Anyone have suggestions for sinus problems?

[lattemomof3]

My sinuses (mostly on the left side) have been giving me problems for about 2 years now. I've been to the dr., then an ear/nose/throat specialist. Specialist gave me nose spray and a strong antibiotic- that seems to work for a short while, but it always comes back. I don't think I've breathed freely through my left nostril in a few years. It always feels clogged, or inflamed, and then I have times where I think it's draining and I have a sore throat too. I get headaches a lot from it also. Has anyone had sinus surgery? Or any home remedies they recommend? It makes me tired too, so I am just wanting to feel well again. TIA!

 

[hanutedmansionmomma]

Haven't tried this myself, BUT a couple friends swear by that nose pot thing. You fill it with water and rinse it thru your nose somehow! One says she does it in the shower for less mess... is that TMI?

anyhoo...good luck

 

[jessiesue]

DH use to have a lot of sinus problems until he started using the netti pot on a daily basis. After using it for a few years he had to stop. He said he would have water leak out his nose during the day. I started having sinus problems, so I am now using the netti pot. Hopefully it will work for me, too.

 

[charming23]

I have to agree with the suggestions to use the netti pot. I have severe allergy problems and found that it does help. I do not use it everyday only when my nose is especially clogged.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I find a Sinus Rinse works slightly better than a Neti Pot. (Click for links to examples.)

Both have salt water flow through your nasal passages to flush them out. The Neti Pot uses gravity; the Sinus Rinse squirts it through so it has a little more force. The both provide some relief.

 

[CTdiznymom]

Haven't tried it myself, but worked for an ENT for a short while, and he always suggesed the Netti pot. My reg. dr. would tell me to use some warm water mixing in 1/4 teaspoon of salt and a 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda. Hoping not to be too graphic, place the solution in a shallow bowl, hold the bowl next to one nostril while closing off the other side. Gently and quickly inhale thru your nose so the solution passes up your nose and down the back of your throat. Then spit! (sorry) I can't get the hang of the saucer, so I use a large baby medicine dropper9looks like a big eye dropper)

 

[Fly4free]

Another vote for Sinus Rinse. It really does flush out the sinuses well. Try to "sniff" a little also after flushing. This seems to go even deeper. I also found I should not use this just before going to bed, as some saline seems to remain in the sinus cavity. I sometimes get a little drip when bending over to pick up things off the floor. I like to rinse before house cleaning so I can loose any extra saline while contantly bending.

 

[Michelle and crew]

I agree with the neti pot. I have also found migraine meds (relpax) to be useful for the headaches. I don't know why. Good luck. Headaches suck.

 

[scard192]

My daughter and son in law use the sinus rinse and they swear by it. He uses it for allergies and my daughter kept getting sinus infections until she began using the rinse.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Also recommend a Neti-Pot or the new one with the stronger spray, but I would highly recommend only using their solutions, not making your own. If the solution is not the right strength it would increase the bacteria growth.

 

[mrsboz]

I have really bad sinus problems as well. Have had them for about 14 years. I used the neti pot for awhile and then found that it didn't work so well anymore. I went to a chiropractor for awhile and found it to be very helpful. I also bought some tefu oil. It is unbelievable. It actually opens up my sinuses. I bought it at the chiropractor. A small bottle will last probably five years and cost me $15.00. You just put it where your sinus passages are and your forehead. It smells like a Vicks. I am on Nasonex and this is the best that I have ever felt. Have you tried Nasonex?

 

[rdevine10]

I had 5 sinus infections in 7 months last year..... it finally stopped when:

I do daily sinus washes 1st thing in the morning (it wakes me up). EDITED TO ADD: I prefer the saline spray since as opposed to the neti pot persoanlly!

Use nasacort before bed.

Keeping my allergies in line.... this means taking the allergy medicine I need when I need it.... (I dont like taking pills, but this is way better than taking antibiotics like I was).

Bottom line: 13 months sinus infection free with minimal issues.

 

[LuLuO]

Another vote for the netti pot. I have the walgreens version.

 

[swilshire]

I have really bad sinus problems as well. Have had them for about 14 years. I used the neti pot for awhile and then found that it didn't work so well anymore. I went to a chiropractor for awhile and found it to be very helpful. I also bought some tefu oil. It is unbelievable. It actually opens up my sinuses. I bought it at the chiropractor. A small bottle will last probably five years and cost me $15.00. You just put it where your sinus passages are and your forehead. It smells like a Vicks. I am on Nasonex and this is the best that I have ever felt. Have you tried Nasonex?

I always put Vicks cream under my nose at night and it really helps.

Sheila

 

[3_disprincesses]

Everyone of us has been prescribed Nasonex or Flonase along with a daily dose of Zyrtec. I work as a bank teller and was constantly getting sinus infections from handling so much nasty money - now, whenever I feel a flare up, I start with the Zyrtec and either one of the nasal sprays.

I would try the sinus rinse or netti pot first - that way you don't have to take medicines. I do a sinus rinse for the relief during an infection but maybe I should do that first from now on...

 

[kchughes]

I use my neti pot at least once or twice per day. I like the sinus rinse packets that you mix in water rather than trying to figure out the right amount of salt. Then Nasonex every day in the spring and fall (my triggers are then) and Claritin or Zyrtec (what ever is on sale when i need it) when it is really bad. I have not had a sinus infection in over a year. Prior to this regimen my doctor would automatically give me a refill on my antibiotic when I came in the spring so I would be good for the fall. I generally only have one or 2 bad days per season rather than 6 weeks in spring and 4 in the fall. Good Luck

 

[mrsklamc]

Patanase (nasal spray) has been a miracle drug for me.

 

[ntink]

I had a similar problem many years ago. I wound up having a CT scan of my sinuses and they found a large polyp which I had removed. It made a huge difference - really minimized my sinus issues.

I also recommend the saline rinse in the squeeze bottle.

 

[SadieDog]

My sinus problems are due to allergies. I use the neti pot each day. Along with salt, I add grapefruit seed extract to the water. I use Nasacort and take Singulair. Regular allergy meds (antihistamines) do not work for me. I also take decongestants purchased behind the pharmacy counter as needed. Saline spray helps as well. Good luck.

 

[Rora]

I find a Sinus Rinse works slightly better than a Neti Pot. (Click for links to examples.)

Both have salt water flow through your nasal passages to flush them out. The Neti Pot uses gravity; the Sinus Rinse squirts it through so it has a little more force. The both provide some relief.

I LOVE my sinus rinse! It's amazing and makes me feel immediately better. I have terrible sinuses and it's the only thing that gives me relief.