sinus --help--PLEASE

[Mic]

After spending the first 20 or so years of my life not even knowing I had sinuses, I've had quite a few sinus infections over the last 18 years. As I get older, they seem to be getting worse. Mine starts with an INCREDIBLE headache, then the toothpain others have posted about. I have tried different things in an effort not to depend too heavily on antibiotics, and this is what is working right now: the Walmart brand(Equate) SEVERE allergy and sinus, and Mucinex. The key seems to be to start this regiment as soon as I get the headache. If I take Zyrtec regularly during certain months, it seems to head off the sinus trouble, but if I forget...it will most certainly end up a near-death experience for me.

 

[njcarita]

After spending the first 20 or so years of my life not even knowing I had sinuses, I've had quite a few sinus infections over the last 18 years. As I get older, they seem to be getting worse. Mine starts with an INCREDIBLE headache, then the toothpain others have posted about. I have tried different things in an effort not to depend too heavily on antibiotics, and this is what is working right now: the Walmart brand(Equate) SEVERE allergy and sinus, and Mucinex. The key seems to be to start this regiment as soon as I get the headache. If I take Zyrtec regularly during certain months, it seems to head off the sinus trouble, but if I forget...it will most certainly end up a near-death experience for me.

I can't take the decongestants-- really affects my heart rythm--
but I'm sending hubby out this morning for the Mucinex -- it really seemed to help me last year

 

[PrincessKitty1]

Not a natural remedy--but I use steroid nasal spray. I used to have sinus infections twice a year and HORRIBLE sinus headaches a couple of times a month. Since starting on nasal steroids, I've had ONE sinus infection in probably 10 years and I rarely get a sinus headache--just a few times a year.

Ice packs also help me.

Chronic sinus congestion can be caused by acid reflux from your stomach, FYI. For me, though, I think I am just very allergic to pollen etc. in the air, and my nasal passages and sinuses were CONSTANTLY swollen (former mouth breather here!).

I also use cromylyn sodium nasal spray (also not natural )--it's a histmine blocker. It does not have the rebound side effects that nasal sprays like Afrin have.

 

[KTSMOM]

This year was by far my worst sinus attack ever. Usually when I feel my sinuses bother me I just use my flonase and some sudafed. Well this year it too me 4 wks, 2 antiobiotics, several OTC meds and finally an ENT placed me on Medrol dosepak to get rid of it, and I still have an occ sinus headache. I am so sorry you are sick. I feel your pain, literally. If it doesn't get better soon I would def recommend you talking to your dr about a Medrol dosepak. It worked wonders for me!

 

[mtblujeans]

My upper teeth roots also protrude into my sinuses. My DDS keep telling me how surprised he is at how low my sinus cavity is. I can never tell if it is sinus or teeth problems. What a pain!!

 

[njcarita]

This year was by far my worst sinus attack ever. Usually when I feel my sinuses bother me I just use my flonase and some sudafed. Well this year it too me 4 wks, 2 antiobiotics, several OTC meds and finally an ENT placed me on Medrol dosepak to get rid of it, and I still have an occ sinus headache. I am so sorry you are sick. I feel your pain, literally. If it doesn't get better soon I would def recommend you talking to your dr about a Medrol dosepak. It worked wonders for me!

never heard of it--
what is Medrol dosepak-- anitbiotic????

 

[roselark]

I get sinus infections several time a year. The worst one was my first back when I was in college...about 10 years ago. I could only breathe when I was upright and the pain was horrendous. The areas around my eye and nose were very swollen. Went through 7 days of an antibiotic and it did not touch it. When I went back to the Dr, she gave me a shot of penicillin. I felt better within an hour!

 

[Mic]

njcarita-
I am so sorry about your discomfort! I know how a sinus infection can disrupt your life---it's like everything is on hold until you can get to it. I have experienced heart palpitations from decongestants/bronchial meds in the past(possibly because of a heart murmur), so I have to be really careful not to take too much. One thing that seems to help my dependence on decongestants is hot showers(or the steam from them). I went on a Disney cruise in late January, and spent time in the steam room everyday of the cruise! It was heaven! For about a month or so after our cruise, I had no sinus problems. But by March, I was about to die from sinus pressure again. I use an old-fashioned vaporizer at night sometimes during the Fall...maybe you could try that. Or even better, buy a spa membership...or take a Disney cruise every six weeks! Sure would be nice if I could consider it medically necessary!

