Question:

Went to see an ENT today and he said I have inflamed nasal polyps that are the cause of my suffering. I go through a family size box of tissues in less than a week.  My question for those with experience is how well does Methylprednisolone 21 day pak work?  That’s what he prescribed.  Took the first 6 today and I think I am feeling relief already.  Also what stops them from becoming inflamed again?  It doesn’t make much sense to take this drug if they are just going to get inflamed again as soon as I am done with the doseage.  Any advice is greatly apprieciated!!! Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/

Response:

I took Methylprednisolone for 1 week and, besides some bad side effects, it was effective at decreasing my sinus inflammation. I can’t really say much more because I also had sinus surgery shortly after since they were too swelled shut for just the Methylprednisolone to cure it. You have a good question that I’ve also wanted to know:

Also what stops them from becoming inflamed again?  It doesn’t make much sense to take this drug if they are just going to get inflamed again as soon as I am done with the doseage.

Good luck. BTW: MY side effects were nervousness and insomnia. Brian

Response:

On Tue, 19 Dec 2000 00:34:51 GMT, meow5…@my-deja.com wrote:

Went to see an ENT today and he said I have inflamed nasal polyps that are the cause of my suffering. I go through a family size box of tissues in less than a week.  My question for those with experience is how well does Methylprednisolone 21 day pak work?  That’s what he prescribed.  Took the first 6 today and I think I am feeling relief already.  Also what stops them from becoming inflamed again?  It doesn’t make much sense to take this drug if they are just going to get inflamed again as soon as I am done with the doseage.  Any advice is greatly apprieciated!!!

After you get them down with the oral steroid, your doctor can give you a prescription for nasal steroid spray (such as Nasonex of Flonase or ….) . This should help prevent future polyps and can be taken indefinitely.   It has essentially no side effects. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/

Response:

I’m not sure what methylprednisone 21 is.  I have polyps.  I’ve had two surgeries to remove them,  but each time they grew back in a matter of months.  I irrigate daily, but some days my nose is so stuffy that nothing seems to get in.  I can’t take aspirin or ibuprofin, and I know what you mean by going thru a box of kleenex a week.  I feel generaly tired and apathetic all the time.  Holidays are tough, because everyone else can smell the cookies baking and will be able to taste the Christmas dinner.    Twice a year my ENT prescribes a 9 day course of prednisone, and then I feel great.  My head is clear, I’m able to smell,  I hardly look at a box of kleenex .  I know the side effects can be terrible, but sometimes I wish I could just stay on it.  I’ve been on Rhinocort for five years. Will I be on it for the rest of my life with surgery every 2 or 3 years?   Oh well, enough whining.  Maybe someday they’ll come up with a substitute for prednisone that doesn’t include the side effects.  Maybe there’s a group somewhere for people with polyps.  I wish you good luck with yours.  The prednisone I take is very helpful, although the effects are short-term.  Still it’s better than nothing.  I’d like to know how things go for you.

Response:

In article <23476-3A3F57F…@storefull-613.iap.bryant.webtv.net

,

  ladyma…@webtv.net (terese cascio) wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

I’m not sure what methylprednisone 21 is.  I have polyps.  I’ve had

two

surgeries to remove them,  but each time they grew back in a matter of months.  I irrigate daily, but some days my nose is so stuffy that nothing seems to get in.  I can’t take aspirin or ibuprofin, and I

know

what you mean by going thru a box of kleenex a week.  I feel generaly tired and apathetic all the time.  Holidays are tough, because

everyone

else can smell the cookies baking and will be able to taste the Christmas dinner.  Twice a year my ENT prescribes a 9 day course of prednisone, and then

I

feel great.  My head is clear, I’m able to smell,  I hardly look at a box of kleenex .  I know the side effects can be terrible, but

sometimes

I wish I could just stay on it.  I’ve been on Rhinocort for five

years.

Will I be on it for the rest of my life with surgery every 2 or 3

years?

Oh well, enough whining.  Maybe someday they’ll come up with a substitute for prednisone that doesn’t include the side effects.

Maybe

there’s a group somewhere for people with polyps.  I wish you good

luck

with yours.  The prednisone I take is very helpful, although the

effects

are short-term.  Still it’s better than nothing.  I’d like to know how things go for you.

