Nasal Polyps - Any New Treatment On the Horizon? (Page 4)

I have polyps. Alcohol makes things worse. Steroids didn't work. And smell comes and goes.

Lately I've been trying "Everyday Calcium with enzymes" (that's the name) which also has magnesium. My smell is back. It could be a coincidence, as always. But I would give it a try. If I had to guess, I think the magnesium might be helping.

Just wanted to share it.

Six months ago I was offered only one solution for my nasal polyps -- surgery. I declined. At that time I could not breathe out of either nostril. I put extra virgin olive oil in my nostrils using an eye-dropper. I fill the eyedropper and flood my nostril, holding my head back until it seeps thru. It does kind of burn and feel awful -- but the polyps are no fun either.
An earlier post on this site spoke of a traditional South American cure using oil from a stingray. Maybe an organic oil is the trick that works. I discovered olive oil acts like a kind of antibiotic, inhibiting reproduction of both bacteria and viruses. From my own experience, I am beginning to seriously doubt that nasal polyps are a result of allergies. I really think they are the result of some kind of pathogen. The surgeon I spoke to said that incidence of nasal polyps has exploded (like an epidemic) in the last decade. But since nasal polyps are not lethal (but they ARE lucrative for those in the medical establishment) little or no research on their cause is being done. But the surgeon said he would be more than happy to give me a $3,000 nose clipping which would NOT solve my problem!
After six months I can breathe out of my left nostril 100% of the time. I can breathe out of my right nostril maybe 30 - 40% of the time now. I still have some polyps on the right side. The ones on my left side are gone. At first I was afraid I would get some kind of horrible infection from putting olive oil in my nose. But I have had NO infection at all. This IS working. My sense of smell is coming back.

I've had nasal polyps for 2 years, had surgery and they were back within months. My ENT tried several meds.... None worked. I finally found an allergist in Austin that has spent his life studying nasal polyps. He's amazing. He prescribed Pulmicort twice a day. This is a liquid drop that you put in sinus rinse or netty pot twice a day. It has literally changed my life. I can breath and smell and while the polyps aren't gone...they are managed by this medication.

I've had nasal polyps for 2 years, had surgery and they were back within months. My ENT tried several meds.... None worked. I finally found an allergist in Austin that has spent his life studying nasal polyps. He's amazing. He prescribed Pulmicort twice a day. This is a liquid drop that you put in sinus rinse or netty pot twice a day. It has literally changed my life. I can breath and smell and while the polyps aren't gone...they are managed by this medication.

I spoke with a long-time owner of a Health Food Store in the Dallas area and he highly recommended Grapefruit seed extract spray using an aloe saline for moisture. Definitely trying this! Has anyone tried this before?

My Info: 39 Years Old, Male, 3 surgeries (1994-2005).
Here are my $0.02
Gluten-Free for the last year. It helps.
Lost 55 lbs the last 2 years. It helps.
Walk every morning. It helps.
According an earlier post (BLESS THIS PERSON!!!), I've been off sugar for about a month....and THIS REALLY HELPS!!!!!!
I've had the worst problems with polyps. My last surgery was scheduled for 1.5 hours, it took over 5 hours.
I had polyps so inflammed that you could see them out my nostril. A few years back, I had a sneezing fit, and actually sneezed one out!!!!!! Surprisingly, it didn't hurt.

You need to give your diet an honest look and cut out (or drastically reduce) all the garbage. Cutting out sugar seems like a big deal, but after a few days, it's out of your system. (I used to be a 2 pack a day smoker, and went cold turkey and it's been 14 years now). YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

A lot of these posts may help solve the symptoms, but they aren't solving the problem. It's so easy to fall into a lazy fast food lifestyle. Been doing it for 20 years.

I definitely don't want to be on drugs/inhalers for the rest of my life, so that's why I've been trying so many things.

THANKS SO MUCH for the post that suggested cutting the sugar. Try it for a week or so. I saw a big difference just 2 days later.

Helpful hints that work for me:
Gluten-free. It sucks at first, but you can find so much GF pasta, and bread these days, it's no big deal. I've been eating so much more Mexican food these days, with corn tortillas takiing the place of bread. Also, try the lettuce wraps at Jimmy John's. a great alternative.

