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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!
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Avatar universal
I don't have an answer, but am experiencing the same exact problems.  I have tried everything also.  My husband finally asked me if it was possible that this happened when I quit smoking, which was around the same time my nose started getting clogged up so severely that I felt like I was suffocating.  I have actually wanted to re start smoking to see what happens.  Not the best solution, but interested to see If I can breath!!
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1 Comments
How long ago did you quite smoking winegoddess? Smoking changes our nasal passages so my guess it takes a bit for it to bounce back. Don't think this will make you feel better, but this study talks about sinus recovery DOES happen over the course of 10 years after smoking. Boo, hope it is much sooner for you. https://consumer.healthday.com/head-and-neck-information-17/sinus-problems-news-614/quitting-smoking-can-bring-healthier-sinuses-years-later-study-724486.html  I like this study better which says up to 12 months and you should be better. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4930664/
Avatar universal
Hello everyone, I quit 3 years ago and went through anxiety attacks, hyperthyroid and sinus congestion.  I am totally well now and am so happy.  The sinus congestion took the longest to go away and it was difficult not being able to breath.  It was very frustrating but now my sinus is well. No more congestion.  I started walking and exercising a lot and also took probiotics every morning. Hang in there. It's totally worth it!
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Avatar universal
I have similar problems with my allergies and sinuses since I quit smoking.
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Avatar universal
https://scienceblog.com/21093/allergy-season-cigarettes-to-the-rescue/    I found that link after googling around in frustration - here's why.  I am 61 years young and have been plagued with nasal allergy issues since my middle teens. After years of investigating I am convinced my allergies arise from a badly damaged gut - initially I believe through antibiotics being prescribed for acne, obviously when I was said teen.  I believe my diet, lots of processed grains, white bread etc also contributed to gut damage and resultant allergies.  I think damage to the gut through prolonged antibiotic use etc is quite well understood now by the more enlightened medical minds and it's certainly my conclusion.  I started smoking when I was about 18 or 19 - quit in my mid 20's for 4 or 5 years then smoked again till my late 30s when I stopped again.  This time I really noticed my allergies I seemed to have constant sinus issues till 5 years after quitting I took it up again.  Presto allergies under control.  I then happily smoked till I reached 60, then with the ridiculous cost of tobacco in Australia I decided to quit once more.  This time I checked into a water fasting centre and fasted for 9 days, during which strangely I had no withdrawal symptoms - I won't say it was easy because water fasting can be a bit confronting in terms of what comes up - I had to cope with everything from hives to boils to anxiety which according to the practitioners was quite normal given I had a history of those types of maladies.  Well after the fast was broken I could freely breath through my nose in a way that I had never felt in my life, both nostrils completely open, not a hint of having to mouth breath and that's the way it was for 6 months.  A year ago I started getting all blocked up again, worse than ever - bloody nasal polyps GRRRRRRR.  My feeling is I suspect they had been there for a long time but the smoking keep them under control. I believe the fast healed my gut issues to a degree, but then after a time old gut issues reemerged, perhaps due to histamines, amines, salicylates or the old culprit gluten ( yeah I know I wasn't supposed to go back to it - but hey cigarettes were off the menu and call me weak if you must, but food and not always the most nutricious kind became my friend. Yeap I swapped the ***** for the witch - anyways I have done a few short fasts since - 2 or 3 days which haven't really helped, I have tried alsorts of dietary modifications (still persevering) and I am just about convinced that the feeling I have had for a long time that smoking does dampen the symptoms of nasal allergy response is well founded, in spite of all the negatives attached to the habit .  The link that I started my post with supports this belief.  However due to the cost and not wishing to get my self addicted I will keep trying to control my issues with natural methods rather than the pharmaceutical sprays etc which to me are more harmful than tobacco and I hope in time to get things under control.  If not well I must admit the odd roll your own organic cigarette may cross my lips - I will keep you posted.  PS a naturopath recently referred to me as a "walking experiment" lol at least I am still walking and trying anything and everything. I can recommend long term water fasting thou - but supervision by trained practitioners is essential I feel which does get a little pricey because you have to stay in a centre that's why I am not rushing to do it again - I don't have the cash.  I will see how intermittent fasting and further dietary modification goes.
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Avatar universal
I had the reverse. As a child, I used to suffer from Sinusitis. My nose would block up most of the time, causing it almost impossible to breathe. I tried a lot of medications, nothing actually helped. Then I started smoking at around the age of 19-20. I am 27 currently, still smoking, eager to quit.
The point is, once I started smoking, my sinusitis problem vanished. Smoking cured me actually.
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Avatar universal
I never had any sinus problems until hit my 30s, and has been constant since.It actually seemed to start when I met my current girlfriend, but I cannot see how that had anything to do with it. I got it when I was smoking. I did quit for a year and my sinus problems got terrible, I felt awful every day I woke up. Since then I have gone back on the smokes, and my sinus problem is still there. But not full blown head pounding and infection like I used to get when I quit smoking.