Just letting you know that you are not alone; prednisone helps me immensely, wish I could take it all the time.  However, you should know that the long term effects of prednisone when taken regularly and for a long period of time can be very, very bad.  I’m hoping they can find a ‘new-age’ prednisone with all the benefits but none of the downsides. Until then… its irrigation, an occasional surgery, and soft Kleenex. But, things could be worse.  At least we have a treatment for the effect; maybe tomorrow we will have a treatment for the cause. — "Those are my principles.  And if you don’t like those,  I have others." —Grouch Marx Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/

Response:

I feel for you terese, your situation sounds a lot like mine. Prednisone is the only thing that has allowed me to breathe in the past.  I really don’t get any side effects (unless you consider unobstructed breathing) from it except occasional muscle cramps.  I would pay almost anything to smell our christmas tree or any other thing for that matter.  I just last week started using Breathe ease in a waterpik. So far there really hasn’t been much improvement but it has only been a week. "terese cascio" <ladyma…@webtv.net

wrote in message

news:23476-3A3F57FD-1@storefull-613.iap.bryant.webtv.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

I’m not sure what methylprednisone 21 is.  I have polyps.  I’ve had two surgeries to remove them,  but each time they grew back in a matter of months.  I irrigate daily, but some days my nose is so stuffy that nothing seems to get in.  I can’t take aspirin or ibuprofin, and I know what you mean by going thru a box of kleenex a week.  I feel generaly tired and apathetic all the time.  Holidays are tough, because everyone else can smell the cookies baking and will be able to taste the Christmas dinner.  Twice a year my ENT prescribes a 9 day course of prednisone, and then I feel great.  My head is clear, I’m able to smell,  I hardly look at a box of kleenex .  I know the side effects can be terrible, but sometimes I wish I could just stay on it.  I’ve been on Rhinocort for five years. Will I be on it for the rest of my life with surgery every 2 or 3 years? Oh well, enough whining.  Maybe someday they’ll come up with a substitute for prednisone that doesn’t include the side effects.  Maybe there’s a group somewhere for people with polyps.  I wish you good luck with yours.  The prednisone I take is very helpful, although the effects are short-term.  Still it’s better than nothing.  I’d like to know how things go for you.

Response:

On Thu, 21 Dec 2000 03:48:08 GMT, "Wilson" <tyc…@nospam.netzero.net

wrote: I feel for you terese, your situation sounds a lot like mine. Prednisone is the only thing that has allowed me to breathe in the past.  I really don’t get any side effects (unless you consider unobstructed breathing) from it except occasional muscle cramps.  

Prednisone unfortunately cannot  be taken on a long-term basis because of problems like cateracts and other even worse metabolic problems that only show up in the longer-term.    For example, cataracts can result, based on long-term *cumulative* dose (not on the dose being taken at any one time). However, nasal steroids are ok for long-term use and can help control them. Also avoid aspirin (Tylenol is ok). – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

I would pay almost anything to smell our christmas tree or any other thing for that matter.  I just last week started using Breathe ease in a waterpik. So far there really hasn’t been much improvement but it has only been a week.

Response:

Taking prednisone or Medrol always helps me immensely. My nose usually stays clear for several months after taking them, but the polyps always come back. I am now going to have surgery. I had surgery once before 15 years ago, and it didn’t help a bit, but I’m willing to try it again since cortisone makes my blood pressure go sky high. Every doctor I’ve gone to prescibes the steroid sprays, but as far as I can tell they are worthless; I don’t think they go up high enough. Neverthless, I am taking Nasalcort now since my doctor prescribed it. I’ll probably have the surgery some time in February.  Sue Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/

Response:

In article <91ssn1$vf…@nnrp1.deja.com

, SettledSue

<settled…@aol.com

wrote: Taking prednisone or Medrol always helps me immensely. My nose usually stays clear for several months after taking them, but the polyps always come back. I am now going to have surgery. I had surgery once before 15 years ago, and it didn’t help a bit, but I’m willing to try it again since cortisone makes my blood pressure go sky high. Every doctor I’ve gone to prescibes the steroid sprays, but as far as I can tell they are worthless; I don’t think they go up high enough. Neverthless, I am taking Nasalcort now since my doctor prescribed it. I’ll probably have the surgery some time in February.  Sue Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/

The optimal time to use the nasal steroid sprays is when they can "go up high enough." It is well to start them just after a burst of oral steroids, and your doctor might want to start you on one of them as soon as you are healed from your polypectomy, to prevent recurrence of the polyps.   Larry —

Response:

Prednisone always helped me too. I took so much of it it aggravated my osteoporosis. I had 3 surgeries and did NOT want to have more. I was upset and didn’t know what to do. This was back in Nov. of ‘98. Then I read about SINGULAIR. There is a  medication available for asthma sufferers called Singulair (Merck) that has proven very effective in reducing swelling (stuffiness) and inflammation and excess mucus secretions in the airways by acting as a leukotriene inhibitor. I have been on it since November ‘98.  I do not have Asthma or allergies but the allergist who follows me said it was worth a try when I asked her if I could try it. I really think it makes a diffeence. No side effects that I am aware of. She thought Singulair might help me because it takes down inflammation. She had some samples and she gave me enough pills for a 2 week trial but I actually noticed a difference after only 2 days. After 2 weeks, I called her & said the medication was really helping me and she phoned in an Rx for the Singulair for me. My pharmacy plan did not want to pay for it because I did not have a diagnosis of asthma My allergist went to bat for me and she was able to obtain HMO pharmacy plan approval for me based on the fact that prednisone helped me previously and I was doing every other self-help measure that I could do for my sinus problems including irrigation, guaifenesin, clean diet etc. I have been on the Singulair since Nov ‘98 and I DO think it helps keep sinuses open. The 3 colds I had since Nov 98 did NOT evolve into sinus infections part of the reason may be because of SINGULAIR and part may be due to the fact that when I had these colds with yellow mucus I increased the number of nasal irrigations I did each day (from 2 to 5) and I used BETADINE in at least 3 of them Nestora Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/

