Do Doctors Really Listen to the Patient?

Yes, I have similar nasal congestion. It’s odd. (I have discussed it under Post Covid section). I’m returning to my ENT, who is highly credentialed. He did full exam last year and saw no problem. He did spot my smell disorder. I thought it was just taste. And, diagnosed me with post covid. Did you have covid?

@chzuck, i have Chronic Sinusitis. i had nasal polyps so bad i had to have surgery to remove them from both nasal passages. and sinus cavity. now i'm on Dupixent 300 mg/2ml. one shot every 2 weeks. i've been on this since before Covid. i never got Covid. thank God. but because of the polyps and surgery i lost my taste and sense of smell. but they are starting to return very slowly. get the ENT to check all of this out for you. good luck, daniel 💙💙.

If your Dr doesn't listen to you, you need to find one that does. A healthy relationship is essential for a good treatment journey for you.

I have had a round of frustrating interactions with ENT specialists. I experience post-nasal drip and it especially bothersome at time. Allergy tests show no allergies. I have been warned to not use Neo Synephrine as it can cause congestion if overused. I endured a 90 day course of Prilosec and as then it was assumed I had LPR. And then endured an upper endoscopy since I was unresponsive to the acid-blockers. Nope. Not LPR. I finally saw a doctor that was filling in for mine. What she recommended is the only thing that has helped me...and that is to do a nasal rinse 2xday. I use a NeilMed squeeze bottle. A bit of a hassle to keep distilled water on hand and keep the bottle clean - but my symptoms have greatly reduced. I would agree with those that suggest finding another provider. Those that listen seem to be few and far between but they do exist!

What times of day do you rinse?
It gets aggravating, this is the 5 ENT I have seen and it does not appear I will get answers. He already told me I will see his PA the next visit in September. #6, I will be sure to let her know my questions are not being answered and that may be the last visit to that practice.
I rinse before I go to bed and that helps most of the time. I use Ayr Allergy and Sinus as well. Get awake early morning stuffed up, so I do another dose of Ayr, wait a few minutes and some of the stuffiness subsides. Strange thing is I am clear all during the day. Start to feel the stuffiness start later in the evening. The last two days dealt with bubbling sound in right ear and felt congested around both ears. I told the ENT that I feel congested in the area of both ears pretty much all of the time, no answer. Just prescribed XHANCE, an extremely expensive version of Fluticasone Propionate in a high tech applicator and from a pharmacy he recommended, I refused the Rx.

I am running out of ENT doctors in my area.

I was surprised there was no mention of a current MRI of my sinuses. I mentioned I used Neo Synephrine and that is all he heard and talked about rebound and getting off the stuff. It is the only thing that does any good and I do not thing I have rebound. I have no issues during the day. Heavy post nasal drip for the first hour or two after I get out of bed, then not much of that the rest of the day. Baffling!

i'm curious and disappointed that is all he's focused on. the Neo Synephrine. what is the percentage on the bottle. 0.5% or 1%? and how many squeezes per nostril? it is a squeeze bottle, right? an OTC med? hmmm. thinking. and how many days or nights do you use this per week?
i suggest you go to Drugs.com that's it. no special web name. then do a search for Neo Synephrine. it will give you a lot of info on it. let me know what YOU find out. message me instead of using this. Danny

My symptoms are very similar to yours. So, why does the nasal rinse work? What would be causing the problem that a rinse fixes. Allergies?

I have a friend who stripped down her bedroom and cleared of most fibers in an attempt to rid it of allergens. Got new mattress with encased cover, new linens, air purifier, etc. I’m considering it.

I’ve always heard that OTC nasal sprays (except for saline) have a rebound effect, making things worse over time. I did witness this in college with a friend who used it for over 6 years all through the day. I wonder how he ever resolved it.

Last night I had no stuffiness and little congestion. Why? Hmmm.,,,trying to figure it out. This doesn’t happen often.

The rinse helps, does not do away with it. I got awake around 3 this morning for a bathroom call and was somewhat stuffed. I sat on a chair and used the Ayr Allergy, waited a few minutes and started to open up, then put my cpap mask on and went back to sleep. Trying not to use Neo Synephrine. I question whether I have rebound from that. All during the day my nose is open as it should be. Starts getting stuffy in the evening. If I had rebound, would I not be stuffy during the day when the effects of the NS wears off?