Nasal Passages Blocked But Only At Night?

The last three weeks I've had bronchitis and a sinus infection but am on the tail end of my second round of antibiotics. All syptoms are gone EXCEPT my nasal passages closing when I lie down at night. My left is the worst culprit. I've already had surgery for a deviated septum and this wasn't happening before I got sick. Up to last night, I had taken Afrin (which is lovely) for about 5 nights (none during the day) but I know you're not supposed to take it more than 5 days or your sinuses become dependant on it. I didn't sleep at all last night from dry-mouth and snoring myself awake (dont normally snore either). Nothing is draining from my sinuses (for instance when I blow my nose) and they open back up (at least partially) when I get up. Any ideas on what I can do? Due to the severe nature of my bronc/sinus infection I've already spent over $200 between dr visits and meds. I realllly dont want to go back if I dont have to.

Boy do I sympathize with you! I just went through this a few weeks ago and last week I finally got over it all. It sucks!

Afrin is amazing, I always use the menthol kind.

I suggest getting a humidifier/vaporizer that you can put liquid menthol into the chamber and use it for when you sleep. It sounds so simple to be true, but can actually help!

http://vicks.com/7.5_More_Products.php

While you use the humidifier/vaporizer, also try using BreathRight strips for your nose. Here's the website; they're even offering a $2 off coupon, too! They come in different sizes and also offer a menthol stip that you put on the nose and then gently scratch the top and it releases menthol vapors.

http://www.breatheright.com/index.asp

I hope you feel better soon!

Unfortunately, it sounds like you may have to go back. Unless you can stand to wait it out another week. Weather and dryness in your home may also play a part in it. Good luck! I am experiencing similar problems. Spring would sure help!

Try sleeping with a mist humdifer on that will help the dryness in the air.

Well i really don't know what to say about this but i have spend more than $400.00 in just one visit to the doctor because of my sinus problems as well.... i have them all year long and non of that medicine that the Dr. has given me to try out and see if it will work.... but it never does or if it does it will only work for the first week or so... its the same think at night i blow my nose but nothing comes out and i can't breath through my nose i think you and me are allergic to somethink i know i am here in alabama cause when ever i go to new mexico i feel like a new person...

That's a lot of money. I would try a saline nasal rinse (not a spray.) A full warm water saline rinse goes in one nostril and out the other. It soothes with warmth, it draws out the entire gunk and shrinks the tissue (like swimming in the ocean, but without the eye stinging).

Buffered salt doesn't 'sting' as much as plain salt water. You can use a new method like Nasopure, or the vintage, Netipot

You can do this as often as you like with no side effects.

You don鈥檛 need a prescription for this therapy. If you live in a state like mine, they鈥檝e pretty much 鈥渙utlawed鈥?sudafed medicine. Drug-free is really the way to go on a frequent-use basis