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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Sinus medication?
        
(Message started by: Garys_Girl on Apr 11^th, 2006, 5:12pm)

Title: Sinus medication?
Post by Garys_Girl on Apr 11^th, 2006, 5:12pm

Gary has problems with his sinuses to begin with. But he REALLY feels the need to use a sinus med, especially when he starts to get an attack. I THOUGHT I read on here somewhere that nasal sprays trigger attacks for a lot of people, but now I can't find the discussion.

Any experience with this? Any suggestions for what kind of nasal spray to use? His favorite before was Afrin's moisturizing stuff (ugh!). We have Nasocort for me. I was thinking he should try the nasocort because it's got steroids.

???????????

Title: Re: Sinus medication?
Post by floridian on Apr 11^th, 2006, 5:22pm

I don't have any direct evidence, but I believe that pseudofed (little red m&m pills) makes clusters worse - it affects the hypothalamus and thyroid.

Not sure about afrin. I agree that the nasalcort would probably be relatively safe.

Title: Re: Sinus medication?
Post by Garys_Girl on Apr 11^th, 2006, 5:27pm

Thank you!!!!

He went ahead and took the Afrin. Found no discernable difference.

Title: Re: Sinus medication?
Post by nani on Apr 11^th, 2006, 5:56pm

None of the nasal sprays are meant for long term use. If he uses Afrin regularly he may actually be making his sinus problems worse. :-/
Read this:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/question546.htm

I agree with Flo about Sudafed and the like... but maybe an anti-histimine like Claritin could decrease the mucous production?

Title: Re: Sinus medication?
Post by floridian on Apr 11^th, 2006, 7:36pm

Forgot to mention nasalcrom, an over the counter spray which I don't think would be a problem for clusters. Unlike the decongestants, nasalcrom can be used long term. The only drawback I know for that is that it isn't quick acting - it takes a few days to build up and work. Nasalcrom contains chromolyn, which is not an antihistamine, but a mast cell inhibitor. It doesn't block the histamine receptors, it reduces the tendency of the mast cells to release histamine in the first place.

Title: Re: Sinus medication?
Post by floridian on Apr 11^th, 2006, 8:22pm

Also, check out saline nasal irrigation - not an instant fix, but it can be very helpful over the medium to long term.

http://www.med-owl.com/clusterheadaches/tiki-index.php?page=Nasal%20Irrigation
http://www.med-owl.com/clusterheadaches/tiki-index.php?page=Neti+Pot

Title: Re: Sinus medication?
Post by Doug_L on Apr 11^th, 2006, 10:17pm

I’ve started using a product called “Sinofresh”
It’s a saline type spray that you can use as much as you want without the worry of addiction.
Its done wonders for my forever clogged nose.
DL

Title: Re: Sinus medication?
Post by Garys_Girl on Apr 12^th, 2006, 12:26pm

Thank you for all the info. We've got Sinofresh here, and he'll use that instead.

I've used it before, and it's really quite effective.

Thanks!

Title: Re: Sinus medication?
Post by Garys_Girl on Apr 12^th, 2006, 5:29pm

Don't know if it was specifically Sinofresh or just using a nasal spray, but it almost immediately sent him into a k8, one of the worst he's had in close to a week. (The Kudzu has been helping).

Won't be trying that again!

Title: Re: Sinus medication?
Post by Barry_T_Coles on Apr 12^th, 2006, 5:57pm

Once again what works for one may not be of use for another.
I have suffered with sinus for century’s and was using OTC medication and started to develop chronic rhinitis, my doc recommended I use a saline based spray and have now been using it for about 4 – 5 years to great effect and it doesn’t effect my CH ( chronic ).
Below is a link to the one I use but I guess they would all be somewhat alike hope you find something that works.

http://www.paedpharm.com.au/fess.html

Kind Regards
Barry

Title: Re: Sinus medication?
Post by Garys_Girl on Apr 12^th, 2006, 8:37pm

Thanks Barry. Anything's worth a try. He doesn't use the stuff every day (even when he didn't have CH cycle), but it's allergy season now....

Title: Re: Sinus medication?
Post by Mr. Happy on Apr 12^th, 2006, 9:07pm

Cool nasal thread!

Won't do nasal decongestant inhalers again.
Am addicted to red Sudafed. Voluntarily.
Cromlyn sodium. An asthma bust. No CH test.
Saline spray gets a nod, but the Neti Pot is boss.

Snort `em if you got `em.
RJ