Trying out Flonase for the first time

[bcla]

Pollen has been driving my hay fever crazy and I saw Flonase on sale so I thought I'd try it out. I typically use a generic form of Allegra, but cut the pills in half (as recommended by a pharmacist) because I can't handle the full dose.

Any tips on using it? I went through the quick start guide and it explained how to prime the pump and that I should try two sprays in each nostril for the first week. It seems to be helping, but right now my nose is feeling really dry and I'm feeling a bit lightheaded. It's also not helping much with excessive phlegm in my throat, where an antihistamine typically helps.

 

[Happy Snowman]

Make sure when you squirt it into your nose that you are pointing the tip of the bottle toward the outside corner of your eye, not straight up into your nose.

 

[Micca]

It's possible the Flonase needs a little time to start working (like maybe a few weeks?) I would continue to take the antihistamine for the throat. I take a prescription version of Flonase but never hesitate to take the antihisatmine if I need to. I can develop a sore throat at the drop of a hat, so I don't take any chances. Probably a good idea to ask a pharmacist or your doc for expert advice.

 

[cabanafrau]

I am very curious to see what everyone's experiences are. My oldest DD battles horrendous seasonal allergies, hayfever in particular. She was prescribed Flonase years ago because she was constantly battling nosebleeds from all of the congestion getting trapped in her sinuses. Doctor was evaluating to see if cauterizing was in order.

DD despised Flonase because she said it dried her nostrils out terribly and made the nosebleeds worse. Absolutely refused to take it anymore and preferred to take nothing if it meant using Flonase. With the prevalence of displays now that it's gone OTC recently she's commented it gives her the heebie jeebies to even see it in the stores.

 

[Shmily1]

I had nothing good with Flonase. I have very bad allergies to most plants and molds. I currently use Dymista in the evenings, Qnasl in the mornings and take Allegra in the mornings and Singulair in the evenings along with Mucinex every 12 hours.

 

[aprilchem]

I use Flonase daily and have been using it for about 2 weeks this year. It completely eliminates all my allergy symptoms - so much better than the Zyrtec I was using last year. So far I've had no side effects at all.

 

[Waddler]

Flonase works well for me. Most of my symptoms are sinus-related, and I'm able to avoid any noticeable side effects. (I usually feel drowsy or restless with Allegra, Singulair, Zyrtec etc.)

I do have to be careful about not squirting the solution too far up my nose. My doctor advised dosing it just inside each nostril as Happy Snowman pointed out above, then gently squeezing the nostril for a few seconds to help it absorb. If I snort the medicine deep into my nose, I eventually develop nosebleeds.

As I understand it, Flonase needs to build up in your system for several days or weeks to reach maximum effectiveness. I know that intermittent use does nothing for me. I have to take it consistently to alleviate my symptoms.

 

[Lynne M]

It's possible the Flonase needs a little time to start working (like maybe a few weeks?) I would continue to take the antihistamine for the throat. I take a prescription version of Flonase but never hesitate to take the antihisatmine if I need to. I can develop a sore throat at the drop of a hat, so I don't take any chances. Probably a good idea to ask a pharmacist or your doc for expert advice.

Yes - Flonase isn't one of those instant-relief sprays like Afrin. It's a maintenance medication that suppresses the allergic response in nasal tissues. For me, it usually takes a couple of weeks before I really notice a difference, and you need to use it every day throughout the season. If you use it now and then, or just when you have symptoms, it's not going to work.

 

[Christine]

I had a very good experience with Flonase. It really opened up my nasal passages and sinuses. I actually started using it because I had contracted "whooping cough" and the drainage from my sinuses was causing more coughing than usual. The Flonase cleared it up but it does take about 2 weeks to really work.

Also, I ended up only using 1 squirt versus 2. I find that I do very well with half of most of these meds and it really cuts down on the side effects.

 

[nkereina]

My ENT prescribed me flonase but my primary doctor prescribed me an antihistamine nasal spray, which works much better. Flonase I believe is only supposed to help with congestion, whereas an antihistamine actually combats the allergens.

 

[si-am]

If I take 2 sprays of Flonase per nostril, I get horrible headaches. One seems to be fine, and I do think it has helped this spring (the pollen is awful here).

