Another variation on nasal rinse

[Guest guest]

It has been a long time since I have visited with my allergist/asthma

specialist. Her name is Dr. Katharine Woessner, and she works with

Dr. son at Scripps Clinic in Torrey Pines, CA. Maybe someone

out there has met her through the Scripps de-sensitization process

that the clinic used to perform. She is an outstanding doctor--

brilliant and extremely easy to talk to and work with.

Anyway, she recommended a new variation on the nasal rinse that I

thought I would pass along:

To 1 pint of water, add:

* 1/2 tsp of salt

* 1/2 tsp of baking soda

* 1/2 tsp of xylitol (available on-line or at most health food stores)

* 1-2 drops of myrrh (available at many whole grocers or health food

stores; e.g., brand name " HerbPharm " )

In addition, she has me using an inhaled steroidal spray normally

used by mouth for the lungs, Q-VAR (80 mcg), with a baby bottle

nipple attached to the mouthpiece (snipping off the very end of the

nipple). She is hoping that the higher dose of steroids delivered

this way vs. through Nasacort AQ or other nasal steroid sprays will

relieve my severe congestion and spare me the use of frequent

prednisone bursts.

Although my initial Samters issues were primarily involved with

intractable and severe asthma, over the past several years I have

gotten the asthma under control, but continue to suffer from chronic

sinus issues...the nasty, icky, sticky, mucus and inability to nose-

breathe for stretches at a time.

I just re-started aspirin (650 mg/twice per day), but have been off

of Zyflo for a couple of years. If the new steroid delivery

mechanism is insufficient, we will be re-starting Zyflo. In her

mind, prednisone is our treatment of last resort. She is quite

concerned about its systemic effects. She also agrees that future

sinus surgeries (I have had 5 of all types) is fruitless.