Sinus infections - ideas? I'm SO tired of this!!

[Happywanderer]

I also used to get sinus infections all the time with my allergies and post-nasal drip at night. I tried flonase and nasonex, which worked, but dried my nose up too much. Now I take clarinex (sp) otc, or generic equiv, during the day and diphenhydramine at night. This is the ingredient in otc sleep aids also, and it is usually cheaper to buy sleep aids with this ingredient then allergy meds with same ingredient--go figure. I haven't had an infection in years.

 

[DISUNC]

I used to get sinus infections a lot but then my dr gave me Flonase and it's made such a difference. I don't use it everyday but when I start feeling something coming on I start that and it really knocks it out. Also having a humidifier on the furnace and staying very hydrated really helps.

Same here!!! I use to get horrible sinus infections...then last June my Dr put me on Flonase...WOW! Not only have I had no infections...BUT I CAN SMELL AGAIN!!!!!

 

[Mermaid02]

My cousin (a nurse practitioner btw) swears by her Neti pot.
http://www.healingdaily.com/exercise/neti-pot.htm
No way am I doing that though. I use Allegra D and it seems to keep me clear enough so I have very few sinus infections anymore!

 

[MushyMushy]

I've heard a lot of good things about neti pots. Sounds so gross, but maybe I'll give it a try.

 

[Mermaid02]

I've heard a lot of good things about neti pots. Sounds so gross, but maybe I'll give it a try.

Let me know how it works.
I'm pretty sure I would drown myself.

 

[MB MinnieGirl]

WOW! I am so printing out all of these great responses and will hopefully (insert crossed fingers and toes here) one will work! Thank you all so much.

I was up half the night AGAIN with my throat and ears killing me and not being able to breathe. I'm calling my Dr. today and talking to her about some of the nose sprays you all have mentioned along with the other medications. Then I'm going to get some super duper vitamin's as well! Once this infection is FINALLY cleared up (more crossing of fingers), I'm going to look into allergy testing since it's been years since I've had these.

Poppinsme - What is MRSA? Nope. I don't smoke....thank God! I hope you feel better soon also, and I'm gong to ask about the antibiotic you mentioned. Thanks!

MushyMushy - I agree, that looks like the most nasty and painful thing I have ever seen. Some sort of torture devise - BUT - I'm putting it on my list of things to try. I'm telling you, I'm at the end of my rope, so thanks for the tip!

Thanks again guys! Aside from giving me ideas you ALL made me feel better by giving me hope and showing me that I'm not the only one who can't shake this mess.

Kelly

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Well....the thing that helped, not cured me was to get allergy shots for 3 years. That was 2 years ago now. However, I was so bad I couldn't get out of bed and my eyes & face were swollen. I would wake up some mornings and my eye would be swollen shut.

I moved here to Texas last year and I need to get some kind of treatment. I need an allergy place that does the serum test as opposed to the back stratch test. Mold and Ragweed are flying so I am dying right now.

Things that helped....
When the cats went over the Rainbow bridge, I improved.
So if you have pets...not allowed in your bedroom.

Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum & dust, dust, dust!!!!! Everyday, everywhere. This helps me so much like you wouldn't believe.

Make sure you keep your bedroom dust free!

No shoes in the house. No windows open.

 

[PamNC]

I've suffered with sinus infections most of my adult life. I also have spring and fall allergies, and some year round issues. Allergy shots did not help me...AT ALL. I use to get 3-4 sinus infections a year. Lock clockwork and I got them during the same time of the year. Here are the things that help me with the pain and congestion and stuffiness...it's really miserable. Steam! Steam is your friend. Take hot showers and shut the door and get it all steamy. I can't tell you the name of the stuff, but my DH goes to the health food store and buys this mixture of eucalyptus and peppermint or something and I just drop a couple of drops in the shower. I also boil water and put it in the water and sit over the pot. For the awful headaches, excedrin is the only thing that helps me. Decongestants work, but keep me awake at night so I try to avoid it if I can. I use saline spray to keep my nose comfortable. Also, my doctor gives me a nasal steriod like flonase.

But, the thing that has helped me the most may shock you. For the last 3 years I have worked for myself as a freelancer and I often work from home. Since I have been on my own, my sinus infections have gone down to 1 a year - it's made a big difference. I think most of the buildings that we work in are "sick buildings" and make us sick in many ways, not just sinus infections.

