I had a minor respiratory infection/minor cold two weeks ago. Surprisingly at first, my symptoms didn't get worse, I was back to MOSTLY normal-ish after less than a week with still some coughing - especially morning and evening, and lots of nose blowing. Also it's TERRIBLE allergy season where I am. For the next week or so it was relatively under control with Mucinex-D every 12 hours, an additional cough suppressant bill, singulair, steroid inhaler, and regular inhaler, plus the cheap otc antihistamine/decongestant. The last couple days I'm blowing my nose less but the asthma cough has gotten worse and more into the uncontrollable territory. I'm back to having moments where I throw up phlegm at least a couple times a day, and even had a large cough vomit the other day. I went to my doctor, he said my lungs are clear (of course they are, they also fucking are when I get like this). There's nothing he can do. Last night was the first night even since I've been sick that I was literally up all night coughing. I literally slept MAYBE 1-2 hours, and the rest was just eyes closed, very light almost sleep and constant popping Ludens and coughing. It was awful. Now my ribs and back hurt, and I'm exhausted. Dr. said "It would be unusual to get that much worse in 24 hours. Well doc - it happened! Logically, I know there's not really anything to do that will help much, but still. Honestly, I really want some pred., but he hates to give me pred. and I've already had at least 3 times with pred this year when I had Covid. I know it's not good to take too much, but it's literally the ONLY thing that makes things bearable for at least a little bit. Well, that, and that awesome narcotic cough syrup that no one will prescribe or sell anymore even though it was the only cough medicine that's ever really worked when I got this way. Anyway, thanks for reading my rant. Solidarity, Asthma friends.

Since I discussed H2RAs, I thought I’d delve into its sibling medication, H1RAs, which are generally referred to as antihistamines. These are the meds that you take when you have an allergy resulting in a histamine release that might cause runny nose, congestion, coughing, sneezing, itchy/watery eyes, hives, etc. (Of course, if you have difficulty breathing and throat swelling, use an Epi pen/go to the ER.)They are divided into the first and second generation namely based on their FDA approval dates, but they also tend to have some different aspects associated with each grouping.
The OGs (1st Gen) cross the blood-brain barrier, so they have the most noticeable drowsiness effects but also potentially stronger effects on blocking histamine in multiple areas of the body (GI tract, blood vessels, respiratory tract). They are also less specific to bind only to histamine receptors so they can also have more anticholinergic (dec digestion, urination, and saliva) effects. Some oral options include diphenhydramine (Benadryl-OTC/Rx), doxylamine (Unisom-OTC/Rx), cyproheptadine (Rx), brompheniramine (Dimetapp-OTC/Rx), chlorpheniramine (Chlorine-Tabs-OTC/Rx), meclizine (Travel Ease-OTC/Rx), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine-OTC/Rx), hydroxyzine (Rx), promethazine (Phenergan-Rx), etc. These meds are meant to be used on an as needed basis unless under medical supervision. Caution should always be taken when driving due to drowsiness potentials.
Second gens are generally considered safer from less risk of drowsiness and drug interactions. Many are also longer lasting, so many can be dosed once every 24 hours continuously. Some oral options include loratidine (Claritin-OTC/Rx), cetirizine (Zyrtec-OTC/Rx), fexofenadine (Allegra-OTC/Rx), desloratidine (Clarinex-OTC/Rx), levocetirizine (Xyzal-OTC/Rx). These are all generally considered to be equally effective, so one is not necessarily recommended over the other. As with any drug, always tell your medical providers if you take any OTC meds because these can still have drug or disease state interactions.
Some antihistamines available in nasal spray and ophthalmic dosage forms include azelaztine (Astelin, Astepro-OTC/Rx, Optivar-Rx), olopatadine (Patanase-Rx, Pataday-OTC/Rx), ketotifen (Zaditor-OTC/Rx). These have less systemic side effects, while still exerting direct action against symptoms.
Other allergy medications include nasal decongestants taken orally like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed-OTC/Rx), and phenylephrine (Sudafed PE-OTC/Rx), or intranasally like phenylephrine (Neo-Synepherine-OTC/Rx), oxymetolazine (Afrin-OTC/Rx) and tetrahydrolozine (Tyzine-Rx). Oral nasal decongestants can increase blood pressure because they work to constrict blood vessels and should not be used long term. They can also cause CNS excitability and heighten anxiety. Nasal spray decongestants should be limited to only 3 days of consecutive use because they can cause symptoms to worsen with continuous prolonged use.
Corticosteroid nasal sprays may also be used to alleviate allergy symptoms from stuffy or runny nose like fluticasone (Flonase-OTC/Rx), mometasone (Nasonex-OTC/Rx), budesonide (Rhinocort-OTC/Rx), beclomethasone (Beconase-Rx), triamcinolone (Nasocort-OTC/Rx), and flunisolide (Rhinalar-Rx). These are listed in order of their general potency. They also have less systemic side effects, while still exerting direct action against symptoms, though it may take several weeks of regular use before their full effects can be felt. While there are some prescription steroid eye drops also available, these are generally reserved for more persistent, severe eye allergy symptoms.
Finally, there are also mast cell stabilizers like cromolyn (Gastrocro-PO-Rx, Nasalcrom-NS-OTC/Rx, and Ophth-Rx) and lukotriene receptor antagonists like montelukast (Singulair). Mast cell stabilizers work to prevent histamines from being released, and lukotriene blockers prevent their inflammatory action involved in allergic reactions and asthma.
There is no evidence that adding medications from the same drug type is beneficial (ex: 2 oral antihistamines), yet a combination of those from different types are often used (ex: oral, nasal, and/or eye drop antihistamines, decongestants, and steroids. As always folks, let your medical providers know if you are using these OTC.
I thought this link had some great info if you want to read more! Allergy medications: Know your options

