Neropathic Pain?

Question
Dear Doctor



Firstly, thank you taking the question. I was browsing Google when I came across this site ad I noticed an answer given by somebody called Gary but I couldn't seem to trace him on your panel of experts but your experience seemed to be the closest to my particular problem.



About 6 years ago I started to notice that my nose started to become blocked, sometimes only one side then the other and then both. I shrugged it off as exercise (which I do lots of) seemed to keep it at bay as did Sudafed. But about 18 months ago it started to get progressively worse. I tried all the various nasal sprays but none seemed to work so I went top an ENT specialist who arranged for a CT Scan and the scan was perfectly clear. He in turn referred me to a Neuro-Surgeon who diagnosed "Chronic Tension Disorder"? This wasn't what I was expecting and whilst I do have a stressful job/, I feel that I deal with it quite well and I don't get many headaches if any. He prescribed Imiprimine, which I took but this had little or no effect. He further prescribed a week ago, Lyrica, which I, put simply, refuse to take for many reasons. It is solely the nose and the direct area around i that seems to suffer ad I do have good days and bad days but the bad days are becoming more frequent and it stays for longer and is noticeably worse in the mornings and some evenings.



Sudafed,Paracetamol, Ibuprofen help but only a little and I will take anti-biotics as that can help sometimes.



I'm 46 and extremely fit and this is the only way I try to combat the constant distraction of the sometimes numb, blocked, tingly feeling that I have almost al the time. There is green mucus but seems to lay on my chest if that helps and I had an allergy test that was clear.



I'm desperate to find a solution that doesn't involve drugs and I would be eternally grateful if you can help.



Many many thanks



Andrew (Oxfordshire England)  


Answer
Hello Andrew,

From what you describe it's possible that you have some underlying sensivity to a food or environmental factor.  there are different types of allergy tests out there, the most common ones will screen for food allergies or allergies to dogs, dust mites, etc, but you may need to investigate further to find out why if it hasn't shown up on a conventional test yet.  The best way to do this is to see a naturopath or holistic doc in your area, because they may have access to some test your regular allergist typically doesn't use.  Or you can try to eliminate these things on your own & add them back in one by one to test for reactions (works well for foods).  The top food sensitivities are wheat, dairy, eggs, corn, soy, peanuts, fish, and gluten, to give you an idea of what to eliminate.  Also increasing water, decresing sugar & diuretic drinks like caffee would be helpful.  

other non-drug options include homeopathy, manual therapies like osteopathic, or supplements such as vitamin C, quercetin, bromelain, nettles, fish oils, which are all commonly used for nasal symptoms.  you might consider some home hydrotherapy treatments like neti pot which rinses the nasal passages or a saline only nasal spray.  as you have seen, prescription nasal sprays & meds like sudafed often contain ingredients that cause a rebound blackage when they are stopped, making the problem worse.  

That's the basics of where to start, and again if you can seek out some local guidance you would probably benefit from that because they could really get to know your specific history & go from there.  

thanks for writing

dr conner