My polyps were so miserable that now I don't even WANT to have sugar again, since it's been such a relief.

Just try it. I think the next step is more yogurt/probiotics to get my "ecosystem" balanced again.

Good luck everyone!!!!!

Hi all! I can't believe how many people are suffering with this. I've been like this for a few years now, after having hayfever for a long as I can remember (luckily that isn't as bad as it used to be!) after a really bad bout of flu and sinusitis that was it - permanent blocked nose and keeping tissue companies in business by myself (I was sure I was!!)
I understand the frustrations you're all going through. I miss being able to smell and taste food properly (makes me feel really claustrophobic which is weird, don't know if anyone else feels that way?!) I can't use regular tissues, I keep kitchen roll in my bag. I look forward to the day when I don't have to go to bed clutching tissue in my hand. I'm from the UK but have moved to the west coast of Australia, let's see what the summer brings. I haven't finished reading all the posts but I will! I am looking into all the tips (salt, alcohol, exercise etc) and will try them all. I have cut dairy out of my diet (almost) completely. Just have a dash of milk in my tea and the occasional bit of chocolate. Had to cut out yogurts, my nose would go crazy after them! Just realised how long (and possible pointless...) this post is so I will stop rambling on! It's just been comforting to read all your posts, kind of feels I don't have to suffer on my own (though I'd much rather none of us suffer in the first place!)
Laura x

Wow! Almost 5 years of posts here and more advancement has been made by the sufferers of this condition than by the medical community. It really makes you wonder just how bad ent's want this cash-cow to keep providing for their profession. The only thing they have changed is that some have newer tools. Oh, and bigger boats!! At least the patients have worked out what some of the triggers are and diets that will help to somewhat alleviate their misery.
Almost 8 years ago I had my 1st surgery to remove my polyps. It was a life-changing event and I would constantly swear by the procedure. About 6 months ago they came back...quickly. I had a second surgery with the same doctor. This surgery didn't even last a month as I was complaining about some restriction coming back during the first few weeks. They have already returned and are as bad as before. It has been a barrage of prednisone, anti-biotics, sinus rinses, nasal/sinus sprays, etc. Sometimes I just want to cut the sleeve of a bic pen and shove it up in there to get an airway. I am trying some other things in addition to the medication, like zinc, selenium, extra vitamin e and even Tea Tree Oil. I put the oil on a q-tip then coat the polyps with it.
Unfortunately, if something starts to work, I might not be able to narrow it down for a while since I am trying so much, which is from shear desperation. Beer affects them if I drink more than just a couple, white wine seems to be the worst of the alcohols. I rarely drink anymore. Whiskey around the holidays! I will do some diet changes as I see some of you are getting some relief that way, but I do find it a rotten trade-off. Not being able to breathe, worsened asthma, loss of sense of smell, constant fatigue, etc., etc., really makes life miserable. I hope one day a sincere, caring, and brilliant doctor, finds a cure for us and frees us from our suffering.

ladies & gents: thanks to all your great comments re nasal polyps at this link, I decided to try Tea Tree oil. This is my 4th day of using a q-tip (cotton bud) dipped in the liquid and applied generously inside both nostrils, covering as much of the polyps as navigation allowed. I still cannot breathe through either nostril, but on this 4th day, after applying the Tea Tree oil, a large polyp was dislodged from my right nostril and a partial polyp came loose from my left. I'm extremely encouraged with this new development and will continue to apply the Tea Tree oil twice a day. I should also tell you, the application of this herbal remedy is a bit painful, but the pain only lasts for 10-15 minutes and it's well worth the minor discomfort if you haven't been able to breathe from your nostrils for years and have visible polyps growing from inside your head. Yuk! Thanks again for all of you who gave me this great solution. I'll keep you informed as to my progress.

I was a bit leery about putting a q-tip up my nose, but today was so bad I finally decided I needed to. I rubbed a bit of Tea Tree oil around the polyp, and now, two hours later, it's the best I've been able to breath in weeks. I'm going to try twice a day. The q-tip really wasn't that bad, and I'm amazed that just one application helped so quickly. The one application certainly hasn't cured me, but just being able to breath through one nostril at least is remarkable.

