Nasal Congestion? Should I see a doctor?

Have you ever experienced post-nasal drip? If not, look it up as it may be what you're experiencing. Regardless, most doctors I know are seeing their patients virtually as a first step. if the issue is serious then they may ask you to come in for a physical exam. Why not call your doctor and find out?

The_Professor wrote: ↑ Have you ever experienced post-nasal drip? If not, look it up as it may be what you're experiencing. Regardless, most doctors I know are seeing their patients virtually as a first step. if the issue is serious then they may ask you to come in for a physical exam. Why not call your doctor and find out?

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. No, I have not heard of that term before. I'll read up on it later today. Speaking about seeing a doctor virtually, I saw my mom going through a session fairly recently. I didn't even know doctors are offering that. I haven't seen my family doctor in a while. I figure I would ask here first and see if there's something that I can do to sort it out before having to call him.

Sgt_Strider wrote: ↑Due to COVID-19, I'm not sure if I should even see my family doctor even if he's seeing patients at the moment. Lately I've been experiencing what I believe to be nasal congestion at times. I can't figure out what's causing it. At certain times of the day, I can't easily breathe through my nose and I have to breathe with my mouth. The only way I can breathe through my nose is if I force it if that makes any sense. Sometimes I feel like there's something stuck in my throat. It's like as if I can't swallow my saliva. It feels like there's some liquid stuck in my throat and yet, I'm not choking. It can get really uncomfortable so I tried to deal with it by drinking lots of water. It helps, but there's still that feeling that some liquid is stuck in my throat. I don't think I have a cold as I don't have any symptoms. I don't have or had a fever recently. Anyone here have an idea what's wrong? I may be getting to the point where I might have no choice, but to give my doctor a call.

I went to see my allergist yesterday about the same issue you mentioned above. Had a virtual call with my GP who gave me a referral. I am now looking for a air purifier for my room.

I had the same issue, now I run my humidifier next to my bed for 8 hours on max. Have a humidity indicator from $store which seems to work as it increases from 22% to 54%. Hope it warms up soon so I can turn the drying heat off.

Experienced something like this a few weeks ago, went to Shoppers and was told to try to over the counter nasal decongestant which helped a lot but didn't address everything. Called the telehealth services and spoke to a nurse who gave me a few options of a virtual appointment with a doctor. No idea of where you are located OP so will leave it to you to find the services in your province.

Sgt_Strider wrote: ↑ Thanks for bringing this to my attention. No, I have not heard of that term before. I'll read up on it later today. Speaking about seeing a doctor virtually, I saw my mom going through a session fairly recently. I didn't even know doctors are offering that. I haven't seen my family doctor in a while. I figure I would ask here first and see if there's something that I can do to sort it out before having to call him.

If you have post nasal drip, doctors prescribe prescription corticosteroid nasal sprays.

One difference: Flonase nasal spray went OTC recently (used to be in the prescription Only corticosteroids class) and can be purchased at pharmacies for around $25.

I think I would prefer insurance to pay for a similar class prescription only medicine, but that is indeed one available option. I don’t think OTC meds can be billed by insurance.

I had severe post nasal drip to the point of a horrible salty taste in my mouth. I have used mometasone and beclomethasone.

This is all assuming the diagnosis is actually post nasal drip or something that can be solved with a nasal spray.

Sounds like you've got seasonal allergies.

Catnippy wrote: ↑ I had the same issue, now I run my humidifier next to my bed for 8 hours on max. Have a humidity indicator from $store which seems to work as it increases from 22% to 54%. Hope it warms up soon so I can turn the drying heat off.

I'm assuming this is a long term solution? I rather not take any medications long term if I don't have to.

tablo13 wrote: ↑ If you have post nasal drip, doctors prescribe prescription corticosteroid nasal sprays.

One difference: Flonase nasal spray went OTC recently (used to be in the prescription Only corticosteroids class) and can be purchased at pharmacies for around $25.

I think I would prefer insurance to pay for a similar class prescription only medicine, but that is indeed one available option. I don’t think OTC meds can be billed by insurance.

I had severe post nasal drip to the point of a horrible salty taste in my mouth. I have used mometasone and beclomethasone.

This is all assuming the diagnosis is actually post nasal drip or something that can be solved with a nasal spray.

I think I'll give him a call before the end of this week. I just read up on it and it's consistent with what I've been experiencing lately. I think I should talk to my doctor before spending any money on medication even though I think my insurance covers a good portion of it. I'm in good shape and have never taken advantage of my insurance coverage even though I've had it for years.

