Nasal problems

I suffer with the same thing. I have had hay fever since I was about 10 but for past 5-6 years it is all year round. Tried all sorts of meds(tablets and nose drops) but nothing helps. My taste and smell are very limited but sometimes when I blow my nose very hard I also get this funny sweet taste/smell.

Unfortunately I don't know what is it. I have not been lucky with GPs and never really had a diagnose. I don't think people realise how enoying it is to have runny nose all year round. Lets hope someone will be able to help us here.

Every single day, I'm all snotted up and it doesn't go away no matter how many times I blow my nose. Sometimes I have really itchy eyelids and I'm constantly sniffing and having to swallow the hard mucus at the back of my throat throughout the day. My nostrils really sting because I'm always blowing / rubbing my nose.

At first I thought it was hayfever and thought it'd be over within a couple of months. Then summer turned to winter and I didn't ask the doctor about it as I thought he'd just say it was a cold.

Two years later, I ask the doctor about it and he tells me it's probably a dust allergy and to get some nasal spray. My symptoms are worse in the morning, or when I lye on my bed in the evening. I've now ditched the nasal spray, because it did nothing other than taste horrible down the back of my throat. I'm now using antihistamines daily, also with no effect.

In the past couple of years, I've been very tired and run down, sometimes finding it difficult to get out of bed (impacting my attendance at work!), with cycles of extreme tiredness (most often after my period).

I've been looking into whether or not I'm iron deficient, and a couple of my blood tests came back 'slightly low', but I haven't had another one in a while, because I've been to the doctor so many times in the last year I've got paranoid that they think I'm a hypochondriac and don't want to go back just to be dismissed again.

I've also been suffering from bloating after eating, and gas. On my last visit to the doctor I asked if it all tied together (my allergy symptoms, fatigue and stomach) and maybe I have a wheat intolerance? The doctor also dismissed this suggestion. I think he thought I meant a more extreme allergy, even though I specifically only said 'intolerance'.

Jason7 and Evelyn1979, I don't get the 'very sweet flowery taste' when I blow my nose, just the ongoing allergy symptoms and forever blocked nose.

In regards to the symptoms, I think I'm going to try to alter my diet, eliminate all wheat and eat more anti-allergy, anti-inflammatory foods.

Does anyone else have any suggestions?

I have since learned that the 'smell' is due to Parosmia .. and most common smells reported are Engine, Wood and Sweet.

I have had no real change in my symptoms .. still come and go and have a sinus infection at the moment.

I have been told its not because I am allergic or intolerant to anything but I find that hard to believe thatthere isnt anything causing my problems .. I have had 'hayfever' constantly since spring 2000.

It has through the years driven me mental .. I have tried every lotion potion tablet and remedy known to man .. except acupuncture .. So I could not really advise you to try anything as many have worked for a short whilebut nothing for any meaningfully long period.

I agree re the nasal wash system .. its painful and expensive .. I only use it occasionally.

I suppose managing your food type intake will at least begin to eliminate possible causes ..

Good luck

Most women's iron tests come back as slightly low. Sometimes it could be due to a lack of B vitamins, sometimes due to a lack of iron at certain times of the month. Sometimes iron can't be absorbed easily because of a lack of vitamin C in the system. Both allergies and absorption of iron can be improved by adequate vitamin C intake. I've been advised to take a vitamin C tablet 4 times a day...but twice a day should be enough. However, don't take B12 at the same time as Vitamin C because the C stops the B12 being absorbed.

I also had the bloating you described but only after eating white bread or white pasta. I've switched to wholemeal and sometimes take a fibre tablet. Other people get boating after eating onions, beans, green peppers.

HOWEVER, allergies and the bloating/gas you've described are said to be due to bad gut bacteria. Taking probiotics helps heaps! But you won't see the effects for at least a month. You can also increase your intake of spinach, bananas, pumpkin seeds - some people even eat dandelion leaves to help feed and therefore grow the good bacteria in your gut. Also take a portion of plain live yoghurt 3 times a week - you can mix it with fruit and/or pumpkin seeds if you like. It take quite a while to see the effects of natural treatments like this but it's good for your body in the long term.

I was told several times that the problem could be in the nutrition.

Perhaps you need have some kind of diet.

I have recently developed the same problem, sweet flowery smell in my nose and taste in my mouth and sweet flowerty urine!

I am at a loss. I donlt want to go back to my doctor as she thinks I am barmy anyway. I went on holiday to the seaside recently for a week and I felt absolutely GREAT!!! eating like a horse, and all the resulting functions were good. however, back to the city and the same problems start. I have a gallstone, diverticulosis and an underactive thyroid so I dunno if any of these are a contributing factor. Either way, semlling sweet is driving me up the wall!!!