Does anyone know whether medicine is supposed to make things worse before better?

Rosie_Bud

Hi all,

I've never posted on this board before and don't think that what I am asking constitutes medical advice but correct me if I'm wrong and feel free to delete the thread if necessary. I have searched but cannot find an answer.

My DH has been suffering with what we think is allergic rhinitis for about 9 months now, after exposure to a chemical in his previous workplace. Started off with nosebleeds and has progressed onto congestion, post nasal drip, runny nose and sometimes a sore throat with a feeling of it "closing". Anyway we went to see the doctor last week and he has prescribed a steroidal nasal spray. The main problem we have is he has just started a new job (three weeks ago) and when he has a bad bout of this he is unable to sleep and therefore feels rubbish the next day. He has so far managed to soldier on, as we grown ups have to, but I am finding myself constantly worried that he will have an "attack" that will prevent him going to work through lack of sleep. He currently takes anti-histamines every day and this works to a degree but feel this wasn't a long term solution so went to the doctors. Anyway - sorry to blather on but I wanted to give you all a bit of history - does anyone know whether its true that medicine makes things worse before they get better? I just ask this because we recently purchased one of those "medinose" things and he used it and ended up with a constant nasal drip and to be honest he has not used it again because of this.

Wanted to add aswell that we are still trying to work out what brings on one of these "attacks". We have kind of boiled it down to dust/pets but sometimes he gets a reaction to these things and other times he doesn't so still a bit confused!

Any thoughts?

RB xx

VfM4meplse

Steroid nasal sprays do not make symptoms worse before they get better, but they do need to be taken regularly at the full dose for 7 days or so before the effect builds up in the nasal passages, so I recommend your DH takes the antihistamines until the syptoms start to alleviate. Once the dose has built up, the nasal steroid can then also help with ocular and nasal symptoms.

DH should definitely persist with the nasal steroid (unbranded beclomethasone can also be purchased from the pharmacy, a 200-dose bottle will last for 25 days and cost about £5), but do remind him to blow his nose before he administers the dose!

lovethymini

I've had many occasions in the past when a medicine doesn't seem to work. I find they sometimes only affect the symptons.

If you feel you've tried all the regular options you may want to look into homeopathy! This is what I did and I'm amazed at what homeopathy can do. It's too easy these days to bombard our bodies with chemical after chemical, sometimes our poor bodies need a break!

Best wishes

VfM4meplse

What most patients don't realise is that medicines (drugs) offer very few cures (appropriately prescribed anti-infectives being an exception) but are mostly symptomatic treatments during which time there may or may not be a natural remission. That's why - unlike most surgical procedures - many medicines need to be taken long-term!

Rosie_Bud

Thanks for the replies guys!

The doctor did say that his problem should be sorted after 3 months of using this spray and if no improvement after 1 month we should go back and see him again. I do feel more confident after your replies though that his symptoms won't actually get worse by using this spray so that is a relief!

I have to say aswell to lovethymini - homeopathy would definitely be something we would consider if we exhaust all conventional routes.

Thanks again for your help.

RB xx

absolutebounder

Medicine is meant to make the drugs companies and possibly your pension fund richer. Any health benefits are a bonus

Toothsmith

lovethymini wrote: »

If you feel you've tried all the regular options you may want to look into homeopathy!

But don't look too hard - otherwise you'll discover it's just sugar pills.

The dilution factors used for the 'strongest' dose of homeopathic 'medicine' is the equivalent of one atom of active ingredient diluted in the Pacific Ocean!

If a dilution of anything that small can make a difference to anything, then it means that the water coming out of your tap is a 'homeopathic cure' for everything - so why bother buying the pills?