Sinus advice?? It's been awhile!!

[raysnkaysmom]

I haven't visited the CB in forever, but came to do a fave among some.. ask for advice about health related issues...

I seriously have had a type of sinus infection going on 4 months now. Isn't that a bit long?? Ahhhh.
I went to the dr about a month ago...they said I had a sinus infection (duh) and gave me clarinex and some 'omnisomething' spray...
It did nothing.
Honestly, the only thing that semi helps is sudafed.. on my 2nd box and it isn't really helping at all now either. The nose spray was a temporary relief to be able to breathe for awhile..and now that doesn't help either.
My head feels like it's about to explode, my nose and cheeks are so tender and my nostrils take turns closing up 100%.
I'm trying to get into an ear/nose/throat specialist, but anyone have any advice on how to ease the sinus pressure/congestion/headache or what exactly is making it go on so long???

 

[mickeyboat]

If you had a real sinus infection, you would have been given antibiotics and if it was really bad, oral steroids.

If you were given only Clarinex and a nasal spray, I suspect there is some sinus congestion involved, and not a true infection.

I have had some pretty bad sinus problems in the last year and after two MRIs, 3 weeks of antibiotics and oral steroids, my ENT has prescribed Nasonex spray twice per day and using a sinus rinse twice per day. It seems to be working as I have not had sinus pain and pressure since I started doing it again religiously.

Do you have allergies? Maybe the allergy needs to be addressed along with the sinus issues.

My suggestion would be to try the sinus rinse and/or go back to the doctor to see what he suggests. Feel better soon.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Have you tried the Mucinex Sinus? That works wonders.

 

[JessicaR]

You really should have been given an antibiotic. I hope you get into an ENT soon. Thats a long time to be suffering.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

If you had a real sinus infection, you would have been given antibiotics and if it was really bad, oral steroids.

If you were given only Clarinex and a nasal spray, I suspect there is some sinus congestion involved, and not a true infection.

I have had some pretty bad sinus problems in the last year and after two MRIs, 3 weeks of antibiotics and oral steroids, my ENT has prescribed Nasonex spray twice per day and using a sinus rinse twice per day. It seems to be working as I have not had sinus pain and pressure since I started doing it again religiously.

Do you have allergies? Maybe the allergy needs to be addressed along with the sinus issues.

My suggestion would be to try the sinus rinse and/or go back to the doctor to see what he suggests. Feel better soon.

Have you tried the Mucinex Sinus? That works wonders.

You really should have been given an antibiotic. I hope you get into an ENT soon. Thats a long time to be suffering.

Yeah...'supposedly' they don't give antibiotics for sinus infections anymore, but that's what I get for going to a family practice and not a specialist. How in the world could she know what was going on by just listening to my complaint and looking in my nose.
I tried Mucinex, but it didn't help at all.. honestly, I've tried all those OTC things, and for awhile, sudafed was all that helped. Now, even it's not. I'm only getting 3-4hrs sleep due to the inability to breathe!! I am soo over feeling this way!!!
As far as allergies...I've never had any before really, but who knows what this is. I sneeze all day, sometimes 12-15x in a row. My eyes water, my head hurts and its the nasal congestion/headache that is driving me crazy.
Looks like ENT next week. Hope they help!!

 

[monkeybug]

4 months? Yuck!!!
I just finished a month plus of sinus infection. No fun!!! My doctor had me take augmentin first and then when that didn't work gave me leviquin. Once I got the right antibiotic I started feeling better quickly! She had me take mucinex D (the one with sudafed) and ibuprofen for the pain. She also suggested adding a vitamin D supplement and using a neti pot for as long as I still had sinus congestion and pressure. (I did both)
Hope you feel better!

 

[mickeyboat]

Yeah...'supposedly' they don't give antibiotics for sinus infections anymore, but that's what I get for going to a family practice and not a specialist. How in the world could she know what was going on by just listening to my complaint and looking in my nose.
I tried Mucinex, but it didn't help at all.. honestly, I've tried all those OTC things, and for awhile, sudafed was all that helped. Now, even it's not. I'm only getting 3-4hrs sleep due to the inability to breathe!! I am soo over feeling this way!!!
As far as allergies...I've never had any before really, but who knows what this is. I sneeze all day, sometimes 12-15x in a row. My eyes water, my head hurts and its the nasal congestion/headache that is driving me crazy.
Looks like ENT next week. Hope they help!!

Yeah, it does sound like you need to see an ENT. I went in once with an infection and he gave me antibiotics. I also went in once thinking I had an infection and he said it was only congestion, and he gave me the Nasonex. Try the sinus rinse though, it may help.

Good luck!

 

[monkeybug]

Yeah...'supposedly' they don't give antibiotics for sinus infections anymore, but that's what I get for going to a family practice and not a specialist. How in the world could she know what was going on by just listening to my complaint and looking in my nose.
I tried Mucinex, but it didn't help at all.. honestly, I've tried all those OTC things, and for awhile, sudafed was all that helped. Now, even it's not. I'm only getting 3-4hrs sleep due to the inability to breathe!! I am soo over feeling this way!!!
As far as allergies...I've never had any before really, but who knows what this is. I sneeze all day, sometimes 12-15x in a row. My eyes water, my head hurts and its the nasal congestion/headache that is driving me crazy.
Looks like ENT next week. Hope they help!!