I've had two surgeries, and could probably use another. I've been going to the same ENT for 20 years now, and he is very hesitant to recommend surgery (I guess his boat is big enough). You know your problem is bad, though, when he looks up your nose and then goes to fetch another doctor and says "you've got to see this!"

I've had nasal polyps for 2 years, had surgery and they were back within months. My ENT tried several meds.... None worked. I finally found an allergist in Austin that has spent his life studying nasal polyps. He's amazing. He prescribed Pulmicort twice a day. This is a liquid drop that you put in sinus rinse or netty pot twice a day. It has literally changed my life. I can breath and smell and while the polyps aren't gone...they are managed by this medication. I also had asthma...now gone. Be careful taking Advil as I also acquired an allergy to Advil and aspirin due to polyps...

Folks...check out yourselves for major food allergies like lactose intolerance. I suffered with polyps for years until I found that I was lactose intolerant and some pollens. Once I eliminated ALL fresh dairy and took various anti histamines in season not only did my allergies lighten up but my polyps started shrinking slowly and now about ten years later they are completely gone. Most people are slightly allergic to many things, alcohol being one of them, and will have some minor symptoms which we usually ignore but when one eliminates the major one[s] the others usually disappear. Oh yeah and nasal sprays sort of make one dependent on them not to mention mess up one sleep. Instead, if you can find them, nasal tube plugs or other such things that open ones nasal passages can help until one doesn't need them any more. Steroids are another thing to avoid since they only work for a short time and then cause more problems. If you are Asian or a blue eyed blond you have a very high chance of being lactose intolerant. Easy test is remove all foods with lactose,even very small amounts, in them for 1-2 weeks and you will know. And now there are so many lactose free dairy products it's fairly easy to try this test without changing your whole diet. Another method if those tests are too difficult get some lactose enzymes and take a tab every time you eat something that MAY have lactose in it. Bydose

I am 24 . I celebrated 14th anniversary of my nasal polyp this year. I dont know that for how much long these polyps are gonna love me.

Well .... I have had 3 surgeries and every time they grew back.I dont know that how much money I have spent on all medicines,sprays.I am like habitual and when my friends and cousins see problem,they wonder that how I live. And my reply is that now I dont consider it as a problem.I have to live with these silly polyps.

But one thing I would like to tell....that whenver I do something physical exercise or lift or push some heavy stuff,my blocked nostril opens up. I feel good and free.
And this is true that most of the polyp bearers have lactose intolernace.So I would advise to go for lactose free food and exercises are must.

PS : Nasal drops can make your polyps worse.You can be relieved but not for longer duration.Nasal polyps make you dependent.

So glad I found this forum. I'm 32 and have been suffering from nasal polyps for about 8 years now. I've tried all the nasal sprays, different steroids, I had an operation (they came back within 6 months), I moved country a couple of times (change in environment/climate), I run about 100-160km/month and my diet is very healthy. Nothing helps.

I've stopped drinking all together as it's just not worth it. I had one pint of cider with dinner on a recent holiday and spent the whole night blowing my nose. I wasn't a big drinker anyway, but it'd be nice to be able to have a drink or two without having to suffer so much for it.

I also have the added benefit of it dripping down the back of my throat and giving me terrible breath a lot of the time. I suck on sugar-free mints a few times a day at work and mouthwash/brush my teeth before going anywhere near my wife!

The first thing I do each morning is cough up a disgusting amount of phlegm and spend a minute blowing my nose.

I'm so sick of having to blow my nose a few times every hour. I'm desperate for any kind of remedy.

Hi guys... I see alot of you saying that beer aggravates your condition. I too have chronic sinusitis, and have found the most unlikely cause.

Candida

Look it up. Systemic yeast infections have been known to cause sinus problems. I'm currently on the diet, and have noticed a vast improvement. From what I understand though, it will not shrink polyps, but will rid you of the root cause of them that keeps them coming back.

Make sure you read this next part!!

Most treatments for polyps and sinusitis (antibiotics and corticosteroids) actually FEED and yeast overgrowth. Meaning your symptoms may improve, but your overall condition worsens.


I hope this helps some people.

