Rhinitis :: 20 Years Of Runny Nose
i've had a constant runny nose since i was about 12. I never really give it much thought until about 3 months ago when my symptoms became unbearable. I can't taste or smell anything, i'm sneezing every day and my nose can just drip clear watery fluid out at any moment. I read somewhere about reducing dairy products but that didn't help. I finally went to the doctors and was prescribed a nasal spray that hasn't helped, but he has reassured me that they can try other things. I have always been able to tell when the timer on the central heating has gone off because my nose will start to run, even when i was a little girl. I can't believe i've put up with it for so long! I've got a new appointment next week so hopefully after reading all your stories i'll be able to influence the doctor.
View 1 RepliesSarcoidosis Stage 3 Is Back After 13 Years - Relapse
I recovered from stg 3 Sarc (in lungs, lymph, joints, sinus) 13yrs ago, after 5yrs of illness and 2yrs of steroids.
I now have Erythema Nodosum (sp?) - red painful bumps on lower legs.
Research suggests that 'EN' is associated with a specific version of Sarc, Lofgren syndrome, which is usually resolves quickly and without treatment.
I'm scared to go to the Dr, as I don't want to face the tension & round of tests to exclude a Sarc relapse. It's not something I want to go through again...
I wonder if it's very likely for a relapse to come with a whole new presentation of the Sarc? Or is it unlikely to be sarc, as I never had EN the last time?
Does anyone have any experience or advice which may help me decide what to do?
Best wishes to all who are currently battling with their Sarc, I truly understand your pain and your exhaustion. I was not expected to recover last time - but I did.
Vertigo / Dizziness :: Labyrinthitis Back After 7 Years
Told it was a virus. Now it's back again. Anyone ever gets labs a second time?
View 22 RepliesBack On Norethisterone After 4 Years - Awaiting Menopause
Well here I am back on Norethisterone again after a 4 year break. I didn't want to take them again because I put a lot of weight on but it is necessary because I can't stop bleeding. The distress of constant bleeding which in itself causes anxiety, the tiredness and not been able to go out. Sometimes you have to give in, get yourself right to start again.Unfortunately there seems to be nothing else. Apparently at 53 I am too old to have a Hysterectomy so I am anxiously awaiting menopause.
View 1 RepliesEnlarged Liver (gallbladder Removed, 6 Years Back)
I am a 33 year old female I do not drink and do not have hepatitis or any type of disease. I was diagnosed with an enlarged liver but after a sonogram and blood work was told I just had a big liver. About six years ago I had my gallbladder removed I was told it was rotten and was functioning at 0%. My symptoms didn't totally go away but was better until about a year ago. I have nausea,severe back pain,pain and bloating in the upper middle and right side of my stomach,itching,a burning sensation beside my rib cage and I sometimes break out in a rash always on my neck and chest. None of this is normal and my liver has not always been like this I feel I have been misdiagnosed ...
View 1 RepliesSpleen Removed 6 Years Back - Still Pain In The Area
I had my spleen removed during bariatric surgery because the surgeon accidentally ruptured my spleen. The surgery was in 2010 and I still have pain in that area quite often. My surgeon says if I see another doctor about the pain he will drop me as a patient. Why would my spleen area still hurt and what tests can I have to find out what is causing the pain?
View 1 RepliesSore Throat Ever Since Glandular Fever (3 Years Back)
Back in January 2012 I contracted Glandular Fever and was sick for a couple of weeks. Ever since then I have had a sore throat on and off and nothing it doesn't seem to be getting any better. I get frequent mouth ulcers, the back off my throat is almost always red and patchy with ulcers and sometimes I even get the on my uvula.
I have seen my GP about this a year or so ago and was referred to a throat specialist who pretty much told me to wait it out, but it is very frustrating considering it's been over three years. I have also noticed that alcohol seems to make the problem worse, but being at uni I didn't have much chance to avoid it. My general health is relatively good, if I pick up an infection intend to fight it off quickly and don't get that sick. It's just this which is more frustrating than anything. The only other thing I would say is that I do have mild hay fever and always seem to wake up with phlegm in my throat so I'm not sure if this attributes to it.
