I want antibiotics for my sinuses

[Froomp]

I don’t have a cold or anything but for weeks and weeks I’ve had intense pressure behind the bridge of my nose. Sudafed hasn’t worked nor has inhaling steam. I went to the GP and asked if they would prescribe antibiotics and was told they wouldn’t, but showed me a link to some contraption that washes your nose out.
Has anyone had a sinus pressure headache without the nasal congestion last this long? And if you have what helped? AIBU to give it another week or two and then beg for antibiotics or something?

[Dusty27]

Why don’t you follow the advice of the medical professional. If antibiotics would have helped you would have been prescribed them. We are facing a major
health crisis as more and more bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics.

[ILoveRubble]

YABVVVU, there's no indication of an infection. We need to preserve antibiotics, we're already in trouble from antibiotic resistance. try what the doctor said.

[Mascarponeandwine]

Keep trying what they suggest and if it doesn’t work keep phoning them / going back. If there’s a chance the antibiotics could clear it up you’ll get prescribed them at some point. They just have to make sure you’ve tried everything else first.

[athenagoddessofwar]

Yeah, the sinus wash is very helpful. Following a sinus op I was always paranoid I had an infection . It was lukewarm (previously boiled) water mixed with 1tsp salt and half tsp bicarb of soda. Definitely clears it.

[ChelseaCat]

It doesn’t sound like you need antibiotics.

Definitely try douching though - it takes a bit of time to get the hang of it but when you do 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 Hello Mr Clear Sinuses. Trust me, you’ll feel much better

[ChelseaCat]

I’ve used this one before: www.revital.co.uk/neilmed-sinus-rinse-kit-60-sachets-5633?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIitrHr5TH5AIVCbrtCh23Rg6nEAQYByABEgL8wPD_BwE

You don’t need a fancy gadgety one - the bottles work perfectly well

[Pastaagain78]

What everyone else said.

[InterestingView]

I had this and in the end I paid £50 total for push doctor and got a prescription and it worked! Within 2 days I felt 100% better yet I'd been sniffing along with headaches for bloody weeks. GPs are way too over cautious now about anti biotics - yet funnily enough once you get desperate and PAY to speak to a GP you can get them easily. I didnt even ask I just described my symptoms and she prescribed them straight away!!

[Toitoitoi]

Antibiotics are really the only thing that have cleared sinus infections for me so go back and ask for them, if it doesn't clear up soon. I needed pretty strong doses to clear mine. Get well soon op.

[MolyHolyGuacamole]

Feel really sorry for you OP, sinusitis is awful and antibiotics really work for it. YANBU.

[bruffin]

When ds was 9 had no sign of infection, it took an mri to diagnose sinusitis and he suffered for 6 months . It took 2 lots of antibiotics to actually shift it. His only symptom was daily headaches

[EdWinchester]

The only thing that works for me when I have sinus problems is antibiotics. Sinus pain is miserable. Luckily my gp is happy to prescribe after a phone consultation.

[Alabasterangel6]

I posted about this a few weeks ago. The pain was so bad all my upper teeth were aching and I couldn’t eat. I ended up at the walk in centre out of hours in the worst pain of my life (no exaggeration, worse than wisdom tooth infections, surgery and childbirth!!) I begged for antibiotics and they refused, for a few reasons.

Anyway I was desperate so I tried everything suggested. If I were you...

Use nelimed wash. It isn’t nice, but it works. Use it once a day BEFORE then using a nasal spray. If you can get flixonase from the GP or nurse then this is the best as it’s an anti inflammatory. Rinsing the sinus first clears it well and means the spray can get where is needs.

Steam but WITH menthol crystals which are a few p over the counter from the chemist. Do this before the nasal since.

Take an expectorant (cough mix) which contains Guiasaneifen. This stuff increases and loosens mucus. That’s exactly what you want to thin out the heavy, stuck stuff in your sinuses.

Finally a don’t. Don’t use any kind of sinus tablets or decongestants or sprays. Sudafed etc. It dries up the mucus but doesn’t properly get rid and after 3 days use you get rebound sinusitis and you’ll be back where you started from.

Flixonase is your real friend. Go and get a prescription for that.

Good luck!

[Elieza]

I stopped eating dairy. No more dizziness and bunged up nose. Bizarre but there you go!

[Froomp]

The thing is I have tried everything. It’s weird because I’ve never had a sinus infection without the general snottiness and cold like feeling. This is just pressure. I only feel slightly bunged up after a shower. I have tried nasal washes (just not the fancy expensive one my doctor suggested) and it doesn’t work. I know antibiotics might not work either but short of sawing my nose off I don’t know what else to try.

[Notajogger]

YABVVVU, there's no indication of an infection. We need to preserve antibiotics, we're already in trouble from antibiotic resistance. try what the doctor said.

[Froomp]

If I ABU can anyone tell me how long bad sinus pressure can last? It’s been at least 6 weeks and it’s honestly driving me crazy. Hence the unreasonableness I suppose.

[jasjas1973]

I suffered from sinusitis for many years, pain would be unbearable and pill or wash made much difference, a minor cold always seemed to be the trigger and i could be off work for 2 weeks or more.

Then i started using Flixonase steroid spray, can honestly say it has changed my life

Might be worth a try? it takes a few days to kick in. You can buy it without a prescription i think.

[ThisMustBeMyDream]

My GP told me guidelines have changed to 3 weeks of symptoms before abx will be considered. However they know me, my history and they know that I get repeated sinusitis. They have said they will always prescribe abx for sinusitis for me if I ask. The GP said in her opinion giving abx for sinusitis is a sensible option as most cases do not resolve in a timely manner without.

[inboxmayhem]

You can also buy flixonase it's brand name is pirinaise

[Giraffey1]

Antibiotics won’t help.
There are lots of reasons for sinus pressure. You e been given lots of suggestions here to help.
Have you tried bogstandard pain killers?

[Froomp]

Yes painkillers do anything and Sudafed makes no difference. I’ve tried all kinds of nasal sprays and washes. I guess all I can do is try and be more patient with it, it’s just really hard when your in pain.

[Funghi]

I’ve had mine since September 18. Been to see GP a few times, tried nasal rinses, steaming, Sudafed, ibuprofen, paracetamol, hot packs on face, facial massages, decongestant tablets, sprays and sweets, antihistamines and probably more.

Nothing touches it. It’s ruined holidays and I’ve lost so many days of work because of it but despite this, have never been prescribed antibiotics. 2 weeks ago I was referred for an ENT appointment (with a 4 month wait) so hopefully will be getting sorted by 2020.

[Froomp]

*painkillers don’t do anything