Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

That sounds miserable.

The hearing, if it feels muffled and congested, is most likely from the drainage form your sinuses going down into your throat. That causes air pressure changes in the eustachian tubes which can cause muffled hearing and may last until the upper respiratory infection resolves or even a bit longer after that sometimes.

How long have you been having the congestion and post nasal drainage? (And do you mean sinus/nasal congestion or asthmatic symptoms?)

Do you have a fever?

If your symptoms started at New Year's Day, while the prednisone should be helping to open you up, the viral infection that caused it to start can last a 7-10 days on average.

You can consider using nasal saline rinses, such as with a nettipot and saline packets plus boiled (and then cooled) water, or buying prepared nasal saline such as Simply Saline. Don't use it at the same time as Flonase - give it an hour or two in between so that you get the full benefits of the Flonase.

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Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Sudafed is a brand name and because of that, it can be a number of different products. It used to just be pseudoephedrine and it still comes in that form too. If the Sudafed is pseudoephedrine, then it is a decongestant. It constricts blood vessels so that the mucus membranes of the nose and sinuses are not as stuffy. The main contraindication to taking it is if you have high blood pressure. Taken late at night, in some people it can be stimulating and keep them awake.

Pseudephedrine is an over the counter medication, not prescription, but you have to sign for it and show your ID, because it can be "cooked" into illegal drugs. So while it is now controlled in this way, it can be purchased over-the-counter.

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