I originally posted this over in sinusitis, but I thought it would be useful to get the insights of those whose primary issue/symptom is ETD.
About a year ago, I woke up and was extremely dizzy and couldn't hear out of my left ear. I was very off balance and was having difficulty walking. I couldn't get an appointment with my PCP, so I ended up going to Urgent Care. Long story short, they told me that there was a ton of fluid in my ear but no infection and prescribed me a steriod z-pack to dry out the fluid in my ear.
This kind of worked until it didn't. I went back to my doctor, who suggested that I had eustachian tube dysfunction and to take Sudafed. Over the next few months, I kept going back, but my PCP wasn't really any help at this point, and so I asked for a referral to see an ENT.
The ENT, who I started seeing in February, ended up agreeing that it looked like I had ETD after running a bunch of other tests. He prescribed me Singulair to take for a couple of months, with the thinking that it must be allergy related.
Fast forward to early April of this year, and the popping was still there, except now my ear was having random sharp pains that would come out of nowhere. I ended up having a Sinus CT scan done and low and behold. This whole time, I've had a sinus infection. For some reason, the infection had been creating air bubbles which were getting trapped in my sinuses.
The ENT prescribed Augametin, and I thought this would be the end of it. The popping stopped briefly but never went away completely. My options at this point were to try more antibiotics over the course of several months or have surgery. This is due to the fact that I had already done allergy testing and started allergy shots (plus Singulair and Flonase), pretty much exhausting all of my nonsurgical options.
I ended up having FESS/bilateral image guided sinus surgery on my spenoid, ethmoid, and maxillary sinuses at the end of last month. I know that I could have tried more antibiotics but I really just wanted the ETD to stop, as my ear was popping twenty-four seven and was beginning to make me sensitive to loud noise on top of the pain I was experiencing.
My ENT found a ton of swelling during surgery but not a ton of pus, so it didn't end up taking as long as he had anticipated. I'm about three weeks post surgery now and the popping is still there, but I would say it has been reduced by about fifty percent (actually even more since I originally posted this- I've gotten a few instances where it's barely noticeable for an extended period of time, but alas, it keeps coming back). And it's actually kind of tolerable now.
I know the eustachian tube takes time to decongest, so I'm hoping that as things heal, the popping will resolve completely. I see my ENT again in October for a second post-op appointment, so I will update then.
I am wondering though if anyone else has experienced relief from their eustachian tube dysfunction after having sinus surgery?

Posting this because someone asked about sinus surgery's effect on eustachian tube dysfunction.
About a year ago, I woke up and was extremely dizzy and couldn't hear out of my left ear. I was very off balance and was having difficulty walking. I couldn't get an appointment with my PCP, so I ended up going to Urgent Care. Long story short, they told me that there was a ton of fluid in my ear but no infection and prescribed me a steriod z-pack to dry out the fluid in my ear.
This kind of worked until it didn't. I went back to my doctor, who suggested that I had eustachian tube dysfunction and to take Sudafed. Over the next few months, I kept going back, but my PCP wasn't really any help at this point, and so I asked for a referral to see an ENT.
The ENT, who I started seeing in February, ended up agreeing that it looked like I had ETD after running a bunch of other tests. He prescribed me Singulair to take for a couple of months, with the thinking that it must be allergy related.
Fast forward to early April of this year, and the popping was still there, except now my ear was having random sharp pains that would come out of nowhere. I ended up having a Sinus CT scan done and low and behold. This whole time, I've had a sinus infection. For some reason, the infection had been creating air bubbles which were getting trapped in my sinuses.
The ENT prescribed Augametin, and I thought this would be the end of it. The popping stopped briefly but never went away completely. My options at this point were to try more antibiotics over the course of several months or have surgery. This is due to the fact that I had already done allergy testing and started allergy shots (plus Singulair and Flonase), pretty much exhausting all of my nonsurgical options.
I ended up having FESS/bilateral image guided sinus surgery on my spenoid, ethmoid, and maxillary sinuses at the end of last month. I know that I could have tried more antibiotics but I really just wanted the ETD to stop, as my ear was popping twenty-four seven and was beginning to make me sensitive to loud noise on top of the pain I was experiencing.
My ENT found a ton of swelling during surgery but not a ton of pus, so it didn't end up taking as long as he had anticipated. I'm about three weeks post surgery now and the popping is still there, but I would say it has been reduced by about fifty percent. Like it's actually kind of tolerable now. I know the eustachian tube takes time to decongest, so I'm hoping that as things heal, the popping will resolve completely. I see my ENT again in October for a second post-op appointment, so I will update then.

Was diagnosed with asthma as a baby but my last asthma attack was when I was 5 years old. Back then it was common practise to assume “young girls grow out of asthma” not sure if this was assumed everywhere or just in the country I grew up in.
I have recently moved to a new country and began having issues with allergies all of a sudden. Go to my doctor here and tell him my history for him to educate me that children don’t grow out of asthma and that I was lucky I’ve never had an asthma attack since then since I haven’t had an inhaler all these years. Doc prescribes singulair , albutrol 90mcg and wixella 250/50.
My allergies have significantly gotten worse as the pollen count is over 1000 where I am right now so I am confined my house because I am so sick. My albutrol doesn’t seem to working anymore and while the wixella is helping it’s not lasting throughout the day until my evening dosage. On top of this I am dealing with severe congestion which seems like it may turn into a sinus infection.
i have no idea how asthma works or what’s normal and what’s not but I am worried as I am struggling to breath sometimes (exhaling is worse than inhaling) and just today I have devolved this really bad dry cough but seems to only be bad in the evening/night time. Is this normal or not?
I have reached out to my doctor about this but he just told to start taking decongestants which are helping a bit and making sure I am taking my inhalers right which I am.

AMAB, 48yro, Southern California. Since my late teens/early 20s I have occasionally (~10 to 15 days per year) suffered bouts of rhinitis with powerful itching/burning of the nasal passages. Strong enough that I cannot work or read and mostly just lie in bed suffering with an ice pack on my face.
They've been more frequent when I was living on the East Coast than the West, I assumed region-specific allergies but I no longer think that's the case, see below.
Weather-responsive. Recently I have noticed weather patterns -- it often happens the day after a rainstorm, or when humidity has changed from 40% to 85% in one day. Last November I had 5 or 6 severe episodes, all of them within 24 hours of a rainstorm. Yesterday I noticed my nose burning after I woke up and checked the weather to see that it was suddenly (and unusually) 85% humidity.
Because it comes on suddenly and only lasts a day or two, it's very hard to see a specialist when it's actually happening, the episode resolves before they can get me in. :-(
Symptoms:

• Extreme burning/irritation in the nostril(s), toward the front
• Almost always much stronger in one nostril than the other, but it is NOT consistent which nostril
• Spreads to the eyes when it is strong enough, causing enough eye watering to interfere with vision
• More running/mucus type rhinitis than congestion
• The sensation of airflow over the irritated spot is extremely powerful, my eyes water each time I inhale air through the affected nostril.
• Generally comes on very suddenly, going from 5% strength one day to 95% strength the next, and lasting 2-3 days each time
• It goes away during sleep, and returns ~20 minutes after I wake up

Test results:

• Allergy tests showed no reactivity except to dust mites, which was moderate. The allergist did 80 skin-prick tests and 24 injection tests.