-Chris
Beer is absolutely the 100% worst thing for it

Try a candida diet and probiotics (not antibiotics... Probiotics) to strengthen up your intentional track. It is a sucky diet... I'm not gonna lie. No wheat, no sugars, no moulds..... Basically fresh vegetables and meats. But worth it if you can get through it.

If in fact, this is the problem, then once you rid your body of the candida infection, then you may be able to treat the polyps without fear of them returning

Howdy,

There was a post who asked does this condition affect others outside of the US? Yes! I'm from Australia, and I did see a couple of replies from New Zealand which is probably a 2-3 hour flight across the ditch.

The biggest thing for me, I can handle the stuffiness on one side, and the mucous, but what does it for me....the effect it has on my sleep and as a consequence I'm am in tolerable! I hate it, and I don't even realise I'm like it until I have a good nights sleep.

Anyway....I'm suffering polyps ATM. Had surgery 6 months ago and the bloody thing has grown back already and I need to have another operation, this op thou the surgeon want's to "clean me out", clear out all the mucous and deal with the polyp at the time. Luckily here in Australia we have the worlds best health care. I would hate to be suffering this in the US for example.

From the discussions I have had with the surgeons 1. Adelaide, South Australia (where I live) apparently has some of the best ENTs in the world and 2. the Professor here is also apparently doing a lot of research into the causes of this condition. Referring to point 1 I'm very lucky to have such good DRs performing this procedure.

Now from what I have learnt. Alcohol does flare up the condition, sometimes! Doesn't matter what type of alcohol either. although red wine is a problem, an it's a big problem 'cause I love reds!

The latest surgeon has told me there is a particular bacteria or fungi when present in the sinus cavity that this condition follows. So, there was a previous post which suggested that an anti-fungal oral treatment, a similar treatment to oral thrush when used had positive effects which I am going to give a try. I also read Apple Cider Vinegar in low doses helps. I have also heard this is good for weight loss to. So I' going to give that a try as well , and I might lose a bit of weight in the process.

This condition really gets you down at times. It stems from the sleep disturbances which then affect your mental health and overall well being.

Let us know how you are doing.

Let us know how you are doing.

Let us know how you are doing.

wow..sadly i feel wonderful to know I am not the only miserable guy in this world. I have had this condition for over 15 years. My first surgery over 5 years back almost cured me but since has returned. I always suspected alcohol but was reluctant to give it up. Now I am definitely going to. I am cutting salt and diary too. Interestingly, I was biking everyday for 3 months and did not have polyps. Over the christmas holidays, alcohol and lack of exercise triggered these monsters in my nose. thanks to everyone who posted their remedies.

Wow amazing, all the stories and to know there are so many others out there with the same problems and symptoms as me. People at my work think I'm constantly sick and no one I know has ever heard of nasal polyps. There certainly are a lot of us. Just for the record I have what is called Samter's Triad, allergies, asthma, and nasal polyps. I'm also deathly allergic to aspirin - like an earlier poster the only thing I can take is tylenol. I've had 5 surgeries - knowing the solution was only temporary but made out of sheer frustration. About 5 years ago, my polyps were so bad it sounded like my nose was singing and I couldn't control it. I called my ENT and they had no vacancies for about 3 months. Someone suggested I go to a naturopath. She claimed I was "one of the sickest people she ever saw" and put me on a strict brown rice diet, no sugar, yeast, alcohol, dairy, wheat, no acidic fruits or vegetables - basically everything I ate! She also gave me a few weeks treatment of acupuncture and some type of homeopathic medicine. It was amazing. I was completely cured. I could even smell again. After one month I went back to eating what i wanted and now 5 years later the polyps are back in full force (I can touch one in my right nostril) and it seems that it is time to try the pared down diet again. I'm going to try it without the acupuncture and see if it still works. My ENT wants to book me for surgery and I am tempted only because it's easier then the diet - but I know it won't last. I am grateful to read all these posts because it inspires me to try going on the all natural brown rice diet again. Good luck to all of you and really, we ought to have a convention!

Cheers and I will report back and let you know if the diet helps dissolve the polyps.