Response:

Thanks, everyone, for the encouraging posts!  It’s good to know that there are people who can really understand what’s it’s like to not be able to breathe easily or smell anything.  (I suppose it’s nice when it’s time to clean out the cat box)  I wonder if I should ask my doctor about singulair?  I have been tested for allergies (twice) and asthma, but I don’t have either.   I’ll  try anything. At least I don’t have as many sinus infections as I used to, and I usually can get enough air in at night to not have to breathe thru my mouth.  If I could smell I’d be a happy camper.  Of course, a fully open nostril (or two) would be nice…

Response:

Can I add my opinion on the prednisolone subject? For about10yrs, a dose of, up to 30mg of prednisolone per day, kept my asthma at bay and did not appear to do any obvious damage. I was weaned off oral steroids 15 years ago and given a steroid spray replacement.   My asthma is now well controlled. I have also been treated for years with nasal steroid sprays/nasules and had several polyp removal ops.  During the period of asthma prescribed prednisolone, I had no polyp problems and my quality of life improved immeasurably. Following endoscopic sinus surgery two years ago and umteen courses of antibiotics, the infection will not clear.   I have been diagnosed as having Samter Triad Syndrome and, since a recent scan has shown my sinuses to be as bad as ever, must now discuss with my GP whether I should have more surgery, or go back on oral steroids. He is not advising a return to oral steroids, but my experience has not been bad, and I tend to favour a few good years, rather than a lifetime of misery. On that dreary note, I will wish you all a happy, (and healthy), New Year. David. ("Wilson" <tyc…@nospam.netzero.net

wrote in message

news:Y3f06.50947$g6.21608607@news1.elmhst1.il.home.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

I feel for you terese, your situation sounds a lot like mine. Prednisone

is

the only thing that has allowed me to breathe in the past.  I really don’t get any side effects (unless you consider unobstructed breathing) from it except occasional muscle cramps.  I would pay almost anything to smell our christmas tree or any other thing for that matter.  I just last week

started > using Breathe ease in a waterpik. So far there really hasn’t been much > improvement but it has only been a week. > "terese cascio" <ladyma…@webtv.net

wrote in message

> news:23476-3A3F57FD-1@storefull-613.iap.bryant.webtv.net… > > I’m not sure what methylprednisone 21 is.  I have polyps.  I’ve had two > > surgeries to remove them,  but each time they grew back in a matter of > > months.  I irrigate daily, but some days my nose is so stuffy that > > nothing seems to get in.  I can’t take aspirin or ibuprofin, and I know > > what you mean by going thru a box of kleenex a week.  I feel generaly > > tired and apathetic all the time.  Holidays are tough, because everyone > > else can smell the cookies baking and will be able to taste the > > Christmas dinner. > >  Twice a year my ENT prescribes a 9 day course of prednisone, and then I > > feel great.  My head is clear, I’m able to smell,  I hardly look at a > > box of kleenex .  I know the side effects can be terrible, but sometimes > > I wish I could just stay on it.  I’ve been on Rhinocort for five years. > > Will I be on it for the rest of my life with surgery every 2 or 3 years? > > Oh well, enough whining.  Maybe someday they’ll come up with a > > substitute for prednisone that doesn’t include the side effects.  Maybe > > there’s a group somewhere for people with polyps.  I wish you good luck > > with yours.  The prednisone I take is very helpful, although the effects > > are short-term.  Still it’s better than nothing.  I’d like to know how > > things go for you.

Response:

In article <3a4f8…@news.telinco.net

, "David Belbin"

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -<D.Bel…@currantbun.com

wrote: Can I add my opinion on the prednisolone subject? For about10yrs, a dose of, up to 30mg of prednisolone per day, kept my asthma at bay and did not appear to do any obvious damage. I was weaned off oral steroids 15 years ago and given a steroid spray replacement.   My asthma is now well controlled. I have also been treated for years with nasal steroid sprays/nasules and had several polyp removal ops.  During the period of asthma prescribed prednisolone, I had no polyp problems and my quality of life improved immeasurably. Following endoscopic sinus surgery two years ago and umteen courses of antibiotics, the infection will not clear.   I have been diagnosed as having Samter Triad Syndrome and, since a recent scan has shown my sinuses to be as bad as ever, must now discuss with my GP whether I should have more surgery, or go back on oral steroids. He is not advising a return to oral steroids, but my experience has not been bad, and I tend to favour a few good years, rather than a lifetime of misery. On that dreary note, I will wish you all a happy, (and healthy), New Year. David.

What is the lowest daily dose on which you were able to maintain comfort for at least a number of months? Are you still using nasal steroids daily?     Larry — To get random signatures put text files into a folder called

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