Can anyone help me with this. On my off balance , blurry vision etc. days which seem to be too frequent I have found that the nasal decongestant helps not like I would like but enough that I don't have to stay in bed and seems to ward of vertigo.
I know not to use the spray more than three days but don't use it that often, maybe once a day or twice a day when the balance is so bad.
Too, I can only use the one that starts with an O not the one that starts with P.. can't spell either.
Seems the decongestant, xanax, guafensin and bufferin helps more than any meds I have tried. Still doing small dose of abx and all the supplements, vitamins etc.
Tks.
Posted by triathlongal (Member # 31684) on :
MAybe you have some sinus congestion unrelated to lyme. If bad enough it can cause you to get off balance - if your ears are involved and can effect your vision since your sinuses run behind and around the eyes.
I have pretty bad allergies/sinus issues and always feel better when I take a sudafed - even helps take away some of my vision issues.
Posted by phyl6648 (Member # 28522) on :
Tks. I have thought sinus infection. Will get on my abx for sinuses. Yes my ears feel full , ring 24/7 and I feel drained. So will work on the sinuses..Then maybe the Lyme won't be so bad.. I wish..
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
Does the decongestant have an anti-histamine in it? Histamines rise in the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction. Anti-histamines can help.
No anti-histamine as I can't handle them. I tried benadryl and had a horrible reaction. Hard to believe..
Posted by jackie51 (Member # 14233) on :
Benedryl definitely helps my vertigo. Why? I really don't know.
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
Most anti-vertigo meds are antihistamines.
Posted by phyl6648 (Member # 28522) on :
Yes, the antihistamines are given for vertigo. I was given meclzine (sp) didn't work. The ENT gave me xanax and nasal rinse plus and antibiotic. For 13 yrs. it has never completely gone away.. comes and goes. I do think its lyme related.
Tks. for your replies.
Posted by canbravelyme (Member # 9785) on :
Looky here!
Other people finding decongestants helping their dizziness!
BUT I can tell you why it's working, bc I came at it from doing research, rather than happening upon it.
Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) is used to treat POTS — it's a vasoconstrictor, and also is prescribed off-label as an anti-diuretic (I can attest to the latter working, bc I've been having some edema, less urine output and also less urinary frequency [I'd been peeing pretty well every time I stood up, which can be a symptom of hyperadregenic (overproduction of adrenaline) POTS], as well as some constipation).
Pseudoephedrine is also prescribed for gastric dumping which, it turns out, is more likely to be your gastric issue IF you have POTS (rather than gastroparesis, which so many of us Lymies have been led to believe).
I started trying the pseudoephedrine on Saturday for the severe gastric issues, and it seems to be helping. Then I noticed I wasn't dizzy 90% of the time anymore!
So...I've got a call in to my LLMD — in the meanwhile, any thoughts on safety? Contraindications for Lymies?
P.S. I don't know what the deal is with obtaining the right kind of pseudoephedrine over the counter in the US. It's used as a component in making crystal meth, and I read that a new formulation of pseudoephedrine is being used in Sudafed in the US that doesn't work in crystal meth production — I have no idea whether I'm using the new version, but suspect not bc it's sold behind the counter (I don't need a prescription, but have to ask the pharmacist for it).
Posted by Pocono Lyme (Member # 5939) on :
Phyl- I had the same result with Sudafed.
It, for me, is due to inflammation of the sinuses. It used to put me down. The Sudafed would at least help to be up and around a bit.
My balance was off, vision blurred, ears blocked, ear pain, 24/7 ear noise...
I got some added relief with Nasonex but still not enough to help the above issues.
I researched and found Budesonide. My ENT agreed and ordered it for me. It's an off label use.
I mix one Budesonide vial(liquid) with 5cc saline in a med cup. I draw it up in a 10cc syringe (luer lok), have two tissues in hand, lie on my back, instill the solution in my nose and stay in that position for a couple of minutes.
Then I turn my head to one side for a minute or two and then the other side. Put the tissues to your nose and get up slowly.
It will drain. At first it may not drain as mine didn't due to all of the inflammation.
My balance now is almost normal for the first time in more than ten years. My vision has improved. No more glasses for distance and I can at times read without glasses.
I hate antihistamines too. Not good for me. Meclizine (antivert) did nothing for me either. Xanax helps but not sure why. Helps me cope? Helps with dizziness? Dunno.
I have more inflammation on one side than the other so I've been concentrating on that side for now.
My PCP couldn't believe the improvement in my balance.
Posted by WPinVA (Member # 33581) on :
My LLMD actually suggested that I try Sudafed so I don't think it's contra-indicated but he said to go slowly and watch for palpitations, feeling too ramped up, etc. Maybe it depends on the person.
However, if you suffer from adrenal fatigue it might be contra-indicated there and it's a stimulant.
Posted by Kudzuslipper (Member # 31915) on :
Sudafed helps my headaches if I get them early. In the US. You can still get real psuedoephedrine, behind the pharmacy counter... The stuff on the shelves doesn't work.
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
An herbal alternative to Sudafed is FenuThyme (a blend of Thyme and Fenugreek). This herbal combination has helped my sinuses more than anything else I've ever tried.
My sinuses are a mess right now because I cannot take the FenuThyme because my gut has shut down.
Most cases of chronic sinus infections are fungal, not bacterial. Thyme addresses the fungus.
Posted by canbravelyme (Member # 9785) on :
FYI: I had an adverse reaction to the sudafed -- I think it affected my kidney function; urinating considerably less; felt like I'd been hit by a steam train (apparently looked that way as well)
Posted by lymednva (Member # 9098) on :
I can't take Sudafed, or other decongestants because even if I take them in the AM I am unable to sleep the next night. Antithistamines knock me right out, so I can't take them either. Mucinex is my friend when I have a cold, like I do now.
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