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Chronic sinus congestion after quitting smoking
I am a 28 yr old male with no history of allergies or ear infections. I had been smoking cigarettes liberally for about 10 years and quit smoking completely as of January, 2009.
About 6-7 months ago I developed (as if overnight) extreme sinus congestion. Usually my nose is completely blocked up around the clock, especially in the morning. Blowing my nose tends to do nothing, except for the rare occasion that while standing in a hot shower I can get a bit of gunk out now and then. I also have had extremely red chapped lips ALL the time. My family physician did blood tests to test for vitamin deficiencies and found nothing out the ordinary.
I saw an allergist about 4 months ago, they did all the standard allergy tests and didn't find anything. The doctors suggested that perhaps it was seasonal allergies and placed me on Clarinex, Nasonex and Astepro - none of which have had any sort of effect. I purchased a Neilmed Netipot, but my sinuses are so blocked that I can't use the product, as the nasal rinse wont travel through my nasal passages.
The ONLY medication that I have taken that helps is Neo synephrine nasal spray. Within minutes of using that stuff I get instant relief and can actually breathe through my nose (still can't blow anything out). However, it says on the label that you're not supposed to use it for more than 3 days.
I'm not sure of where to look for answers next. I've always read about people have quit smoking and felt so much healthier, and I feel like since I've quit smoking I've simply opened another door of health concerns. Has anyone else experienced something like this? I've never had any sort of health issues that have onset so quickly and persisted for so long!
About 6-7 months ago I developed (as if overnight) extreme sinus congestion. Usually my nose is completely blocked up around the clock, especially in the morning. Blowing my nose tends to do nothing, except for the rare occasion that while standing in a hot shower I can get a bit of gunk out now and then. I also have had extremely red chapped lips ALL the time. My family physician did blood tests to test for vitamin deficiencies and found nothing out the ordinary.
I saw an allergist about 4 months ago, they did all the standard allergy tests and didn't find anything. The doctors suggested that perhaps it was seasonal allergies and placed me on Clarinex, Nasonex and Astepro - none of which have had any sort of effect. I purchased a Neilmed Netipot, but my sinuses are so blocked that I can't use the product, as the nasal rinse wont travel through my nasal passages.
The ONLY medication that I have taken that helps is Neo synephrine nasal spray. Within minutes of using that stuff I get instant relief and can actually breathe through my nose (still can't blow anything out). However, it says on the label that you're not supposed to use it for more than 3 days.
I'm not sure of where to look for answers next. I've always read about people have quit smoking and felt so much healthier, and I feel like since I've quit smoking I've simply opened another door of health concerns. Has anyone else experienced something like this? I've never had any sort of health issues that have onset so quickly and persisted for so long!
Yep, we "ain't" all the same.
Your profile is similar to mine, age and time a smoker. The only difference may be how many and what. I smoked mostly Terrytons (sp? forgot already, thank God), with the "double filter", wow, not.
Another difference, I didn't use any aids, I don't think the patch was even available when I quit in 1984.
I did not have any congestion or other breathing problems from quitting - the nasal congestion came along 15 or more years later. I don't think there is a relationship in my case.
Your profile is similar to mine, age and time a smoker. The only difference may be how many and what. I smoked mostly Terrytons (sp? forgot already, thank God), with the "double filter", wow, not.
Another difference, I didn't use any aids, I don't think the patch was even available when I quit in 1984.
I did not have any congestion or other breathing problems from quitting - the nasal congestion came along 15 or more years later. I don't think there is a relationship in my case.
Wow - who knew there was a community like this. Appreciated! I am still on patch - though on 7th week. I literally feel like part of my nasal cavity is changing or something. Drips/Pain (Ew). After smoking 35+ (approaching 50) now it is is time to stop! Other question for the community - I actually had a few days of tension/tightness in chest and heart-burn for about a week - is that common with this clan as well?
At the risk of repeating myself in this thread: I smoked for at least 30 years and quit (cold turkey as the saying goes) at age 45. At that time it was still possible to smoke in my office and was in general more accepted. That was in 1984.
I was working for AT&T and dealing with the break--up of the Bell System then and had a lot of pressure on getting the organization working in the new world of no associated local operating telephone companies. Strangely I decided upon coming down with something (cold/flue?) on a weekend before another important planning meeting I had to feel the best I could and decided not to smoke that weekend while I was preparing for the Monday meetings. I never went back to smoking - oh, yes, I smoked a cigar a couple of years later to celebrate some business successes, and had a cigaret at least once in the 5 year period while quitting - but that was it, I didn't let it go to two..three... By the time I had quit for a few years there was basically no chance I'd go back. Medical science too had advanced on the subject sufficiently to make be a beliver smoking was killing me. Well, 30 years later and still not smoking (in fact I hate the smell of cigaret smoke) I am alive and getting around. No longer running for exercise (one thing I took up upon quitting) , but I am certain I'd not be alive if I hadn't quite smoking.
Yes, I haunt this forum hopping to learn a new way to clear up my night time nasal congestion problem (boy does Afrin and clone nose sprays work well). I can't recall any connection between quitting smoking and the congestion problem. I think the congestion problem started about 5+ years ago, long after I had quit smoking.
In any case, I still like living and prefer suffering some congestion and other sleep problems to not being here - and finding I enjoy living more and more as the end approaches.... another experience I share to the younger who are not listening as they plan to live forever - not sure that would be a good thing either.
God bless, do what is right for your self, your loved ones, and you neighbors.
I was working for AT&T and dealing with the break--up of the Bell System then and had a lot of pressure on getting the organization working in the new world of no associated local operating telephone companies. Strangely I decided upon coming down with something (cold/flue?) on a weekend before another important planning meeting I had to feel the best I could and decided not to smoke that weekend while I was preparing for the Monday meetings. I never went back to smoking - oh, yes, I smoked a cigar a couple of years later to celebrate some business successes, and had a cigaret at least once in the 5 year period while quitting - but that was it, I didn't let it go to two..three... By the time I had quit for a few years there was basically no chance I'd go back. Medical science too had advanced on the subject sufficiently to make be a beliver smoking was killing me. Well, 30 years later and still not smoking (in fact I hate the smell of cigaret smoke) I am alive and getting around. No longer running for exercise (one thing I took up upon quitting) , but I am certain I'd not be alive if I hadn't quite smoking.
Yes, I haunt this forum hopping to learn a new way to clear up my night time nasal congestion problem (boy does Afrin and clone nose sprays work well). I can't recall any connection between quitting smoking and the congestion problem. I think the congestion problem started about 5+ years ago, long after I had quit smoking.
In any case, I still like living and prefer suffering some congestion and other sleep problems to not being here - and finding I enjoy living more and more as the end approaches.... another experience I share to the younger who are not listening as they plan to live forever - not sure that would be a good thing either.
God bless, do what is right for your self, your loved ones, and you neighbors.
I think that It's because smoking releases adrenaline/epinephrine, which is in an epi pen, which is for severe allergic reactions. So basically smoking is an anti allergy drug, because it causes the release of your own endogenous anti-allergy medicine. If the tests don't show an allergy to common allergens, then it could be something you're eating or using around the house, like perfume or cleaning products. You can try an elimination diet - consult a naturopath or the like.
I have exact same problem however i am tryin To cut back on my smoking have not been able To quit. Have been smoking for over 10 years. I have been taking an antibiotic called keflex which usually one prescription lasts about two weeks however i am Now on my second script about my third week in And finally my sinuses are getting much much better. I believe it is just an extremely stubborn infection so im excited that this keflex seems To finally be killing it. Just wanted To post the advice. I hope it will Help u.
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