Yvonne

Hi Yvonne,

I am thinking that my polyp problem is diet related too. I have been seeing an ENT doctor & the word surgery keeps popping up (not unlike the polyps). I like the idea of a homeopathic approach to this problem. I have an appointment with a Chiropractor next week & am hoping he can help...

It sure helps to know that there are many sufferers out there. And I hope there is a cure SOON. It is driving me nuts!

Be well!



Sarah Jane

Hello fellow polyp sufferers! I have found something that works for me & I wanted to share. I take 'Singulari" montelukast tablets, 10mg. I started taking them at night prior to going to bed as it was the only thing that allowed me to breathe through my nose. Have been taking it now for 3 weeks and I just had my follow up appointment with my doctor. My polyps have shrunk! I'm so happy, as this will allow me to postpone any surgery for as long as this works. My doctor tells me it doesn't work for everyone. But even if it works for some of us, it's worth a try. Good Luck, I will continue to keep you posted.

Hello fellow polyp sufferers! I have found something that works for me & I wanted to share. I take 'Singulari" montelukast tablets, 10mg. I started taking them at night prior to going to bed as it was the only thing that allowed me to breathe through my nose. Have been taking it now for 3 weeks and I just had my follow up appointment with my doctor. My polyps have shrunk! I'm so happy, as this will allow me to postpone any surgery for as long as this works. My doctor tells me it doesn't work for everyone. But even if it works for some of us, it's worth a try. Good Luck, I will continue to keep you posted.

Hello Lilybird,

Great for you! I am on Singulair as well but it hasn't worked for me. Keep us posted!

Hi, I have nasal polyps with no sense of smell and little taste. I've tried Singulair too, but I couldn't even tell I was using it! The only thing that can touch my condition is heavy prednisone. But it helps to hear all of your stories, thanks for sharing!

Three years of no taste, no smell, no fun going out to eat out with friends as I blow my dribbling nose every four minutes, and use tons and tons of tissues. So embarrassing.
I've had one major operation to clear all the sinuses and get rid of huge polyps, (which came back after a month) cycle after cycle of prednisone and antibiotics, antihistamines, nasal sprays, neti pots- there isn't a treatment out there I haven't tried. I've been on Zyflo, Singulair, Omnaris, and with all the drugs I've had side effects: metallic taste, headaches, nose bleeds, and wild nightmares. I'm allergic to Advil, and I and I can't tolerate soy or gluten, and discovered those two allergies on my own.
Seriously, I was looking up The Hemlock Society because I just can't tolerate living like this. Sleeping at night is no escape because I can't breathe and wake up with a mouth as dry as sandpaper.
This forum made me realize that there are others who are exactly like me, and also wishing and hoping that the medical world could find answers other than surgery, prednisone, nasal sprays, and antibiotics. (I'm not happy that there are so many others suffering, but it made me feel better not to think I'm the only one so frustrated.) It is so disturbing that not one doctor here in the States is trying to find a way to make our bodies fight this off, and to give our compromised immune system a chance to get strong. Every time I take prednisone, I will have two weeks of breathing, and then go straight down hill again; I think it has made my body lose interest in fighting, and there has to be a natural way to help the body stop fighting whatever we eat, drink and smell that someone will finally discover. Probably not a doctor or the pharmaceutical industry.
Thanks for letting me vent- I'm not a solo sufferer but I'm sorry for all of us!

So I'm NOT the only one who thinks this polyp insanity has ruined the will to live? I just about can't take it anymore. After reading all of the diet suggestions it appears that I would need to give up wheat, dairy, sugar, yeast, alcohol, acidic fruits, and vegetables. REALLY?

It's now been 11 weeks since my last 20 day round of Prednisone and I've had a raging sinus infection for the last 4 weeks. It's all I can do to drag myself out of bed to go to work. I have to time my Prednisone treatments out so that I'm only doing it 4 times a year because I worry about the long term effects. I also space them so that at least when I take a vacation or Holiday that I will be able to feel like a normal human for that short time.

My question to the medical world would be this: If they can make artificial limbs, artificial heart valves, etc, why can't they make artificial sinuses that could be used to replace the ones that are continually producing these polyps???

I'm not sure how many more years I can deal with having to go weeks upon weeks feeling like death would be a relief.

