Anyone have severe nasal/sinus congestion due to meds? - Sinus Problems Message Board

Kabobbin · 12-29-2005, 11:57 PM

Hello,

Is there a blood pressure med that won't cause nasal/sinus congestion? I've been a sinus mess since 10/05 when I was started on Lisinopril/HCTZ (cough & difficulty swallowing plus congestion) and now Cozaar which is an ACE II drug. I am having a heck of a time not being able to breathe through my nose, severe sinus pressure and yucky post nasal drip. I have been taking benedryl round the clock which helps a little, but it causes sleepiness. My husband told me last night I snored like a lumberjack

What makes it bad for me is I feel panicky when I can't breathe out of my nose.

Sometimes I simply cannot sleep because I'm so uncomfortable.

Is there any BP med that doesn't cause blood vessels in the nose to expand?- apparently that's what is causing the problem. I had the same thing during both of my pregnancies - lots of congestion due to a similar hormonal thing. I left a message with my doc asking her to please switch me to something else - she comes back from vacation next week.

I am taking prednisone for a stupid condition called polymyalgia rheumatica since 7/05 and that is what caused my BP to skyrocket. Thankfully, that dosage is coming down - now at 5 mg per day and I believe that will decrease to 2.5 mg in 8 weeks. I started weight watchers today and began exercising.

Anyway, sorry to go on so long. Sorry for the whine - guess I'm feeling a bit lonely and frustrated. Does anyone have any tips for me and my stupid nose? Am I the only one all stuffed up? I can't smell smells anymore or taste food. Well, maybe that will help me lose this 20 pounds?

Thanks for reading. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
- Linda

lane413 · 12-30-2005, 11:56 AM

My mom took lisinopril/hctz for about four or five yrs and suffered the same symptoms. She at first thought it was a cold, but like you said it just goes on and on. She eventually became allergic to it and was taken off them both. She is now taking clonidine and verapamil.

She cut the verapamil 240mg down to 120 mg and clonidine down to .01 3x daily. Her bp dropped to 130/80. Before when she was taking about six bp meds her bp seemed to climb rathan than drop. Hope you find something that works for you w/o so many side effects.

ruth12 · 01-08-2006, 09:28 PM

ruth12
I am taking Diovan HCT and have had severe sinus, nothing helps. Benadryl and cough medicine allow a little sleep. I had to stop taking Vasotec because of coughing and sinus. Now my doctor wants me to see an allergist. ENT doctor says she doesn't think it is allergy. This has been going on for almost a year and am exhausted.

baysidegal · 02-26-2006, 04:40 PM

I don't know why you have stayed on this stuff so long. My Doc recently perscribed Lipinsol. within days I was stuffed up, mucous in the back of the throat where I could barely talk in the evening. I'm a realtor and a scrapbook consultant...yea, right ask me not to talk! Then my face started to swell by my ear and a large swelling on the top of my head. Went to the Doc..he took me off med gave me some antibiotics...gave me some Diovan and the mucous started all over again. I HAVE STOPPED THIS MADDNESS.
nOW Looking for a more natural path to take..these meds are stupid!

jdchablis · 05-11-2006, 07:29 PM

Very interesting to hear others have had nasal/sinus trouble due to bp medication! I have been on Atenolol (beta blocker) since January 06. Had some mild sinus trouble in the past, but only every now and then, and ear infections now and then. Since I have been on the Atenolol, I have severe pressure in the head (almost like someone squeezing my head), severe ear infection, and a very sore neck on both sides, right below the ears. Went to an ear, nose, throat man and he cleaned my ears and put me on drops. Felt better for three days, but now pressure is back and neck is very, very stiff. My family doctor says the bp meds shouldn't be causing this trouble. But, I am really beginning to believe it all stems from the Atenolol, and I am sorry I even began taking it. My bp ranges in the 140/80 ish area, sometimes going to 150/90 ish. My local pharmacist tells me that the doctors make too much out of bp these days, and says my range is not all that bad. He said the doctors like to help the drug manufactors sell their products! Wonder how true this might be. It is hard to know what to believe; all I know is I feel terrible and it is runing my life at this point as I am afraid to go anyplace or do anything anymore! Any comments would be appreciated; I'd like to hear what everyone else thinks.