Post-nasal drip, can't use decongestants

[rita2398]

I have awful post-nasal drip and have been taking an antihistamine with decongestant for years. Since my fundo in December I've had problems with depression and anxiety. Last week my doctor prescribed Celexa and took me off the decongestant; she said that causes anxiety. But now the PND is so awful I can't stand it! My voice is always froggy and I'm constantly clearing my throat, and it drives me crazy. Any suggestions?

Marie

[af]

Originally posted by rita2398
I have awful post-nasal drip and have been taking an antihistamine with decongestant for years. Since my fundo in December I've had problems with depression and anxiety. Last week my doctor prescribed Celexa and took me off the decongestant; she said that causes anxiety. But now the PND is so awful I can't stand it! My voice is always froggy and I'm constantly clearing my throat, and it drives me crazy. Any suggestions?

Marie

You should check with an ENT on this, or your family doctor. NOt all decongestants are high-anxiety drugs. Some are "uppers" (like sudaphed, for instance), and others are "downers" (for instance benadryl).

There should be some you can take, IMHO.

[Bobby]

Marie,

Just curious, what was the decongestant that your doctor un-prescribed? Was it pseudoephedrine? It's probably the most common one...if I remember right from reading all the medications in the store awhile back. I'm taking Allegra-D and do get a little anxiety, but it's barely noticeable.

Bobby

[rita2398]

Thanks for your replies. I was taking Claritin D lately; that has pseudoephedrine in it. Before that, I took Zyrtec D. So which causes anxiety, the uppers or downers? Here I always thought that I was so laid back and all along I've been a nervous wreck. I guess I've always felt anxiety and thought it was normal.

This was my family doctor I saw last week; she'll refer me to an ENT if I need one; she's good about referrals.

All this phlegm isn't helping my cough any, which is the main symptom caused by my GERD. I'm still waiting for the improvement!

Marie

[Maria B]

I suffered from post nasal drip for the longest time (probably more than a year) my doctor prescribed zyrtec and I haven't had post nasal drip since I'm taking it. Love it. I take it at bedtime I have been on it for three weeks. I havent seen any side effects.

my two cents.

adios,
Maria B
Florida

[Dante]

I also had PND for which my GI prescribed Rhinocort nasal spray , 64 mL in each nostril twice daily. I did that for a month and it cleared up the PND. I've been off it for almost two weeks now and still have a little bit, but no where's near what I had before. A word about these nasal sprays, or at least Rhinocort, my bottle dried up so I stopped taking it cold turkey. Wow! Bad mistake because after reading about it on-line they say to make sure to taper off it so you don't get rebound. I had a runny rose, sneezing, watery eyes very badly for two days after. All these symptoms I never had before taking Rhinocort. If I had tapered off I most likely would not have gotten those symptoms.

[daw]

I needed to take a decongestant for what was diagnosed as mild sinusitis. I also have problems with decongestants...they make me feel shakey inside and my legs get weak. My ENT told me to take pediatric doses of sudafed (pseudoephedrine). I took 10-15mg of the liquid childrens sudafed about 3 times a day. It worked for me. Of course it is a very small dose but how you respond to medications is very individual. Talk to your doctor and/or see an ENT.

[rita2398]

I appreciate your replies!

Marie