[tri-med] Re: Nasonex?

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kraig Warnemuende"
>> It's not like
> we HAVE to give Keren something, and I definitely wouldn't want to do
> something that would be addictive.  We do the regular saline, most
> often and try to keep things well humidified.

I wasn't familiar with Nasonex so I did a quick search - its the same as
what we call Rhinacort here.

Its not a decongestant (they usually contain some kind of ephrine eg
sudafed, otrivan etc) but a corticosteroid and they are used nasally for
allergies. I used to use them years ago when they first came out and I
suffered severely from hayfever - and I think they are great.

How they work....
When you develop an allergy the nasal membranes get inflammed and swell
(just like when you have a cold). That swelling produces mucous - hence the
runny nose. The steroid spray stops the nasal membranes from swelling and so
stops the runny nose or congestion)

So your doctor is right you do use it every day - but I think its only once
or twice a day. As far as I know because its a steroid its not the
"addictive" kind (they are the ones that contain ephrine type drugs because
they specifically work on supressing and thinning mucous production rather
than preventing swelling). I certainly used it daily for months during high
allergy season and had no problems stopping.

It works BUT it does sting like all heck for a few seconds. And like all
steroids it can thin the mucosa leading to nose bleeds. Because its a
topical steroid there is minimal systemic absorption of the steroid as well.
It made a huge difference to my allergy symptoms, which thankfully I have
"outgrown" - took till I was in my 30's and an anaphylactic reaction
though!!!!!!!

"I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems
don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making
the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious
ambiguity."
- Gilda Radner -

Keep Looking For Rainbows!!
   _--_|\
 /Karen \
 \ _.--._ /
          v Karen, Mum to Alex (8 years, T-18 Mosaic)
http://members.optushome.com.au/karens


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