Nose hairs!!

lisbet54

Hi

I'm pt on weekly taxol with no expiration date (metastatic breast cancer with liver mets). So far I've had 7 doses. After having he dose lowered after 2. dose (due to severe neuropathy) SE are not many. However I do have one very painful SE: hurting nose/nasal pathways because of missing nose hairs and dried out mucous membranes. My nose is now runny all the time and I'm blowing blood-filled mucus (no cold or flu, no temperature). It feels like every time I take in air it hurts all the way up to my brain. I have asked the onc about it - he just said it's quite normal and not dangerous or serious, so I shouldn't worry about it. He didn't have any suggestion to ease the pain.

I'm using coconut oil to lighten the pain and give moisture - but don't feel it's helping that much. Have any of you got a suggestion to ease the pain and discomfort?

Jennifer522

Have you tried saline spray? I use one called Little Remedies (made for babies, it's what I already had in medicine cabinet) but other brands make them too.

I know taking Claratin or anything that drys you out makes it worse for me.

SpecialK

I agree that a moisturing spray may help and I found that using Aquaphor, or other petroleum based product like Vaseline, provided staying power. I put it in a cotton swab and put that up my nose and then pinched my nostrils together to spread it around on the inside.I think the coconut oil might absorb and not provide enough of a barrier. I ended up using Aquaohor at the corners of my eyes and on my feet and hands for cracked skin at night with cotton gloves and socks. Good luck

stephincanada

Try borrowing a CPAP machine that pumps air with moisture in your nose during the night so that you can sleep. I had this same SE. During the summer, I had to spend the day sitting outside because I couldn’t breathe in air conditioned air. It was brutal. So sorry to hear that you are suffering...

mustlovepoodles

Another vote for Baseline or Aquaphor in each nostril. Try not to blow your nose--it's already irritated and you're just blowing the scab off every time you blow, making the bleeding continue.

lisbet54

Thank you for the kind answers.

Jennifer522: I’m using a neti pot aka rhino horn nasal wash (saline solution) every night. It does help for the night and I’m sure it’s takes away some of the dirt that the nose hairs would usually hinder. However it doesn’t take away the pain.

SpecialK: I looked up Aquaphor - and it’s available here as well. I will definitely look into this.

Stephincana: I looked up a CPAP machine. Had never heard of this before. However I have no problems sleeping and air conditioned air is no problem in DK. (We don’t use air conditioners here - not necessary). The machine is definitely out of my budget and as far as I can see they are for buying and not renting.