Treatments tried and results:

• Cardio exercise clears it up entirely, but only for the duration of the exercise, it comes right back afterward
• Antihistamines have no effect (any type, any dose, I've tried up to 4x recommended dose of several kinds)
• Singulair has no effect
• Steroid sprays have little or no effect
• Decongestants maybe cause a small improvement
• Atrovent maybe causes a small improvement
• Breathing through an air filter (e.g. N95 or P100) has no effect
• Plugging the more-affected nostril with a tissue is the most effective treatment I've found, gives me maybe 30% relief from the strongest sensations.

To preface I'm an oncology physician, but I wanted to get some thoughts about a recurring problem I've had for a while and felt like this was a good way to reach the masses (plus we all know as busy physicians that we make the worst patients and hardly have time to go see a doctor in person lol)
Anyways, this is geared towards any physician, but would be cool if pulmonology or anyone who specializes in cough could weigh in.
34M, non-smoker with no significant medical/surgical hx and no regular meds.
For almost every year over the last decade and a half, I get this recurring post-viral/URI cough, non-productive and lasts for SEVERAL weeks, sometimes up to ~4 months. Not tied to any particular seasons or areas of the country (have moved 3x in last decade). I've used a variety of the usual remedies for post-viral cough throughout these years including OTC cough suppressants, decongestants, nasal sprays, tessalon pearls (ha), neti pot, anti-histamines, anti-inflammatories, singulair, inhaled/nasal/oral steroids, codeine, warm liquids, humidifiers, air filters, hot baths, etc etc - you name it and I've probably done it.
None of these remedies above really help and usually I just move on with my life as it EVENTUALLY goes away but before it does, I cough literally ALL DAY LONG, every minute-two; not worse at night (I even trialed anti-GERD meds at one point lol). Honestly at this point, I'm just exhausted as it interferes with work, sleep, eating (have had post-emesis coughs at times), and everything in between. I know post-viral coughs are common, but I'm wondering if I should get worked up for some other things? I haven't really ever gotten any testing/imaging outside of a CXR years ago and we all know how unreliable/unrevealing that can be.
Are there anatomic variants or conditions that cause more exacerbated sx? Could I have some allergen I don't know about? I don't smoke nor do I have a formal asthma diagnosis and I don't "feel" sick outside of exhaustion/headaches from coughing so damn much; no dyspnea, chest pain/tightness, wheezing, etc but do have sensation of post nasal drip. Probably some psychogenic component to my cough at this point lol
TLDR; * Functionally limiting non-productive post-viral cough that can last several months

• Recurring nearly annually for last 13-14 years; refractory to all 'typical' meds/remedies
  
• Need advice if worth it to get further work up and if so, what?
  

I have had chronic mucus in my throat for years. To the point where I can't even count how many years. I have brought this up with several doctors who all brush it off as "allergies", "you were a former smoker" "etc" I am only 26. I smoked from 15-21 and switched to vaping. Now, my thinking is this is caused by the vaping due to VG/PG making mucus thick. But something deep down makes me think it's cancer. I mean, this is a daily occurrence, happens usually an hour or two after I wake up, and just feels like I always need to clear my throat. I usually have to force myself to cough to actually clear it.
I have tried: Flonase, claritin, Claritin-d, decongestants, drinking more water, I am on a maintenance inhaler for asthma, singulair, etc.
Nothing has helped. I've had xrays done of my chest fairly recent (last year) that looked fine, my ENT who I actually saw the other day due to incredibly inflamed nasal passages brushed it off and wanted to deal with the nasal passages first. In fact, he didn't even look at my throat (other than to remove a tonsil stone) and said to check back in a month.
I feel like he would have at least seen something when removing the tonsil stone. But I keep leaning towards cancer lol

Hey guys, I haven't been able to sleep regularly since Saturday night.
Idk if this has anything to do with it, but I have severe seasonal allergies, and Sunday was especially bad. I took Zyrtec around 11am, Singulair around 5, and made the awful awful mistake of taking Benadryl with Decongestant (pseudoephedrine) at about 11pm. I know pseudoephedrine can make you restless, but benadryl by itself knocks me out so I thought the two would cancel each other out. Ever since then I have not been able to fall asleep, and I have itchy skin. I've done everything I can, I tried taking a muscle relaxer Monday night and drank chamomile tea, and had no tv/videogames after 8:30 and switched to reading a book. Last night my doctor prescribed me Trazadone and I took it, drank some chamomile, and was hoping it would all knock me out. Needless to say, it didn't. I literally didn't sleep at all again last night. The weirdest thing is I don't feel extremely tired. Like I don't feel /good/ but I don't feel like I'm barely able to keep my head up. I just don't know what to do at this point and I need sleep. I can't spend another night tossing and turning next to my gf as she sleeps sound. I need sleep. Does anyone have any possible ideas of what I can do? I feel like if Trazadone doesn't do the job idk what will. There is no way it could still.be the pseudoephedrine in my system? It's supposed to wear off in like 8-10 hours.

Pretty much copypasta from a Facebook post I made 12 hours ago that no one has responded to yet.
I apologize for the ranty ADHD preamble, but I figured clear out all the relatively relevant info in advance. Also apologies for the weird doublespacing from having written it in Google Keep.
Other conditions: (Childhood) Eczema (which I know is the completion of the atopy triad), Keratoderma (Feet), Severe ADHD, Fibromyalgia, suspected ME/CFS, Hiatus Hernia (confirmed via scope - no EoE found), GERD, Depression/Anxiety.
Oh, and my fluid intake is at minimum 4-5 L of water per day, which keeps nosebleeds at bay, helps my dry skin, and likely thins the fuck out of my mucus.

