I can't take this sinus headache much more - any tips?

[CanSleepWeirdShifts]

Have been in absolute agony on the right front of my head for 3 or 4 days now. Have been taking some Boots decongestant tablets, but they aren't strong enough to have an effect for long if at all.

Anyone got any suggestions to help clear it? Am still breastfeeding twice a day so needs to be something compatible with that.

[3sEnough]

Hot/warm wooden spoons put on to the painful bits (spoons in hot water, dry, apply til cooler, reheat etc) You look utterly silly but it does work!

[NotanOtter]

i never take decongestants as they can actually make matters worse..

i would go to gp - a decent stint of anti biotics is the only thing that really gets to the root of it for me

poor you

[3littlefrogs]

Go to GP. Sinusitis that bad can be dangerous if not treated.

[CanSleepWeirdShifts]

Make matters worse?! Bloody hell, is that possible?!

lol at wooden spoons, but I'll try anything (but maybe later when dd has gone to bed!).

Guess I'd better phone GP then and hope they can squeeze me in v soon.

[franca70]

amoxicillin is safe to take while breasfeeding (I had same problem while b/feeding my then 4 months old dd).. hope you'll feel better soon.

[franca70]

and really hot bath can help a little bit.

[morningpaper]

Sudafed
Nurofen

Sorted it for me - discussed with GP and she recommended both of those (am bfing also) and it worked a treat

[yoyo]

I am recovering from a bout of sinusitis. It got so bad that I couldn't open my mouth. Go to your GP for antibiotics as the longer you leave it the harder it will be to sort it out (said from bitter experience).

[tenbygirl]

When I had sinus probs someone on here recommeneded putting olbas oil in a bowl of hot water and inhaling the steam with a towel over my head. Worked wonders.

[justaphase]

Google nasal irrigation - works wonders! Sorry can't do links.

Basically you mix half a pint of body temperature water with half a teaspoon of salt and one teaspoon of baking soda. You half of this into one nostril so that it comes out of the other, not down your throat. Then you do the other nostril. Sounds vile but it is not at all. There is a special pot that you can get to do it but this is not compulsory. There is medical research that has shown it works and I can personally confirm it. And it is utterly harmless when pregnant/breastfeeding.

I suffer from chronic sinusitis and it has changed my life.

[CanSleepWeirdShifts]

Phoned gp - no doc there tonight - have to phone at 8am to get appointment for tomorrow .

mp - did yours recommend sudafed and nurofen together?

Just choked myself on olbas steam - perhaps I used too much oil .

Justaphase - sounds horrid, but I will google it thanks. Does it work even if your nose feels perfectly clear in the first place?

[yoyo]

I did the nasal irrigation but unfortunately it didn't work this time (have had success with it before which is why mine got so bad this time as I thought I could deal with it). I wanted to have all my teeth taken out at one point!

[mrsdarcy]

Tea tree oil in bowl of v hot water. Put a towel over your head and inhale the steam.

[CanSleepWeirdShifts]

Saw GP this morning - now have amoxicillin. Anyone like to predict how long before I stop feeling like I want to curl up into a ball and hide from the world (whch I can't do as I have a toddler who likes constant entertainment)?

[NotanOtter]

For me it works quickley

[CanSleepWeirdShifts]

Is that within hours, or a couple of days NAO? Took first tablet 10:30am and am actually sitting here crying in pain now.

[Dad12]

Sorry to read of your problem. I get terrible sinusitis as well..it does also leave you quite depressed as well, it never seems to really get better particularly in wet winter months. Like a previous reply said you will probably need a good period of antibiotics. I used to get amoxicillian but often found it did little so now ask for next ones up in strength..co-amocillian or Fluxcisol(not spelt right). I never really got it sorted out till I had an ent visit to confirm nasal polyps and lots of mucus lining in the sinuses that required an operation (not too bad) to basically clear out all the gunk. What really helps is a nasal spray made of sea water, you get it in the chemist, it comes out in a fine powerful mist that gets right up. The salt kills bacteria and you can use it as frequently as wanted, no side effects. The spray helps to 'loosen' and wash stuff out. h45% + 6.0e you feel better really soon.

[franca70]

how often are you taking it?

[octopussyintummy]

I take pulsatilla capsules when blocked up - you will need to check with pharmacist if ok when bf - but they are really good.

[CanSleepWeirdShifts]

3 times a day franca

[Dad12]

strange end to my message(!) should just read " hope you feel better soon."

[CanSleepWeirdShifts]

[Hassled]

I lie on a bed or sofa with my head hanging down off it (ie staring at the floor) until I can't stand it any longer - but the gravity thing does work!

[franca70]

I reckon you should start to feel better tomorrow... at least I hope . It sucks, I had that two yrs ago when b/feeding dd, then 4 months. 10 days of agony, and then the antibiotics cleared it. but everytime I have a cold it comes back a bit.

[daisycat01]

hot showers... I would just stand in there and let the team do it work.
Vics in some hot water and a towel.
Strong anti biotics, when I went to the docs, I didnt make much of a fuss, they told me it was just a cold and sore throat and sent me away, a few days later I fainted in the shower as I was so poorly. I was dragged back into the docs with my husband who demanded strong antibiotics for his dazed and confused wife who was nashing her teeth together!! I got some and felt a lot better after a few days!!