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What Causes Swollen Nasal Membranes And Dry Throat After Taking Methamphetamine?

Posted on Fri, 18 Sep 2015

Question: I have unfortunately had issues with snorting drugs for many years. Recently I had a binge with methamphetamine and I have noticed that my nose is badly inflamed on the inside and has completely stopped making mucus or watering at all. I'm really scared. what should I do? Also my saliva glands under my tongue periodically inflame and stop producing saliva and my throat and tongue feel like they are on fire. also the muscle on my neck that covers the saliva glands on both sides feels like it collapses and gets tight again after it passes it's so incredibly painful. even the back of my head feels like its on fire. it feels like an acid burn its so bad. ice packs usually make it go away but then like a jackass I feel like I'm OK to do it again and it all starts back over again. I don't have any nose bleeds which hopefully means there is no necrosis. does this sound serious?

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, this is right time to quit snorting; it's an alarm sign...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for posting the query

The drugs you are using for snorting is damaging the nasal mucosa as well as the drying up the throat. Methamphetamine is known to cause xerostomia, because it inhibits the production of oral and nasal secretions. It would be wiser to stop these drugs at this stage rather than waiting for the mucosa to get completely damaged. Once the nasal mucosa gets damaged, it can destroy the underlying nasal septum and thus alter the shape of the nose. If you are unable to quit instantaneously, try to wean off.

Secondly, to prevent the dryness in the nose you can use saline nasal spray and saline nasal ointment (if available at your place), as frequently as possible. These medicines prevent the dryness of the nose and helps in rejuvenation of the nasal mucosa.

Finally, to prevent xerostomia, please follow the below mentioned measures:
1. Drink plenty of water. Preferably, normal water.
2. Try sialogogues such as lemonade, orange juice or sour items. This will stimulate the production of saliva and prevents the dryness.
3. Avoid coffee, fizzy drinks and smoking.

Hope with these measures you will feel better. Revert back to me if you have any follow up queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgery

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (53 minutes later)

its so crazy. now my nose has started to blow some kind of fluid out that doesnt look like normal mucus. its clear and comes out in a glob but if I touch it with my finger it evaporates. it all started a few years ago when I had a really bad allergic reaction to some stuff and after taking some prescription steroids/benadryl syrup and my throat cleared my saliva was thick clear and sticky and was constantly stuck in the back of my throat for a really super long time until a few weeks ago when I had what I thought was another reaction and both glands on either side of my tongue swelled crazily and my tongue was dark red and my whole mouth felt as if it were on fire and got sores on it. since then I have been able to massage the glands and use ibuprofen along with hot and cold presses to get them to go down and my saliva actually is normal in my mouth. however ever since the first reaction when clearing my throat whatever glands are back there are putting out stuff with brown flakes in it. also when I massage the glands there are wht look like a few little growths and the saliva tastes awful and bitter. idk what ive done to myself.

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
The clear fluid what you notice is the inflammatory transudate...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back

The clear fluid what you notice is the inflammatory transudate. This indicates that the body repair mechanism is on.

Do not worry! The clumps what you notice after massaging the glands are the tenacious salivary secretions blocked in the salivary duct following dehydration and inflammation. This thickened secretions retained in the salivary duct clears off when the glands are massaged. Sialogogues will help in increasing the production of salivary secretions and reduce the discomfort.

Hope this clarifies your doubts. Wish you good health.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (7 hours later)

so its been quiet awhile now and I have slept considerably. When I woke up my mouth was fine but my nose still completely dry with absolutely no moisture in it at all. When I put saline in it it just runs down the back of my throat and doesnt seem to be drawn into my sinuses because they are bone dry again within minutes. The only response is from Aquaphor when I put it up my nose with a q-tip. im soo scared. should I visit the er. im afraid ill get necrosis or something.

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please do not use aquaphor...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Welcome back

1. Please use saline nasal spray instead of drops. Drops will trickle down into the throat, but the spray spreads into the nose uniformly, moistening the mucosa. None of the sprays or drops in the world when used through the nose can enter into the normal sinuses. The only way the saline can reach into the sinuses is through nasal douching.

2. Please do not use aquaphor, it is not to be applied inside the nose. Instead use saline nasal ointment (comes under the brand name Nisita) or glycerine, which is available over the counter.

3. Initially, use saline nasal spray and ointment on an hourly basis and later you can use it as and when required.

Hope this clarifies your doubts; wish you good health.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (23 hours later)

thank you so much for not being judgemental and helping me through this. I've been doing what you said as well as been drinking lots of fluids and taking my anxiety meds. I think 90 percent of it was extreme dehydration coupled with extreme anxiety

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Wish you good health and good luck

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Welcome back

It's nice to know that you are doing well. Please continue with the measures as suggested you will definitely feel better.

My humble suggestion to you is to refrain from snorting. Wish you good health and good luck.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (44 minutes later)

I very much wish to quit but it is so hard. I have an issue like this that scares me and causes me to quit for some time. however once I start ro feel better I feel like im ok to start again and it starts all over. im recieving a settlement with a large sum of money that I plan on using part of for drug rehab and maybe a psychiatrist to get me straightened out with better anxiety meds and something for my chemical dependency. is it possible for the sinuses to actually stop producing mucus after too much abuse? or do you think maybe ive damaged nerves up there and it just the sensations that are bothering me? they just feel weird like they wont clog at all no matter how much saline or anything I put in there like they used too. idk

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please make an honest effort to quit drugs...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Welcome back

Basically, you need to make your mind strong. Human mind is like a horse without a jockey. If you can control your mind, you will be able to do wonders. Please make an honest effort to get rehabilitated.

Our body can tolerate the minimal assaults and repair itself effectively. But, if the assault continues beyond the stage of repair, then you will land up in dreadful complications. Hence, it is always wiser to quit, before the irreparable damage takes place.

It's the mucosa of the nasal cavity which gets destroyed and the glands stop producing the lubricants. Whereas, the sinuses are completely unaffected because of its location.

You are absolutely right, snorting can damage the nerves supplying that part of the septum and make it numb.

Nasal mucosa requires at least 3-4 weeks to repair itself and become normal. Hence, using the saline spray and the saline nasal ointment, helps it to heal faster. You need to have some patience till it heals.

Hope this clarifies your doubts. Wish you good health.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (1 hour later)

thank you. yes my mind is my worst enemy

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
God bless you... Good luck...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back.

Wish you good health. May god bless you.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (6 days later)

Thank you so very much. God bless you as well. I've been doing very well and not abusing any drugs. I know it's only been a week but I feel almost 100 percent. the saline rinses and oragel mouthwash are what has helped tremendously. I'm guessing I was just letting my sinuses dry out so much and not drinking enough water that it was causing the ' symptoms' that coupled with not taking my anxiety medicine. However I feel great now thanks to your advice and I wanted to thank you. I lost a friend due to a brain aneurysm that burst because of the high blood pressure caused by methamphetamine this week. She was my high school sweetheart. She was only 27 years old and never hardly ever abused it. In fact she was in the medical field. Anyway it scared me enough that I can say I'll never abuse anything again. I guess we aren't indestructible after all. Sorry for writing so much.

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I'm pleased to know that you are getting better...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Welcome back

I'm pleased to know that you are getting better. Please continue with the medicines for at least a couple of months.

I wish you all the best in your endeavors. I do understand your concern; it is always better to let go off your feelings with the people you trust. Do not worry! Everything will fall in place.

God bless you.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina