hypertension & stuffy nose

Flower51 · Post by **Flower51** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 6:12 am

This is my first morning having a slightly stuffy nose since using my autopap w/humidifier. Granted, it would have happened long before now due to seasonal allergies so I give my cpap credit that it hasn't! Also I didn't turn the heating option on my humidifier last night, so that may have contributed to my stuffiness.

Anyway..........since I have hypertension and can't use decongestants, are there any tricks that have worked for you in addition to saline solution? That's what I'm using now. And also I'll check my filters....I haven't washed the filter in awhile or looked at the paper filter which has prob been in only about 2 weeks. Terry

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 1:57 pm

Flower51 wrote:Anyway..........since I have hypertension and can't use decongestants, are there any tricks that have worked for you in addition to saline solution?

RhinoCort every day for a while. It doesn't do much if anything at first, but after 4-5 days it really works well.

I've known people who complain that RhinoCort doesn't work for them. When I ask them how long they used it they tell me they sprayed a few hours ago and nothing happened.

Clearly they didn't understand.

Flower51 · Post by **Flower51** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 12:08 pm

Thanks for the suggestion. Is rhinocort over the counter or prescription? Definitely looking for home remedy solutions or otcs...I don't need to pay for another trip to the dr if I can avoid it! And there's always 100proof chicken soup loaded w/garlic.
Terry

BP · Post by BP » Wed Sep 07, 2005 12:17 pm

Flower51, all of the otc stuff is going to contain substances that you probably can't take due to your hypertension. Rhinocort, Flonase, etc. are perscription anti-inflammatory glucocorticosteroids. They are inflamation reducers and work very well, and are generally well tolerated for long term use. Saline spray, using your humidifier, and keeping your filters and your bedroom in very clean, may be your best approaches. Can you take anti-histamines? If so, claritin is otc and works quite well.

Good luck,
BP

Flower51 · Post by **Flower51** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 12:44 pm

Well BP I'm going to check my filters today and also do a thorough vacuuming....Amazing what a little vaccuuming can suck up!!!!! And I'll be more attentive about damp dusting the picture frames, etc...on our bookshelves and running the curtains through the dryer to dust them off would be nice too! I really dislike meds...I may take an antihistamine if it becomes absolutely necessary. Terry

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 12:37 pm

BP,
I, too, have trouble with fluctuating BP and now I'm concerned with what you say, if I'm interpreting it correctly. Should Flonase, which I use occasionally, interfere with high BP or make it rise? The ENT prescribed it for me and my BP is up this morning after using it last night. Or are you saying it's the OTCs that you have to watch out for only?

liz4cps · Post by **liz4cps** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 2:22 pm

I have been using something called "4 Way Saline Moisturizing Mist" from Bristol-Myers. It is a saline solution with eucalyptol and menthol and is more effective than just plain saline. It helps clear things up long enough to get on cpap & after that, the machine keeps things open.

So, it's helpful and you can use it every night if you need to. If you need something just temporarily, something stronger may well be better, but if you're limited in what you take and you need something most nights, it might be a good choice.

JimH · Post by **JimH** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 9:05 pm

I have been using nasocort for the last year until my new insurance kicked me down to rhinocort. I am hypertensive and I am on medication and aspirin fo thin the blood- I also have atrial fibrulation. anyway, the rhinocort has no effect on my pressure. the benefit of the CPAP far outways any issues with BP from the nasal spray.. Hope this helps.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 5:17 am

Thanks, Jim. Good info. Last night, no need to use the Flonase. No stuffy nose.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 5:21 am

Sorry, Jim. Guest was me...forgot to sign in.

hypertension & stuffy nose

hypertension & stuffy nose

Re: hypertension & stuffy nose

saline alternative