Sinus pain- any way of knowing if viral or bacterial?

[Olivo]

Having had no infections since I had septoplasty a couple of years ago, I have the worst sinus pain, enough to wake me up. Have had a cold, but now yellow green mucous on one side only. The side of the pain. Have taken a cold remedy this morning, with decongestant and paracetamol, but not sure it will do anything, the pain is immense.

So , no point in going to drs if viral, but is there any way of knowing?

[Olivo]

Bump. Anyone? Have survived the day on lots of medication!

[ErrolTheDragon]

The point of going to the drs is to get them to find out if it's viral or bacterial.

Sympathies, it's a long time since I had a sinus infection but it's horrible. (and in that case it was bacterial and I felt like an idiot for not taking it to the doctor earlier).

[babaluscious]

Having just had a sinus infection with very similar symptoms - pain one one side across cheek, in jaw, bridge of my nose and teeth - with yellow mucus - I would say go to docs. I had antibiotics and got shot of it thankfully. It was painful. I'm empathetic!

[Olivo]

I know. It's just so that with the Dr costing over £40 where. Live, I wonders if there is a way of knowing! It breaks my heart. To pays ps much to be told to sit it out......

[Olivo]

Baba, very similar symptoms, thought my teeth were all going to fall out

[SpottyTeacakes]

Where I work they won't prescribe antibiotics for sinus pain until you've had it for 2.5 weeks. Sounds nasty though hope you feel better.

[Olivo]

Spotty,another reason I am reluctant to go. I suspect they will tell me to return in a week or so and I'll have to pay again. Also, I have already had antibiotics this year, along with steroids for the 100 day cough, so don't really want them again.

[SpottyTeacakes]

Can you get any OTC meds like sudafed? That plus ibuprofen might help? Could also try washing out your sinuses I know my friend did and even with all the blood still didn't get antibiotics

[FlappertyFlippers]

See if you can get some neilmed sinus rinse, it is truly amazing what it will wash out. If its not available I your country then you can make your own, with bicarb (google the recipe)

[Olivo]

I have sterimar saline so I will try that. At the moment, am alternating paracetamol and ibruprofen and taking decongestant tabs.

[clippityclop]

Keep taking the cold remedy to losen the muck and ease the pain, and take ibuprofen/Nurofen for the anti-inflammatory effect. I find Sudafed makes it worse by drying it up. Plain steam and sniffing up handfuls of hot water in the shower as recommended by an ent specialist help me. If it does n' t clear up within two weeks go to the doctor.

[FlappertyFlippers]

I don't think sterimar nasal spray is quite the same as nasal douching, can you get some flixonase nasules from a pharmacy without a prescription?

[babaluscious]

olivio I actually went to the dentist first of all as my teeth were so painful!

[babaluscious]

Couldn't take decongestants as breastfeeding. But did inhale over a bowl of hot water - that actually helped a lot!

[Olivo]

Sterimar is what I was to,d to use instead of a nasal rinse after my op,never seen the other one here. I had flixonase when I lived in England, think it was prescription though.