Difficulty breathing through nose and poor sense of smell all my life

Really sorry Laanto you have had this for so long. I am 67 until 5 years ago I have never had breathing problems or sinus/nasal problems. It started with  what I thought was a bit of hay fever in the spring, but my sneezing and runny nose continued. Then I was starting to get breathing problems that year in October, I was then diagnosed with Asthma. Cannot say when I lost my sense of smell I just thought the flowers in my garden were just not as fragrant as they usually were, have not been able to smell now for over a year I reckon. I have to always breath through my nose now too. I had two weeks of antibiotics for another ailment and I was amazed that I could breath through my nose for at least a week. But alas that has not continued. I don't think you should give in can you visit your doctor, are you based in U.K. I am going back to my doctor to see if I can have longer on antibiotics. I cannot give you any advise other than to go back and see your doctor. Just letting you know, I know how difficult it is. So sorry your so young to have this problem.

regards Maureen

to find out what's causing your nosed to be so blocked up you will need to get a CT and an allergy test.

The CT will show whether you have a deviated septum or polyps or enlarged turbinates.

Allergies are much tougher to find, you could be allergic to dust or pollen but still it could be something else which doesn't shop up in the allergy test and would cause congested sinuses.

However it's a good way to start, CT & allergy: skin prick test.

I guess there is not much point going further what treatment you should try before further investigation.

Those things however you could try, these are harmless and cheap:

nasal saline rinse, use it every day

antihistamines

get rid of milk , any dairy food.

get a dust proof linen, pillow cover.

what you should NOT do:

DO  NOT use decongestant sprays at all, even not once a day. You will end up with a rebound effect, that means that the decongestant won't work at all, and your nose will get blocked because of the overusage if it. The max usage for decongestants are 3 days. Anything over will cause rebound effect.

What you might be able to use from time to time is pseudoeffedrine.

Could spead up your heart and might not be able to sleep. But during the day might be ok. Not for very long term use either

You need to figure it out whether it's a physical thing which causing it or allergy.

Let us know how you go and go from there

good luck!

Laanto you have to worry about yourself, it is ruining your lifestyle. I had no history or allergies as I said until 5 years ago. You probably have non allergic Ryhinitus. You don't have to have allergies, to have these symptoms. It isn't nice. I am on Fexofenidine this is an antihestamine which does limit some of the mucous that is produced. It doesn't make you drowsy either. Stress to your doctor, you have been suffering all year and don't like to keep worrying them. That will get him on side. But you would like to know what is causing your symptoms. It must be very depressing for someone so young. I limit my milk and cheese intake too. I use Almond milk quite nice in tea and coffee, or on Cerials. Milk/dairy products do cause one to make more mucous,  a lot of well known singers don't use dairy for that reason.