Sinus sufferers, how do you spell relief?

[Rick Lee]

Zyrtec D was a miracle drug for me, really changed my life. I didn't need it often, maybe a handful of times per year. But when I needed it, I was at the end of my rope and would have done anything to relieve my suffering. It always made me drowsy and feel weird, but when breathing through my nose became more important, I took Zyrtec D and it always worked. I know it's OTC now and, when my old prescript. for it ran out, I opted for the generic Cetirizine HCl in 10 mg tablets. That stuff did not work at all. I just ran to the store to get some real Zyrtec and noticed the active ingredient is exactly the same in both drugs. WTF? Why did the old presc. Zyrtec D work so well for me, yet the new stuff, which is supposedly the same thing, didn't work at all? Are there other active ingredients in either drug, not listed on the bottles? Anyone have a drug that works best for them?

[vash]

i have crap sinuses..all that changed when i started the neti pot. allergies down alot. i dont even remember suffering last spring.

try it. wierd at first.

[porsche4life]

Try the Allegra 180.... It kicks some people in the ass and they can't handle it... But if you can its a miracle worker....

[joeclarke]

Cure for me was sinus surgery. Enough nonsense with infections, congestion, pain, snoring, etc. I used to slap one of those nasal strips so I could get sleep at night. Prescription this and that over the years - most would provide temporary relief, but nothing lasting. My last great cure-all was that thing where you rinse the sinuses every day. That worked pretty good but was not a final cure, that came from a..

Four hour $9k surgery to clear out the sinuses, snip a few polyps, straighten the septum - I am a new man. I wish I'd done it years ago, but I was hesitant to write the check.

Meanwhile, $100k went out the window on Porsches and parts/modifications thereto.

I finally sorted out my priorities.

[Deschodt]

Yup, Neti pot and saline... Worked since the romans, who probably copied it from the babylonians... It works... The only time I get sinus issues nowadays is when I get lazy and don't use the neti pot for a month...

[Rick Lee]

Neti pot? Never heard of it. I'll research. Is Allegra 180 OTC now? I've been given many samples of Allegra by gp's and allergists and none have done anything at all for me. My sinuses are usually fine. It took me over two years to use up my last script for Zyrtec. But when it's bad, it baaaadddd. And I don't want something bad to turn into a sinus infection, where I'm miserable for weeks before a doctor agrees that it's more than a cold and gives me Augmentin.

[rouxroux]

For me, a quick snort of Afrin (either the menthol sinus or severe congestion) does the trick.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Neti pot? Never heard of it. I'll research. Is Allegra 180 OTC now? I've been given many samples of Allegra by gp's and allergists and none have done anything at all for me. My sinuses are usually fine. It took me over two years to use up my last script for Zyrtec. But when it's bad, it baaaadddd. And I don't want something bad to turn into a sinus infection, where I'm miserable for weeks before a doctor agrees that it's more than a cold and gives me Augmentin.

Sorry still gots to have a scrip for Allegra....

[red-beard]

Go to your local pharmacy and get 2 boxes of "Breath Right". Get the "regular" for night time and the clear ones for daytime when you need them. I also use saline, but I just take an old nasal sprayer and fill with the cheapest saline I can find.

When I use "Breath Right", I get a cotton ball and scrub my nose with Isopropyl alcohol. It helps reduce the chance of a zit, and helps the glue stick to your nose.

I probably should go the route of having my nasal passages fixed.

[MysticLlama]

Zyrtec and D aren't exactly the same thing, Claritin and D are the same way.

I think that the D versions have pseudoephedrine in addition to the regular ingredient. You typically have to get the D versions at the counter vs. just sitting in the aisle.

Give that a try.

[vash]

Originally Posted by rouxroux

For me, a quick snort of Afrin (either the menthol sinus or severe congestion) does the trick.

i have been addicted to afrin, 3 times. hard to kick that habit. my doctor had to intervene. hated it. i never touch the stuff anymore.
my dad died of cancer that started in his sinuses...i am more aware of sinus health because of it. my co-workers sniff tobacco up their noses...WTF?

anyways, a neti pot looks like a small teapot. you put in some iodine free salt, add warm water. and flush the saline into one nostril out the other...blow (you should see the stuff that sometimes comes out), and repeat with the other nostril. my first few times, i had to do it in the backyard, because i made such a mess. believe me, it is chem free, and will work WONDERS.

[legion]

I used to have major sinus issues. Now I run a small humidifier in my bedroom at night and another USB humidifier (they do exist) at my desk at work. No problems.

But back in the day, only Allegra would work for me...

[Talewinds]

Is it considered having bad sinuses when you can feel your heartbeat in your FACE all day!?!?

Afrin is just incredible, no two ways about it, but such a shame that it's such a short term cure.
I've used everything. Sudafed still works pretty well for me.
Currently trying Nasonex spray, better than Rhinocort, and better than nasocort.

I should try that neti pot, don't want to though, stupid azz thing....

[Teutonics]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Neti pot? Never heard of it.

You may also want to try NeilMed sinus rinse. Easier to use than neti, and travels easy which helps for plane flights. Available at Walgreens, CVS, etc. Mix your own salt/soda.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Talewinds

Is it considered having bad sinuses when you can feel your heartbeat in your FACE all day!?!?

Afrin is just incredible, no two ways about it, but such a shame that it's such a short term cure.
I've used everything. Sudafed still works pretty well for me.
Currently trying Nasonex spray, better than Rhinocort, and better than nasocort.

I should try that neti pot, don't want to though, stupid azz thing....

Maybe you could just run a short length of vacuum tubing up each nostril.

[Rick Lee]

Looks like I bought the wrong version of Zyrtec. Well, there's another $21 down the drain and I have to suffer another 22 hrs. or so before I can take the correct stuff.

[The Gaijin]

Yup, the neti pot. Say no to drugs.

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by rouxroux

For me, a quick snort of Afrin (either the menthol sinus or severe congestion) does the trick.

Me too. Saline in the winter helps with the dry stuffiness. Don't like the menthol Afrin. I use the regular stuff.

[Talewinds]

Originally Posted by masraum

Maybe you could just run a short length of vacuum tubing up each nostril.

I'll try anything!

But it's not so much the snot getting in the way, it's the swelling of the nasal passages. It's unbearable sometimes.

[nynor]

normal saline flush, for me. i fractured my cheek bone, years ago, and i get sinus infections on that side at the drop of a hat.