No antibiotics?? That's crazyness!!!! After my first round of antibiotics I really didn't want to have to go back to the doctor so I googled every reputable sinus source I could (things like Mayo clinic) and it seemed that every website that wasn't trying to sell you a wonder drug said that sinus infections need antibiotics or antifungal medications depending on the type. I still tried every home remedy and OTC drug I could think of before finally going back to the Dr.! What a nerd!!! I should have just gone in right away!!! She told me that it is not at all uncommon for a sinus infection to need two rounds of antibiotics, sometimes more depending on how complicated the infection was. I started feeling better right away with the second round. No more snot fountain for me!
I would go to an urgent care or minute clinic if you are that miserable. They will likely give you antibiotics! I ended up with bronchitis because I waited two weeks between Dr. visits.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

No antibiotics?? That's crazyness!!!! After my first round of antibiotics I really didn't want to have to go back to the doctor so I googled every reputable sinus source I could (things like Mayo clinic) and it seemed that every website that wasn't trying to sell you a wonder drug said that sinus infections need antibiotics or antifungal medications depending on the type. I still tried every home remedy and OTC drug I could think of before finally going back to the Dr.! What a nerd!!! I should have just gone in right away!!! She told me that it is not at all uncommon for a sinus infection to need two rounds of antibiotics, sometimes more depending on how complicated the infection was. I started feeling better right away with the second round. No more snot fountain for me!
I would go to an urgent care or minute clinic if you are that miserable. They will likely give you antibiotics! I ended up with bronchitis because I waited two weeks between Dr. visits.

MInute Clinics...are those the ones in CVS and Walgreens and such?? Hmm.. wonder if they'd really be able to help..

As far as the antibiotic thing... I wondered too..and found this
http://www.vaxa.com/sinus-antibiotics.cfm

Portion of that saying "Although we feel better fast, the antibiotics are often just a relief of the symptoms and may not get to the root problem which started the infection; it hasn’t really gone away, especially if it started from a virus and not bacteria. Therefore, many people experience a repeat infection within two to three months and begin a tedious and harmful cycle of repeat-course antibiotics. This can lead to, not prevent, chronic sinusitis."

so..who knows.. but...even if they only work for 2-3 months.. I"m happy with a full night sleep for 2-3 months

 

[monkeybug]

MInute Clinics...are those the ones in CVS and Walgreens and such?? Hmm.. wonder if they'd really be able to help..

As far as the antibiotic thing... I wondered too..and found this
http://www.vaxa.com/sinus-antibiotics.cfm

Portion of that saying "Although we feel better fast, the antibiotics are often just a relief of the symptoms and may not get to the root problem which started the infection; it hasn’t really gone away, especially if it started from a virus and not bacteria. Therefore, many people experience a repeat infection within two to three months and begin a tedious and harmful cycle of repeat-course antibiotics. This can lead to, not prevent, chronic sinusitis."

so..who knows.. but...even if they only work for 2-3 months.. I"m happy with a full night sleep for 2-3 months

Yes minute clinics are the ones inside CVS. That is actually where I was prescribed the augmentin (I went to my Dr. the Monday after and she agreed with the Minute Clinic Dr.s diagnosis and treatment)
I would guess that if it has gone on for four months it's probably not viral...but I'm not a dr. I know the reasons my Dr. was comfortable diagnosing mine as an infection was that the pain was much worse on one side (felt like someone was stabbing me with an ice pick by eyebrow), and I had swollen lymph nodes on one side in my neck (the second time). I know that if untreated sinus infections (if it is an infection) can lead to bone infection, brain infection, and even meningitis (I think those are all pretty dang rare though!) My Dr. did say that sometimes people can have 'bounce back" infections a few months following an infection, if the antibiotic used isn't strong enough to knock it out completely, which is why she gave me the Leviquin the second time.
I hope you feel better soon! Sinus infections are no fun and taking all kinds of meds to feel better stinks too!

 

[mum4jenn]

Something that helps me is for several days in a row I take a HOT bath and then take a wash cloth and wet it with the hot water and press it to my face. I hold it firmly on the sinus cavity and also massage that area. Usually after a few days along with Tylenol Severe Sinus it halps loosen up the sinuses.

 

[Scornelius]

Try a Neti Pot
http://www.neilmed.com/usa/adword_np.php?gclid=CNGC9eODuZ4C***73AodfmKAJw

At this point it sounds like you've got nothing to lose.

 

[tiggger1]

I have only got 1 sinus infection since I started using the neti pot! And used to get them monthly!

 

[stevenpensacola]

Another vote for the "neti-pot". I used to be plagued by sinus infections/misery all winter long. Now, when I start getting a little congested, I begin the sinus washes...haven't been to the doc for sinus infection in two years.

Granted, the first time you try this it will seem weird...but trust me...it feels so GOOD!!!

This is the product I use, but Walgreens has a generic version which is a little cheaper.

http://www.sinucleanse.com/