Bulging L4-L5, Herniated L5-S (back Pain 20 Years) - MicroDiscectomy?
I'm a long time sufferer of low back pain (20 years, I'm 42). I believe I've given my diagnosis & previous treatment rundown on a previous post, but I'll post it here again, hopefully short and sweet:
Last MRI (Feb. 2012)
Bulging L4-L5, Herniated L5-S1 (Central Annular Tear, 6mm protrusion)
Previous MRI in 2008 showed basically the same as above.
I have tried most therapies & treatments, including but not exclusively:
Acupuncture, TENS, PT, ESI in 2008 & 2012, Prolotherapy, Mackenzie Stretching, Chiro, Massage.
Some of my main activities that I've had to scale back to, and serve as productive exercise:
Walking everyday, inversion table, swimming, Mackenzie stretching.
I used to do martial arts and grappling and have not done so in a couple years now.
I have a hard time now with doing things that I HAVE to do, like working around the house or sitting in my car to drive to work as a couple examples. I cannot do any type of sports that have ANY kind of flexion movement. (I'm able to swim because my back is in extension position)
I've been reading some posts regarding folks who've had the microdiscectomy procedure done, and I've met with many neuro and ortho surgeons during my long journey. I've also begun to research BMSC treatment as well, as this is proving to be very promising, but is still in the very early stages of acceptance and use in the States. I've always opted to not have an invasive procedure because of fear of it not helping and possibly making things worse.
However, I'm just tired of the conservative approach not working and I'm tired of not being able to fully live my life.
Believe me, I understand there are many that are worse off than me and I wish I could help you because I know how bad chronic pain is and what is does to you physically AND mentally.
All the doctors I've ever seen look at me (at 5'9, 150 lbs, lean and "looking" healthy), and I pass all the "strength" tests they give me. They tell me to go conservative, which I fully respect. However, just because I look healthy and can pass them pushing on my legs and feet while I resist, and I'm not losing bladder or bowel control doesn't mean that the slightest move or overdoing it won't put me down again.
Case in point, (After 2 years since my last episode and the walking and my conservative exercising not giving me the progress I'm expecting after 2 years), I decided to, (at the recommendation of a sports med doctor), to go see a well respected and very highly recommended, (by friends), PT Strength and Conditioning coach. He put me through an initial PT type evaluation and I had my first session last night. Well, about half-way through, something wasn't feeling right. We scaled down the workout, (which was pretty conservative already), to just stretching at that point. Long story short, I'm now back to stabbing pain, radiating leg pain and tingling, and standing crooked and not being able to sit down.
I'm really beginning to seriously consider surgery, or possibly explore BMSC treatment for the disc(s). I'm sure since it's been 2 years from my last one, I'll need another MRI before doing anything.
My question is, what would you do if you were in my shoes?
Back Issues :: Pain At My Right Shoulder Blade For 5 And A Half Years
I am a 55 year old female and have had back pain at my right shoulder blade for 5 and a half years. The pain sometimes extends to the end of my back just under my right arm and sometimes goes to my spine and upper shoulder. The pain is excruciating. Chiropractor for 1st. year said rib out of place and needed to strengthen muscles, but the exercises hurt too much. Went swimming as much as possible. 2nd. one said arthritis, his x-ray showed nothing at the point of pain and a little arthritis. Saw an orthopedic doctor two years ago and his x-rays showed no pinched nerves. Many questions later and after standing behind me and twisting me around he said he thought it was a nerve. He prescribed Neurontin and an MRI. Had no insurance at the time, so skipped the MRI. Still on Neurontin, but no relief. Take heavy duty pain pills and spend every night in bed on an ice pack in tears. I know I need the MRI, but do I see another ortho doc or neurologist?
