Is it worth it?

[SkiTower]

Went to the lake yesterday and (stupidly) didn't take Claritin beforehand. Last night the nasal drain was ridiculous. Anybody have this problem and know if a good way to get it to stop? Claritin is good for prevention, but doesn't touch it after it starts. I did a little looking on the internet and saw where others have this from swimming, but nobody had a good suggestion to stop it.

Signed: Miserable

[Rick]

Try Benadryl 50 mg.

Benadryl, it is an old fashion histamine blocker. It will make you drowsy but I don't think there is anything better for drying up sinus drainage.

[SkiTower]

Yeah, Benedryl didn't touch it. Finally got Mucinex DM (I believe) and it seemed to do the trick today.

[Ronix3131]

Old threat I know but thought I would add to it as I’ve acquired this issue this year and have been looking for answers. I’ve been in many lakes since I was 2-3 years old and never had any issues. Turning 30 this year and this summer and any water I got up my nose from any lake left me with stuffy/runny nose, sneezy, itchy eyes, sinus pressure, etc. Sometimes the symptoms began as soon as I hopped back in the boat. It got so bad even with the Flonase, Claritin, Mucinex, sudafed, prescribed steroids, that I just quit skiing and wakeboading.

I figure there must be a reason this has happened and a way to prevent it instead of trying to alleviate the symptoms after the fact. I’ve talked to a few others that experience the same exact issue.

I went and saw an allergist who did a couple tests that came back negative. He ordered me a sinus CT scan. Talked with him about the results today and he said my right Turbinate is enlarged which creates a narrow passage way. Any irritant (lake water sinus douche) could cause it to swell completely shut and cause those symptoms. He recommended I see an ENT doc for a turbinate reduction.

Anyways. Maybe this is the answer for us who suffer from it. Hoping it is and will definitely post results. However, I won’t know till next year since summer is over up here in Washington.



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[99bison]

Three other options to try:
1. Docs pro plugs vented ear plugs
2. Neti pot for flushing sinus
3. Nose plug

A few people I know have similar issue as you.
- Ear plugs, this solves it for me
- Friend uses nose plug which solves it for him
- If you forget, use a Neti pot to flush sinus before you get too congested

[jwl019]

I have to rinse with saline spray and take an Allegra D (I normally take Claritin or Zrytec) as soon as I get home or I won't be able to breathe thru my nose by bedtime. As long as I do both those as soon as I get home, I have not had any issues this summer.

[Ronix3131]

Nose plug works for me while I get up, but if I fall it’s game over. I even took a nasal rinse with me on the boat and used it right after and no luck.


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[SkiTower]

the only way I handle it is not get water up my nose. If I ride the wakeboard (not riding hard, just swerving) I’m fine, but skiing will get me. Nasal rinse doesn’t help.

Will have to see what ENT says. Ear plugs is an interesting solution, would like to know the reasoning.