Think I Finally Figured It Out & I’m Sleeping So Much Better Now!

A few months back I shared an experiment I was trying. I’ve been having issues off and on with my sinuses/nasal passages blocking up during the night and keeping me from getting a good night’s rest. For a while, I wondered if it was the mint in the toothpaste I normally use and I switched to a different toothpaste that didn’t contain mint for nighttime/bedtime brushing.  (Toothpaste available here: Citrus Flavor Toothpaste without Mint.)

Red Seal Toothpaste, Lemon Flavored

 

I thought I saw some improvement but I was definitely still having issues with waking up during the night a lot, always with a blocked nose. When you don’t sleep through the night, it really zaps your energy. We need our sleep to be productive and it can really make for a crummy day if you haven’t slept well the night before. So I continued trying to figure this whole blocked nose issue out.

The next thing I tried was a wedge pillow. A YouTuber I occasionally watch sleeps on one because it’s supposed to help reduce the occurrence of puffy morning eyes. I had also read that it helped those who had breathing issues while sleeping.

I tried two wedge pillows and couldn’t get used to sleeping on either one. I sleep on my back, always have, so that part wasn’t an issue. The issue I had with the first pillow was it was too narrow and my arms kept falling off the pillow. Super annoying. Also, it didn’t offer any support under the small of my back. Really uncomfortable!

 

The second wedge pillow had its issues, too. Though much wider which took care of the arms-falling-off issue, my body sunk into the center of it which caused my arms to slightly rise up on both sides of my body. It was a bit like sleeping in a long, narrow trough all night long–definitely not comfortable! After that, I gave up on the wedge pillow idea entirely.

 

I’ve continued to try and find an answer to my blocked sinuses issue. It seemed to only occur at nighttime. About 3 weeks ago I was searching online for more answers and I came across a very short article at the site mentioned in the blurb below.

Melatonin & Sinus Issues

 

It caught my eye because a few months back I had started occasionally taking a very small amount of over-the-counter Melatonin when I had trouble falling asleep at night. I probably averaged taking it once or twice a week. I never took the full recommended dose because I’ve learned over the years that my body responds really well to any medicine. For example, if I have aches/pains from overdoing it in the yard or working here around the house, I only take one ibuprofen, not two…and that always works.

After I came across this article online, I stopped taking melatonin altogether and my blocked sinus issues have almost completely vanished. Now when I turn in at night, my breathing is completely normal–no more stopped-up nose/nasal passages.

Melatonin & Sinus Issues

 

I’ve always, always been a night owl, my sister was the same way. I sometimes get a big burst of energy at night and often that’s when I feel the most energized and creative. Now when I can’t sleep, I usually get up and work on a blog post or something here in the house until I am so tired, I can sleep. It’s inconvenient since the melatonin did help me fall asleep, but it’s better than not sleeping well once I finally do get to sleep.

I am sooo relieved to have finally found what I think is the answer to my blocked sinuses at night and just wanted to share this in case it’s helpful for someone else.

*If a post is sponsored or a product was provided at no charge, it will be stated in post. Some links may be affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. *



 Never miss a Between Naps on the Porch post! 

*Subscribe to have updates delivered to your Inbox. 



Comments

  1. Ah the getting older sleeping issues. I know them well. I could not take even a low dose of melatonin because I felt groggy during the day. This info on the sinus thing is helpful to know, just in case. I now take Charlotte’sWeb sleep gummies and Calm gummies and they are working well. This is a hemp product, no THC etc. I buy them on line. I take one of each 1/2 hour to 3/4 hour before I hope to go to sleep. Also no caffeine after noon for me. I hate this issue, because you are right…no sleep equals a bad day. My husband was amazed when we were younger with kids at home, a big house to care for plus a second one in the winter, I used to fall asleep in literally under a minute and sleep all night. I really miss that!

    • Yeah, it can definitely do that, too. I noticed the same thing about melatonin. I noticed the days I ride my bike, I do go to sleep a lot faster.

  2. I have the same blocked nasal area problem. My nose gets blocked at night – indiscriminately, one side then the other. I don’t take melatonin so that’s not my problem. I think mine must have something to do with drainage – standing/sitting vs laying down at night. I’m glad you found a solution. Maybe I’ll try a wedge pillow? Thanks

    • I think that def plays a part, too. So annoying, I know.

    • Same issue I have have and I don’t take any melatonin either. Not stuff or blocked during the day, but as soon as I lay down one side get’s blocks. Then I flip and then it drains to the other side. I use nasal strips and while they help a good bit, they don’t completely give me relief. Sleeping in the recliner, I don’t get stuff or blocked near as much. But who wants to sleep in a recliner forever?! I’ve been thinking of using a wedge pillow too.

