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Does Antihistamines For Irritation In Nose Cause Panic Attacks?
Question: My nose is severely irritated all the time causing me to constantly sniff in and blow out causing me to hyper ventilate then go into a full blown panic attack. I feel like there is always something up my nose and it drives me crazy. I also get a severely stopped up nose when I eat causing me to cut my meal short and not finish eating. Is there an antihistamine that will not cause me to go into a panic attack? (I am currently trying Chlorpheniramine Maleate just a quarter of a pill knocks me on my butt pretty hard, I am also currently taking Oxycodone 45mgs every 4 hours and Prednisone 20 mgs everyday and Lorazepam .05 mgs as needed no more than every 4 hours however I only take the Lorazepam when having a panic attack I am affraid to mix all the medications.) My other question is everytime I blow my nose my ears become plugged for about 5 to 10 minutes, pops, and I get extremely dizzy. I always blow out one side while pinching the other. I am using a netti pot to help with the problem and it is not helping. Also I have had 2 nasal septal surgeries with rhinoplasty in 2002, and 2003. Am in danger of blowing my eardrum and is there any other way I can keep this from happening? Thank you for your help.
Brief Answer:
Calm down dear
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing to us.
I am sorry to know your condition and I would try my best to help you. But having all these medical conditions does not mean that you get panic attacks.
Antihistamine does not cause panic attacks. Its the mind that thinks something is not right and causes panic. Chlorpheniramine can cause drowsiness. You can try the non-sedative alternative - cetirizine. For the nasal irritation, you should get a complete ENT examination. It is quite possible that there is growth in the upper portion of nose. If there is no growth then there is probability of fungal infection.
It is good that you are blowing nose from one side while blocking the other side. The ear drums getting blocked means that you have inflammation and mucous production. Unfortunately to clear the nose, either otrivin or steroidal nasal drops/ sprays are available. Both cannot be used on prolonged basis. Another option is bronchodilator inhaler (more effective in bronchoconstriction in lungs). Try chewing and swallowing when you are getting the eustachian tube block.
Please dont mix all the medicines or you will end up in a worse state.
You need holistic approach to keep your panic in control. I would tell you the lifestyle approaches that have helped many people. Mostly you need to relax when there is irritation. To deal with hyperventilation please try meditation (called as XXXXXXX samadhi in yoga). There is minimal breathing involved in meditation and will definitely help you. Breathing techniques are also taught in yoga. Please do some course of yoga and learn all this.
Another approach that can help you (in view of recurrent infections because of steroid use, espeacially fungal infection) is drinking cleanest water from reverse osmosis technique. Also take more of fruits and vegetables and mild exercise daily.
Supplemental oxygen during hyperventilation may help but may exacerbate infections in the nose.
Dr Vaishalee
Calm down dear
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing to us.
I am sorry to know your condition and I would try my best to help you. But having all these medical conditions does not mean that you get panic attacks.
Antihistamine does not cause panic attacks. Its the mind that thinks something is not right and causes panic. Chlorpheniramine can cause drowsiness. You can try the non-sedative alternative - cetirizine. For the nasal irritation, you should get a complete ENT examination. It is quite possible that there is growth in the upper portion of nose. If there is no growth then there is probability of fungal infection.
It is good that you are blowing nose from one side while blocking the other side. The ear drums getting blocked means that you have inflammation and mucous production. Unfortunately to clear the nose, either otrivin or steroidal nasal drops/ sprays are available. Both cannot be used on prolonged basis. Another option is bronchodilator inhaler (more effective in bronchoconstriction in lungs). Try chewing and swallowing when you are getting the eustachian tube block.
Please dont mix all the medicines or you will end up in a worse state.
You need holistic approach to keep your panic in control. I would tell you the lifestyle approaches that have helped many people. Mostly you need to relax when there is irritation. To deal with hyperventilation please try meditation (called as XXXXXXX samadhi in yoga). There is minimal breathing involved in meditation and will definitely help you. Breathing techniques are also taught in yoga. Please do some course of yoga and learn all this.
Another approach that can help you (in view of recurrent infections because of steroid use, espeacially fungal infection) is drinking cleanest water from reverse osmosis technique. Also take more of fruits and vegetables and mild exercise daily.
Supplemental oxygen during hyperventilation may help but may exacerbate infections in the nose.
Dr Vaishalee
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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