Anyway I am at a loss as to what the cause is, I have tried taking vitamin c in large doses for a month, a course of antibiotics,  nothing has made them any better, they are even worse after I have a shower for some reason, so maybe there is mold in my place or something.

I was thinking that when people quit smoking, it has the effect of improving circulation and slowing metabolism, I am wondering if any of these two things could be making it worse for non smokers,better circulation might be pumping more blood and oxygen into the sinuses, or perhaps the slower metabolism is a factor. I don't know, but there is a difference between how I feel as a smoker and a non smoker, my sinuses were alot worse sometimes as a non smoker, but I did feel great some of the time in the year I did quit also.

My advice is just to hang in there, don't go back to smoking, I have developed circulation problems that cause me bad pain in my legs and feet, constant cough,  breathing problems, and I don't sleep well at all. You may have worse sinus problems as a non smoker, but you are dodging a lot of other bullets if you stay quit. Overall I felt a lot better as a non smoker than I do now. And I slept like a baby when I quit after a few weeks everything got better, except for my damn sinuses.

Don't go back to smoking, it was the worst mistake I ever made, I was off them for a year, and now I am in worse health than ever before since I went back on them

I plan to quit in the next day or two, it actually frightens me to quit, I don't know why, I managed to do it before for a year. It seems harder now for some reason.
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1 Comments
I'm reading the answers now.  Many people with the same issue.  What is interesting is that when I first had sinus/nose congestion issues, it was 6 months after quitting smoking.  I Ended up having a deviated septum fixed and my turbinates reduced.  Within 6 months after the surgery, I was smoking again.  I quit 6 months ago and like clockwork...stuffiness.  I'm considering balloon Sinuplasty and coblation of the turbinates. (About $4500-5000 for both procedures ($2500 & $2000 respectively)) and had even mentioned my suspicions of my stuffiness being caused by quitting smoking and the fact that smoke would constrict the capillaries in my nose making it easier to breathe.  He just kinda blew the question off.

  Sinus rinses, Flonase, sudafed (the real kind) Allegra during the day and Benadryl at night don't really help much (or for long if at all). I have read a bit about the breathing exercises mentioned in an above comment   Afrin every other night is the only thing that gives me any relief and let's me sleep without suffocating.

Does it ever stop?  Is this really the body "repairing itself" much like all the nasty stuff we coughed up for the first couple months?  Or is this one of the permanent ways that smoking ****s you in the end?