View 8 RepliesNissen Fundoplication For Hiatus Hernia - Symptoms Are Back After 5 Years
I had the Nissen fundoplication in 2011 for a hiatus hernia, for the past year have been getting my symptoms back and have been struggling with lifting and bending as makes my symptoms worse.
View 6 RepliesChances Of Getting Pregnant After Filshie Tubal Ligation 6 Years Back
i had a filshie tubal ligation done in 2007 at the age of 26 and was wondering what the chances are of getting pregnant. my period normally visits me at the beginning of the month (within the first week) it is now the 24 and still no period is that normal?
View 1 RepliesLansoprazole :: 4 Years Use - Severe Lower Back Pain, Pins And Needles
I have been using Lansoprazole for nearly 4 years, I am on 30mg daily, it works great, and I rarely get heartburn these days.
However I have for the past year been experiencing severe lower back pain, pins and needles, strong headaches and more recently dry mouth and dizzy blurred vision.
I stopped taking the Lansoprazole for couple of days, to see if side effects would go away, but the heartburn came back with a vengeance.
So I am having to choose between which is more unbearable, back pain etc. or the heartburn.
I have chosen at the moment to go back on lansoprazole, but if anyone knows of an alternative that works as well, but with no side effects, let me know.
Legg Calve Perthes' Disease :: Lower Back Pain Years After
I was diagnosed very early around 5, so I just had to wear a brace with yearly trips to the Shriners hospital for ortho checkups, the only issue is my right leg is slightly shorter and have had to wear a lift in my shoe. My question is, has anyone had lower back issues possibly due to the Lcpd? I've had lower back issues for several years, I'm 36 is it possibly just older age.
View 19 RepliesTubal Ligation :: 21 Years Back Tubes Tied - Bloated, Cramps - Am I Pregnant?
I'm 40 yrs old and my tubes were clamped 21 yrs ago and I am feeling bloated, cramps in lower abdomen and no period this month, dizzy, nausea (bad mostly dry heaves), urinating a lot, vivid dreams, heartburn, mood swings and hungry at all times. But lost interest in sex. Am I pregnant?
View 1 RepliesRhinitis Or Hay Fever ?
The symptoms first started 9 years ago when I found out I was pregnant and were quite severe throughout my pregnancy (symptoms such as runny itchy eyes that feel dry at the same time, very fast flowing runny nose that drips, sneezing fits, loss of smell, headaches, lack of energy). the symptoms then began to fade away as the years went by but have came back with a vengeance over the past 12 months, it makes working hard and stops me from doing normal day to day things as I feel like going and locking myself away.
I will be visiting my Dr in the next week to tell him that it is not hayfever that it is infact rhinitis and I want something done about it.
Allergic Rhinitis Due To Dust
So I have severe allergic rhinitis which I was told by a ENT specialist a few weeks back. I already had the idea in my head that it was this but it has finally been confirmed. From there I had a blood
Test done for an allergy test. But I find that I am very sensitive to dust and If that's what the test comes back with, what can the doctors do? It's not as if I can avoid dust for the rest of my life because it would be impossible! I'm very confused as to what they will be able to do? But they must be ae to so something right? I have an appointment again really soon to get the results back so I shall know for sure! It does sound a bit stupid but I'm just worried about having to be miserable for a long time or until I grow out of it- which is only a possibility and might not even have it. If anyone else has it here, do you know what triggers yours? And what the doctor did about it?
How I Treated My Allergic Rhinitis
I have a predominantly obstructive form of perennial allergic rhinitis with multiple allergen sensitivity.
Negative stress aggravates it - positive stress alleviates it. Jogging and exercise helps to overcome nasal airflow resistance for me and seems to reduce the sensation of blockage - a lot of good consistent exercise definitely improves rhinitis in my case e.g. swimming, jogging, running, cycling.
Irregular sleeping hours and too much sleep can provoke an attack in my case.
As many people will agree, it can have a significant impact on sleep, cause tiredness, lack of concentration, irritability, tension, nausea, post nasal drip, dryness and can have a serious impact on relationships in work and at home.
