Sinus ----Help

[njcarita]

(Hi I also posted this on the budget board--)

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 :scared1) 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

 

[minnieandtink]

You may want to try to wash your nose out with nasal saline. (ocean, etc. from drug store) It helps was the irritants out and clears it up. Also Mucinex over the counter helps loosen it.
good luck! Hope you feel better.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

You may have gone untreated long enough that it may take more than 7 days for the antibiotic to work. I would suggest if you have a stuffed up feeling to try Mucinex. Have you tried anything for the pain during the day? Tylenol may help the jaw pain without actually relieving the pressure like a sinus product might.

Good luck... hope you feel better!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Yuck. Sounds like you have one in your mandible cavity. I've had one, and it's not fun. I too thought it was my teeth!

Unfortunately, it sounds like your meds aren't working. Mine went away within 48 hours of starting my antibiotics. I've had several more since that one, they too went away pretty quickly once I was on prescription meds.

The OTC stuff stinks!

 

[njcarita]

You may have gone untreated long enough that it may take more than 7 days for the antibiotic to work. I would suggest if you have a stuffed up feeling to try Mucinex. Have you tried anything for the pain during the day? Tylenol may help the jaw pain without actually relieving the pressure like a sinus product might.

Good luck... hope you feel better!

Yes I had taken tylenol to help at the beginning-- but for the past 2 days I've been trying to lay off the pain meds

 

[njcarita]

Yuck. Sounds like you have one in your mandible cavity. I've had one, and it's not fun. I too thought it was my teeth!

Unfortunately, it sounds like your meds aren't working. Mine went away within 48 hours of starting my antibiotics. I've had several more since that one, they too went away pretty quickly once I was on prescription meds.

The OTC stuff stinks!

What antibiotic were you on????
I'm allergic to pennicillin.

My doctor prescribed 500mg levaquin once a day for 10days

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

My doctor prescribed 500mg levaquin once a day for 10days

This is the usual dose, and penicillin would not help. Call your Dr. and maybe they will give you another 10 days. It's a tough area to treat. Meanwhile, keep taking that Tylenol!

 

[mtblujeans]

Along the lines of the other suggestion, I picked up a Sinus Rinse bottle kit from our Walmart pharmacy for about $5 and the doctor gave me the "recipe" of 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 cup warm water to rinse out my sinuses with. You snort it up your nose in small amounts until the mixture is all used up. She also suggested I take 250mg Vitamin C every 3-4 hours.

Hope you feel better very soon!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

What antibiotic were you on????
I'm allergic to pennicillin.

My doctor prescribed 500mg levaquin once a day for 10days

Oh gosh, I wish I could remember. I'm not allergic to pennicillin, so it could have been a derivative of it in some form or another.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

UGH i know how you feel! i got alot of sinus infections last year--I found Nasonex nose spray helps..i hope you feel better--its definitely not fun!

 

[liamsaunt]

My DH has the worst sinus issues--he had to have an MRI on his head because they could not believe the continual sinus issues he was having...his sinuses extend much higher than most people's...here is my advice...

Do not stop taking the antibiotic you were prescribed. However, depending on your personal medical history, you may not be responding to the antibiotic. If you have used a similiar antibiotic recently, your infection may not respond to what you are taking now. Your doctor could give you a different antibiotic. If it is going to kick in, it should work in 48 hours. Some people are resistant to penicillin based antibiotics, for example.

Make sure you go back to the doctor and get their advice...sinus infection is very different from sinus headache. You want to get it fixed, and only your doctor can help you.

 

[themarquis]

that sounds terrible

It really does sound like you'll have to return to the doc for more/different antibiotics. I just wanted to suggest, however, that since it sounds like you either don't have health insurance or don't have the kind that covers prescriptions, you mention this to your dr. When I was younger and had crap insurance, I always mentioned cost to the dr. Often there are several different meds that can treat any particular condition (I know there are several for sinus infections, depending on the type you have) some of which may be cheap/generics. The drs were always willing to work with me with the cost (prescribing a slightly-less-effective but 10 times cheaper med or giving me enough sample meds to last me). Don't be afraid to be honest with them. A lot of times they give you the expensive stuff b/c the pharmaceutical rep has just been visiting and giving them goodies IMO.

One more thought -- I have a friend who has frequent sinus problems and she sometimes gets what she says is an abscess -- I don't know if its an abcess in the teeth roots/jaw or sinuses, but sometimes she has to go to several drs/dentists to get somebody who doesn't have their head up their a** and can figure out the right antibiotic to treat it.

finally, hot compresses on the face (washcloth dipped in hot water) or even icy compresses (washcloth dipped in water and stuck in freezer for 5-10 mins) can feel great -- not sure if they have any clinical efficacy, tho!

feel better!

