Flonase

[Apappy]

Like many others I have a problem with stuffy nose at night, and have read here that Flonase is a possible remedy. My pharmacist tells me that I shouldn't take it "too long," though, whatever that means. I don't think I have allergies but have been carrying some sort of bug that seems to travel up and down from my sinuses to my bronchials. Tried antibiotics weeks ago, which helped but didn't get rid of it, and I suspect the lingering symptoms are related to the sleep apnea or just plain lack of good sleep. I've been on APAP for a month now, and I'm hoping that once I get used to the mask -- which includes doing something about the stuffy nose problem -- I will be able to sleep well and that this will get rid of the mysterious bug.

My question is how long you can use Flonase without causing problems, and also can you use it in just one nostril (that is, would half the dose be less harmful that a full dose?). I do have a deviated septum but do not want to resort to an operation unless it proves absolutely necessary. I have read that pharmacological remedies should be tried first.

[Pugsy]

Flonase doesn't work like Afrin. It won't provide the immediate relief that Afrin does but it doesn't cause the rebound issues that Afrin does.

I have a prn script for Flonase. Twice a day. My doctor has never mentioned "don't use it too long". While I may not use it every night I do use it quite often and have for over a year. I don't have rebound congestion when I don't use it.
I have in the past used Afrin to the extent that when I stopped using it I did have rebound congestion and that is awful.

Since Flonase requires a prescription I think you should talk to your doctor about how often and how long you can safely use it in your situation.

[bayourest]

i have a Rx for flonase (or the generic version if that exists) My doctor gave it to me with 10 refills. I think you should just check with your doctor about length of time etc. I imagine that the pharmacist can only dispense info that is officially what the drug says whereas the M D is probably free to prescribe "off label" use.
I can only think that using flonase is better than using/overusing afrin.
you might need a different antibiotic to get rid of the bug.
saline rinses, neti pot, and flonase have helped me tremendously.

[robysue]

In addition to the very good advice already suggested by others, I'd also suggest that you play around with the humidity setting on your APAP. Try adjusting it DOWN as well as up: It's counterintuitive, but too MUCH humidity can cause problems with congestion at night just as easily as too little humidity does.

What's your humidifier set on?

[Hose_Head]

I have been using Flonase daily since approx 1997, and I used an older, similar product called Beconase for about 10 years before that. As far as I can tell, there are no problems arising from it's use to date.

[roster]

In addition to the very good advice already suggested by others, I'd also suggest that you play around with the humidity setting on your APAP. Try adjusting it DOWN as well as up: It's counterintuitive, but too MUCH humidity can cause problems with congestion at night just as easily as too little humidity does.

What's your humidifier set on?

Ditto.

Like many others I have a problem with stuffy nose at night, and have read here that Flonase is a possible remedy. My pharmacist tells me that I shouldn't take it "too long," though, whatever that means. I don't think I have allergies but have been carrying some sort of bug that seems to travel up and down from my sinuses to my bronchials.

1. I highly recommend having an ENT perform a laryngoscopy with a flexible scope. This is a quick and easy examination that gives you and the doctor a detailed view of your septum, turbinates, and larynx.

2. My doctor prescribed Flonase for very long term use, but since I had surgery for turbinate reduction and straightening of deviated septum, I don't use Flonase except during high pollen season.

3. "bug that seems to travel up and down from my sinuses to my bronchials" - You should consider an examination for LPRD - see http://web.mac.com/sypark/iWeb/West%20S ... /LPRD.html . These are very common conditions which are often caused by sleep apnea. When we have obstructive apneas our chest, stomach, and diaphragm muscles contract violently and in some cases stomach acid/bacteria/enzymes/food/drink may be ejected into the esophagus and beyond causing erosion of the esophagus and irritation of the larynx and throat tissues.

4. So if you also have symptoms of GERD, you should have a scope examination of the esophagus by a GI doctor in addition to the laryngoscopy.

That sounds like a lot, but I did it one step at a time and it was not bad.

Good luck.

[msradar65]

I have seasonal allergies. I use flonase(generic) and Claritin (generic) I use it year round and it makes a big difference. I also had to lower the temp on my humidifier. I have a neti pot that I also use.

This combination has worked well for me. I no longer had allergy problems as long as I stick to this plan.

[Lou Cypher]

I have a script for it also and my doc told me I could use it forever with no problems , however, I do suggest you verify with your doc what his feelings are for you...

It worked fine for me but I had to quit using it as it gave me nosebleeds....

[sleepingatlast]

I have been using it for years 2x a day.

[Apappy]

Many thanks for the informative replies!