 

[Evans Family]

try using a Neti Pot.....google it....they sell them at Whole Foods.

It's wonderful and flushes out your sinuses with salt water and is very non irritating.

I bought one on a suggestion from my BIL and now love it when my sinuses hurt.

 

[cndij]

I am guessing the irrigator you mentioned is accomplishing the same thing as the neti pot with saline solution? I have to say, I have done something similar for years, but a lot simpler, if I have a bad sinus infection, I simply mix up warm salt water, pour some into the cupped palm of my hand and "snort" it into each nostril. Nice to know that the new saline solutions accomplish the same thing. Probably not nearly as unpleasant as what I do.

I don't remember seeing this mentioned in this thread but Eucalyptus vapors are really helpful. Some of those new, plug into the wall devices come with eucalyptus. My personal favorite is to dampen one of those heatable bean bags, but a couple of drops of eucalyptus oil on it, and after heating it in the microwave, lean back in a chair, with the bean bag on my chest, and a towel over my head and inhale the vapors. Probably similar to the menthol shower thing someone mentioned.

Along the natural line, there are some teas I have found helpful also, one from Traditional Medicines, called Breathe Easy. Just a few more ideas.

Cindi

 

[mum4jenn]

Something I do that really seems to help...I did not read past page one so if this has been mentioned please forgive me.


When my face and teeth hurt from a sinus infections I take a really hot bath and then place a HOT washcloth on my face and let it sit for several minutes. I then wet it again with HOT water (as hot as you can stand it but not scalding) and put it on my face and then start massaging my sinus areas on my face. It seems like it helps break it up some. It will not go away over night but for me it does help get it loose enough so I can at least start blowing some of the ugly mucous out for some relief. I have also used a Netti Pot like they showed on Oprah a while back and it will also moisten the nasal cavity where you can clear some more of the mucous out.

 

[Goofy22]

Hi all
I'm experinecing my first ever sinus infection-- I can't believe how horrible its been.

It started about 2 weeks ago--- I was feeling really exhausted( as if my chronic fatigue from 20 years ago came back).

I than started to experience horrible toothpain-- so After a few days of that I went to my dentist -- who said there was nothing wrong with my teeth. They suggested that it might be my sinuses.

So I started taking tyenol sinus for 4 days and the pain kept coming back so I finally went to my doctor who diagnosed me with Sinus Infection.

He prescribed Levaquin( $105 ) and told me to keep taking tylenol sinus.

Well today I am on day 7 of my antiobiotic--- I'm only taking the tylenol sinus at night because it really makes me sleepy( I have 3 kids).
But the pain keeps coming back it feels like my jaw and upper teeth are going to blow off my face--
The only thing that has helped have been really hot showers --so I have had taken 5 so far today.

I am calling my Doc in the morning to see what he says.
But for all you who have experieced this lovely condition-- how long does it generally last and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

TIA

I had the same exact thing it was two weeks long! and my doctor also prescribed me leviquin for 7days! But she told me she also wanted me to take Mucinex DM it's over the counter it's a combo of sudafed and something else! And it should dry me up and make me feel better! Well it did after a week and now I'm fighting off this barking cough I can't seem to kick! But the other systems have gone thank god!!! Hope you have gotten some kind of relief I haven't read the thread yet!

 

[Goofy22]

never heard of it--
what is Medrol dosepak-- anitbiotic????

I believe it is a steroid I have had it before.

 

[dani blaski]

I have dealt with sinus infections my entire life, along with ear pain, sore thraots. All related to sinus drainage and problems. When I started having migraine type headaches, I went to an allergist. She also had me do a consultation with an ENT. For anyone in teh NOLA area, she is fantastic and her name is Ann Vockroth MD (Gretna LA). Anywho, I had allergy shots, daily steroid nasal spray, and Claritin. AND sinus irrigation nightly!
Twice a year we would do a Z-Pac to reduce the residual bacterial infection that would remain hanging around. Overall I went from sinus infections every two to three months to one a year. And I felt great--no headaches or minimal, less fatigue, slept better. Since having my son my problems have resolved even further.