  3. I’m so glad you found the answer! How annoying. I deal with it myself and don’t take melatonin; just horrible sinusitis.

    To help me sleep, I take natural calm magnesium before bed. Works incredible and doesn’t impact sinuses.

  4. Joanne Steele says

    When I saw the picture you used, I thought you were about to say you solved your sinus problems by locking your kitty in the bathroom at night. . Glad you solved your problem…and you probably helped me with mine as well. I take melatonin and have nighttime breathing problems! I will take your good advice, Minus locking up the kitty.

    • lol No, don’t lock out any kitties! That’s a photo I took in Morocco when we visited a pottery shop. It was the only “sleep” themed photo of mine that I could find. lol When I had kitties, their purring actually helped put me to sleep…the best sleep medicine ever!

  5. SharonFromMichigan says

    We tried those wedge pillows too. I have sinus issues and hubby has sleep apnea. Although wedges look like they would be comfortable, we kicked ours to the curb after struggling with them for a couple nights. We have window a/c units in our bedrooms for the summer due to the bedrooms being upstairs and the central a/c doesn’t get it cold enough for us up there. I think my sinus issues are mostly in the summer and due to the constant blowing of the a/c unit. If I really want a good night’s rest, I take 1 benedryl tablet before bed and then allow myself at least 10 hours for sleeping (otherwise I feel groggy in the morning). I’m so happy you figured your issue out! There’s nothing worse than knowing somethings going on and you can’t figure it out!

  6. Good to know! Thank you for sharing. (LOL – I find I’m most productive in the middle of the night…) I’ve heard no devices or exercise for at least 1 hour before bed. And, there’s also “old school” a glass of milk (Tryptophan) and a warm, relaxing bath (but, unfortunately, no wine). Sweet dreams!

  7. I can fall asleep the moment my head hits the pillow, but I can’t always STAY asleep. I hate waking up in the middle of the night. I typically reach for my Kindle and read for an hour or two. I have taken to napping during the day. Not a long nap, maybe ten minutes on the couch. I can do that because I am retired. My friend uses a wedge under her mattress. She thinks it helps with reflux.

  8. Cyndy Cook says

    You reminded me of this article: https://www.sciencealert..com/humans-used-to-sleep-in-two-shifts-maybe-we-should-again

  9. Melatonin doesn’t agree with me either. Hmmm, how can I put this delicately. It blocks something much lower down in the tract for me. Yep, it’s true…a most unfortunate and uncomfortable side effect for sure. LOL!

    • I have the opposite problem – diarrhea every time I took melatonin. My doctors said “it’s not that”. Yes, yes, it was! Takes a few days to get out of my system too.

      • MEM, I have that problem with Magnesium which I also like to take at night. I decided I would take the Melatonin together with the Magnesium and hope they could counteract each other and there would be a neutral outcome, so to speak. Ha! Nope, sadly (and painfully) the Melatonin won out. LOL!

    • Amazing all the side effects it can cause!

  10. Regarding the wedge pillow; we put them under the mattress. It gives the lift without the other issues. If you sleep near the middle, you may need 2. Hope this helps those who commented on them

  11. Maureen Bryan Waring says

    For years and years I had blocked nostrils. I’m a side sleeper and I would go back and forth all night. Well was having eye surgery and mentioned to my surgeon my nose problem. She sent me to an ENT dr. At 69…diagnosed with a deviated septum. I had surgery for that and since have felt wonderful.

  12. I have stuffy nose when I wake in the mornings but I attributed it to sinus drainage since I do have a lot of sinus issues. Also melatonin gives me restless legs so I had to stop using it but actually found that I sleep through the night except for the potty break! lol We do have our problems as we age!! Thanks for the tip about the wedge going under the mattress. I have a wedge but don’t use it now but will definitely try putting under the mattress.

  13. Glad you found the answer to the problem Susan! I wish it was that easy for me. lol Hugs, Brenda

  14. I am 60+ and I wasn’t sleeping well because of the nasal problem. It’s like one side of my nose would c ompletely close. I am now using “nose strips” at night to sleep, and it’s working for me! However, I remind myself of a foot ball player when I look in the mirror! HaHa

  15. Michele M. says

    WOW. I am shocked! Thanks Susan – I never EVER would’ve figured that out. I appreciate that you have shared this important discovery with us.

Leave a Reply to Susan Cancel reply

*