Any long-term users of steroid nasal sprays here?

[UdoKier]

Not the OTC ones like Afrin or Neo-synephrine. The ones like Flonase or Nasalcort.

I've been happy with the results, but just wondering how people using them long-term have fared.

[sweetheart]

1. Some of this gets in my nose...

When i use it.. i can feel the powder in my throat... It is by far
the best athsma medication i've ever taken... muuuch better than ventolin
as the bronchidiolator solves only part of the problem.

That said, the side of the steroid is weight gain, so one has to eat
carefully.

http://www.rch.org.au/clinicalguide/asthmadevices/pages/Seretide%20250-50%20Accuhaler.htm

[Fridays Child]

2. Speaking of asthma...

I've been taking a supplement called Lyprinol. Have you heard of it? It's a powerful anti-inflammatory, and I take it for arthritis. The interesting thing about it, though, is that it's been found to cut inhaler use in half, for asthmatics--asthma being an inflammatory process, too. To use it properly, you have to achieve a level of saturation in your bloodstream, which takes a six-week double dosing period. But, after that, you cut your dose in half.

It's kind of expensive but I found a good price online. I take the Prevail brand, which I buy at www.iherb.com. When I check out, I enter thyroidbonus in the coupon field and it gives me a 20% discount. With that and free shipping on orders over $20, it's the best price I've found. And, actually, now that I'm on the maintenance dose, the monthly cost is less than what my insurance company made me pay out of pocket for my Vioxx--which, of course, is no longer available.

[sweetheart]

3. I'll ask me athsma doctor

The seretide 250 is both an antiinflamatory and a bronchiodiolator,
and i'm loth to mix medications. In the UK, one 60 day supply costs
6.50 from the NHS (about 11 dollars). Without the NHS, its over
100 pounds... around 200 dollars per.

I've looked it up on your link... so its a food supplement of
stabilized marine lipid extract... sounds like "cod liver oil" by
a fancy name.

My athsma doctor in Hertforshire did a really cool thing with me when
he began treatment.. as i was in asking for just another ventalator...
he said "I'll wager you've never realized how bad your athsma is, so
i'm gonna give you the strongest medication for a week and we'll
cut it back until you see what is the level that allows you to
breathe like a regular person." Funnily, when i took the by-mouth
steroids and the inhaler of the heavy treatment, i spent the day
walking around gulping air in huge breaths that simply amazed me...as
i'd never had such a full range of breath.... and we phased it back
to what i take now the seretide 250 with the same effect.

Many doctors don't treat the inflamation aspect of athsma properly
and leave their patients forever short of breath, as i'd experienced
with decades of physicians prior in both the UK and the US....
a doctor with the balls to perscribe heavier medication and let
their patient decide what works.... was really a major breath of
fresh air (literally).

He explained to me, when i told him that i thought my athsma had
gone away, that actually it never goes away, but often seems to go
in to remission in to return in middle age getting worse as one
gets older. I try to use the inhaler as little as possible, as i
hate using medication of any sort without reason... same same with
cannabis for me... just a bit when it suits properly and strangely
the reduction of stress that the weed brings does indeed keep me
from athsma attacks i've had when highly stressed.... life is mixing
a cocktail. :-)

[Fridays Child]

9. You're right about it being like cod liver oil.

Evidently, though, these New Zealand green-lipped mussels possess some unique properties.

Good luck with it. It sure has helped me!

[sweetheart]

4. thanks, i've just ordered some

I'll see how i get on with this lyprinol. I really don't like taking
steroids, and perhaps this will let me reduce athsma inhaler use.

Thank you Fridays Child.

[REP]

6. QVar and AtroVent (etc) Are Different Meds

Flonase, Beconase and Rhinocort are nasal steroids for inflammation of the nasal passages and prevention/treatment of nasal polyps, and are a different formulation and dosage than inhaled steroids for asthma.

Meds like Qvar are inhaled steroids for asthma to prevent the inflammation in the upper airways associated with asthma; some drugs, like Advair, contain both a steroid and a bronchodilator.

[REP]

5. Trying To Find One That Doesn't Cause Massive Nose Bleeds

I've tried Flonase, Beconase and Nasalcort and they all gave me massive nosebleeds and even worse rhinosinusitis (I have fucked up turbinates). They're supposed to be very safe, and help prevent polyps.

[otohara]

11. You Might Want To Try

...I've been very happy w/ homeopathic nasal sprays at health food stores, the other day I purchased this stuff @ rite aid - it has peppermint oil - feels nice and opens you up as do the homeopathic sprays. Sino Spray is the rite aid one, get a $3.00 off coupon at their website

[REP]

13. 'Homeopathic' Remedies Don't Work on Serious Problems

If an OTC spray worked on pneumatized turbinates, I surely would be using one already, but thanks! BTW, plain saline is the only *safe* OTC prep to use with this particular condition; ones with oils and aromatics can worsen the problem considerably.

[sendero]

7. I have used them off and on for years...

... the only caveat I would suggest is that they seem to lose their effectiveness over time.

I suggest changing "brands" every year or so.

[tanyev]

8. I use Flonase for a few months

every year. My allergies are really bad in the fall. It works well for me, never had any problems.

[UdoKier]

12. I've used Flonase occcasionally and it's been good.

Much better than Sudafed.

BTW, you can order "Flixonase", the UK and Australia/New Zealand version of the exact same drug for a fraction of the price online. I got it for $28 from an outfit in New Zealand. They don't require a prescription yet, and it's the exact same drug, manufacturer, everything. Do not pay the US pharmacy price for this (over $100) - it's highway robbery.

[yardwork]

10. My husband has used it as-needed for years for allergies

He's had no problems, but he only uses it as directed, and as infrequently as possible.

[auburngrad82]

14. I swore off steroids when I saw what it did to Karl Malden's nose n/t