Hi Everybody,
I too suffered for 10 years with nasal polyps. I had constant sinus infections, real bad asthma, had to be on prednisone at least a couple times a year, etc. I could not smell a thing except when I was taking huge doses of prednisone. I was miserable just like everyone else who has posted here on this forum. Then about 6 years ago I heard a doctor on the radio talking about "hidden inflammation" and he recommended combating it with high dosages of omega 3 fish oil. That was all I needed to hear, so started doing the Omega 3 fish oil (from Costco) the next day. He didn't say it directly, but I thought it might help my asthma and nasal polyp situation. After about 6 weeks, I started to be able to smell only slightly, but it continued to improve. I added Afrin nasal spray on my own and that really helped. I then went to my doctor and told him what I discovered and he added the Nasonex, Claritin, Singulair and recommended the nasal rinse (I don't think a netipot has enough force to rinse out the nasal cavity thoroughly.) . He didn't want me to use the Afrin, but I wasn't about to stop doing anything because what I was doing was actually working! I have not missed a day of this routine for 6 years and I have been able to smell almost every day, some days better than others, but a major improvement. There have been other benefits to this routine too, such as enjoyment of food, smelling flowers, everything that anybody reading this forum knows too well. And it lowered my cholesterol. So her's the routine that cured my nasal polyps. I also think exercise is an important component. I try to walk in the morning before doing any of the above. I have told several people about this and nobody was willing to follow this routine. I hope someone here will try it and be successful. Please let me know!

Morning
Claritin 10mg
Singulair 10mg
Omega 3 Fish Oil 4800mg
Vitamin C 1000mg
Multivitamin
Ayr Saline Nasal Rinse, then
Afrin 1 squirt each nostril

Late morning/Early afternoon
Afrin 1 squirt each nostril

Late afternoon
Ayr Saline Nasal Rinse first, then
Nasonex 2 squirts each nostril

Before Bed
Ayr Saline Nasal Rinse first
Nasonex 2 squirts each nostril

Any time after exposure to allergens
Saline wash

Thank you so much for sharing what you have discovered and can you please mention whether you faced some surgeries for nasal polyps removal?

Very interesting to read about your use of Afrin. When my sinuses are at their worst I've often wondered about whether using that kind of nasal spray would help shrink the polyps. The only thing that held me back was the way congestion normally gets WORSE if you continue using those sprays past a couple days. But in your case it isn't? Sounds promising.

I went for my monthly allergy shots yesterday and while there, approached the doctor who had done two of my sinus surgeries. He's basically thrown in the towel because the last surgery only got me 3 weeks of relief and that was only because I was on Prednisone up until the day of the surgery! Anyway, based on something I'd read on this forum, and my own belief that this sinus problem is somehow fungus related, I talked him into prescribing the oral suspension of Nystatin to add to my nasal rinse mixture. He and his nurse came up with what they felt would be the right dosage, and I started it last night. I will try ANYTHING at this point. Oddly enough, I am not nearly as congested this morning as I normally am. I can't imagine it could be working already, but who knows? I'm supposed to use it 4 times a day. If this gets rid of these damn polyps I will be back here to shout it's praises, then straight to the doctor's office to give him a big HUG, LOL!

I also suffer bad nasal polyps. I had surgery a year and a half ago, almost 2 years ago and unfortunately, they're growing back. I can tell you one thing I learned -- cutting alcohol seems to have helped a great deal. I was no alcoholic but I would drink Friday nights with friends -- I stopped. I've noticed I feel much better, I can smell and I can taste. I plan on not drinking at all for the next year and see if perhaps that is a big contributor. Only other thing I can think of that might have helped is winter is about over and we're about to start Spring. Winter is always bad for me.. but so far, I would definitely advise NO ALCOHOL, religious use of Flonase, and Sinu-Rinse.

Three polypectomys two septoplasties, polyps still return as does anosmia,re alcohol, consultant explained that every bodies nasal passages swell with alcohol, but people with polyps noses will feel it considerably more.
I use Flixonase nasules one per nostril everyday now after a Neilmed nasal salt rinse,with head hanging down backwards off of bed, be sure to stay in position for 2 or 3 miutes or drops will go down back of throat, and my taste and smell returned but you MUST use them religiously to keep polyps at bay.

