Can't breathe out of my nose

Meister

So yah, for as long as I can remember I haven't been able to breathe out of my nostrils for most of the time. They're just congested with hardened mucus I guess (blowing my nose doesn't work). Any suggestions? I've seen that neti pot thing, but that looks really uncomfortable so I don't think I'd want to try it. Is this problem something I should go to the doctor for?

ProPatriaMori

Meister wrote: »

So yah, for as long as I can remember I haven't been able to breathe out of my nostrils for most of the time. They're just congested with hardened mucus I guess (blowing my nose doesn't work). Any suggestions? I've seen that neti pot thing, but that looks really uncomfortable so I don't think I'd want to try it. Is this problem something I should go to the doctor for?

I've done the neti pot thing. It's not uncomfortable so much as odd, but it was something I was sort of expecting because I've stuck all sorts of stuff way up my nose before. I've actually put thin-gage wire up there then pulled it out my mouth just to convince people that things are all hooked up back there (that was high school though).

I admit that I think the pot idea is stupid and a nose enema (bag and hose, you know?) seems more convenient, but a neti pot has worked just fine for me.

Sorry to "nuh uh" what sounded vaguely like a requirement, but seriously. It's not so bad.

Akilae729

You shouldn't irrigate if your completely blocked up. (And eventually if you do irrigate, i recomend the Sinus Rinse as opposed to the NetiPot)

Have you tried taking some sudafed and drinking a fuck ton of water?

ImDrawingABlank

I actually just started talking with my doctor about this very same problem roughly 3 weeks ago. His first suggestion worked moderately, but not enough, I recommend trying it though. It is NOT comfortable, not by any means, but its simple to do, and does get easier to handle after a few days.

Take 1 cup of warm water, dissolve 1 tablespoon of baking soda, and 1 tablespoon of coarse salt (also known as pickling salt). Fill a 60cc oral syringe (plastic tip, unless you want to inject it into your veins, which I dont really recommend) to 60cc in one smooth motion with it pointing very slightly up, and towards the center of your nose push all the liquid through in one motion. Be sure you use baking SODA, baking POWDER will fill your nose with the equivalent of concrete and you'll be heading for surgery

Trust me, it will not feel good, but you'll start to feel a difference after a couple of days. The fun part is you get to put 60cc into each nostril, keep your mouth open, hold your breathe, and lean over a sink as to not make a mess. Have PLENTY of paper towel/Kleenex on hand cause your nose is going to pour like Niagara falls for a few minutes.

He recommended doing that twice a day, but I am lazy and only did it in evenings. After 2 weeks of that I went back to him, and he said I had too much bacteria buildup from waiting roughly a couple years to ask about it, I am now doing the sinus rinse once a day (though he said I could stop if I wanted to) and I am on a Penicillin based pill to kill the bacteria. I am 2 days into a 14 day run, so no word on how its working yet.

EDIT: Also, drink lots of water, try blowing your nose whenever it feels excessively stuffy (I know how hard this is to do, but its worth a shot). And a personal suggestion, gargling Listerine or some other oral rinse helps get the taste out of your mouth after the sinus flush.
EDIT 2: Changed some wrong info

supertall

Go see an ENT, (ear, nose, and throat doctor). I've been having sinus problems for the last 5 years, finally got an appointment, turns out I have a deviated septum.

Zombiemambo

If you ever have minor congestion, drink a little hot sauce. In this case it probably won't work, but you'll have a runny nose in no-time. Of course, it's a bit unpleasant.

Servo

Zombiemambo wrote: »

If you ever have minor congestion, drink a little hot sauce. In this case it probably won't work, but you'll have a runny nose in no-time. Of course, it's a bit unpleasant.

i find that hot sauces don't really get the ol' nose flowing personally (as someone who likes spicy food), but some wasabi right on the tongue still gets it going.

just as an alternative suggestion.

TokyoRaver

It could be an adenoid problem. They can remove those (I had mine out)

mooshoepork

I have had the exact same problem since I could remember. I couldn't click on this thread fast enough. I can sometimes breathe out of one nostril, but most of the time, I can't breathe through them at all.