Loss in sensation when I breathe through nose

Hello @hcgardner1, Welcome to Connect, an online community where patients and caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others. I think it's normal to feel a sense of panic. Especially when it comes to breathing.

I have a deviated septum and have lived with problems breathing through my nose for a long time. Like you I was using nasal sprays and nasal rinses but not on a regular basis because they didn't always help. A couple of months ago I made an appointment with an ENT doctor and discussed surgery to correct the deviated septum. After the doctor explained the different risks and no guarantees involved with the surgery I decided to go with his option B which was a twice daily nasal rinse followed by 2 sprays in each nostril of a proprietary Mayo Clinic nasal spray (3 different medications). I'm in my 3rd month of using the combination nasal rinse and spray each morning and evening and it's made a world of difference in my breathing. I think the ENT doctor thought I was suffering with rhinitis. Here's some information that discusses the topic.

Rhinitis and Sinusitis - NCBI: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7173501/

Have you thought about seeing an ENT specialist?

I would like to add my welcome to Connect.
Like John, I used nasal sprays for many years to deal with sinus issues and infections, which got progressively worse. I saw an excellent ENT who explained that the ingredients in non-prescription nasal sprays, other than plain saline, can cause issues in the nose and sinuses over time. Perhaps something in the sprays has altered what you feel in your nose.
In any case, if it is serious enough to cause you to have a sense of panic, it is time to see the ENT.
Sue

I’ve used prescribed equate nasal spray two sprays in each nostril for a week and other ones that weren't prescribed every other day for several days. Ive used nasal spray once in the past three or so days after a while of not using them it’s just started to feel this way for a few days. Saline can cause damage to you're nose? I’ve never read any warnings or side effects about that. Ive researched my symptoms that i mentioned and cant seem to find anything. Could my mucosa be dry?

From your experience with rhinitis/sinusitis did you have a loss in sensation when you breathe. I’ve been congested for a while and just started having this problem. Im wondering if it could be because my mucosa is dry due to congestion and nasal sprays.

Also i’ve only been using it here and there for a month.

The only sensation I had was a stuffed up nose - one side or the other seemed to always plugged up.

Recently i’ll have moments (daily) when i’m breathing and suddenly feel like I’m not breathing so my body jumps and I panic. I’ve been focused on my breathing 24/7 because i’m currently having shortness of breathe. I tested myself to manually breathe and see if I get the feeling that I’m not breathing and I did. I do feel like theres something in my throat which I will be getting checked out next month. If this pertains to any of which I am suffering from please let me know: acid reflux, anemia, anxiety or if it pertains to any of the following symptoms Im having: shortness of breathe, congestion (Could if be blocking my sensors in my nose), chest pain/heaviness? Could it be an throat ulcer causing this?

PS Doctors said no signs of any problems after blood tests and xrays.

Hi @hcgadner! My son has had similar symptoms. He had corticosteroid nasal spray (Momentasone) prescripted to him by an ENT because his nasal pathway was tight. He used the spray for 1,5 weeks, twice a day. What kind of spray did you use?

I was using equate nasal spray 24 hour relief.