[Windswept]

I have been using the prescription nasal-spray decongestant RhinoCort to relieve chronic nasal congestion that is probably dust-related. (I live in a dry, dusty area of the country.)

At first, things seemed to go well. The spray got rid of my congestion with no apparent side-effects. But after about a month on RhinoCort, I rather suddenly lost the ability to taste anything. This situation has existed for about two weeks now.

So now, I go to all the trouble of preparing nice, healthful meals, but I can't really taste 'any' of it. It is very discouraging. I *really* hate this problem. I realize that perhaps I am using the spray incorrectly, and that instead of it staying in the nasal areas, too much of it is coming down my throat, getting into my mouth and is affecting the taste buds.

The directions say to lean the head slightly 'forward and down' when spraying into each nostril; and 'then' to lean the head way back to let the spray coat the nasal passages. But I must be doing something wrong, since now I can't taste anything.

I'm hoping someone has had experience with this situation and can give me advice on what I'm doing wrong, so I can get my sense of taste back. Believe me, for someone who enjoys cooking, etc., not being able to 'taste' is a pretty sad state of affairs - especially when I can't see any way to rectify the situation.

My sense of smell seems unimpaired, but I can't taste at 'all', or only very faintly. *sigh*

A plan that has 'just' this moment been occurring to me is that I think I'll try lying with my head hanging over the edge of the bed for a few minutes after spraying - to keep the spray from running down my throat. Whaddaya think? Think 'that' might help?

Thanks for any suggestions/advice/shared experience you might have.

~ Carol ~

[onlyafterdark]

Hi Carol. From my experience you shouldnt use nasal sprays for extended periods of time. I too have chronic nasal congestion and I use nasal sprays only when I think Im getting sick.

Have you tried stopping the sprays for a while to see if your sense of taste comes back?

If you havent, I suggest trying it. And to make up for the nasal spray, I suggest getting a bottle of Nettle Herb pills. They are a natural antihistamine and work great. I find they work way better than Claratin or other similar products.

Hope this helps.

[pscates2.0]

It made my friend dizzy and blurry. I thought it sounded pretty serious, because he was sounding a bit worried too.

[Kickaha]

Well, it's a cortisone spray, so prolonged use isn't really recommended in the general case.

Have you tried simply using a saline spray? I find that helps tremendously when visiting family back in the dusty desert. Use it a few times a day to keep things moist and flowing. Or, if you're in the mood to clear things out more aggressively, try a neti pot. It's just a saline wash that you do in the shower. Pour it in one nostril, it comes out the other. Sounds disgusting, but it really works wonders. Great for when you think you're getting sick too.

[onlyafterdark]

I also use a nasal rinse technique in the shower.

All I use is some sea salt and warm water. It works very well for cleaning the area out, especially when its all plugged up.

[Windswept]

Originally Posted by onlyafterdark Hi Carol. From my experience you shouldnt use nasal sprays for extended periods of time. I too have chronic nasal congestion and I use nasal sprays only when I think Im getting sick. Have you tried stopping the sprays for a while to see if your sense of taste comes back? If you havent, I suggest trying it. And to make up for the nasal spray, I suggest getting a bottle of Nettle Herb pills. They are a natural antihistamine and work great. I find they work way better than Claratin or other similar products. Hope this helps.

Well, I did try stopping for a day or two, but I didn't get my taste back, 'and' I started getting congested again.

I will most definitely try the Nettle Herb pills you mentioned. Sincere thanks for the suggestion. I am a true believer in herbal alternatives. I think they are easier on the system, probably because the consumer has the freedom to experiment and play around with the dosage until a satisfactory result is reached. I *really, really* don't like being on prescription medications. I think many of them are too strong in the dosages made available by the pharmaceutical companies. I eagerly welcome a more natural approach when one is available.

Thank you again.

[onlyafterdark]

Any time Carol.

Try going off the spray for more than a few days though. If you have been using it for too long, it will take a little longer before its effects will subside.

[Windswept]

Originally Posted by Kickaha Well, it's a cortisone spray, so prolonged use isn't really recommended in the general case.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking.

Have you tried simply using a saline spray? I find that helps tremendously when visiting family back in the dusty desert. Use it a few times a day to keep things moist and flowing.

I just bought some, and have used it for a few days. It *does* seem to help a bit, thank god. I'm pretty desperate.

Or, if you're in the mood to clear things out more aggressively, try a neti pot. It's just a saline wash that you do in the shower. Pour it in one nostril, it comes out the other. Sounds disgusting, but it really works wonders. Great for when you think you're getting sick too.

I read about this somewhere the other day, and they gave a recipe for the saline mixture, too. But I can't remember where. Is a neti pot obtainable at Walgreen's, by any chance? And thanks. I guarantee that I will try this.

