Help me stop this annoying post-nasal drip!
September 19, 2013 2:22 PM Subscribe
I had a cold for a bit, which started and is now ending with the predominant symptom being post-nasal drip. I must be doing something wrong. I use the NeilMed Sinus Rinse daily and I've tried decongestants (prefer not to take antihistamines, as they will make me sleepy and unproductive), the occasional nasal spray (although I prefer to keep that use to a minimum as I know that dependency can readily develop), and even heavily scented cough drops. What's your solution?
If you're not familiar with the NeilMed, it's basically a sophisticated neti pot, so the neti pot answer won't help, although I appreciate the thought and think more people should use one or the other.
I've always been prone to lingering post-nasal drip, but this is crazy. It's waking me up at night with that choking feeling. I end up swallowing a ton of air, which is also really annoying for various reasons.
Do you have a special secret solution to post nasal drip that I might not come across in my usual searches? Thanks for anything you can add to my fruitless quest.
If you're not familiar with the NeilMed, it's basically a sophisticated neti pot, so the neti pot answer won't help, although I appreciate the thought and think more people should use one or the other.
I've always been prone to lingering post-nasal drip, but this is crazy. It's waking me up at night with that choking feeling. I end up swallowing a ton of air, which is also really annoying for various reasons.
Do you have a special secret solution to post nasal drip that I might not come across in my usual searches? Thanks for anything you can add to my fruitless quest.
Response by poster: Oh, sorry to threadsit, but I have ruled out GERD. My initial thoughts were GERD (for which I took a course of lansoprazole) or possibly reaction to another drug I'm taking (budesonide), but both of those are cough related, and I think the slight cough I had during the cold was partially an actual cough and partially the result of the post-nasal drip.
posted by janey47 at 2:37 PM on September 19, 2013
posted by janey47 at 2:37 PM on September 19, 2013
I had a nasty case of post-nasal drip that wouldn't go away for most of a winter and it finally did when I gave up on doing the daily nasal rinse thing (I was using the NeilMed squeezy bottle too).
I know that netipots/nasal irrigation are really popular for this kind of thing but I'm really skeptical of them now.
What works for me now is full-on, show my id/give fingerprints pseudoephedrine.
posted by sparklemotion at 2:39 PM on September 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
I know that netipots/nasal irrigation are really popular for this kind of thing but I'm really skeptical of them now.
What works for me now is full-on, show my id/give fingerprints pseudoephedrine.
posted by sparklemotion at 2:39 PM on September 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: The best thing you can do is to continually use a saline nasal spray multiple times per day. Yes, it is similar to the NeilMed but has the added benefit of being something you can do every hour (yes, really, every single hour that you are awake) no matter where you are without much fuss. Also, my allergist, ENT and regular doctor all claim that saline nasal sprays are more effective than neti pots and NeilMed bottles, though I don't know why. In any case, the saline will help keep your nasal passages moisturized and help them heal, and may help with thinning out the gunk that is dripping.
You could also try Mucinex as it would further help thin out the mucus. You will still have some drip but you won't feel like you're choking if it's a thinner consistency.
Don't take decongestants or use the medicated sprays unless you're actually still congested.
posted by joan_holloway at 2:42 PM on September 19, 2013
You could also try Mucinex as it would further help thin out the mucus. You will still have some drip but you won't feel like you're choking if it's a thinner consistency.
Don't take decongestants or use the medicated sprays unless you're actually still congested.
posted by joan_holloway at 2:42 PM on September 19, 2013
I think decongestants generally work by thinning your nasal secretions, i.e. making them more watery, so if you are taking them at all, stop.
Have you tried all of the different newish antihistimines (Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra)? Each one has slightly different side effects and maybe one of them won't make you tired.
posted by needs more cowbell at 2:50 PM on September 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Have you tried all of the different newish antihistimines (Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra)? Each one has slightly different side effects and maybe one of them won't make you tired.
posted by needs more cowbell at 2:50 PM on September 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Nthing mucinex. Also try a saline gel to moisturize your nose - it could be that the cold and meds have dried you out and your sinuses are trying to overcompensate.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:00 PM on September 19, 2013
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:00 PM on September 19, 2013
The main thing that works for me is pseudoephedrine and antihistamine. I like the Claritin-D generic version (24 hour formulation, but I take it every 12). Yes, you have to get it from the pharmacist and show your ID, etc, but it's far superior to the decongestant you get off the shelf.
I use the sinus irrigation thing twice a day to keep sinus infections from brewing.
posted by quince at 3:09 PM on September 19, 2013
I use the sinus irrigation thing twice a day to keep sinus infections from brewing.
posted by quince at 3:09 PM on September 19, 2013
Do you have a special secret solution to post nasal drip that I might not come across in my usual searches?
Time. In all likelihood you are exacerbating the problem with all the rinsing and medicating which is keeping your system from re-establishing a homeostatic balance. There is a time course to a cold infection and the annoying post-nasal drip is part of it.
posted by srboisvert at 3:11 PM on September 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
Time. In all likelihood you are exacerbating the problem with all the rinsing and medicating which is keeping your system from re-establishing a homeostatic balance. There is a time course to a cold infection and the annoying post-nasal drip is part of it.
posted by srboisvert at 3:11 PM on September 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Friends of mine currently in med school give themselves intranasal steroids. If you're desperate and don't mind the expense and the hassle of getting a prescription, it might be worth a shot.
posted by tinymegalo at 3:28 PM on September 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by tinymegalo at 3:28 PM on September 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
When I had lingering congestion and post-nasal drip, Nasacort is the only thing that fixed it. That stuff is the bomb.
posted by barnone at 4:08 PM on September 19, 2013
posted by barnone at 4:08 PM on September 19, 2013
I'd be tempted to cut back on the strength of the NeilMed dose to see if that helps. Try making it half strength. I tried the NeilMed packets on a trip, and found them to be a lot saltier than the saline solution (non-iodized salt with a bit of baking soda to adjust the pH) that I mix up by hand at home. NeilMed left me with a lot of salty drip for an hour after using it.
If this is largely a night issue, you might be having an allergic reaction to dust mite poop. Clean your sheets, blankets, and comforter, and consider replacing your pillow.
posted by dws at 9:14 AM on September 21, 2013
If this is largely a night issue, you might be having an allergic reaction to dust mite poop. Clean your sheets, blankets, and comforter, and consider replacing your pillow.
posted by dws at 9:14 AM on September 21, 2013
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posted by Blazecock Pileon at 2:31 PM on September 19, 2013