← Return to Do Doctors Really Listen to the Patient?

Discussion

Do Doctors Really Listen to the Patient?

Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) | Last Active: Jul 15 9:49am | Replies (39)

Comment receiving replies
@sepdvm

Hello @chzuck. I believe, like your ENT, that if you use a spray like Neosynephrine for more than a few days then it does trigger a rebound. For me, that effect shows itself about 12-24 hours after last use, with increased congestion again. Since this is the symptom I am treating in the first place, it is hard to know the difference. I use it minimally only when severe congestion from a cold. He needs you off of it to help in your diagnosis. I would try to eliminate the possible allergen effect by doing the super clean of the bedroom with new pillow, clean bedding, mattress cover. Also consider the possibility of an allergen involving the cpap device. I don't know much about them but inadequate cleaning could result in a fungal growth inside.
There are other possible causes for your positional congestion, but you have to eliminate the common ones first. I found that a bedroom deep clean, new pillows, mattress cover all resulted in alleviation of much of my nighttime congestion. Saline nasal flushes and Breathe-right nasal strips help a lot, as well as just good hydration. My cousin was in your situation minus the cpap and after years of symptoms and nasal sprays, both decongestants and steroids, recently moved to a new home. Instantly symptoms are gone. With poor eyesight and limited mobility, her cleaning skills had been zilch.
The medical saying " When you hear hoofbeats, look for horses, not zebras." means attack the frequently seen conditions and if all that proves to be no help, then look for the rare underlying conditions. Good luck working on your horses.
Have you been able to breathe without the Neo-synephrine? Can you use nasal strips with your cpap mask?

Jump to this post


Replies to "Hello @chzuck. I believe, like your ENT, that if you use a spray like Neosynephrine for..."

I have tried the nasal strips with little success. The congestion is further up the nose. I am usually open all day. Around 8pm or so, I notice some stuffiness and I am not in the bedroom. I had a blood work allergy test that showed nothing. I do keep my cpap accessories clean. You tell me how a doctor can analyze his patient in 5 to 10 minutes. I know he was not listening to half of what I said. He heard Neosynephrine and jumped right on that. I told him I had taken the generic Flonase since 2012 and noticed no benefits and yet he perscribed Xhance, which is the same stuff in a high tech applicator at $600. I did not accept that Rx. I guess I look for #6 ENT doc.