Question: I had a severe cold some time back with running nose, watery eyes and 25 to 30 sneezes a day. It lasted for two to three days making my life absolutely miserable. The doctor prescribed LORFAST and miraculously the cold vanished. But it has left a nose that is blocked which makes breathing difficult at night with both the nostril blocked. The nose drops did help but they are not supposed to be taken for more than seven days. My doctor has prescribed CORIMINC tablets. But causes drowsiness and it is pretty difficult to concentrate at work. What is the alternative. How long would it normally take to decongest the nose so that I can have a normal life?

Thank you doctor.

Just a reconfirmation if you do not mind.

At the moment I do not have cold, watery nose or watery eyes or either the serial sneezes. They have stopped a couple of days back after taking LORFAST.

Sometimes I can manage to sleep without much disturbance or nose drops when the nose is partially unblocked and at other times it suddenly gets blocked for an hour or two and opens up once again partially- enough to get sleep.

So my main problem is the blocking of the nose especially during sleep. But also on the whole I feel something has swollen internally in the nasal duct due to cold and it is this that has got to subside so that the passage is clear for ease of breathing. All the above just to further clarify my problem.

Do I then continue with the Fexofenadine and montelukast combination which is for antihistamine or is there something specific you would like to consider for just the issue of blocked nose? How long do you think it takes for the internal swelling to subside effectively?

Kindly bear with me.

Regards

XXXX

Thank you Doctor.

I shall follow the prescription. Hope there won't be any problem in getting the medicine.

Regards

XXXX