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Anybody got stuffy nose congestion on herx?

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Posted 5/12/2019 5:11 PM (GMT -5)
Hello,

I know everybody gets stuffy nose on a cold or sinusitis, etc, but i get the nose congested along with my other herx symptoms. What about you? If so how do you manage?
Posted 5/12/2019 6:05 PM (GMT -5)
This tells me you probably have microbes in your sinuses that are getting dislodged and/or killed, which is great! I like to use a neti pot for my sinuses, and VapoRub (or a DIY equivalent) to help with congestion at night. Some also like Xlear nasal spray or saline nasal spray.

I never have used a decongestant for herx-related congestion, but I'd be interested if anyone has any thoughts on whether it's a good idea to stop the symptom. Since the mucous is being produced to help eliminate the offending microbe or its endotoxin, I would assume that it has a purpose, and stopping the congestion entirely might prolong the herx. That said, thick congestion would not be especially beneficial, so if your nose is stuffy and not runny, then remedies that make the mucous thinner might be helpful so that you can cough or blow out the crud.

This time of year in the northern hemisphere, a lot of us are having issues with pollen and histamine, which can create irritation and congestion, as well as exacerbate other symptoms, so I take quercetin and histaminum (homeopathic) for those reactions. Others take freeze-dried stinging nettles as well.
Posted 5/12/2019 7:22 PM (GMT -5)
I often get it with headaches. I get headaches, sudden influx of nasal congestion, and insane belching. It all happens together. I suspect it’s either vascular or related to the vagus nerve but exactly how I don’t know.

I use Imitrex (sumatriptan) for migraines. If I take it for the headache, it usually clears up the congestion and belching, too, for the most part.

Before I had a Rx for the migraine pills, I used to take a variety of OTC stuff for each symptom. Mucinex is what I took for the congestion part.

I found that plain Mucinex worked about as well as Mucinex-D. The D causes heart symptoms for me, so I try to avoid it. I took the lower dose. I think 600mg.

Neti pots have helped in the past, too. I don’t get stuffy nose and mucus as often as I used to.

I feel like my stuffy nose is mainly vascular in nature. The first time I took a migraine pill, I remember it opened up my nose miraculously and I was not expecting it to affect anything but the headache. If you can figure out what natural substances may act as vasoconstrictors, you might find something else that helps. If you do, please let me know.
Posted 5/12/2019 8:48 PM (GMT -5)
I had a chronic stuffed nose for 6 straight months. I think what finally got rid of it was a combo of Sudafed and the keto diet. Sudafed got rid of it and keto kept it from coming back. But I've mentioned this before, Lyme often affects the ear/nose/throat areas.
Posted 5/13/2019 12:50 AM (GMT -5)
Thank you all for the answers.

Dont know why but the salines simply dont work for me.
freeze-dried stinging nettles perhaps a try. Sudafed is an ephinephrine, adrenergic agonist it keeps you awake but for some it doesnt affect sleep. Not even nsaids work. Guess im stucked here, borrelia or whatever bug in my head uses this has weapon to prevent me sleep. Its like it knows what to do so i cant sleep.
Posted 5/13/2019 7:03 AM (GMT -5)

isitlyme said...
Thank you all for the answers.

Dont know why but the salines simply dont work for me.
freeze-dried stinging nettles perhaps a try. Sudafed is an ephinephrine, adrenergic agonist it keeps you awake but for some it doesnt affect sleep. Not even nsaids work. Guess im stucked here, borrelia or whatever bug in my head uses this has weapon to prevent me sleep. Its like it knows what to do so i cant sleep.

Have you tried regular Mucinex with guaifenesin?
https://www.rxlist.com/consumer_guaifenesin_mucinex/drugs-condition.htm#

The 600mg extended release is what I have used before.
Posted 5/13/2019 8:35 AM (GMT -5)
I do not sleep for 48 hours if I take a Sudafed, no matter what I do. Just throwing that out there. smile
Posted 5/13/2019 1:09 PM (GMT -5)
Mucinex with guaifenesin is a mucous thinner. Also a adrenergic agonist. Oxylamine or something, dont remember the exact name. My problem is not mucous , i dont even have any mucous when my nose is stuffed during herx, its my left or right turbinate tissue who gets enlarged. But thanks anyway.

Post Edited (isitlyme) : 5/13/2019 3:22:59 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/13/2019 8:48 PM (GMT -5)
Saline did not help me either. Sudafed in small doses doesn't keep me awake (30-60mg) but I did take a 120mg Zyrtec on accident and that kept me awake about 20 hours -_- the death is in the dose for sure. But pseudoephedrine is the most potent decongestant there is.
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