For the last year I've been suffering with extremely severe sinus pressure and pain. This is mainly due to hayfever. I've suffered with hayfever my whole life, but never had problems with my sinuses relating to it. To be honest, up until a year ago I didn't even know what sinuses were, now they're all I think about! Previously, my hayfever would only effect my eyes and throat. I would sneeze all day and have very itchy and watery eyes, and that would be about it. Last summer I had no "normal" hayfever symptoms, just problems with my sinuses. I had such a headache all across my forehead, and around my eyes, even at the back of my head. I could barely even move due to the pressure I had in my face. As these were not my normal hayfever symptoms I didn't relate the two, and so didn't take my antihistamines to help. This led me to develop a sinus infection.

Sinus infections are notoriously hard to cure, as I was about to discover. I went to the doctors and he put me on a 7 day course of antibiotics. I felt much better after a few days, however after finishing the course the pressure in my face came back, so did all the pain. I went back to the doctors and he gave me a different type of antibiotics to try. The same thing happened. Nothing would get rid of this. I spent my whole summer miserable, constantly on antibiotics, constantly searching for a cure, and resigning myself to the fact I was going to be in pain for the rest of my life. Eventually the doctor referred me to a specialist.

The specialist examined my sinuses and to my shock said I didn't actually have a sinus infection! Why was I in so much pain then?! He explained to me that I probably did have an infection at some point and when it went it left my sinuses inflamed and sore, and this is why I was suffering so much with the pressure in my face. He suggested that I try Flixonase, to see if that would help with the pressure.

I bought one bottle of Flixonase from Boots for £7. I've also purchased it from Lloyds Pharmacy for exactly the same price. I find that a bottle will only last me 2 weeks, so this turns out to be quite expensive. I would therefore recommend shopping around online as it is quite easy to find some for as little as £4.

It comes in a carboard box about 6 inches high. Once you open it you find that the spray inside is actually about an inch containing the liquid and the rest of the bottle is a spray. The spray is really easy to use and doesn't get clogged up at all. The spray contains 60 sprays per bottle.

~~How does Flixonase work?~~
It contains a corticosteroid called fluticasone propionate. This acts an anti-inflammatory action, so helps to relieve the pressure I suffer by reducing the swelling in the sinuses. It works in a similar way to natural body chemicals to control inflammation. The spray helps to control your body's reactions to allergens in the environment.

~~What ingredients does it have?~~
It contains 50 micrograms of fluticasone propionate as the active ingredient in each spray. It also contains microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, dextrose, polysorbate 80, purified water, dilute hydrochloric acid and preservatives.

~~What is it used for?~~
It's used to treat hayfever symptoms. In particular:
*Sneezing
*Itchy and runny nose
*Itchy and watery eyes
*Nasal congestion and associated sinus discomfort.

~~What is the typical dosage?~~
Adults should take two sprays in each nostril once a day. If you find that your symptoms are especially bad then you can use two sprays twice a day. Similarly, if your symptoms improve then you can go down to one spray once a day. When mine has been really bad I have used it two sprays three times a day and be fine doing this, but you should consult a doctor if you want to do this!

It states on the box that you should only use it for a month at a time, and for any more time then you should consult your doctor. I did so and now use it for most of the year. I now struggle with sinus problems all year round, so I do use it a lot. I try to take a weeks break every few months, but I haven't had any problems from using it this much.

~~What are the possible side effects?~~
I haven't experienced any side effects at all really. Sometimes if my symptoms are especially bad and I use it more than I should then I get a slight nose bleed but other than that I have been fine with it. The box states that the possible side effects include:
*Headaches
*Sneezing
*An unpleasant taste or smell
*Minor nose bleeds
*Dryness and irritation of the nose and throat
*If you get a more severe reaction such as a sudden swelling of the face or tongue, a rash, start wheezing or feeling faint after using the spray then you should stop using it and see a doctor immediately.

A downside is that it takes about a week to actually start working, so you do have to struggle for a while until it kicks in. if it doesn't work straight away then don't give up using it, carry on, and it does work eventually! A few times I felt so much better and stopped taking the spray, but found within a few weeks all the pressure was back again once more and annoyingly I'd have to suffer with it for a week or so for it to work again! It does only contain 60 sprays. The typical dosage is 2 sprays in each nostril once a day = 4 sprays a day. This means that it will last you 15 days!! If your symptoms are especially bad then it may only last you a week! £7 a week just for hayfever symptoms is pretty expensive.

Now onto the positives! This spray has been a lifesaver for me! I found that gradually my symptoms become more and more bearable. Suddenly I would wake up and my first thought was no longer about my sinuses. I simply wake up in the morning and use my spray! You hold one nostril shut and spray into the other whilst gently inhaling. Let out that breath and then spray once more. You then move onto the other nostril. It's so easy to use. If it sometimes drips into the back of your throat then it's not a problem as I actually think it smells and tastes really nice!

I tried so many things to cure my sinus problems. I tried seven different antibiotics, I tried steam inhalation, I tried nasal irrigation - I bought a special kind of teapot called a neti pot, and poured warm salt water through one nostril and out the other, I dipped a piece of tissue in honey and laid on my back with it dripping into my sinuses, I tried reflexology, I tried decongestants, i tried antihistamines. NOTHING worked except this. It helped me to get my life back again and I would not be able to live without my flixonase!