I was diagnosed at 7 (~1990), after overnight attacks. After a couple cycles of getting nebulizer meds in the ER, we found some stuff that worked to manage it - Zaditen, the old disc/powder-based version of Ventolin, and Pulmicort (turbuhaler). I eventually didn't need the Pulmicort anymore, and switched to Singulair after it was approved.
I have not had an Asthma Attack proper, since about Junior High. At about 22 or 23 I stopped taking the Singulair, because it was too expensive, and still not a generic. Since then, my allergies and Asthma were pretty much under control, save for poplar season and exertion (like running to catch a bus/train). All I took was antihistamines during pollen season, and my blue puffer if I ever started wheezing, typically about once a month.
In the last few years (yet ANOTHER thing since my shit 2015 where the Fibromyalgia etc started), things have slowly gotten worse. I started taking Reactine year round, then in March of 2020, I started taking a DOUBLE dose of Reactine (20mg) on the advice of a friend (to limit nasal/sinus symptoms which could potentially be mistaken for COVID), which my doc also gave his blessing to, but also suggested the next step would be to go back onto Singulair. I still frequently blow my nose and/or experience perpetual post-nasal drip.
In September 2020, when I went in for refills, my GP's office got me to see the Primary Care Network's visiting Internal Medicine specialist instead, for a full meds review. Out of nowhere -- despite the fact that my lungs have /nearly always/ stethoscoped as "clear" (even when I complained of chest tightness), despite my SpO2 always showing 95%+, and despite only using my blue SABA (salbutamol) inhaler a max of 1-2x/week during the worst of this summer -- they prescribed me my first Inhaled Corticosteroid in over 20 years - QVAR (Beclomethasone) - 1 puff @ sleep/wake, and any time I use my blue SABA.
I feel like, since September, my lungs have been in a WORSE state than before. I'm experiencing (or at least noticing?) a more generalized dyspnea - the "air hunger" feeling - usually without any kind of wheezing, phlegm, or other hallmark "RED FLAG" symptoms. Up until today, I'd only taken my SABA 3 times for a total of 5 puffs. (I'm barely wheezing, but the air hunger has been REALLY bad today, with a worsening of my near perpetual post nasal drip.)
I'm also noticing a marked increase in my need to use decongestants (advil cold + sinus - pseudophedrine) to get enough air without mouth breathing, if that makes any sense?

So I guess... questions time?

• How many of you have experienced a spontaneous exacerbation of your Asthma/Allergy symptoms since in the last 12-16 months, independent of whether you've had COVID or not?
  
• If you're on an ICS, did things get worse before they got better, assuming it wasn't prescribed to you as a result of a massive flare?
  
• Have you needed to supplement with OTC decongestants at all?
  
• Have you been diagnosed with anything autoimmune that also affects your breathing/allergy response? Or something wild like Mast Cell Activation Disorder?
  
• Do you have an Asthma Action Plan? Who (healthcare provider-wise) did you consult in order to establish one? (ie. your pharmacist, a respiratory therapist in an ER, your family doctoGP...?)
  
• Does an action plan involve like [How can I word this?] ... Is there like a tiered structure to it where you self-manage your dosages under the direction of your doc (and have at least base-level meds available to you), so that you don't have to go in every time you have a minor issue, just to be told "take one more puff each time you take the others, for the next 2 weeks"? And then once you reach a certain threshold, THEN you go to your doc because it's an indicator you're on a wrong med or losing control?
  

