Persistent nasal troubles, nothing is working.

Hi Yorisou. I was about to write a very similar post when I saw yours. 8 months ago my turbinates swelled and I've had persistent issues since. I'm also at the point that nothing is working. Steroid sprays worked well for about 2 months but aren't cutting it now. I've tried Pseudoephedrine tablets (which weren't easy to get at the chemist) which worked well but I ran out and since then the chemist has only offered to sell it mixed with high amounts of paracetamol (which is not good for my asthma) or Phenylephrine, which does next to nothing. I recently decided to change doctors since my last one had been getting dismissive/no progress. My new doctor prescribed me a short course of Prednisolone oral steroids a week ago. Honestly it hasn't done that much for either my asthma or my turbinates, which is disappointing and concerning. I'm scared I'm running out of options which is causing my pre-existing anxiety to sky rocket. It's not just my breathing. I've had the flu 3 times, coldsore 4 times, weight loss, hair loss and headaches. I stressed all of this to my new doctor who was great and I'm waiting on full blood results. I'm even thinking about starting anti-depressants again since they helped with my anxiety in the past.

My old doctor wouldn't do allergy testing either, they left that up to the ENT who then referred me to an Allergist. Saying that they can't test because they don't know what it is sounds complacent. Here in Australia they can only blood test for 4 things at once so most start with the basics like pollen. My old doctor also had a 'let the specialists handle it' attitude which would be ok if not for the very long wait times when you've already been suffering for months already. Even when I saw the ENT, they firstly took the medication route but 3 months later I had another CT Scan and my turbinates were worse so they put me on the waiting list for surgery. That won't happen until around November and has its own risks. As for the Allergist, that was a 3 month wait and they lost my appointment! So I had to pressure them to make sure they'd call me on a cancellation, which they did and they confirmed multiple allergies. I have to wait until April to start Immunotherapy since apparently that's when the pollen count dies down. I'm desperately relying on this to work. I'm even getting my house fogged for any lingering mould particles. I eat very healthy, never smoked (but was exposed to second-hand smoke) and don't drink (but am considering it as a coping mechanism).

Basically, everything has been a long wait, I'm getting worse and medications only work temporarily or intermittently. I'm starting to wonder if it is safe to stay on steroid sprays for this long. All the doctors I've talked to say yes and recommend it but if they're not working would I be better off forcing myself to have a break? Or I go the other way and up the dose?  One thing I do find helps is a Neti-Pot. I look forward to using it every day as it's great for completely clearing the sinuses of any lingering dust, etc. Works so much better than saline spray. Also, my Allergist told me Fexofenadine is much stronger than Clarytine. The one thing I find does work is decongestant sprays but the rebound is not worth it. I might take it once a week, only if I'm having a really bad day. 

To wrap it up, find a new doctor or insist to your current one that it's already been 9 months, you need this acted on (sounds like you tried that). The least they can do is an allergy test so you can get a referral for an Allergist happening asap. Maybe ring the ENT to make sure you're on the cancellation/short notice list. Which nasal spray are you using? Dymista is a more potent one with steroid + antihistamine. Works better but tastes like chemicals and my skin hates it but at this stage I'd rather breathe than worry about how I look. This was rather long, sorry. Just thought I'd share my experience and tell you I share your pain in this horrible condition and lack of medical options Obviously, I'm desperate also. 

This method is known to help a lot of people. Get the  Herb (Spice) Thyme. Mix in a table spoon of the leaves into a  boiling hot water in your cup, let sit for 20 minutes. Reheat if needed, and drink this  two times a day for  3 days. Then drink Chamomile and Dandelion Tea, mixed one tea bag each.  Sit for 20 minutes, reheat if needed. Drink this before bed, then  drink  8 ounces of pineapple juice in the morning. This all will help clear and clean out the sinus and lungs. Keep the Thyme tea up daily  until, you problem is  under control.