I suffer from chronic sinusitis and have just begun the Sinus Survival Program. My physician has me on FLONOSE (a nasal stereoid spray) twice daily. Is the FLONASE compatible with your program or should I discontinue using it?
I've found Flonase to be very helpful in treating seasonal pollen allergies. It should be used during the specific allergy season -- trees, grass, or ragweed, for a month to 6 weeks. However, I've found it to have little or no benefit in treating chronic sinusitis with no associated pollen allergy. In fact, in some cases with patients who have been using it for many months, I believe it has increased the irritation of the mucous membrane. I almost always have patients stop using Flonase, and other steroid nasal sprays, as they begin the Sinus Survival program, since the primary objective of the program is to heal this chronically inflamed membrane.
Should I continue using Flonase to prevent the return of polyps?
I'd recommend gradually reducing the Flonase as you incorporate steaming, irrigation, saline spraying, and increased water intake to your daily routine. Long-term use of Flonase can be an irritant to the mucous membrane, while the Sinus Survival regimen will help to heal the membranes and mitigate the underlying causes of the polyps.
I've been a longtime user of Nasonex steroid spray and am concerned that it is contributing to inflammation and dryness, particularly in the winter. My doctor said I should keep using it because it prevents polyps from developing, yet you appear to recommend against using it. Do components of your program prevent polyps from developing (such as nasal irrigation)? Do you believe that steroid sprays prevent polyp development?
Steroid sprays can possibly prevent polyps from developing but so too can the Sinus Survival Program and without the adverse side effects of long term steroid use. I would especially recommend the regular use of the Steam Inhaler with V VAX Eucalyptus Oil, followed by nasal irrigation with SinuCleanse or the Grossan Nasal Irrigator, the Sinus Survival Spray several times a day, in addition to drinking the recommended amount of water.
My ENT has had me using Nasonex on a regular basis for quite some time. I am also currently taking weekly allergy shots for Oak, Elm, Dust mites and Molds. Are Nasonex and the Sinus Survival Nasal Spray compatible or should I taper off the cortical steroid before using it.
I have found that cortisone nasal sprays are highly effective when used during a specific pollen (trees, grass, and ragweed) season which usually lasts from 4 - 6 weeks. They don't seem to be as helpful for other allergens such as dust mites and molds. (The same is true for allergy injections.) Although unproven, it has been my observation that steroid sprays, when used for many months or years, can sometimes act as an irritant and contribute to inflammation. I usually stop these steroid sprays when a patient begins the Sinus Survival Program. However, you can also gradually taper off of these sprays as you begin using the Sinus Survival Spray. I would not use them at the same time. The steroid is prescribed either once or twice a day while the Sinus Survival Spray can be used several times a day.
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