More info @:http://www.ayahuasca.com/science/foods-and-meds-to-avoid-with-maois/
The following foods are recommended to be avoided with MAOIs:
– Meat that is not fresh, especially unfresh liver (fresh meat and fresh liver are safe) – Bologna, pepperoni, salami, corned beef, sausage, hot dogs, any cured meats – Smoked, fermented, pickled (herring) and otherwise aged or dried fish, lox; any fish that is not fresh – Fermented tofu, fermented bean curd, fermented soybean paste, miso soup (contains fermented bean curd) – Soy sauce (soy sauce even in very small quantities has been implicated in a number of anecdotal reports on this forum) – Teriyaki sauce – Cheeses, especially aged cheeses (ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese and cream cheese are safe) – Protein extracts – Liquid or powdered protein dietary supplements – Canned soups, or soups made with protein extracts or bouillon – Gravies and foods made with meat extracts – Dried egg whites – Defatted peanut flour – Brewer’s yeast, yeast vitamin supplements, yeast extracts, foods with yeast in ingredients – Sourdough bread – Shrimp paste – Sauerkraut – Pickled foods – Olives (unless you can get fresh ones) – Fruits that are bruised or overripe – Avocados that are very soft, mushy, overripe or starting to turn grey (slightly underripe avocados are fine in moderation). Guacamole should be avoided. – Banana peels (as though you’d eat them anyway) and bananas that are overripe (turning brown or black). Bananas that are not overripe or bruised are totally fine, and are often eaten around Ayahuasca ceremonies in the Amazon. – Dried fruits, such as raisins and prunes – Fruit cake and candied fruits – Cranberries, canned – Red wine, especially Chianti; sherry, vermouth, champagne, brandy; beers and ales, including nonalcoholic; whiskey and liqueurs such as Drambuie and Chartreuse – Dairy products that are close to the expiration date or that have been unrefrigerated (fresh yogurt is safe) – Any food that has the word “hydrolyzed” or “autolyzed” in the ingredient list
In addition to the preceding foods (which are aged, fermented, preserved, overripe, etc) avoid the following in large quantities:
– Broad beans (fava and lima beans) – in large quantities – Navy beans – in large quantities – Peanuts – in large quantities – Brazil nuts – in large quantities – Coconut and coconut oil – in large quantities (coconut juice or coconut milk is safe) – Raspberries – in large quantities – New Zealand or Hot Weather Spinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides, a different plant from regular spinach, Spinacia oleracea, which is safe) – in large quantities – Parsley – in large quantities – Dill weed – in large quantities – Dried seaweed – in large quantities – Nutmeg – in large quantities – Kombucha – in large quantities – Dark chocolate – in large quantities (the theobromine in it may be potentiated, causing fast heartbeat) – Caffeine in large quantities (in a few rare individuals, there may be a severe interaction with even small amounts of caffeine)
Also avoid: – Aspartame (Nutrasweet) – Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) (or anything with the word “hydrolyzed,” code for MSG)
These drugs and meds can be dangerous with MAOIs:
– other MAOIs – SSRI’s (any selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) – antihypertensives (high blood pressure medicine) – appetite suppressants (diet pills) – medicine for asthma, bronchitis, or other breathing problems; antihistamines, medicines for colds, sinus problems, hay fever, or allergies (Actifed DM, Benadryl, Benylin, Chlor-Trimeton, Compoz, Bromarest DM or DX, Dimetane DX cough syrup, Dristan Cold & Flu, Phenergan with Dextromethorphan, Robitussin-DM, Vicks Formula 44-D, several Tylenol cold, cough, and flu preparations, and many others) — anything containing dextromethorphan/ DXM or with DM, DX or Tuss in its name, or anything containing pseudoephedrine. – CNS (central nervous system) depressants – vasodilators – antipsychotics – barbiturates – alcohol
Illegal or recreational drugs that are VERY dangerous to combine with MAOIs:
– cocaine – amphetamines (meth-, dex-, amphetamine), ephedrine, MDMA (Ecstasy), MDA, MDEA, PMA – opiates (heroin, morphine, codeine, and especially opium) – dextromethorphan (DXM) – nutmeg – 5-Meo-DMT
There are recorded fatalities from the combination of cocaine with MAOIs and 5-Meo-DMT with MAOIs.
Illegal or recreational drugs that can potentially be dangerous to combine with MAOIs:
– mescaline (any phenethylamine) – barbiturates – alcohol – kratom – kava
Some specific pharmaceutical drugs that should not be combined with MAOIs (some are mild risks, others serious): – Adderall – Alaproclate – Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin) – Amantadine hydrochloride (Symmetrel) – Amiflamine – Amineptine – Amitriptaline – Amoxapine (Asendin) – Atomoxedine – Bazinaprine – Befloxetone’ – Befol – Benadryl – Benmoxinb (Nerusil, Neuralex) – Benylin – Benzedrine – Benzphetamine (Didrex) – Bicifadine – Brasofensine – Brofaromine (Consonar) – Buprenorphine – Bupropion (Wellbutrin) – Buspirone (BuSpar) – Butriptyline – Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Epitol) – Chlorpheniramine – Chlor-Trimeton – Cimoxetone – Citalopram (Celexa) – Clomipramine (Anafranil) – Clorgyline – Codeine – Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) – Cyclizine (Marezine) – D-deprenyl – Dapoxotine – Desipramine (Pertofrane, Norpramin) – Desvenlafaxine – Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) – Dextromethorphan (DXM) – Dibenzepin – Dienolide kavapyrone desmethoxyyangonin – Diethylpropion – Disopyramide (Norpace) – Disulfiram (Antabuse) – Dobutamine – Dopamine (Intropin) – Dosulepin – Doxepin (Sinequan) – Duloxetine (Cymbalta) – Emsam – Entacapone – Ephedrine – Epinephrine (Adrenalin) – Escitalopram (Lexapro) – Esuprone – Etorphine – Femoxitine – Fenfluramine (Pondimin) – Flavoxate Hydrochloride (Urispas) – Fluoxetine (Prozac) – Fluvoxamine – Furazolidone (Furoxone) – Gabapentin – Guanethedine – Guanadrel (Hylorel) – Guanethidine (Ismelin) – Hydralazine (Apresoline) – Hydrazine – 5-Hydroxytryptophan – Imipramine (Tofranil) – Iprindole – Iproniazid (Marsilid, Iprozid, Ipronid, Rivivol, Propilniazida) – Iproclozide (Sursum) – Isocarboxazid (Marplan) – Isoniazid (Laniazid, Nydrazid) – Isoniazid rifampin (Rifamate, Rimactane) – Isoproterenol (Isuprel) – L-dopa (Sinemet) – Ladostigil – Lazabemide (Pakio, Tempium) – Levodopa (Dopar, Larodopa) – Linezolid (Zyvox, Zyvoxid) – Lithium (Eskalith) – Lofepramine – Loratadine (Claritin) – Maprotiline (Ludiomil) – Mebanazine (Actomol) – Medifoxamine – Melitracen – Meperidine (Demerol) – Metaproterenol (Alupent, Metaprel) – Metaraminol (Aramine) – Metfendrazine (Inkazan) – Methamphetamine (Desoxyn) – Methyldopa (Aidomet) – Methylphenidate (Ritalin) – Metralindole – Mianserin – Milacimide – Milnacipran – Minaprine (Cantor) – Mirtazapine (Remeron) – Mofegeline – Moclobemide (Aurorix, Manerix) – Monomethylhydrazine – Montelukast (Singulair) – Nalbufrine – Naloxone – Naltrexone – Nefazodone – Nialamide (Niamid) – Nisoxetine – Nomifensine – Norepinephrine (Levophed) – Nortriptyline (Aventyl) – Octamoxin (Ximaol, Nimaol) – Oxybutynin chloride (Ditropan) – Oxycodone – Oxymetazoline (Afrin, Dimetapp) – Oxymorphone – Orphenadrine (Norflex) – Pargyline (Eutonyl) – Parnate – Paroxetine (Paxil) – Pemoline (Cylert) – Percocet – Pethedine (Demerol) – Phendimetrazine (Plegiline) – Phenelzine (Nardil) – Phenergen – Phenelzine (Nardil, Nardelzine) – Pheniprazine (Catron) – Phenmetrazine – Phenoxypropazine (Drazine) – Phentermine – Phenylephrine (Dimetane, Dristan decongestant, Neo-Synephrine) – Phenylhydrazine – Phenylpropanolamine (found in many cold medicines) – Phenelzine (Nardil) – Pirlindole (Pirazidol) – Procarbazine (Matulane) – Procainamide (Pronestyl) – Protriptyline (Vivactil) – Pseudoephedrine – Oxymetazoline (Afrin) – Quinidine (Quinidex) – Rasagiline (Azilect) – Reboxetine – Reserpine (Serpasil) – Risperidone – Salbutemol – Salmeterol – Selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) – Sercloramine – Sertraline (Zoloft) – Sibutramine – Sumatriptan (Imitrex) – Terfenadine (Seldane-D) – Tegretol – Temaril – Tesofensine – Tetrindole – Theophylline (Theo-Dur) – Thesbutiaint – Thioridazine (Mellaril) – Tianeptine – Tolcapone – Toloxatone (Humoryl) – Tramadol – Tranylcypromine (Parnate) – Trazodone – Tricyclic antidepressants (Amitriptyline, Elavil) – Trimipramine (Surmontil) – Triptans – Tyrima – Vanoxerine – Venlafaxine (Effexor) – Viloxezine – Yohimbine – Zimelidine – Ziprasidone (Geodon)
Also avoid the following herbs for at least 48 hours before and after:
St. Johns Wort (if it has been taken regularly, needs two weeks to clear the system) Betel Boswellia Carrot seed Chamomile Cowhage Curcumin Dill seed Ephedra Fennel seed Fo-Ti Ginseng Horny Goat Weed Kanna Kava Kratom Licorice Root Nutmeg Parsley seed Rhodiola Rosea Scotch Broom Siberian Ginseng Sinicuichi Turmeric Yerba Mate Yohimbe
<3

I've been really itchy all summer and now wildfire smoke has sent my allergies into an almost unbearable state. My skin itches everywhere despite no rashes, my ears hurt and itch, my upper lip swells and itches. Even the roof of my mouth itches. Plus a snotty/stuffy nose. I take Zyrtec and Singulair daily, lots of Benadryl (isn't really helping with anything but my nose). I took a generic nasal decongestant (says Pseudoephedrine HCI 30 mg) an hour and a half ago and for now my ears don't itch. The problem with this is this medicine (and ones like Claritin D) make me not sleep.
​
I just ordered Xyzal to try since I haven't had it before. It should be here tomorrow.
​
I'm allergic to basically everything outside and my dogs, but the uncontrollable itching is unusual for me. It's driving me crazy. When my ears hurt and itch it's almost unbearable. Is there anything a doctor can do?