 

[debloco]

Oh, I really feel for you

I have had chronic problems with sinus infections, so I know how much pain you are in

Levaquin is the most effective antibiotic choice for treating sinus infections. As my pharmacist and Dr. put it: they're the "biggest guns"

That said, I would call and let your Dr. know how you are feeling. I imagine he'll want to see you again and probably will extend your course of Levaquin. If you can take/tolerate it, I'd ask for a scrip for Tylenol 3 (tylenol with codine) for the pain. Sometimes it's the only thing that gets me though the worst of it. During the day I only take one so I don't get too sleepy.

I agree with CJMickeyMouse that it may be taking longer b/c it went untreated for at least two weeks. But my other concern is that you said you have 3 kids and I'm wondering how much rest you've been able to get this past week.

A bad sinus infections is really a "knock down/drag out" kind of thing for your body, and a few days resting in bed might be just the ticket for helping the antibiotic along.

Hope you are feeling better soon!

 

[njcarita]

that sounds terrible

It really does sound like you'll have to return to the doc for more/different antibiotics. I just wanted to suggest, however, that since it sounds like you either don't have health insurance or don't have the kind that covers prescriptions, you mention this to your dr. When I was younger and had crap insurance, I always mentioned cost to the dr. Often there are several different meds that can treat any particular condition (I know there are several for sinus infections, depending on the type you have) some of which may be cheap/generics. The drs were always willing to work with me with the cost (prescribing a slightly-less-effective but 10 times cheaper med or giving me enough sample meds to last me). Don't be afraid to be honest with them. A lot of times they give you the expensive stuff b/c the pharmaceutical rep has just been visiting and giving them goodies IMO.


feel better!

Yes we have health incurance we have been paying ourselves for the last 11 years.( hubbys self- employed)
We opted not to add prescription because in the past we rarely used it.

I did have the pahrmacy call my Doc to see if there was anything else he could prescribe when I saw the cost-- but the doc really wanted me on it because he said it was the best for sinus infections.

 

[golfgal]

This is what my kids use. They hate it but it does work so they do it!

 

[minkydog]

Golfgal, my DH uses the same stuff and it really helps him. He is very immuno-compromised so anything he can do to prevent illness helps. He had a sinus infection 2hrs ago that put him into septic shock!

Sinus infections are notoriously hard to treat. They can set up a pocket of infection that is nearly impossible to kill and often needs treatment for several weeks. OP, if you havent' responded to the abx by now, call the doctor. You should be feeling better.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

My DH uses that same sinus rinse as well. Poor guy has chronic sinus infections. Actually it just started over last Thanksgiving and he's been dealing with it pretty much ever since then. With the sinus rinse he hasn't had a full out attack in a couple of months now.

He did find out he has a broken septum (not deviated, BROKEN) and went for a cat-scan last week. He may have to have surgery to repair it.

 

[bananiem]

If you had the sinus infection for awhile it does take some time to feel better. However, after 7 days I wouldn't think you'd need to be taking 5 days to clear your head.
I have chronic sinus problems too. My favorite antibiotic is Bactrim. I've tried a couple others but they keep going back to Bactrim because it works the best for me. Yes, this medicine may be the best thing out their for sinus infections, but it's not working for you.
I also recommend saline sprays and trying to stay upright as much as possible. Even though all you want to do is lay down, it helps the sinuses drain if you are upright.
I hope you feel better soon.

 

[njcarita]

just wanted to update

that after a painfree night the pain and pressure is back.

I just put a call into the doctor and i am waiting for a call back

I really appreciate all the great advice and sympathy
you are really a great group

 

[njcarita]

Just wanted to update thatI'm feeling better since this morning.

I had a long long talke with my gp asd explained all my symptons.

He feels that I should continue on the antibiotics for the next 3 days--Since I am better than whent his allstarted -- but if i start feeling worse to let him know

He wants me to start taking Claritin-- Cause the pressure , ear popping( forgot to menton this Before) , post nasal drip and since the pain goes away with advil sinus he feel that what I'm dealing with is just sinus pressure ---that can take quite a while to clear up and that it also may be aggravated by seasonal allergies.

So I'm off to buy claritin--
I'm also going to pick up the saline spray-- It can't hurt

Thanks for all the advice