using Sudafed

[Diane]

I am curious about something to do with Sudafed. Years ago before and for a few years after my sinus surgery, I used to take Sudfed once a day to help with the stuffiness. I remember my ENT saying it was safe to take this every single day. Well year or two ago i stopped using the Sudafed, and mentioned to my social worker at my cf clinic that i was going to take it that day because i was really sick of feeling stuffy and having no sense of smell. She told me not to take it for too long, because it can dry us out. Of coarse now i am wondering why didnt anyone mention that before? Why was it ok a years ago, but now all of a sudden it isnt? Does anyone have any problems with sudafed drying them out and making it hard to cough stuff up? Is anyone using it all the time? When i took it the other day, i was way less stuffy and for the first time in months, i had a sense of smell. Id hate to think i can only take this once every here and there.

 

[anonymous]

Diane, according to our ENT, it's ok to use it semi-regularly but best not to use them daily. Antihistamines DO dry out the mucous in the lungs and sinuses, making it harder to get the gunk out. Our ENT is not a fan of antihistamines and likes them used sparingly. He prefers Astelin (nasal antihistamine spray) because it targets ONLY the nasal/sinus passages and doesn't have a systemic effect like oral antihistamines. Topical decongestants like Afrin can cause rebound congestion and should be used sparingly and for no more than three days at a time. Since topical decongestants can cause thickening of the mucous, I'd think oral decongestants like sudafed could as well, just maybe not to the same degree? Do you use a nasal steroid spray? That's our drs fav treatment for nasal allergies/chronic sinus problems. Nasal steroid spray used daily year round along with nasal washes. Double both if needed, throw in a decongestant. Use astelin as needed and when it fails and you're sure the problem is allergy related, try an oral antihistamine like zyrtec or allegra. Our ENT said it's better to overuse sudafed than an antihistamine. Hope that helps.

 

[Diane]

I dont use any type of nasal steriod spray, because when i did in the past i would get nosebleeds from it. I do take Zyrtec, but that doesn't help with congestion one bit.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif" border="0">

 

[JennaB]

sudafed = bad

 

[blindhearted]

I take one sudafed every night since i had my first sinus surgery at 14 yrs old. My ENT said its was okay, so does my CF Team, but I take Sudafed Non-Drying, not the regular Sudafed. Keeps me open, but I don't get dryed out. I also have two nasal sprays.

 

[Diane]

hmmmm maybe i will have to look for that non-drying sudafed. I didnt know they had a non-drying formula.
Thanks!