POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: hcj90 on November 14, 2013, 07:01:23 am
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I took an antihistamine and it makes me intense and angry. I couldn't sleep last night, and I took it around 5pm. Just curious if anyone else has experienced this. I have sinus problems and have tried just about everything including a netti pot. It is an aggravation.
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Google "antihistamine side effects mood" and you will see that this is possible, though most people don't experience it.
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Hi hcj90
Also have continuing sinus condition. My latest bout has hung in there about 9 months. I have tried the netti pot, Veramyst (RX nasal spray), long steam showers, long episodes of inhaling moisture through my nostrils in various ways.....and so on.
They are all good temporary fixes. Perhaps others may have input. As of late the ordeal has turned me into Mr. Hyde.
Apologies hcj90 if you only wanted to talk about antihistamines, can start another post.
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I regularly took antihistamines with no adverse reactions. But, just like any drug, not everyone will experience the same affects. Have you considered having nasal surgery? I had it done 20+ years ago with horrid results and was hesitant to ever have it repeated. I suffered for years before having it done again.
Procedures must have improved as I had little discomfort with awesome results. I can breathe correctly for the first time. I use prescription Nasonex for the occasional flare up. My doctor admonished against ever, ever using over the counter sprays. They provide temporary relief, but are actually making the long term problem worse.
Best wishes
Wolfie
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Like wolftie I had nasal surgery as well, though mine wasn't for sinus issues it was for a deviated septum that was causing sleep apnea (septoplasty and turbinectomy were the procedures surgically). As surgeries go it was not a bad experience. I would look into seeing a ENT (ear/nose/throat specialist) if you want a long term solution.
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Thx wolfter and Miss P
Wolfter sorry to hear you had to have the procedure twice, but at least you finally got relief. You both made me realize I have to focus with my ENT as to whether I have a deviated septum and take it from there. On my last visit he did verify that I have post-nasal drip. So we need to go to the next level. Thank you both for sharing about your nasal surgeries.
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Thanks everyone for your responses. I had my turbinates taken out of my nose 20+ years ago. It never seemed to have helped. When I first started my HIV meds last year, my nose was the clearest it had been in years. Then, slowly it was right back to problems. My ID doctor is hesitant to give me RX nosesprays due to my low CD4. I will ask her about referring me to an ENT at my appointment next week. Thanks again for the advice.
HCJ :D
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The HIV clinic I go to had some pamphlets out today about HIV and chronic sinusitis and HIV . I asked the nurse about it and she said it was one of the most common complaint they see in HIV poz patients . Last year I reluctantly agreed to have sinus surgery and I am very happy I did it now . I still have problems but now all the stuff doesn't back up in my head with no way out and I'm much better off , the surgery was gruesome to look at but the was little pain .
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Thanks Jeff. I have read about the surgery where they go in and clean out the sinus cavities. It doesn't sound like fun. A couple months back, I couldn't breathe and felt like I was going to choke, so I boiled a pot of water to get some relief. The dr. gave me an inhaler after that. I do still smoke. However, I quit for 4 years one time, and my nose never got better...I know that's no excuse to continue smoking! :-\
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Hey Jeff
Good to know there was only little pain with your surgery. Was there a name for your procedure? I am seeing my ENT specialist soon.....hope to sound like I did a little homework. Anyways glad it was mostly a success. My situation was so bad a few weeks back that my hearing was reduced (Eustachian tube blockage?)
HCJ......no sermons, but you said it....I know that's no excuse to continue smoking.
Wish you luck.......sinus problems can be a real bitch.
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There are numerous procedures, and you really need to see an ENT specialist to determine the exact problem. Just like any health care professional, find one that you feel comfortable with and are confident in their abilities. The first one I visited appeared very dismissive of my concerns and I quickly rejected his surgery advice.
I visited another specialist and we clicked. I had a complete rhinoplasty and they also removed a fungal mass from my optic nerve at the same time. I had awesome results and was a little upset with myself for waiting so long.
They now place tubes instead of gauze packing which makes the recovery much less uncomfortable. These tube eventually dissolve and are expelled.
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I had rhinoplasty and a graft . My problem was anatomy and I was born with very narrow or partially blocked sinus passages . I was doubtful I would get relief but was more than happy with the results .
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I had the surgery this year for a lifelong deviated septum and also had horrible sinus problems most of my life. The surgery was a breeze. They put in tubes like Wolfie said but mine were not designed to dissolve. They stitched each tube in with one stitch and were removed a few days after surgery.
I still have sinus issues but as Jeff said, drainage is much better. While things still aren't perfect now, I am very happy that I had it done. It's nice to be able to breathe out of both nostrils. :)
m.
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Jeff/mitch/wolftie
That's a great information base to draw from. And you are all right....why wait and suffer. What makes it so bad is that it just hangs around/and around/and around.
Sharing your experiences gives me some energy to go forward. Many thx.
And HCJ-----best current temporary aid for me.....saline spray (got mine at CVS).
You can use it more often....unlike those RX sprays......worth a try if you havent used it.
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Jeff/mitch/wolftie
That's a great information base to draw from. And you are all right....why wait and suffer. What makes it so bad is that it just hangs around/and around/and around.
Sharing your experiences gives me some energy to go forward. Many thx.
And HCJ-----best current temporary aid for me.....saline spray (got mine at CVS).
You can use it more often....unlike those RX sprays......worth a try if you havent used it.
I also want to add that I'm not encouraging you to have surgery , just sharing what worked for me . You will know whats right for you when you consult with an ENT .
One of the reasons I was reluctant to have the surgery was that the surgeon refused to be pinned down on if I would get significant relief form having the surgery , when I asked he just kept saying he could surgically open my sinus cavity and hope that it helped .
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Every surgeon I've had hedges their analysis like that. They are never going to give you a guarantee. It's not like buying a pair of glasses.
As far as saline spray goes, I use this from time to time in the winter because the air is dry. But that's about it. I think I also was instructed to use it after my surgery.
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Every surgeon I've had hedges their analysis like that. They are never going to give you a guarantee. It's not like buying a pair of glasses.
As far as saline spray goes, I use this from time to time in the winter because the air is dry. But that's about it. I think I also was instructed to use it after my surgery.
That is what I was thinking , especially after the fact .
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I never thought you were encouraging surgery Jeff......you were just relaying your own personal experiences. I would never consider surgery without professional consultation and guidance. Most likely would seek a second opinion.
Nonetheless, the inside personal experiences give me invaluable insight.
Scotty