Blocked sinus after AC and Paclitaxel treatments

FormerMember
FormerMember
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Hello All,

I'm new here. I was diagnosed with breast cancer 6 months ago. I had 2 surgeries followed by 4 cycles of AC and 4 cycles of Taxol. Since my last treatment 4 weeks ago, I've been experiencing blocked nose even though there is no mucus, sometimes my nose feels really dry and it makes me struggle to breathe. I don't have cold or any other symptoms related to infection etc. Is this a common side effect of chemo or Taxol? I went to an ENT who did an initial check (camera up my nose) and said that he couldn't see anything wrong with it but it has been really bad in the past 4 weeks that I haven't been able to sleep at all. My Oncologist insisted that it's not a side effect of chemo.

If anyone else has experienced this, would you be able to share your story? Will it go away after sometime? I know blocked nose might seem like such a small issue but at the moment it is dominating my life. I have tried steam inhalation, saline/salt water solution, humidifier, topical nose spray, olbas oil which help for 20-30 minutes at a time but at night it's preventing me from sleeping which is taxing on my mental health as well on top of everything else as I don't know what it is and if it will ever go away. 

  • I had a blocked nose due to allergy years ago which was horrendous at night and tried usual antihistamine tablets, vapour and even acupuncture.  Otravine and Olanus oil gave short term relief.  Eventually a nurse friend told me to ask GP for Rhinocort nasal spray.  It was like a miracle.  One squirt before bed snd antihistamine tablet in morning and I was no longer bunged up.  It’s a steroid spray though so might not be suitable with your medication.  I also put olabus oil on my pillow .  I can confirm that rubbing Vick on your feet does not prevent a blocked nose Rofl