockers are Benadryl, Zyrtec, Claritin, etc. My Brother uses Allegra and Zantac for his sinus allergies.

I use Pulmicort suspension for inhalation (Pulmicort Respules - for use in nebulizers) sprayed up my nose to help with congestion. The usual nasal steroid sprays like Nasonex are too weak and don't work for me. Claritin, etc., don't do anything for my sinus congestion. There is also an antihistamine nasal spray called Astelin that may be helpful for you (I got side-effects from it so can't use it).

Yes, food allergies, sinus infections, etc., can contribute to sinus congestion. I find milk/dairy consumption particularly contributory to sinus congestion myself.

Several years ago, I had obvious signs of a sinus infection. I was amazed at how well my sinuses cleared with treatment of the infection, and the clearing lasted for about 6 weeks after finishing the 30 days of antibiotics for the sinus infection...and this was in Spring, right during my worst tree pollen time of the year (birch pollen...causes all sorts of troubles for me).

Another thing to consider is cross-reactivity between pollens and foods. For example, I find if I eat apples during birch pollen season, I get a reaction from the apples. And my Allergist said eating the apple during birch pollen season could cause worstening of my pollen allergy symptoms as well. I'm fine with apples as long as it isn't during tree or grass pollen seasons (both trees & grass cross-react with apples).

A Naturopathic Physician may be able to help with immune system imbalance issues that may be contributing to your allergy symptoms. Also, gastrointestinal dysbiosis (bacterial/yeast imbalance or overgrowth) may contribute to the development of and/or worstening of allergies and may also need treatment.

I hope this helps - take care,

---

-Razzle

Razzle, thanks for bringing up the cross reaction. I had no idea that could even happen. How does that work anyway? With the birch pollen season and apple ingestion?

---

Razzle - thanks for the information. I've tried the steroidal nasal sprays (Flonase and Nasonex) and they didn't do much for me, except the bloody nose.

I tried the Zyrtec with the Singulair for four nights now and that workied well the first three nights, but last night wa not as good. I too find that dairy products can add to the congestion, and will do a better job of avoiding it in the future.

A friend of mine is on Astelin and she swears by it. I've never heard of Pulmicort, or combining the antacid medicines with the allergy blocks. what does the Pulmicort do? what kind of drug is it? Does your brother use OTC or prescription strength for the H2 blockers?