UPDATE: Details through day 188 below. And it's confirmed: I'm antibody positive.
I was traveling overseas, and was on crowded buses/planes (with sick people from countries having outbreaks) about a week before my symptoms started.
Day 1, I felt 'off' all day and had fever by bedtime. It wasn't super high - 100 to 101.
Day 2 I had fever and slept all day and had the runs. Body aches, especially spine. Headache.
Day 3 fever and body aches the same, diarrhea worse. Can't smell or taste anything. Not essential oils or garlic or clorox. It is profound. I had a chocolate for a treat and it had the texture of a bar of soap and the taste of water.
Day 4 diarrhea, but low to no fever. Felt faint and like vomiting by bedtime. Worst day so far.
Day 5 some nasal and lung congestion, but no productive cough. No fever. Moderate diarrhea.
UPDATE:
This is day 6. Haven't been up to writing or even sitting up much until today.
Honestly, I've been afraid. I've got easily triggered asthma.
Day 7/8 seems to be a turning point for complications, by day 10/11 decisions about hospitalization ICU need are most common. Most people who die do so within the first 2 weeks. All according to news I've been reading this week.
Food: I drink hot tea with pepper and chicken broth with pepper, even though I can't taste it now. I eat greens and yogurt every day. I drink half a dose of BCAAs and 2 servings of rehydration powder every day.
Meds/supplements: allegra and lexapro. I restarted my rx singulair for asthma to improve lung function. A full dose of guaf, every 4 hours. The prophylactic dose of antimalarials, leftover from my trip. Half the dose of decongestants. I take a quarter dose of acetaminophen. Vitamin C every 4 hours, alternating plain C with airborne (C/zinc). I take my usual glucosamine, calcium, multivitamin.
Physical: I've mostly been horizontal, on one side or another. I go upside down some as airway-clearing therapy. I'll do percussive ACT if I start to get congested. I take a hot shower daily. Run the diffuser constantly with eucalyptus (and sometimes clove, cinnamon, and lemon). I gargle with salt water and clean my sinuses twice a day, trying to reduce the amount of postnasal drip. And keep my mouth clean, brushing a few times a day and using hydrogen peroxide.
I'm curious about how my progression compares to others.
Day 6 - fever is back this evening. Diarrhea, nausea. Feel faint if I get up too quickly. Still sleeping a lot and supertired.
Day 7- no high fever, but sleeping most of the time- diarrhea is still a thing. Sweaty. Nasty head congestion, is a bigger thing if I miss a dose of decongestant. Trying to physically keep the virus out of my lungs. Feel a little asthmatic, but not any worse than a bad pollen day in spring.
Day 8 - no fever or diarrhea, Head still congested. Doing breathing exercises. Felt slightly better. Still tired.
Day 9 - Ugly yellow head congestion, no fever. Still sleeping more than half the time but not quite as tired.
Day 10-11 - congestion is actually worse. No high fever, but still feel bad, overall. Still can't smell/taste.
Day 12-14 - congestion is still bad, green thick (sry). Have a little shortness of breath. Sleep 14-16 hours instead of 20. Still no smell/taste. Thought the runs were gone, but no.
Day 28 - had a negative test, but have swollen lymph notes, headache, sinus infection, fatigue for the last week.
Day 118 - had a positive antibody test. For the last 2 months a lingering sinus infection limited to the right node behind the cheekbone. Even though I've been isolating since March. Still can't taste/smell. Fatigue. For the last month, I'm not able to get my breath and have asthma every day, which is super unusual. Even when pollen is back to almost 0 and the AQI is good. soonest I could get a pulmonology appointment: Aug 10.

It doesnt stop. Every day, every night. Calls from daycare. The doctor keeps saying it is allergies. We are doing breathing treatments, humidifier, vicks baby rub, nasal spray and suctioning. No other symptoms (nasal discharge, wheezing, etc.)
I am going to take her to the doctor again (this will be like the fourth visit plus three urgent care visits). Has anyone else experienced this? What are some reasonable things to ask for? Is there a baby decongestant? Steroids? Inhaler with spacer? Benadryl? Singulair?
I appreciate any advice!

Because every year this happens. I've been to an ENT twice already but after two weeks this cold is not going away.
I've been given everything from Claritin, Singulair, other decongestants (pills), and of course antibiotics, but I've never been prescribed antihistamine nasal sprays (which worked wonders for me in the US).
I'm assuming that Astelin and Astepro (Azelastine) is not available in Japan in nasal spray form as I've mentioned it repeatedly to my ENT and he always gives me a pill form of Azelastine. I've only recently found out about Atrovent, but I can't seem to find much information on it online in Japanese. This class of nasal sprays help with my allergies / colds, but I haven't taken them for nearly four years since I've moved to Japan.
What else is out there, whether it's prescribed or OTC, that will help me kick this cold?
As I mentioned in the title, I cannot take nasal steroids, but it's a bit of an overstatement. I can take them, but it comes with consequences. Nasal steroids and type one diabetes do not mix well, and I'd likely be rollercoastering between high and (dangerously) low blood sugars while using stuff like nasacort... not something easy to manage when the cold is already making it hard as it is.

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I've had recurrences of AFS since 2014, usually on the right side only. Right now I'm waiting for the go-ahead from my ENT for another surgery (have an appointment on Tuesday, have my CT scan and report showing full opacification of right frontal and one of my right ethmoid sinuses), but in the mean time the sinus pressure is nearly unbearable. Most of the typical techniques are doing absolutely nothing and the only relief I have found is marijuana oddly enough, though it isn't at all reasonable for me to be high constantly.
Nasal sprays can't get into my nose, warm compresses help very minimally, the whole massaging your sinuses thing makes it even worse, the only thing I can do is lay on my side and hope it drains enough to where I can breathe a little bit on that side, which it rarely does. I currently take Allegra in the morning and singulair at night for allergies (without which my symptoms would be so many times worse).
At this point even decongestants barely have any effect. Is there anything I could possibly do to make this any less awful that I may not have thought of? Or at least can anyone else relate to this?

