TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Even once you have gotten rid of lyme, I suggest you never use Nasonex nasal spray. It is classified as a topical corticosteroid, intermediate potency.
I was prescribed this medication for seasonal allergies last fall. I used it daily Sept, Oct. and Nov. of 2010.
Ever since then, I have just gone from one sickness to another. I have never had a winter like this. My friends are even remarking. I have been sick more than half the days since Thanksgiving with one thing or another.
So, finally I decided to look up "Nasonex effect on immune system." That's when I found out that it weakens your immune system, that it is dangerous for you to be around chicken pox or measles while taking it (you need to see your doctor if you were), that you should not be around sick people while taking it, that sores in your nose won't heal while you are taking it, etc.
A friend told me that the military issues it routinely to patients.
I completed my lyme treatment 6 years ago. Yet, in 3 months use, this medication has done this to me. I have no idea how long this effect will last. Right now, I am working on getting over a cold--my latest illness.
Here are some of the websites I got when I did my Google search:
I do not believe these possibilities are listed in the medication insert. So, you are not alerted to them when you purchase the medication.
I even have a friend whose lyme doctor gave her Nasonex last fall. She protested that it was a steroid, but the doctor said it was not a problem because it was "topical."
This is not true, even by the Nasonex website's admission.
So, I strongly urge you to consider not using this medication ever.
If anyone else knows about this side effect, I would be interested in knowing how long it generally takes for the immune system to recover from a 3 month span of use.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
Yep, before my lyme diagnosis an ID doc thought that some of my nasal inflammation might be due to allergies, and that it "wouldn't hurt" to see if Flonase (fluticasone) would help.
Well, it didn't, and I bet that it might have hurt a bit too.
Posts: 340 | From san francisco, ca | Registered: Nov 2010
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jackie51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14233
posted
My doctor prescribed that to me a few years back. Never did like it and I discontinued it on my own.
Do you think it was really seasonal allergies? Have you had this before?
Posts: 1374 | From Crazy Town | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
I was also on Nasonex and Patanase. They both were stuffing me up. I was already using NeilMed Sinus rinses twice a day.
When I had my first LLMD appointment he prescribed adding his recommended brand of powdered acidophillus and two different herbals to the nasal rinse.
No more sinus problems and I was headed for another "sinus infection" when he added these things to the sinus rinse. No problems now and I am breathing freely.
Posts: 44 | From New York | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
Thanks for this info, really good to know! I have allergies and can't find anything to help. In misery!
I have been prescribed at least 5 sprays. Some I tried two or three times as I was skeptical, plus they didn't work.
I was told that exact thing by the Dr., "topical", not a problem at all.
-------------------- SEREN WEED Posts: 116 | From LOS ANGELES | Registered: May 2005
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merrygirl
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Member # 12041
posted
It was fine for me, but it appears i respond well to steroids when other lyme patients dont.
Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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If you dont mind what two herbals did you add to your nasal rinse. My sis just was prescribed Nasonex because her sinuses have been congested since Thanksgiving.
I keep telling her to use a Neti pot to no avail.
-------------------- Bart Henslea 1976 Fibro/CFS/arthritis 2004 Lyme diagnosed 2007 3 1/2 years treatment with oral combos, Cowden, IV roc. BW herbs. Off all abx in 12/10. Feeling good. Posts: 647 | From NY | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
Thanks for the info, TF!!! Very interesting! ==
Suzy.. I'm interested to know also!!
I used Nasonex briefly this winter and got off of it as soon as I could. I have also managed to get off of my asthma inhaler.
I think a lot of my asthma was from the awful candida I'm battling. I decided to make the break because I wondered if the steroids were making it harder to get over the candida.
The jury is still out.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96117 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Yep, if you do the same search on Flonase, you will get the same warnings.
And, about 1-2 months ago, I took a friend to the doctor and he wrote her a prescription for Flonase and told her Flonase was safe to use every day for years on end! He uses it that way himself! Ha!
So, I guess a lot of doctors don't realize this fact.
Here is just one website giving the same warnings about Flonase:
"What is the most important information I should know about Flonase?
Steroids, including Flonase, can suppress your immune system, making it difficult for your body to fight infections. Therefore, it is important to avoid exposure to chickenpox and measles when taking Flonase, especially if you have not had these infections or been properly immunized before."
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
"WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS 5.1 Local Nasal Effects . . .
Candida Infection In clinical studies with NASONEX Nasal Spray 50 mcg, the development of localized infections of the nose and pharynx with Candida albicans has occurred. When such an infection develops, use of NASONEX Nasal Spray 50 mcg should be discontinued and appropriate local or systemic therapy instituted, if needed."
"ADVERSE REACTIONS Systemic and local corticosteroid use may result in the following: � Epistaxis, ulcerations, Candida albicans infection, impaired wound healing [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] � Cataracts and glaucoma [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] � Immunosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] � Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis effects, including growth reduction"
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
ADVERSE REACTIONS Systemic and local corticosteroid use may result in the following: � Epistaxis, ulcerations, Candida albicans infection,
==================
Do you think that means systemic or localized in the nasal passages?
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96117 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Haley
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22008
posted
One day too late. I have had this stuff on my shelf forever. I decided to take a snort yesterday because I'm all stuffed up. I'm glad I saw this, I won't do anymore. It really doesn't help much anyway.
Posts: 2232 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2009
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gwb
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7273
posted
Steroids stole six months of my life. I was totally bedridden, lost 75 pounds and doctors had no clue what was wrong with me. Had to figure it out myself.
Why do doctors give stuff that harms their patients and then have no clue they harmed them? Something is seriously wrong with our medical system. Big Pharma rules!
TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Lymetoo, here are some more quotes from that site regarding candida:
"Nasal ulcers and nasal and oral candidiasis were also reported in patients treated with NASONEX Nasal Spray 50 mcg primarily in patients treated for longer than 4 weeks."
"NASONEX may cause serious side effects, including: � Thrush (candida), a fungal infection in your nose and throat. Tell your doctor if you have any redness or white colored patches in your nose or throat."
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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Jamers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28016
posted
Ha! I took this for 6 months while very sick with Lyme before being diagnosed. I wonder if it is what made me stay so sick. It was the only thing that took down the swelling in my ears to get rid of the lyme induced ear swelling.
-------------------- Diagnosed Pos. Lyme Nov. 17, 2010, Igx. Pos. Babesia Duncani March 2011, Igx. Clinical diagnosis for Bartonella Posts: 1127 | From North Carolina | Registered: Sep 2010
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Read about "Sinus Buster" as Natural nasal spray so I went out and bought it. That was a few years ago!
Now when I feel stuffed up.. one shot of this Sinus Buster and it's all good.
All Natural, and I found it at Walgreens.
It's like a pepper spray for your nose really!
It opens up your nasal passages asap.. burns a bit, but boy, works.
-------------------- Lyme, Babs, Fry Bug..... Whatever it is, may a treatment be discovered to make us all whole again! Posts: 941 | From AZ-MT | Registered: Oct 2004
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