inflamed nostrils - longterm strategies

I'm wondering if anyone on the forum has opinions about the longterm use of nasal corticosteroid sprays. I'm thinking of talking to the doctor about getting some and would love some insight.

I've been on PAP therapy for about 8 months now. My AHI is consistently between 3-5 these days, down from 8-10 after implementing lots of tips and tricks from forum users, but it is rarely better than that, and never below 2. I've been aware for a while that my nostrils tend to close up during the night. I often find that one is open while the other is closed, and frequently the flow of air is limited to a trickle. I've used a heated hose to enable more humidity, and that has helped some. I've also tried saline sprays and neti pots. It's never made a huge difference, although I think it is marginally better. But the problem is not congestion exactly - I don't usually have a runny nose or mucus or whatever - but I think it's inflammation of the nasal tissue itself.

Anyway, last night I tried an OTC vasoconstrictor nasal spray and it was AMAZING. I don't remember breathing that easily ever. Seriously incredible. And of course I want more, but I know you're not supposed to use that stuff longterm. I'm thinking I have an underlying chronic, non-infection related inflammation (I'm prone to systemic inflammation, and sometimes get flare-ups in my eye and ... er, other places for which I use topical corticosteroids for a few weeks whenever necessary).

Are longterm nasal corticosteroids safe and effective? Any other strategies that have proven effective for people with chronic nasal/sinus problems that go beyond the occasional cold-related stuffy nose?

Check out this thread on Clogged Nose Sleep Apnea:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36483&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

Thanks for the link Tom. I read through the thread and found some good advice there. I think I'm going to give the nasal steroid sprays a try. I found a Spanish site that sells it for $40 - cheaper than through my insurance. I definitely don't want to get stuck on oral steroids, or OTC sprays indefinitely -- but the fact that the OTC spray worked so well last night lets me know there's an underlying issue there.

I've used on and off nasal steroid sprays for the past, hmm 30 yrs or so. I used to skip months and a few times yrs, but my chronic sinusitus is just too bad for me to skip using them now. For the past 14 nights, at dinner I've used the new antihstamine nasal spray (azelastins)and gotten enormous relief from congestion (swollen tissue, not runniness or excess mucous). I also use saline sprays and the Grossan nasal irrigator when my nostrils are blocked. If I use the irrigator, it's at least 3 hrs before I lie down to ensure all the saline has drained from my sinuses.

My routine: dinner Astepro spray, about 10-15 mins before bed Nasonex (steroid spray) and take a generic form of Claritin.

I, too, loved using a generic Afrin; my ENT had me start using it (one spray each nostril at night) to ensure I could breathe and sleep throught the night. Unfortunately, now I get cardiac effects (increased pulse and stronger contraction), so I've had to drop it for the past year .