Please help - Sudafed and sinuses

[PrettyCandles]

Its just the tail end of a cold, but it's affected my sinuses and I'm now in such pain that I can't get up. I've not been in this situation since before having dc and I could just take time off until I felt better. But I've got to get up and look after dc, and we're going on holiday in a couple of days' time, and I've got to be better for that, and I've got to pack, and, and, and

Dh has dosed me up on ibuprofen and a hot water bottle, but
I need something stronger.

I've taken Sudafed in the past, never for more than a day to get me through a job interview or an exam, say. How long can I take it for? Will it ruin my holiday with rebound congestion if I take it for several days? Should I just tough it out without Sudafed?

[saggarmakersbottomknocker]

Ooo painful Pretty Candles. Are you flying on your holidays? If so I'd definitely go with the sudafed.

Can you try menthol crystals or is it too deeply congested?

[PrettyCandles]

Chunnel, so there will be pressure changes, but only for half an hour, thank goodness. Then we're camping.

I'm a bit worried that Sudafed will cause more problems than it solves.

[ClaimedByMe]

I would get thee to the gp for antibiotics and im a chronic suffer and can now manage with out them but if im desperate the anibiotics will have you feeling better in 24 hours!

[ClaimedByMe]

The best sudafed to get is the over the counter ones if you get them, i only take them when i need them normally only for 2 or 3 days

[Seona1973]

sudafed nasal spray is fine for a few days and you can always cut back down when you feel better. I try to save my dose for before bed as I hate trying to sleep with a blocked nose.

[maxybrown]

go and get some sterimar, crystals good as is lots of steam, but if it is that painful sounds infected - get to the doctors for anti b's - esp if going away if proper infection sudafed is pants really as it is not being stuffed up but the most horrible head nose back of the neck pain. Massage the area as much as poss too

[maxybrown]

Oh and i say sterimar as it is great for keeping your nose moist, my biggest sinus problems happen when my nose gets too dry. Am SAHM atm but when I worked I had them constantly due to working in stuffy buildings

[PrettyCandles]

I don't think it's an infection as I have no temperature and the pain is localised. Also, once the ibuprofen had kicked in I was able to get up, and moving around eased the congestion.

What is sterimar?

[Katisha]

Sterimar is basically saline solution. It does help.
I avoid sudafed and all nasal sprays these days because the rebound is worse, but I am a chronic case.

My current fave is olbas oil pastilles, which clear the decks for a little while.

[maxybrown]

I don't tend to have a temp with a sinus infection tbh. I am always worse after sudafed

[PrettyCandles]

Is it the stuff that you snort up one nostril and out the other?

[Katisha]

YOu can try that...I dont bother - just squirt it up and sniff.

[maxybrown]

just squirt it up theres an irrigate way and a moisturiser way