Is surgical intervention the only option?
Avatar universal
your body is regrowing your cilia, and your sinus cavities are covered in toxic buildup.  they are doing what they should be doing, kicking out the toxins, however it is uncomfortable at best, and for some completely miserable.  it goes away after a smoke as you have effectively burned off the cilia that your body worked so hard to regrow. AVOID THIS TEMPTATION! I have found eating healthy helps aid in regrowth of hairs and helps sinus cavities flow more effectively. drinking water also aids in thinning out mucus. I have resorted to a spit bottle temporarily. keep in mind your body wishes to reach homeostasis. it will heal most affected or most important organs first then go down the line to next affected organ etc. it means your body has time and or energy to effectively go after your sinuses. Its a great sign however miserable it may seem. any efforts to stop will hinder the process and make it take longer, i.e. make you miserable for longer. again avoid temptation of quick fixes i.e. rinses, baking soda, etc. you will once again burn off cilia starting the process over. lastly I have found cherry tomatoes aid in quitting measures as they are in nightshade family, and take over the role that tobacco was playing but in a healthier fashion. you may notice you have a sudden aversion to certain foods (mushrooms, eggplants, etc), or certain sudden food addiction (cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, dark chocolate, apples, peanut butter). That's a great sign your body is trying to heal a new organ. Choose organic as much as possible. best advice avoid soda, try and cut back on coffee, sugar, etc as these things may hinder your bodies ability to detox these things. I enjoy a sip or two of black coffee maybe three to five times a month. Keep in mind I am about 2 to 3 months into detox, but I have had to research what was happening in my body and foods to eat etc. At some point my body passed the point where homeostasis was impossible and had a complete meltdown. Im taking the long trudge back to health with many of the awful pitfalls along the way. ive read oodles and doodles of articles on nutrition, metal poisoning, the brain, etc. best advice go organic and trust your instinct (except when it tells you to smoke).  Lastly when trying to smoke I found switching to american spirits first helped my body get used to not seeing lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, pesticides, etc in my lungs and pushed me to start eating healthy, which pushed me to want to quit. switching from one brand to american spirits was harder (withdrawals from additives) than quitting altogether. I have found it is more the additives than the nicotine our bodies get angry about not seeing, and kicking out substances such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury are harder than nicotine could ever be. you can do it, eat healthy, include fruits and veggies. eat less milk products and possibly less meat. see a nutritionist if you are concerned.
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1 Comments
This has helped me a great deal , thankyou for taking time to share this information , I wasn't a heavy smoker bit smoked role ups occasionally , I've been smoke free for just about 4 weeks, I can now take deep breaths , I'm faster on my mountain bike without getting out of breath , the cherry tomato thing is very interesting i be grabbing some of those to see if it works . Thanks again . I've heard cranberry juice is good to .
Avatar universal
I read through this whole thread and thought I would post because my symptoms are slightly different.  I quit 3 months ago after smoking a pack a day for 13 years.  I developed sinus problems about 4-6 weeks after quitting - really runny nose and sneezing.  I then experienced a nose bleed and a lot of itchy/dry congestion.  After two nose bleeds and some yellow mucus, I went to the doctor and was told that it was just allergies and that I needed Flonase.  I've never had allergy problems, so I believe now after reading this thread that it is directly related to quitting.  I think it will go away over time...stay strong!
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Avatar universal
Hi,

I first found this forum 5 years ago when I first quit smoking.  I had extreme sinus congestion and I could not sleep at night.  I literally thought that I was going to go crazy with the congestion.  It blocked everything in my head..ears, nose, everything.  I was in such misery, I was put on a waitlist for an ENT to examine me.  When I finally got to see him, he said that everything was fine..swollen, but fine.  He gave me a quick couple of shots of steriods and asked me..do that feel better?  Hardly...

I once said to someone, if this is what quitting smoking is going to be like for me, I am not going to be able to continue it.  As a matter of fact, a year in, I could not take it anymore as the congestion was so bad.  (I had been a pack a day smoker for 35 years, with 8 years off and so in between.  Anyhow, I started smoking again after a year.  

However, 3 years later I decided to again try to quit.  This time, though, I decided to try the steriod spray that they wanted me to use.  The doctor says that it takes over a month for it to work properly.  I primed my nose for two months with the nasal spray, two squirts in each nostril per night, then quit after the two months.  I can't tell you how much different and more pleasant this quit is now.  I can breathe through my nose, head is clear, I feel so much better.  This quit is so much more successful than my last one.  