I suffer from nasal polyps but I must admit mine are much milder than other posts. I have been aware of my polyps for about 2 years but only recently have I been contemplating what they are and how much they have been affecting my health and lifestyle.
I am a smoker and my home is both a bit mouldy (which is outside my control) and considerably dusty (which I can wholeheartedly admit could be improved through changes to my cleaning habits).
I drink beer or wine once or twice a week and have noticed this affects me but had always thought this might have been a reaction to preservatives in these mainly mass produced beverages.
Through reading others posts I realise I need to pay way more attention into what I am putting into my body if I want to find out what is causing this nasal coral (as I had called it before realising what it really was)
As an Australian who has been interested in essential oils and natural remedies, I have had Tea Tree Oil included in my first aid cabinet for many years -it is has both antiseptic and anti fungal properties and is useful for healing many skin ailments, cuts, burns, insect bites, pimples etc. My grandmother always mixed Tea Tree oil with Eucalyptus oil as an inhalant/steam bath when anyone suffered from colds or congestion.
I had never thought of applying tea tree oil directly up my nose until I read a post on a similar website.
For the past week I have been applying undiluted tea tree oil to my polyps with a cotton bud i.e. Q-tip twice a day & they have almost disappeared within 4 to 5 days. As I mentioned I don't believe my case is one of extreme severity but I can suggest this as something worth trying for those at their wits end.
I have never had my nose fully blocked by polyps and could only imagine how horrible that would be. i would say that my polyps have reduced in size by at least 75%.
Directly after application my nose does run more than normal, but it settles down within 5 - 10 mins.
Tea tree oil is an awesome thing to have around -I am unsure how easy it is to come by outside Australia but can honestly say it its a worthwhile investment as it has so many other uses should you not find it effective on your polyps (better to have around than a pharmaceutical nasal spray if it doesn't end up working)

Wow! IT WORKS. TREE TEA OIL!!!!
Had very restrictive nasal breathing for 20 years. It gets much worse during Fall/Spring. A load of Polyps. Have a about 50% air flow on L side and maybe 10-15% on R side. Tried steroid sprays, but have really bad issue with nightmares and daytime panic attacks. (Guess this can be an issue with steroids) Never could sleep worth a damn.

Found this forum and tried the Q-tip Tee oil thing. BINGO..... started breathing better the first day. Started only on my really bad side (R) to sort of test it. Within three days it was out preforming the (L) side.

I truly feel that most polyps are mold and or fungal issues. The tea oil has great anti-fungal properties. as a result, I think that is why it is so effective. Also, if your polyps are not mold/fungus sensitive you may not get this great response.

I hope to discontinue after a week or so. I also hope that I do not get a rebound like with the nasal sprays. I will keep you posted.

Update on my Nystatin treatment. I've been using the Nystatin for 4 1/2 days now. I'm almost positive that there is an improvement in my congestion, but still no taste or smell. I'm wondering if perhaps this will work better if I use it right after I've done my round of Prednisone, which shrinks the polyps and gives me back my senses (and sanity). BUT, stay tuned because even the Prednisone takes about 6 days for results, so maybe I just need a few more days to see better results. I think I'll cry if this turns out to be the solution I've been trying to find for the last 5 years!

Any progress so far? Please let us know!

Okay, I'm almost afraid to say this out loud for fear that tomorrow I will feel like crap once again, LOL! The bottle of Nystatin was supposed to last for 2 weeks, but that was if I used it 4 times a day. I really had no way of working that into my routine short of squishing it through my nose in the restroom at work, and I just didn't think the coworkers were quite ready for that! SO, three times a day, I did my normal saline rinse, then with a tiny amount of the salt/baking soda mixture (we're talking less than an 8th teaspoon, I added 6 ml of the Nystatin liquid suspension in a cup and then added about 1/3 cup of very warm water. (I always do my saline with as warm as I can tolerate the water because it just feels much more comfortable). I'd hold my head to the left and squirt into the left and hold a bit, then do the same with the right, then wipe off my nose. (There's this ridiculously bright yellow substance that gets left). At that point I'd try to wait a couple minutes at least before blowing my nose, in hopes it would keep "working". By the end of the first few days I felt like the congestion was better. By the end of 2 weeks the congestion was almost completely gone!! But the nagging problem of feeling exhausted was still coming and going. I still felt like I was running a slight temp at some point every day. But I kept using it because I had enough for another 5 days in that bottle. I've got my fingers crossed now because I feel the most "normal" that I have felt in the last 3 years other than when I'm on Prednisone. But here's the ONLY issue. I STILL cannot taste or smell. I don't think Nystatin does anything for the polyps. SO, I'm going to do a round of Prednisone at the end of this month (I always time it so that my vacation is pleasant!). At that time I'm going to ask the doctor if he will refill the Nystatin prescription. Once the polyps are shrunken, I'll start rinsing with it again. My theory is that if there is any fungus up there that couldn't be reached because of the polyps, it will get up there once they are gone.