Update: I had my follow up appointment today. I was raving about how amazing it was to breathe out of my nose, and the ENT says, "Well, today we're going to take out the spacers I put up there, and you'll be able to breathe even better!" Apparently, the past week of breathing better than I have in as long as I can remember is just the beginning. My nose was still packed with a spacer to make this follow up appointment more comfortable. And they took that out today, and I can breathe even better!!!! This has changed my life so far. I talked to my grandma today, and she said, "well, I'll tell you. You have never sounded better. Your whole life, you have sounded like you had a bad cold, and you sound like a whole different person."
So, a couple of months ago, I came here in desperation for advice. I couldn't breathe. At all. Sleeping with tissue in my nose to try to deal with the miserable sinus drip all night long. All day, every day, blowing my nose-and it did nothing. All the allergy medicines did nothing. Everyone struggled to understand what I was saying, all the time, and told me how sick I sounded. And the allergist wouldn't see me because I was addicted to Zyrtec and couldn't stop taking it. Then, I caught sight IN THE MIRROR OF THIS GIANT NASAL POLYP!!!
I got the CT Scan for the nasal polyps. They said all but one sinus was 100% blocked. They said no allergy medicine, steroid, decongestants, anything could have done jack for me. So, 3 days ago, they did "The ol' scraperoo". Took out ALL the nasal polyps, and widened my sinuses for better drainage. It took about 7 hours from when i was put under to when i woke up. Apparently it may have been the worst case that the ENT has seen, and the files from it are being discussed around the whole office as something like a freak show (or maybe something to learn from, lol). It's only been 3 days since they did this, and this is WILD! I CAN BREATHE! I am so delighted already about this. I can't believe I've been suffering for so long, panting out of my mouth, not able to smell, sniffle, or breathe even for a few minutes for the past year, thinking this was my life forever.
But, it comes at a price. I do have a very strict daily regimen of care to try to keep it this way. With how bad the polyps had gotten, that fast, it will be a challenge to keep them under control. For the rest of my life, I will be on: A daily nasal rinse to rinse out allergens from my sinuses. A daily nasal steroid to keep polyps in check and keep swelling down. A daily Singulair, a daily antihistamine, a daily inhaled corticosteroid (i also have asthma), and a daily saline spray to keep things in check and keep from suffering.
But hell. If that's the price to breathe, so worth it. And people can understand me! No one has said, "Oh, you sound sick" in the last two days yet!!!
Also, I BEAT THE ANTIHISTAMINE ADDICTION! All it took was switching from zyrtec to Claritin, and Claritin is easy to miss days of. If I miss a day of zyrtec, I itched like wildfire. Like fire ants were biting my while body. If I miss a Claritin- nothing!

Edit: Holy cow. What a whirlwind ride this has been since finding out its not just allergies.
I got the CT Scan for the nasal polyps. They said all but one sinus was 100% blocked. They said no allergy medicine, steroid, decongestants, anything could have done jack for me. So, 3 days ago, they did "The ol' scraperoo". Took out ALL the nasal polyps, and widened my sinuses for better drainage. It took about 7 hours from when i was put under to when i woke up. Apparently it may have been the worst case that the ENT has seen, and the files from it are being discussed around the whole office as something like a freak show (or maybe something to learn from, lol). It's only been 3 days since they did this, and this is WILD! I CAN BREATHE! I am so delighted already about this. I can't believe I've been suffering for so long, panting out of my mouth, not able to smell, sniffle, or breathe even for a few minutes for the past year, thinking this was my life forever.
But, it comes at a price. I do have a very strict daily regimen of care to try to keep it this way. With how bad the polyps had gotten, that fast, it will be a challenge to keep them under control. For the rest of my life, I will be on: A daily nasal rinse to rinse out allergens from my sinuses. A daily nasal steroid to keep polyps in check and keep swelling down. A daily Singulair, a daily antihistamine, a daily inhaled corticosteroid (i also have asthma), and a daily saline spray to keep things in check and keep from suffering.
But hell. If that's the price to breathe, so worth it. And people can understand me! No one has said, "Oh, you sound sick" in the last two days yet!!!
Also, I BEAT THE ANTIHISTAMINE ADDICTION! All it took was switching from zyrtec to Claritin, and Claritin is easy to miss days of. If I miss a day of zyrtec, I itched like wildfire. Like fire ants were biting my while body. If I miss a Claritin- nothing!
Edit: Thanks all for letting me rant, I just needed peoppe who've experienced this to listen.
Thanks to those of you who suggested I need an ENT for the nasal polyps. I see him at the end of the month! We are getting there!
Also, the itching I'm talking about when I stop taking Zyrtec isn't an allergy issue (that I know of). Zyrtec causes some strange sort of withdrawal for some people, where, regardless of exposure to allergies, about 24 hours after taking it, your entire body starts itching like crazy. So bad people can't help but scratch their skin open. It's known, but so far it looks like the medical companies haven't looked into it that I can find. So, while I appreciate the suggestions of staying at hotels, and the suggestions of having to suck it up and be sniffly, this is a strange withdrawal type thing, not an "I'm allergic to something" thing. As far as I can tell, the Zyrtec doesn't do anything for my allergies anyway at this point. I just take it so I don't itch.
So, I'm using another antihistamine right now, and that means I make it 16-20 hours before the itching starts. Hopefully by the time I'm done with the ENT, I can stop taking the new antihistamine and see an allergist.
-End edit-
I have severe allergies. Environmental, indoor, dust mites, all of it. In the last 3 years (I'm 31), it's suddenly gotten way worse. My regular doctor can't help me anymore than he has (Antihistamine, nasal steroid, Singulair, tried Benadryl, tried every allergy medicine that exists, had surgery to straighten my septum and reduce turbinates). So he suggested I see an allergist again. Cool, I would love not to feel like this every day.
I can't breathe out of my nose. Ever. It's too congested. I have nasal polyps I can see in the mirror. Half the time, my sinuses are so clogged, I hear like I'm underwater. My nose runs all night when I try to lay down.
So today I called to make the appointment with high expectations. They literally will not even talk to me because I can't stop taking antihistamines for 3 days. My body is addicted to the antihistamines. I would literally, seriously, rather die than deal with that extreme itching that comes with not taking an antihistamine.
So, I guess this is my life now. I'll just be that weird mouth breather. That's fine. No, don't worry that no one can understand me on the phone since I sound so congested. Everything is just fine.