I remembered this forum from a few years ago, from the first time that I quit and I thought that I would post this, so that some other pool soul could benefit from my experience.  I tried very hard to use the nose spray the first time, but with the congestion and stress from the congestion, I guess that I was not diligent in using it.  As well, it could have made a difference that my nose was primed before I quit.  

Mind you, it has only been a week for me, but it is amazing the difference in feeling.  I am using Flonase and now, I have reduced the dosage to 1 squirt in each nostril every day.  I hope to reduce that in time, too.  
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Avatar universal
I found this site after some surfing the web.  I am male, 57 years old.  I quit smoking, cold turkey, when I was 49.  I started smoking when I was in grade 6, probably about 12 years old.  Even before I quit I was frequently congested and it only got worse after quitting.  I have been using decongestant nasal sprays, especially at night so that I can sleep.  I recently went to an ear, nose and throat specialist for a problem I had a few months ago with my ear - it has since cleared up and I am ok, I can hear now!  I told the ENT specialist about my chronic congestion and he did a scope of my nasal passages.  He said they looked fine, no polyps, just a little swelling.  He has referred me to an allergist.  The ENT asked me if I had any allergies, I said none that I knew of.  I have always been pretty healthy.  From reading the posts here I am not too confident about the allergist finding anything.  Anyway, I am wondering if I have an allergy to alcohol.  I am a serious amateur winemaker (I use grapes, juice etc) and while I don't drink excessively I usually do have a drink or two after work, sometimes I have more, and I will finish the bottle.  I use sulphites in my wine as a preservative and I am now beginning to wonder if the wine (and the histamines in the wine) along with the sulphites could be contributing to my nasal congestion.  I am going to completly give up drinking for the next week or two to see if this has any impact on my sinus congestion.  On one level I hope it does confirm that I am allergic to what is in the wine and on another level I will have to seriously consider giving up something that I really enjoy.  I am not sure that I want to go there.  I will try to post back at the end of April, 2015 with an update.
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Avatar universal
The same is happening to me, I smoked for 10 years I quitted 9 months ago and have experienced terrible sinus congestion ever since. Went to the doctor, and the medicine didn't worked. Tried with homeopathic medicine but no luck either. Do you know if it goes away? Or I will have this sinus congestion forever?  
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Avatar universal
I have had very similar problems. Was a long term smoker and once I quit sinuses got permanently blocked. I tried everything to eliminate it – prescription allergy drugs, rinsing, acupuncture, dust mite protected bedding and homeopathy with no results. A homeopath suggested I tried Buteyko breathing exercises and I bought a book on it and it has helped within 5 days!

As I understand it. Smoking increases our CO2 in the body relative to oxygen (we need both). As smokers, in order to compensate for lack of oxygen we start breathing more. Once we quit smoking we continue to breathe the same amount as when we were smokers and as a result significantly more than we should. We end up overworking air passage ways and have too low a CO2 balance. I think that with all the inhaling we did for years we simply forgot how to breathe correctly! I compared how frequently, loudly and visibly I breathe compared to people who never smoked and my breathing is all over the place.  

I am not sure how scientifically accurate this is but it definitely worked for me. It also would explain why simply sitting down and concentrating on your breathing is a great help.
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Avatar universal
Why are some people attracted to smoking and some people not?  Perhaps because we  are a little hypo thyroid, or is it  that it makes us Hypothyroid without it after being on it for more than 10 years?  We as smokers are used to operating at a faster metabolic level and you take away a stimulant that out bodies are used to and it has to operate on a lower level.  I now have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and have congestion and breathing difficulty.  Thyroid medication and Anatabine helped a little but now Anatabine is off the market.  Thyroid levels are controversial so I was normal TSH but had Antibodies.  Not to mention, finding an Endo who will treat your symptoms and and not lab results is a very hard task.  Sick for 6 years now, and Doctors have not been helpful.
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Avatar universal
Nicotine is the primary reason someone becomes addicted to smoking.