[Windswept]

Originally Posted by onlyafterdark I also use a nasal rinse technique in the shower. All I use is some sea salt and warm water. It works very well for cleaning the area out, especially when its all plugged up.

Like 'one' part salt, 'ten' parts water, or what?

How long-lasting are the effects of this cleansing? A few hours maybe?

[Windswept]

Originally Posted by onlyafterdark Any time Carol. Try going off the spray for more than a few days though. If you have been using it for too long, it will take a little longer before its effects will subside.

Okay. Will do.

[onlyafterdark]

Its 1/2 a teaspoon of sea salt and 16 ounces of water. You can throw 1/2 a teaspoon of baking soda in there too if you want. This makes a big batch that should last you a few days. All you need after that is a styrofoam cup with a small u-shaped cut in it so your nose can fit properly.

I do this in the morning when I have a shower and i find that it helps to clear things out so you dont feel congested and run down first thing in the morning. I find that it lasts until lunch time usually but its hard to tell most of the time due to the Nettles.

Now I will warn you that it might feel weird the first time you do it. For me, it felt like I was drowning. But you know there is nothing to worry about and you continue with the rinse.

Trust me, it will be well worth it.

[GSpotter]

Sounds like you might have Rhinitis Medicamentosa:

Medical Care: The primary treatment is immediate withdrawal of the offending medicine. For those patients unable or unwilling to immediately stop, several methods may ease the withdrawal process. The first 7 days are often the most difficult for weaning or withdrawal. Have the patient immediately stop using the medication on their best side, while using the nasal spray as desired in the other nostril. Encourage patients to discontinue or decrease use, as soon as they feel comfortable. Remind patients that their good nostril will open up, at which point they may discontinue spraying the opposite side. Assist patients in resuming normal sleep habits by encouraging the use of a sedative antihistamine, which should help with sleep and congestion if an allergic component is present as long as no significant airway obstruction is present. Encourage patients to naturally lubricate the nose by mixing a saline nasal solution using half a teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of lukewarm water, then delivering it into the nostrils using a small rubber ear syringe or Water Pik.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Windswept I have been using the prescription nasal-spray decongestant RhinoCort to relieve chronic nasal congestion that is probably dust-related.

I'd ask my doctor if I were you. Especially since (s)he gave you a prescription for it.

[Brad]

I believe I would qualify as an expert in this area, what with the years of pills, sprays, infections, polyps, steroids, major surgery, and all.

Have you tried any over-the-counter decongestants such as Sudafed? The first step to dealing with sinus infections is to load up on Sudafed (the generics work fine too). Many doctors over-prescribe antibiotics for sinus infections when most cases can easily be cleared up by taking an extra-strength decongestant (60 mg pseudoephedrine HCl) every four hours during the day (up to 4 times a day). Keep it up for a whole week, even if you feel better after just a day or two. You've gotta give your sinuses time to clear out that pool of junk in which an infection that may have started to grow.

A good saline nasal rinse can certainly help if you're either dry or just congested with mucous (ie. not so much for tissue swelling). Those little squirt bottles you buy over the counter don't really cut it, though, in my opinion. My doc gave me a big plastic bottle (8 oz) with a special cap that you squeeze and shoots about a 5 mm stream up your nose. You spray it up there hard until it goes through the other nostril and/or down your throat. You'll know when you do it right; it's a horrible sensation that makes you gag and choke the first few times until you learn how to brace yourself for it. When I was badly congested, I would get these big nasty chunks out of my nose with that bottle. Disgusting, but it helped.

I've had mixed results with medicated nasal sprays. Some help; others have made things worse. Whatever you do, DON'T use Afrin nasal spray. It's highly addictive and the tissues in your nose can become dependent on them literally after only a week of continued use. It's okay to use once or twice occasionally, but using it for a few consecutive days is very dangerous.

It's normal for a bit of the spray to drip down the back of your throat. The "proper" way to use a nasal spray is to angle it so it looks like it's going straight into your head. Hold your head up normally and hold the spray bottle perfectly level in front of you. That's the exact same way if should be when you spray, only that your head is tilted downward so the spray bottle is straight up. You shouldn't need to lean your head far back afterwards; just hold your head level normally.

The lost sense of taste could be caused by several things. It could be caused by the medication or it could be caused by swollen tissues in your nose confusing your nerves. Remember, the smell and taste senses are very strongly linked. Even if you can smell, if could be something else weirdly related going on. When my sinus tissues gave me problems between prednisone treatments in the 1.5 years leading up to my surgery, I would go for a few months without being able to smell or taste anything.

If this has been going on for a while, as it seems it has, I would strongly suggest seeing an ENT, not just a general practitioner.

If you have any questions about my particular experience with sinus problems, don't hold back! I suffered with major sinus congestion, infections, and such for several years up until I had the surgery. I tried lots of different solutions, but the only thing that worked successfully and consistently was a prescribed steroid. Alternatively, you can get a one-time shot (in the leg, for me) that has the same effect as taking the steroid orally, only it takes effect much more quickly.