I'll be back to let you know how it goes, but I am honestly so excited about this!! I swear, if it works I'm going to cry!

I HIGHLY suggest that those of you who just can't get rid of this just go beg your EMT to prescribe it. I didn't see anything written about this having any adverse side effects, and I certainly experienced none!

GOOD LUCK!

Thanks a lot for your reply. I'm trying to get my doctor to prescribe me Nystatin. She first wants to discuss it with the professor that is treating me at the specialized hospital. Tonight I'll hear what she has to say. I'm feeling completely miserable for the last 2 weeks. Waking up tired and without energy to do anything. After 13 years of living with my polyps it now also hits me psychologically. I really feel for everyone that is fed up with this illness.

Patrick - The Netherlands

Oh my, I can't believe you've lived with the polyps for 13 years. Have you ever taken Prednisone to get some relief? It's the only think that has ever worked for me to shrink them so that I can get back my taste, smell, and energy. Unfortunately, it's really bad to be on it for too long, so I limit it to 4 times a year. That's why I'm REALLY hoping that I've found the solution with Nystatin. If it's a fungal allergy and the Nystatin kills the fungus, then just maybe once the Prednisone gets rid of the polyps, the lack of fungus will keep them from coming back. I will definitely let you all know if the combination of the two keeps the polyps away.

And good luck to you !

Yes I got 40 mg a day for two weeks and that was such a relief! Being able to smell and taste again was the best thing that ever happened to me. The downside of it is that I suddenly started to realize how I could have lived all those years with this thing. I guess you can get used to anything.. But the surgery last year and the prednison made me determined to end it all.

How many mg per day do you take and for how many weeks? Have you ever noticed severe side effects so far?

This friday I will have another CT scan and tuesday my professor will review it and take action. It will probably be surgery again..

Thanks though for your information. I will definitely discuss it with the Prof.

Good luck to you too! And let us know your progress.

Pat

The prescription said "Nystatin 100000". I used 6ml (they have me a little measuring spoon at the pharmacy), 3 times a day in just enough warm water to get into the bulb syringe and squirt into each side. This was AFTER doing a normal saline rinse. The bottle lasted for about 20 days, after which I felt better than I had in weeks.

UNFORTUNATELY, the last couple days I have felt lousy and like I'm running a low temp again, very tired. It's been about 7 days since I finished the Nystatin. I still think it's because the polyps are blocking the medicine from completely getting into my sinus cavity. At the end of this month I'm starting another round of Prednisone. My doctor orders a taper starting with 60mg for 4 days, 40mg for 4 days, 30 for 4 days, 20, then 10, also 4 days each. When I'm done with that and the polyps are shrunk I'm doing another 20 days of Nystatin. Can't wait to see if that keeps them away longer. I normally only get about 3 or 4 weeks of relief after finishing the Prednisone. Stay in touch! And I'll check back.

On a side note, I have no idea if this has ANYTHING to do with my problem, but I'm going to toss it out there in case any of you had a similar experience. Six years ago we took a trip to Cancun. Long story short, their air conditioning system sucked and I'm pretty sure I was breathing moldy air every night as I slept. I came home with a temp of 102 and was miserable. It was shortly after that I developed asthma for the first time in my life, followed shortly after with all of these polyp/congestion issues. I have really never been the same since. I've just always felt like I picked up SOMETHING on that trip.