Nicotine stimulates the adrenal glands to release epinephrine (adrenaline).

'This rush of epinephrine causes an increase in blood pressure, respiration and heart rate. It provides the user with a RUSH.

Nicotine also activates the part of the brain that releases dopamine, a chemical in the brain that makes you feel pleasure.

People keep smoking because they like the rush they feel from the epinephrine (adrenaline) coupled with the pleasure they feel from the dopamine.'

I got this quote from

http://yourselfseries.com/teens/topic/smoking/smoking-addiction-how-it-starts/

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Avatar universal
"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." (an earlier post)

Hi I think there is something to this theory and I am going to research it a bit. I am cigarette free 12 weeks this Thursday October 23 2014. My sinus have been in full flow since the end of week one. I think I am allergic to alcohol and previously smoking was my anti allergy treatment !!!!! I stopped having wine for 2 weeks then had some last Friday and my sinus went berserk ! Took until Sunday night to just go back to the background stuffiness.

It is a pain but if it is my body working to clean itself up internally then it has to happen. I am now on a herbal tonic to help reboot my mucous membranes to a balance and get that wheezy noise out of my chest. It is called 'Herbetom'. I am taking it a couple of days and it is helping (acting like an expectorant.....
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612551 tn?1450022175
Thanks, I've used without success Nasonex/generic and one other prescription spray.  I believe the steroid spray is effective if you are in fact suffering from an allergic reaction - immune system gone wild.  Steroids are known for their ability to reduce swelling and to calm immune systems.  I'm not sure how long one can take them nigh-after-night.

Good to read you have had good results... I think past smoking, over two years in the past, is the cause of current congestion.  But, I am not an ENT or any type of medical doctor.

I still use OTC (generic) Afirin a couple of times a week just to enjoy clear breathing through most of the night..that doesn't mean I have unbroken sleep, I'm a senior age male and need the toilet at least twice during the night and chronic trouble mares (non-violent nightmares) also disrupt my sleep.  I have given some study of the art of Lucid Dreaming and plan to try meditation... it may even help with nasal congestion.  

Mild saline spray helps me most nights, I have to use a couple of time druing the sleeping period, but I'm up anyway.
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Avatar universal
I'm female and will be 49 in December. I had my first cigarette aged 14, and quit cold turkey in February of 2012.

I suffered severed nasal congestion about 6 months after quitting. It cleared up in the summer of 2013, but returned with a vengeance in the autumn of this year (2104). It was particularly awful during the night as I couldn't breathe through my nose. Consequently, I woke between 5 to 10 times with a very dry mouth and throat. It was just awful! I was sleep deprived and very irritable. The congestion led to fluid being trapped behind my left middle ear drum. I suffered (still am) low level tinnitus and a feeling of fullness in my left ear.  I saw an ENT about 4 weeks ago. I underwent a long and complex hearing test - the result of which was very positive, aside from a slight weakness in my left ear. I also had a nasal scope examination - it found no tumours in my nasal passages. In any event, the ENT prescribed a steroid nasal spray and a daily OTC antihistamine. 4 weeks into the treatment, my nasal congestion has completely cleared, but the fluid behind my eardrum hasn't drained. I'm seeing the ENT on the 4th of September for a review. Meanwhile, if you are interested in the prescription steroid nasal spray, it's called Nasonex. Two sprays in each nostril once a day. It's done me the world of good, as I was suffering terribly, especially at night. I've slept like  a baby for the past two weeks. ..............

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612551 tn?1450022175
Pipelinz made one post/reply in January 2010.  I think the chance of you getting an reply is zero.

You might wean to try a private message to Pipelinz or make a new post with any questions/experience you have.

Good luck.
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Avatar universal
How did it work out ?
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612551 tn?1450022175
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.
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Avatar universal
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?
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612551 tn?1450022175
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.
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Avatar universal
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.
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Avatar universal
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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