As for @MJISGOAT 's suggestion that it may be seasonal allergies, I guess that it possible, but it's already mid-May. I usually experience a little bit of that earlier in spring. Claritin helps. In this case, I had thought about it and gave it a try. It didn't really seemed to work especially with that feeling of liquid stuck in my throat.

Sgt_Strider wrote: ↑ I'm assuming this is a long term solution? I rather not take any medications long term if I don't have to.

I've been doing this for about 3 months and it helps me - not sure what will happen if I turn if off in the summer. Can't get to a doctor, so decided to try this instead as my throat was dry at night.

Catnippy wrote: ↑ I've been doing this for about 3 months and it helps me - not sure what will happen if I turn if off in the summer. Can't get to a doctor, so decided to try this instead as my throat was dry at night.

I read on the possible causes of this condition and from memory, it seems like I experience stronger symptoms when I'm at my gf's place than at my own place. Even right now, she turns up the heat, which means the air is possibly drier. I'm currently at home and not experiencing any symptoms.

As per usual, this is no substitute for consulting your GP.... but:

Seems like seasonal allergies causing some post-nasal drip. People are still experiencing seasonal allergies right now - it just depends on the weather and vegetation in the area, rather than month/time. Further, sometimes post-nasal drip can persist far beyond whatever caused it in the first place - your membranes can become hyperactive to certain things in the environment for several weeks, even after the irritating stimulus has stopped.

Do you have any mucous that you can cough up or blow out of your nose? What colour is it? If clear, no cause for concern and do the following:

Try taking some OTC antihistamines (i.e. Claritin/Reactine) for several days to see if that helps. If the problem returns, consult your GP for further advice... likely just continue with the OTC meds or eventually transition to some sort of nasal steroid to use for a short while.

Most GPs can consult via telephone still, and will likely be taking less essential cases in clinic soon.

Sgt_Strider wrote: ↑ I think I'll give him a call before the end of this week. I just read up on it and it's consistent with what I've been experiencing lately. I think I should talk to my doctor before spending any money on medication even though I think my insurance covers a good portion of it. I'm in good shape and have never taken advantage of my insurance coverage even though I've had it for years.

As for @MJISGOAT 's suggestion that it may be seasonal allergies, I guess that it possible, but it's already mid-May. I usually experience a little bit of that earlier in spring. Claritin helps. In this case, I had thought about it and gave it a try. It didn't really seemed to work especially with that feeling of liquid stuck in my throat.

If not allergies then I think you most likely have a sinus cold that's been lingering. Your stuffy nose and throat issues are a tell tale sign.

Mid April, I had this weird feeling of something stuck / scratching in my throat. Every night when I go to bed, I started coughing to clear my throat and couldn’t sleep for sometime. Pharmacist said it might just be seasonal allergy because of staying indoor all the time. Disappeared after couple of weeks. I really want a mass antibody test.

Nasal irrigation will help a lot and may avoid or reduce the need for medication.

WebMD article on nasal irrigation: https://www.webmd.com/allergies/feature ... and-cons#1

And for nasal irrigation, I highly recommend Navage -- which uses gentle suction to pull the saline solution from one nostril through your sinuses, and out the other nostril. Much more effective than neti-pot or other devices that try to "push" the saline solution through.

multimut wrote: ↑ Nasal irrigation will help a lot and may avoid or reduce the need for medication.

WebMD article on nasal irrigation: https://www.webmd.com/allergies/feature ... and-cons#1

And for nasal irrigation, I highly recommend Navage -- which uses gentle suction to pull the saline solution from one nostril through your sinuses, and out the other nostril. Much more effective than neti-pot or other devices that try to "push" the saline solution through.

I've seen the commercial, but I'm not sure if I'll be comfortable with liquid being pulled into my nose? Any possibility that I could choke?

You will not choke as you have to stand and lean forward so that the water lands on the sink. Make sure to keep your mouth open as well.

Sgt_Strider wrote: ↑ I've seen the commercial, but I'm not sure if I'll be comfortable with liquid being pulled into my nose? Any possibility that I could choke?

There are lots of quite funny videos of people trying it for the first time. You can't choke. Worst that can happen is the saline goes in your mouth instead of out the other nostril. It does take a bit of getting used to. For my nose, I find having the flow in a certain direction works better.

you will have to use various methods as no one method works for every one
i also recommend nasal irrigation, its cheap and works
also increase humidity
talk to doc to see if reactine, nasal sprays, cold and sinus PLUS are an option for you