Quote: Originally posted by OliverDay on 14/5/2014
If it's a simple nasal rinse solution then you can mix your own. If that is the case it's no wonder the GP refused as they would be wasting NHS money.
My GP couldn't provide a douche under the NHS either but he did recommend the above solution and gave me a plastic syringe in order to make it easier to administer...10ml up each nostril with head down so that it runs up into the sinuses.
I used to dive the English channel finest sinus wash you can get!
God knows what contaminants were in it but it worked a treat without any ill effects.
saxo1
If you have to pay for your prescriptions always ask a GP if something he is about to prescribe can be obtained cheaper over the counter, or made up yourself. Quite often they can. A helpful GP will tell you but others may not unless you ask.
Quote: Originally posted by Scampi on 15/5/2014
It's not necessarily easy to get hold of pharmaceutical quality 'ingredients' for making up your own solutions - they are different to food grade (for instance - 'salt' - sodium chloride - that you buy to eat may contain anti-caking agents and traces of potassium chloride ... pharmaceutical grade doesn't). Also, you need sterile water to make up solutions, not tap water (and not boiled water either). So even if you have the 'recipe' it's not as easy as you might think to make something up to pharmaceutical quality. And would you really want to be rinsing your eyes, sinuses, etc, with something that wasn't right??
Interesting point there Scampi - you might want to offer your advice to the Oxford Radliffe Hospitals NHS Trust who produce this leaflet.
The 'recipe' is also what my consultant wrote out for me on a bit of note paper when I had my sinuses blasted.
------------- Ollie
2016
Monplaisir - Provence
Camping Les Gorges du Loup
I got 'addicted' to nasal sprays, after having a couple of heavy colds and being unable to sleep because of blocked nose. The doctor explained to me, continual usage would cause polyps in the sinus, not wanting those beasties. A friend told me to,used instead, sea salt and boiled water.
So it maybe the GP won't repeat prescribe for a similar reason, too much use could cause long term damage
------------- 47 and only just learned how to work a sleeping bag
Regular use of nasal sprays can have the opposite affect because the nasal passages begin to fight off the attack of chemicals and start closing down. My GP also told me they can cause pressure in the eyes...something I don't need with my present eye condition.
It is not always a case of GP's refusing to supply things on the NHS. There are certain things they aren't allowed to prescribe for various reasons.