 

[minniebeth]

I am so happy I found this thread, it has made me feel better just by reading it!
I have suffered horribly this week with a sinus infection and it's only the second one I've ever had. I can't believe how horrible it can make you feel!
I am so frustrated because usually I just go and go and I haven't been able to do anything for the whole week, I'm so lacking energy and feeling sick.
This is the 3rd day I've been on my antibiotic, but it has not made any difference yet. I am definately going to try some of the suggestions from this thread to help and call on Tues. morning for a different antibiotic if not feeling better by then.
I need to pack for a Disney trip but haven't had the energy. My DH says he KNOWS I'm sick if I haven't started packing yet!

Hope everyone who suffers from this can find some relief!

 

[cindermomma]

Hi there! I haven't read all the replies, but my DS7 has had many sinus infections. We learned about irrigating the nose about 8 months ago and it really helps. You can go to walmart or walgreens and buy a sinus rinse kit. It looks kinda yucky when the stuff comes out, but you are manually cleaning out the sinuses. The solution will go up one nostril and the gunk in your nose will come out the other nostril. Then you switch sides. It feels really strange, but I really think it will help ya! Good luck and I hope you get well soon!

 

[tinytink]

I am glad I read all 7 pages, I too recommend the Neti Pot. It's around $15 for the pot and a bag of Neti Salt which you mix into your pot with warm water. It's so much more economical than Simply Saline or the other nasal irrigation systems. The Neti salt last forever, I've used my one bag for over 3 months and I use it everyday. My friend picked mine up at Whole Foods and she told me they also carry it at CVS. Good luck and I feel your pain.

 

[dreamin_disney]

I love the z-pack. its fast and easy to take. I hate meds that you have to take every 8 hours for 10 days. The z pack is great 2 the first day and 1 aday for the next 4 days.

I'm right there with you! I've been suffering with this for 2 weeks now and finally broke down and went to the doctor yesterday and he prescribed a Zpak (Zithromax 5 day antibiotic) and Entex (decongestant). I feel a little bit of relief today as the pressure is starting to break up. If your prescriptions aren't working-definitely go back and try something else. Actually, you could probably just call your doctor and have them prescribe something else without an office visit.

 

[abeyst]

As others have said a routine of Nasal irrigation is great.

This is what I use and it helps enormously!
http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=100095&navAction=jump&navCount=0&id=prod2598807

I use this too and I LOVE IT!!! DS's pediatrician prescribed it for his allergies a month ago, and he loves it, too! And he's only 9, so that should say a lot. I do it once a day at night, and it keeps my sinuses and nose clear and I don't need to use Sudafed anymore (unless rain is coming in-damn weather!)

This is so much better than the neti-pot. I know so many people who have switched from the pot to this. It's quick, and it does work!! I would suggest that you make sure your ears aren't plugged up and your nose is a little clear before you use it. Maybe Simply Saline for now, then when you have some room to breathe start using this. (It will work better than saline sprays, TRUST ME! )

Here's the link to the manufacturer's web site to tell you where you can get it: http://www.neilmed.com/usa/index.php. What will help you the most is if you use it everyday, and not just when the infection starts up.


Now, as far as infections go, I have to sleep in a recliner so my head is propped up. I take Sudafed (not Sudafed PE - the good, pseudophedriene Sudafed behind the pharmacy counter. YES, THERE IS A DIFFERNECE IN HOW WELL IT WORKS!!) every 3 hours. I alternate Tylenol and Advil every 4 hours. I have a vaporizer running where I'm sleeping so the room is constantly moist, and I take hot showers to help loosen up the sinuses. I also drink anything hot, and lots of water. For antibiotics I usually take Amoxicillin or Cipro (the generic brands of each, of course). NO anitihistamines, Claritin, Allegra, Zyrtec or Benadryl. And like I said, no decongestants from the cold medicine aisle - you want the ones behind the pharmacy counter!!!

If the Sudafed is keeping you up, then only take it in the morning and afternoon. That way it will be out of your system before you go to bed. You need a good antibiotic from the Dr. (I've never used those big name ones, the old and generic tried and true have always worked best for me. And they're cheaper!!) Tell the Dr. you want a 14-day supply, too.

 

[njcarita]

op here haven't had sinus pain last 2 days--

I've been using my electric irrigator-- 2 to 3 times a day--
really has been worth every penny-- its like a waterpik for the nose