POST RAI SYMPTOMS: NASAL DRYNESS

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

It's not uncommon to have a dry, sore and/or bloody nose after RAI treatment.

Hopefully it's not painful, and the discomfort usually improves within a few

weeks, and is most likely caused by the RAI

itself, and exacerbated by being extremely hypo, which can also dry out the

mucous membranes.

Whatever the cause, moisture and time are the solution. Humidifiers, saline

sprays, lubricants can all help keep the inside of the nose moist.

Below are some recommended solutions from previous members.

(not an otolaryngologist)

NYC

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LUBRICANTS (APPLIED INSIDE THE NOSE):

- " my ENT [told me] to put a small amount of Neosporin in my nose. This did help

the dryness. The nose bleeds eventually stopped, but it did take several weeks

- " The University of Iowa otolaryngology clinic had a brochure on bloody noses;

Vicks in the nose was recommended in that brochure as a way to keep the

membranes moist. .... I put Vicks in my nose all the

time. It makes a dry nose so comfortable "

- " My nose was very sore and bled easily. It went away about 2 weeks later. I

put Vitamin E gel in my nose at night and ran a vaporizer. It seemed to help. "

- " My nose bled for about a month after RAi and my doc said it was pretty common

and I used some nasal lubrication stuff whose name I can't remember and

eventually it went away. "

- " The burning in the nasal cavities is from the dryness. I had it so bad that

I had a continual nose bleed. My primary recommended plain old Vaseline, which

worked perfectly!! Just put a small amount on

a Q-tip & apply it. "

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HUMIDIFIERS, SPRAYS & INHALERS:

- " I had nosebleeds. I attributed it to the overall extreme dryness of my skin

and other membranes (eyes, inside nose, etc) from being hypo. I used a

humidifier during that time and it stopped the irritation

and bleeding. "

- " I haven't had the dry nose problem post-RAI, but ... when my nose does get

dry, I use a steam inhaler, to which one can add Vicks Vaporub or herbs or salt

(I think - they don't specify that) ..... It

might do the same job on RAI-nose, in an easier fashion. "

- " this happened to me with all three RAI treatments. It began in the first

week, and everything healed up around the third or fourth week. A saline spray

helps somewhat, but it can really get painful. It

will get better very soon, I'm sure. "

- " I experienced the very thing you describe. I figured out it was due to the

extreme dryness of being hypo..... I got a humidifier and PRESTO! All traces

of blood on my tissues were gone. "

- " There is a Saline nasal spray that is moisturizing that you could use. My

nasal passages were very dry after RAI so this helped a lot. Whether it will

help with the burning sensation or not, I wouldn't

know but it might be worth a try. "

- " This really helps when my nose is raw and miserable. I use salt

water--non-iodized, of course [when on the LID]. This may seem like a gross idea

..... But if you have an irreversibly raw and runny nose,

it feels very soothing. .... a sinus specialist [recommended it].

This is what I do.

You start with sterile water--I just use hot water now and a very clean

glass now. (We had calcium deposits some

time ago in the water line, so be careful!) Dissolve a little salt in very hot

water. (About 1/2 t salt to about 4

oz. water. You'll know if there is too much or too little--either hurts.) Add

warm water to make the

temperature comfortable on the wrist. (A nurse told me that if the temp is too

hot or cold it could induce a headache.)

Suck it up into a children's ear bulb/syringe (Walgreen's are blue). Release it

into the nose slowly. Let drain out.

Alternate sides until the stuff in used up. I clean the bulb with very hot,

soapy water; then with just hot water to

rinse. I store the bulb upside down on a Kleenex in a glass.

You'll find that water is left in the nose and will leak out when you bend

over.

Like I said. You have to be desperate--and usually alone--to be motivated

to do this. But it relieves a lot of misery. "

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