Vasomotor Rhinitis Vs. Allergies - Allergies Message Board

MrsLee · 10-14-2003, 02:19 PM

Does anyone have any information about vasomotor rhinitis? Apparently it is like having allergies, only you're not allergic to anything, just irritated by things around you, which causes swelling in the sinuses and other symptoms. I know this board is for those WITH allergies, but maybe some of you could have this condition instead or may know something about it?

I have a constantly stuffy, itchy nose, dry, irritated eyes, drainage down the back of my throat, crackling, full-feeling ears (leading to dizziness), and constant headaches. For years doctors have told me I have allergies and prescribed allergy medicines for me.

I got tired of taking them (as they do not work very well) and demanded to be tested for allergies. As I had always suspected, I am not allergic to anything (that they tested me for anyways). The Dr. just told me I have vasomotor rhinitis.

So I guess without having the actual skin test, there is no way to know if you have true allergies or not. I am actually a little disappointed that I don't have allergies, just because that means there is no way for me to find out what is making me feel sick. The doctor told me not to worry, that he has this condition too, and that it is a real disease. But I can't help question myself--maybe this is all in my head? How can I feel this bad and only have some obscure condition? Oh well, I am babbling....this is just a little depressing to have some disease I have never heard of that will never go away. But certainly, life could be MUCH worse than it is....

SO, anyways,if anyone has any information about vasomotor rhinitis, will you please please please share it with me?? Thank you!

n7ynk · 10-14-2003, 07:23 PM

I have never heard of vasomotor rhinitis, it sounds interesting. I can only relate to the irritability you described. I have eliminated my irritability I use to get with a totally new approach called nasal irrigation. Turns it off like a light switch.
I have been allergy drug free for almost 6 months! I irrigate twice sometimes three times a day. I use nasaline, a 60cc syringe with a special tip for irrigating. Around $20.
I first boil filtered tap water to kill all the bacteria present. After it cools, I mix 2 cups of warm (I use a mcirowave to get it warm again) filtered water with 1/2 tsp of noniodized sea salt with 1/4 tsp of baking soda. I irrigate three times each side and that uses all of the 2 cups of water.
My allergist recommended it to me and it has changed my life. I wish you well

STAGRE · 10-24-2003, 09:16 AM

I just saw your post about vasomotor rhinitis. This is a long post. That is what I have. I was first tested for allergies in 1997. The tests showed I was allergic to molds, mildews, dust mites, and dogs. I think the tests were off. It also showed I was not allergic to stinging insects and I have medical proof that I am. I took shots (4 per week) but they made me worse. Quit after a year. I have taken every allergy drug known. I was retested last year and none of the tests came back positive for allergens. These were all skin tests. About 100 or so in all. The doc told me that it was vasomotor. On good days I have no problems but on BAD days it is "nasty" I can't do ANYTHING because of my nose pouring like a faucet and sneezing. I counted over 100 sneezes one day. I went to an ENT at the urging of my family doctor. CT shows bad deviated septum and the ENT said that my turbinates looked awful. I am going in for surgery on the septum and turbinates in November. The ENT said it should help a lot with the allergies, headaches, congestion and whatever else. No guarantees but should help. I have heard good and bad about the turbinates but at this point I am willing to give it a try. I have ruptured a cervical disk(had ACDF) from so much sneezing. I think I am physically drained from these unknown allergies!!!

lhacker · 10-24-2003, 04:47 PM

Have you considered Volitile Organic Sensativities. resembles allergies, but, most allergy medacines don't help. If your immune system gets overloaded, abused, traumatized by one of these chemicals, you become sensative to even more. Many have no odor. I had a bad time for 9 months from hidden potpouri from AROMATIQUE. Allergist found no allergies, none of the medacines prescribed helped. But when we found and removed the bag of smells, my exploding headaches went away. These problems occured anywhere in the house, although I always felt worse in the living room. Even though the headaches went away, the congestion remained. Only indoors. As a result, I had to cancell the newspaper, found and removed mothballs in a sealed box stored in the garage. Found that Snuggles dryer softners were preventing my sleeping ( (my wife has always had a bad nighttime cough and it went away also.) I have taken some heavy doses of Ascorbic Acid - vitamin C and now take 500mg with every meal. This is supposed to desensatize the ImmoglobinG (in common allergies Immoglobin E is the histamine trigger) and after a month I am getting better - ie: less suseptable to chemicals/odors. Find I may go two or three days without a relapse.

sneezyhedd · 10-25-2003, 01:01 AM

PLEASE refer me to any info you have on this, how to broach the topic with my needle-wielding, drug-pushing allergist, and any thing you can tell me about this would be SO MUCH appreciated. I am desperate to kick this stuff to the curb for good! Any good docs in the LA area by chance? THANK YOU!

Quote:

Originally posted by n7ynk:
I have never heard of vasomotor rhinitis, it sounds interesting. I can only relate to the irritability you described. I have eliminated my irritability I use to get with a totally new approach called nasal irrigation. Turns it off like a light switch.
I have been allergy drug free for almost 6 months! I irrigate twice sometimes three times a day. I use nasaline, a 60cc syringe with a special tip for irrigating. Around $20.
I first boil filtered tap water to kill all the bacteria present. After it cools, I mix 2 cups of warm (I use a mcirowave to get it warm again) filtered water with 1/2 tsp of noniodized sea salt with 1/4 tsp of baking soda. I irrigate three times each side and that uses all of the 2 cups of water.
My allergist recommended it to me and it has changed my life. I wish you well