I know how you feel - it's MISERABLE.

PamNC

 

[sacall]

I used to suffer from chronic sinus infections - I would be sick from October to April - every year. I suffer from dust and ragweed allergeries. My doctor sent me to an ENT who took a CAT scan. Well, it turns out my sinus drainage holes were almost completely blocked. Nothing could drain out of my sinuses, thus the constant infections.

I had sinus surgery in 1993. It was the most painful 5 days of recovery, worse than having children, but it was the best thing I ever did. I have had probably 3 sinus infections since then. I now use singulair for my allergies and asthma and nasacort for my nose. I don't use nasacort all the time, just every other day.

Have your doctor send you to an ENT!

Stacy

 

[minkydog]

DH uses a nasal rinse with a salt packet added to water, it is made by NeilMEd. He picked it up at the Chiropractors office. Since he started the nasal rinsing 3 years ago he has only had i sinus infection instead of 3-5 per year.

DH uses this and it works like a charm. He has allergies and lung disease. Keeping him infection-free is a full-time job. Sinus washing keeps the infections to a minimum.

THere was a time when he and DS were passing sinus infections back and forth.DS had one after another, until finally we took him to an ENT. It turns out he had a deviated septum which pretty much occluded one nostril. One whole set of sinuses could hardly drain, so they were staying infected. Sinus surgery followed my sinus lavage took care of that. Of course, doing sinus lavage on an autisitic child is another story entirely Let's just say, we're lucky DFACS didn't get involved.

 

[CheshireVal]

I also used to suffer from chronic sinus infections. I'd get one that would last for 3 months, and then a month later it would come back. Now that our building at work has been renovated (no more mold and mildew), I get them far less frequently, but let me tell you the "miracle cure" that I discovered last year.

SINUS RINSE.

It's kind of weird feeling and the thought of it is gross, but whenever I feel that telltale stuffiness or headache coming on, I start using my sinus rinse twice a day, and it goes away. The last sinus infection I had didn't really get better after two courses of antibiotics, but when I finally bought and used the sinus rinse, I was feeling better in a day or two.

This is the kind I use-- it's about $10 at any drugstore.

 

[robinb]

I use Nasonex and a Neti pot for nasal rinsing with the salt packet solutions and no longer get sinus infections.

Good luck. I really hate deliberately getting water up my nose but hate sinus infections more.

I was going to suggest a Neti Pot too. They are kinda gross, but the warm salt water breaks up the sticky mucus so you can blow it out. It's best to start using one right when you start to feel pressure, not after your sinus gets all impacted. That's the mistake I usually make . If you already have a nasty infection already going on, the Neti Pot will clear a lot of the mucus out so the antibiotics can do a better job.

Another suggestion I have is to start taking antihistamines during your allergy season. Stop the allergic reaction before your sinuses get all involved. You may also consider getting allergy shots. I did as an adult and they helped me a lot!

My last suggestion is to see an allergist if the doctor you refer to is just a GP or internist. You need a specialist.

 

[MB MinnieGirl]

HELP!! After calling Dr. who is not in today and being told I have to wait another night like this, I bought one of these things today. It just like the one mentioned here but a different brand name. Sinu clear I think.

I thought I was dong pretty well - grossed out completely but I figured out how to do it at least. Anyway - I am in more serious pain in my ears now than I was before. BIG time pain! What did I do? I felt immediate relief of pressure, but then everything went south after (this is so gross - blowing) and my ears were killing me. I can't even touch them now (I know - so don't touch right) and my throat is much worse as well.

What in the world? Is this normal? If so there should be a serious warning on the label somewhere.

I'm going to take a steamy bath and pray that some of it goes away. I can't believe here I am again - this will be the 4th week in a row that I've had two good days and then BAM! Down for the count in time for the rest of the week and weekend. Between working from home and being sick - I feel like a vampire that never sees the light of day anymore.

Please say some prayers that I'm better by Friday (asking a lot - I know). We have family coming into town for a very special weekend and it's one I don't want to miss.

Thanks to all for your advise!!!

Kelly

 

[MushyMushy]

Oh, you poor thing! Have you taken something for the pain, like Tylenol or Motrin? Maybe when you blew your nose after clearing your sinuses out, it clogged them back up again? I don't know... I've never heard anything like that before.

I hope you get better soon.