Nasonex and effect on pipe smoking???

bowler1 · Jun 16, 2014

I know this may seem like a strange post at first...however, here is my question. I have allergies and take various allergy meds. They help a lot.
One of the meds that my doctor put me on in the last few months is Nasonex, which is a steroid nose spray. I wonder if this has an impact on my ability to "taste" when exhaling through my nose, which is how I always smoke a pipe.
Does anyone have any experience with this? Affecting taste is one of the listed "uncommon" sideffects which I think means it is in less than 5% of the test group or something like that.
I have noticed that my ability to discern subtle tastes may have diminished over the last few months, but I am not sure if that is due to the nasal spray. I could cut it out and see what happens I guess, but wanted to get some feedback based on others experience first.
thanks
Matt

monty55 · Jun 16, 2014

I don't mean to sound callus, but I would find a new Doctor. Preferably an allergy specialist. All you should really need after proper testing is a small allergy shot once a month. A lot of General Practitioners are really good at putting band-aids on allergy problems with pills and nose sprays, and do not treat the underlying issues.
I wouldn't put anything in my nose that effected my taste of my pipe smoking. And I would imagine that your med would.
Just remember, there's usually more than one way to skin a cat, and I think in this case it's worth a second opinion.
Best of luck Matt

pipesinperu · Jun 16, 2014

Hmmm, after reading Monty's advice, it seems worth taking into consideration. But I've been using a nasal spray for the past couple months, too (it's marketed as Avamys here) and have not noticed any effect on my ability to taste (even subtle flavors). In fact, as my palate has gotten better at picking out different tobacco flavors, I find that ability translating over well at meal time, haha. Then again, as you said, according to studies it supposedly only affects 5% of those using the spray. But this has been my experience.

yaddy306 · Jun 16, 2014

I've been taking NasaCort with no negative side effects to my sense of smell. Seems to work great for seasonal allergies.

mzpuff · Jun 16, 2014

I have been using Nasonex for years. I find that it actually improves my sense of smell and taste. Is that the only allergy medication you are taking? I also use Alocril for itchy eyes and that leaves a bad taste in my mouth that would definitely mess with the flavor of tobacco if I smoked within hours of using the drops.

dsollars · Jun 16, 2014

Bowler1, After having allergy/sinus problems all of my life (50 years) and numerous sinus infections each spring, and with a threat from my loving wife that my snoring was to be permanently cured via pillow, I finally went and saw an ENT specialist. After a few months of regular steroid spray, etc., he suggested surgery. On February 27, I had surgery to strengthen out the septum and turbinate reduction (reduction of the lining of the sinus cavities.). It wasn't much fun for a couple of days, but ... I made it through the spring pollen season without any problems, and feel like I can breathe like I never could before. My snoring has been reduced to the point that an occasional gentle elbow seems to solve the problem. I detect no reduction in olfactory ability. You might check with an ENT to see if surgery is a possibility for you.

woodsroad · Jun 16, 2014

My experience mirrors dsollars. I still use Nasonex as needed, and find that it has improved my sense of smell. That said, do not attempt diagnosis by anecdote. Talk to a good ENT. Find one that will take the time to examine you, talk with you and explain your condition. Don't leave the office until you understand everything. You may well be in the 5% that experieces a given side effect, but don't look to strangers on the internet to make that diagnosis!
Best of luck.

mso489 · Jun 17, 2014

I've seen the ads for Nasonex on the TV. It may be fine with moderate pipe tobacco; I'm not in a position to

guess, with its various ingredients. The cautious approach would be to break the habit of involving your

nasal passages in your pipe smoking. That's what I'd suggest, but I don't happen to enjoy that way of

smoking. It's a risk-benefit choice. You could try not doing it, and see to what degree it diminishes your

pleasure, how much it helps your health, and then make your decision over time. Habits are hard to break,

but it is sometimes worth it. I've had to juggle my diet to keep my glucose below diabetes range, and that

has been an adventure in changing habits. "Consider this medicine, not food," says the dietician. Oh boy.

wnghanglow · Jun 17, 2014

Those sprays are not meant to be a permanent fix so yes, go to an ENT.
Dsollars, if you still snore after the surgeries you may have sleep apnea, a general practitioner can order an AT HOME sleep study. (Way cheaper than an overnight study at a lab). You may have sleep apnea.

phred · Jun 17, 2014

I don't mean to sound callus, but I would find a new Doctor. Preferably an allergy specialist. All you should really need after proper testing is a small allergy shot once a month.

Depends on whether the symptoms are relatively minor (and thus can be dealt with using OTC meds or nasal sprsya), or whether the allergist recommends desensitization shots to treat the underlying sensitivity - which will eventually reduce the symptoms, but which doesn't do a whole lot for them in the short term. I've taken several medications over the years (both prescription and OTC), and been through two different series of desensitization shots. Currently, I'm managing on one of the newer one-every-24-hours OTC medications, but if my symptoms get worse next year, I may request a referral to another allergist (since I'm no longer in the same state as the last two I saw).

dsollars · Jun 17, 2014

WNGhanglow, sleep apnea was considered. My wife the nurse told the doc that I never actually stopped breathing, and I never seemed to suffer from lack of sleep as one would with apnea. The doc decided the problem was more in the nasal cavity, not the soft tissue at back of mouth/throat. Seems this was correct as things have improved greatly.

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