I am a 20 year old male (5'11", 165lbs) with no health problems besides seasonal allergies (reactin and singulair to manage). Got a head cold in february and my ears plugged (Fluid in inner ear apparently) . Since then I've gone to the doctor a number of times and all he's given me is decongestants and nasal spray steroids. Hasn't worked and I am going to be flying june 9th and was hoping to resolve this to avoid the pain involved with that.

A few months ago I went to see my dermatologist about hormonal acne, diffuse hair loss & fatigue and she ordered some bloodwork. Vitamin D and ferritin were a little low, so she had me start some supplements (2000 IU vit d 1x/day for a month, 400IU 1x/day after that and 150mg iron supplement 3x/day). I've stuck to that schedule religiously, but when I went to get rechecked again last week, my vitamin d and ferritin levels are actually quite a bit lower than they were on the first test. I'm curious about what could possibly cause that. Are there foods/medications that can prevent absorption if they're taken at the same time, or possibly other health conditions that might cause it? Edit: Probably relevant, I've also noticed that bruises are extremely slow to heal. I got a new tattoo on July 3rd that had some nasty bruising, and it's still visible (but not painful). I also get a lot of random/long-lasting bruises on my legs. I assume this is related to the low iron(?)
General info about me -

• 32 year old female
• 5'1", 140lb (yup, I know I can stand to lose some weight, working on that)
• Hashimoto's thyroiditis & nodules on thyroid, TSH was within normal range at last few checks (most recent in March) and all biopsies have been fine. I also have severe environmental allergies & moderate allergic asthma
• Currently taking levothyroxine (50mcg/day), spironolactone (50mg/day), bupropion (300mg/day), singulair (10mg/day) plus vitamin D and iron supplements, allergy shots once every other week and Claritin (the non-decongestant one) as needed

Hi everyone, long time lurker, first time poster. Here's my story...
I am 32 and female, living on the north eastern coast of the USA. I've suffered from year round "seasonal" allergies for as long as I can remember-basically anything that can be inhaled, I react to. I was that little kid who always walked around with a snot rag in hand, and to this day, my purse often contains several handfuls of tissues in various states of nasty. I never had much of a sense of smell, and in fact, recall pretending to have one on several occasions during my childhood to appear normal. According to my scans, my allergies have been severe since well before 8 years old, as my frontal sinuses are undeveloped. One doctor surmises that there must have been significant nasal blockage before that time to prevent the development of the sinus cavities.
At 15, I developed asthma. Soon after, I realized that taking aspirin lead to a severe asthma attack, and decided to avoid it in the future. I continued to self medicate with pain killers and antihistamines and decongestants through high school and college, only seeing a doctor about some serious headaches I was having pretty regularly. That doctor diagnosed migraines and prescribed some medication, which did nothing. I felt tired and sick all the time, and could not figure out what was wrong with me. In my early 20's, I ended up in the hospital or at the emergency care center several times for asthma, and as I was without insurance at the time, was treated and sent on my way. By this time, my sense of smell was completely gone, and my headaches were constant. I tried different diets, different medications, different exercise regimens, and found that a vegetarian diet helped... somewhat. So, I gave up meat for a few years. But then even that stopped helping.
5 years ago, I met the man who would become my husband. My biggest advocate and supporter, he sent me straight off to the doctor to get all this crap really looked at. My regular doctor tried antibiotics and prednisone a few times and finally sent me to an ENT. He's the one who discovered the undeveloped frontal sinuses, took a full history and diagnosed "samters triad" a trifecta of nasal polyps, sensitivity to aspirin and allergy related asthma. He wanted to operate to remove the polyps. He said this procedure would alleviate my symptoms for the next 5-10 years. I agreed immediately. Six months later, I was back at square one.
Since then, I have seen an array of different ENT's and allergists. I've been skin or blood tested three times in the last 3 years and found that I react to all inhaled allergens except for cockroaches. One of the doctors suggested that through all the sinus infection treatments I have tried over the years, its likely that I've had the same sinus infection the whole time. The medications reduced the symptoms temporarily, but never made it go away completely. I would report feeling better, because the symptoms were reduced, but that I probably didn't actually know what "healthy" actually felt like. I tried allergy shots twice. Resulted in anaphylaxis, twice. I still have regular headaches, and only have a sense of smell when on prednisone.
I've been on prednisone of varying doses for about 8 months. My current allergist is trying to wean me off because the drug is now doing more harm than good. I've put on about 30 pounds, have early onset arthritis in my spine causing sciatica, and the beginnings of an ulcer in my stomach, amongst the other side effects of the wonder drug. He had me on 20mg every other day for the last month, and now we are weaning down, while increasing the antibiotics. Augmentin 4000mg/day. I just started my 4th 10 day cycle of that in the last 6 weeks. I feel better when I'm on it, but quickly back to square one once its out of my system. On Friday, I see the allergist again, and will try allergy shots for the last time.
My current daily drug regimen is Xyzal, Singulair, and Dymista nasal spray, I also take allegra if I know that I am going to be in a place with pets. I take 15 mg of pred every other day, and suppliment with calcium and vitamin d because of it. I use a netti pot and put budesonide from my nebulizer into the saline to help control the polyps in addition to the nasal spray. I use dulera for asthma, and find it helps more than the others. I take prilosec to help with the stomach issues from the pred, and as I mentioned, 4000mg of Augmentin each day. I am tired, always. I have headaches, most of the time. I have about 50% of a sense of smell. I don't know what I will do if this plan of attack (reduction of pred, continued antibiotics, allergy shots again) doesn't help. Staying on pred much longer is not an option. Neither is continued antibiotic use. Surgery is way too expensive for such little benefit, and the one thing all the doctors agree upon is that the polyps will just grow back. Something to do with samters triad polyps being particularly aggressive. I have asked about aspirin desensitization, but none of my doctors think it will help much.
If you have made it this far, thanks. I think I just needed to get it all out. Maybe there is something in my history that can help someone else, maybe one of you will see something that my doctors and I have missed. I find I'm willing to try just about anything.
tl,dr: allergy shots and surgery have failed, side effects of most helpful drugs make them not so helpful. not sure where to go from here. Open to crazy ideas and commiseration.