 

[Christine]

If I take 2 sprays of Flonase per nostril, I get horrible headaches. One seems to be fine, and I do think it has helped this spring (the pollen is awful here).

I got the headaches too, with two sprays. I'm good with one.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Flonase is used by my whole family. We have good results. Yes remember to spray to the outside of your nose. Use it regularly and try to no blow right away. Also, we all seem to get the sore throat in the beginning. It does go away.

 

[barkley]

my ent prescribed it to help with my ears. my eustachian tubes are on the smaller side (in the pediatric range) so when my hay fever acts up they get clogged and I end up with horrible pressure and reduced hearing. until she prescribed it I would go for months at a time with the only relief being when we happened to drive a particular route that had variances in elevation (and by the time we got home they were clogged again). w/Flonase as soon as I start to get symptoms I can use it to keep the tubes clear. I also use allegra for day to day symptoms.

 

[WDWBarb]

my ent prescribed it to help with my ears. my eustachian tubes are on the smaller side (in the pediatric range) so when my hay fever acts up they get clogged and I end up with horrible pressure and reduced hearing. until she prescribed it I would go for months at a time with the only relief being when we happened to drive a particular route that had variances in elevation (and by the time we got home they were clogged again). w/Flonase as soon as I start to get symptoms I can use it to keep the tubes clear. I also use allegra for day to day symptoms.

I have the same issue, causing a negative pressure behind my Eustachian tubes. But it gives me vertigo (pressure and fluids build up). I was prescribed Flonase and the ENT told me to give it a few weeks to work. As much as I hated it, I stuck with it and it did get better.

Unfortunately, I got out of the habit of doing it every morning so I'm dealing with vertigo again. Since it's OTC now I just need to run and pick some up.

 

[Minerva Mouse]

Make sure when you squirt it into your nose that you are pointing the tip of the bottle toward the outside corner of your eye, not straight up into your nose.

Did not know this. I've been using Flonase for about a month now, regular allergy medicine just wasn't doing it anymore. I typically use one squirt in the mornings, but forget occasionally. I'm feeling much better, sneezing is way down and my nasal drip is way better.

OP just remember, everyone is different, what works for some probably won't work for all. But you won't know till you try.

 

[Kbee]

It gave me headaches so I stopped using it. Never thought to just reduce the spray to 1, duh.

 

[DopeyDame]

My daughter started using it about two months ago. It's been like a miracle drug for her. We went from loud snoring, terrible sinuses, and asthma attacks, to being basically symptom free. She's only 3, so I can't speak to how it makes her feel, but she doesn't have any observable side effects and doesn't seem to mind it. (and she'll let me know when she doesn't like something!)
We just do one squirt once a day. Like others have said, her ped stressed to point it towards your outer eye and not to spray straight back. You're not trying to inhale it, you're trying to get the meds on the outside lining of the nose. I suspect that will help with the throat, because you'd get less medicine going down to your throat.
And maybe give one squirt a try for a few weeks and see if it works rather than jumping right to two squirts.
Good luck!

 

[WDWJDS]

Have been using Flonase for many, many years with excellent success. I have allergies all year round and I take it everyday. Usually just one snort, but I'll do two if I think I'll be exposed to extreme allergens (like during Easter flower season, etc).

My allergies used to be so bad that I counted myself sneezing 160 times at work one day. Not anymore!

D now uses it. Just realized she's allergic to our cat! Also works like a charm with her.

 

[Micca]

my ent prescribed it to help with my ears. my eustachian tubes are on the smaller side (in the pediatric range) so when my hay fever acts up they get clogged and I end up with horrible pressure and reduced hearing. until she prescribed it I would go for months at a time with the only relief being when we happened to drive a particular route that had variances in elevation (and by the time we got home they were clogged again). w/Flonase as soon as I start to get symptoms I can use it to keep the tubes clear. I also use allegra for day to day symptoms.

I also have a terrible problem with my ears getting clogged, this is the main reason I stick with the spray. I used to get the headaches so I stopped. When I consulted an ENT about the problem with my ears, he recommended using the spray. I told him about the headaches and he acted like he'd never heard of that...like maybe it was all my imagination. I started using the spray again, and so far no headaches.