I see steriods are a big no no if you have Lyme. I typically use Flonase this time of year for allergies. Is that off the list?
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- If it is a steroid, yes, it is off the list. If not, most nasal sprays are still detrimental and usually only mask the problem and make it worse in the long run if used constantly. Many are addictive in their own strange way. I've been there and am so glad to be totally free of that batch. It was a horrible ride.
Have you tried avoiding gluten, dairy, corn and soy? Many find dramatic improvement in the ability to breath by eliminating common foods that cause excess phlegm and mucous.
Anti-inflammatory agents like Turmeric / Curcumin, Fish oil, and magnesium are also very helpful. Ginger capsules also help to reduce inflammation help open the breathing passages.
Quercetin with flavinoids is excellent, too. I find Stinging Nettle to be the very best allergy relief.
Seagate has an olive leaf nasal spray and you might also find wonderful help (as it helps get to the problem and is not just a mask or drying agent).
Also of importance is a NETI POT for sinus irrigation with a warm sea salt water (search the term for the "recipe").
Taking all the scented products out of your home may help, as well as changing to non-chemical household cleaners and personal care products. Avoid anything with a spray bottle.
Hope some of these techniques help. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
. . . WHAT IT DOES: Stinging nettle leaf is bitter in taste and cooling in action. It cleanses the blood. Nettle seed nourishes and removes toxins from the kidneys. . . .
. . . * Nettle leaf extracts reduce inflammation, in part, by suppressing the release of inflammatory cytokines. They do this by blocking a chemical inducer known as NF-KappaB, which alters gene expresion. This may be one explanation for the beneficial efffects this herb has exhibited in rheumatoid arthritis (Riehemann et al., 1999). . . .
. . . * One set of in vitro experiments on live blood using extracts of stinging nettle leaf exhibited its ability to slow down the inflammatory cytokine response caused by endotoxins.
In the same experiments, when there was no endotoxin present, the nettle leaf actually stimulated an immune response. Researchers believed these results could explain the positive effects of this extract in the treatment of rheumatic diseases (Obertreis B et al., 1996). . . .
- Full chapter at link above.
From ``The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook'' (Tillotson, et.al.)
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Posted by bcb1200 (Member # 25745) on :
Thanks...I guess I'll give it up and use my Claritin and Neti-pot with salt / baking soda / h202 solution.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- I don't know about baking soda and hydrogen peroxide going into nasal passages - you may have read that somewhere but I'd sure not do it. A very mild sea salt solution works well. My concern is that the other two things can be very irritating to the sensitive nasal membrane. -
Posted by gwb (Member # 7273) on :
The Neti Pot with the ready made packets cleared up my sinus infection just great, and it was really bad too. My ENT was amazed at how well my sinuses cleared up when I went back to see him for a check-up.
He wasn't to thrilled to know I didn't use the steroid spray and abx he prescribed to me, but he said, "what you're doing is working, so keep it up!" It's worked great for me--thanks to Keebler for suggesting it to me.
Gary
Posted by gwb (Member # 7273) on :
The neti-pot has packets already pre-measured and they're all natural and perfectly ph balanced. I suggest you use this rather than take a chance with something impure and may not be properly ph balanced.
Saves time using the ready made packets and it's guaranteed to be pure and safe with no preservatives added.
Gary
Posted by greengirl (Member # 25316) on :
My LLMD told me that it was fine to continue my Advair and rescue inhaler. He does not believe they are problematic, as opposed to oral/injected steroids.
That said, I don't used them. I've never been convinced that I have asthma. I got the inhalers to get me through a few bronchitis like infections and the pulmonologist wanted me to stay on. Plus, a potential side effect of the Advair is thrush, so I don't need to add to any potential yeast problems.
If the bronchitis like stuff comes up again, I plan to talk to my pulm about alternatives or just use them short-term.
If it were nasal allergies, I'd definitely use the neti instead of sprays, though. I've heard so many good neti stories.
Posted by GiGi (Member # 259) on :
And look into Allergie Immun and the chance to get rid of allergies and dysregulations permanently. www.allergie-immun.de and select English version.