I found that nasal spray corticosteroids don't work consistently in my case - they don't always prevent my attacks from occurring, even with long term use. This is only my experience though!
I use a prescribed formulation of medicinal herbs prescribed by an approved medical herbalist - I have found them to be more effective and longer lasting than any other treatments I tried - single herbs I found did not work. I use this constantly throughout the winter and intermittently during the summer.
Plaintain and eyebright compound is good for the dryness I experience in the winter and is good for clearing the mucous.
Nasal saline irrigation can be very helpful also to clear mucous in the nasal cavity for me.
Fisherman's friend and airwaves chewing gum is very useful to make me breath through my nose more easily.
I have fewer attacks now (almost a normal life) that I use the herbal medication, compared to when I used only steroid sprays.
But when I do have the odd attack, I immediately begin using betamethasone sodium phosphate drops (betamethasone is a potent corticosteroid). I usually need them for no more than 5 or 6 days because I feel that they lose their benefit if using them long term - the medicinal herbs are my long term treatment.
A useful method recommended by my ENT consultant was to invert my head over the back of the bed when using the drops, and wait a few minutes - this allows deep penetration into the sinuses - (i believe that there is a sinus called the ethmoid sinus deeper in the nasal cavity)
If my nose gets really blocked up, I will use an oral decongestant, phenylephrine hydrochloride (60 mg) (short acting) and take these for a few days (this can also help the betamethasone drops get to the right place as it is a vasoconstrictor). I find that this decongestant, in my case, does not give me the shakes and nervousness that pseudoephedrine does.
Rhinitis :: Excessive Mucus Production
My problem is the excessive production of mucus. It has been going on for about 12 years or so (I am now 58) and it is getting worse. Embarrassingly, it happens mainly when I eat (usually halfway through eating a large main meal, but also when eating hot and spicy food). It's embarrassing because nobody wants to share a meal with somebody who has a perennially runny nose.
It also happens, bizarrely, when I sit on the loo in the morning, when my nose runs non-stop! I have no idea why.
It also happens, albeit less spectacularly, in my sleep. This means that I usually wake up in the middle of the night, wheezing. About three years ago my doctor diagnosed asthma, and a Ventolin inhaler does help ease the wheezing, but the main problem is coughing up phlegm. Once I've cleared that off my chest (with difficulty, sometimes), I usually feel better. But increasingly I am dreading nights, because sleeping (ie lying down) causes that congested feeling and wheezing chest.
When I do strenuous exercise, particularly in cold weather, my chest seems to seize up and breathing gets difficult. This is accompanied by a noticeable increase in my heart rate, which I can feel thumping in my chest. Again, Ventolin seems to help here (which I guess is why my GP diagnosed asthma three years ago -- although I never had asthma as a child.
Other side effects include lack of smell or taste. They really are very poor (practically non-existent) these days. But is this a by-product of getting older? After all, my hearing is much poorer these days and that is obviously not caused by excessive mucus!
I gave up smoking ten years ago. I am about 3 stone overweight (6ft 1in and 16st), two stone of which I pile don after giving up smoking. I work (mainly) in an office environment.
My doctor has prescribed Beconase nasal spray, which is only partially effective. Sometimes it seems to have no effect at all.
To be honest, my GP was pretty disinterested, so I haven't returned in over two years. In fact he retired about a year ago and I have yet to go and meet his replacement, because I expect I'll again be fobbed off. After all, my "illness" must appear rather insignificant to an overworked doctor dealing with patients with life-threatening and nasty diseases.
In other words,if you can give me any pointers, regarding what the problem is likely to be and what I can try, I am very happy to sort this out for myself.
Anybody else recognise any of the above?
Rhinitis :: Terrible Hay Fever With Both Nose And Eye Symptoms
I get terrible hay fever with both nose and eye symptoms. However, I find that if I take a steroid nasal spray it not only clears my nose symptoms, but my eye symptoms are very much eased too without the need to take eye drops!
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