[Ryan]

I'm on that spray, due to sinus polyps, but it's never done anything to me, besides what it's supposed to. Like Brad's situation, before I had them removed, I couldn't smell or taste anything, or breathe through my nose. After they were removed, and I started using Rhinocort, my problems disappeared. Go to a specialist, like Brad said.

[Brad]

Originally Posted by CubeDude Like Brad's situation, before I had them removed, I couldn't smell or taste anything, or breathe through my nose.

Yeah, that's one thing I forgot to mention too.

What was funny/gross/weird/sad was that one polyp on my right side was growing down into my nostril and I could actually push it around with a Qtip. On a good day, I could wiggle it enough to open a tiny gap to let myself breathe for a few seconds.

We all take for granted being able to breathe through the nose. Mouth-breathing can make it very difficult to do seemingly simple tasks like drinking a tall glass of a beverage or eating food.

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by Brad We all take for granted being able to breathe through the nose. Mouth-breathing can make it very difficult to do seemingly simple tasks like drinking a tall glass of a beverage or eating food.

My ENT doctor was amazed that I could even play clarinet with what was something like a dozen polyps (I think it was a dozen) in all my sinus cavities, total.

[onlyafterdark]

You are preaching to the choir guys. Im at the stage now where I am going back to a specialist in order to prep for surgery. Like you, I have been suffering for many years with constant sinus infections etc, etc.

Im not to stoked about doing the surgery (from what I have heard it only has a 50/50 chance of working) but if it gives me the chance to breathe somewhat normally through my nose its worth it.

[Amadeus]

I'm sorry to hear about the problem that you are having Carol. All medications have side effects, some worse than others. You should read the side effects and see if it lists the problem with taste. It's something that you should discuss it with your physician.

Someone in the doctors office should have taught you how to use the inhaler prior to leaving.

[Chinney]

I too had sinus problems, on and off, for 4-5 years. Mine were sinus infections on an intermittent and then, eventually, a constant basis. Anti-biotics, sulfa drugs, cortisone and other sprays helped, but the infection always came back.

Eventually I read about using "oil of oregano" inhalations (i just put 4-5 drops in my hot bath). After I did that for 5-6 weeks, my sinus problems never returned. I am not a big believer in those sort of remedies - and my so-called cure may have just been a coincidence - but whenever I feel even the beginning of sinus stuffiness coming on, I have 'oil of oregano' baths as a preventative.

[Windswept]

I want to thank all you guys SO much for giving me some great suggestions, information and advice. I mean it. You were all *very* helpful and informative.

I rushed right out that very first day and bought the saline nasal/sinus rinse several of you mentioned. At Walgreens, I think it's called SinuCleanse. It has little packets of salt that are mixed with water in a plastic pot with a long spout. I tried this right away and liked it a lot. I discovered that my feeling of congestion must be from swollen membranes, because not much mucus is flushed out. 'Some' is, though. I really like the saline sinus rinse, because it moistens the passages and maybe even does a little healing of the tissues if they are irritated, and refreshes/moisturizes them if they are dry.

I called around for the Nettle Herb, and located a store that was getting some in; but they were just closing, so I couldn't go right then, and now I can't remember their name or location, so I'll have to look it up again. I 'do' want to try Nettle Herb, because I think membranes in my ears feel swollen too - a brand new problem I've never had before. *sigh*

The oil of oregano sounds like a great idea, Chinney, and I am eager to try that one too. Wow, if something like that could work for sinus infections, it would be like a miracle!

The good news is that after seven weeks (!!!!! )of NOT being able to taste, I finally seem to be getting my sense of taste back. I can't tell you how overjoyed I am.

The very WORST part was that I had talked to the pharmacist about my loss of the ability to taste, and she said that most people get their taste back after quitting the medicine, but that *some* people NEVER do. Since I had already gone five weeks without the med, and *still* couldn't taste, I felt sure I was going to be one of those who never recovers their taste. To me, this would be tragic, and I shed many tears about it.

But now, after 7 full weeks, I think most of my ability to taste is back - just returning during this past week. I am so grateful, and so happy. Honestly, I *wouldn't* have been able to bear not tasting anything again for the rest of my life. What a horrible fate that would be. I will never take my senses for granted again; I will be grateful for them every day; and I will never jeopardize them ever again.

You all were SO helpful. Thank you so very much. *many hugs all around*

Love,

Carol

Brad, I do have some sinus questions to ask you, but I'll wait till next week, okay?

[onlyafterdark]

Thats great to hear that the rinses are working for you Carol and that you are getting some of your sense of taste back. The more you do the rinses the better you will feel I have found.

I, however, will probably go under the knife in April/May of 2006. I have one more CT scan to see whats going on with my sinuses but the surgery seems more and more likely. Oh well...