Sinus

I use a nasal rinse and I’ve found taking a antihistamine spray also helps (prevent not cure) During flair ups I take Sudafed

Mometasone spray, and clariton antihistamine tablets, and sinutab for drying up the mucous.

I'm only allowed low level steroids thanks to a heart condition and not all the time. They work when I can have them - but the rest of the time it's like having a permanent cold. It sucks and I sympathise so much - the primary care pathway to secondary care has taken me almost three months now, just to get the referral. Not because my GP is bad, because they're lovely and so helpful, it's just the backlog for the final test before I can get the referral because without it the hospital will reject it. I have jumped through four of five hoops! We'll get there though - we just need to advocate hard for ourselves.

Thanks - that’s good to know

No, the surgery wasn't painful. I think I only took painkillers on the day of the op which was under general anaesthesia. I only had one side done and in the days after the op, I was prone to nose bleeds. Had to rinse with sterimar for 2 weeks afterwards. They also took off a septal spur at the same time as draining sinus. Since the op, I have been able to breathe through my nose properly.

@RetiredGranny was the endoscopic sinus surgery painful? What was the recovery like?
I’ve suffered with sinus issues for years and years and ENT are now suggesting this surgery for me.
Actually, they are suggesting I try nasal cryotherapy first (where they freeze the nerves at the back of the nose) and then if that doesn’t work I’ll have the surgery.
I’m a bit scared if I’m honest!

Saline nasal washes work for me, you can use salted boiled cooled water and a squeezy bottle, just shove up your nostril and flush.

@Crwysmam I also hang over the side of the bed! The neti pot stuff and steaming doesn't really touch the sides... which makes me think my bone spurs are back again - deep joy! But I do get a bit of relief on steroids and sleeping (or trying to sleep) like a bat!

I am very prone to sinus issues. This is what helps me:

Steam steam steam. Steamy showers, steam inhalation, even just a warm flannel over my face. So soothing.

I also do saline rinses, but honestly find steam more effective. Worth a try though.

Facial and scalp massage - I find this helps when they are clogged and need to clear. Tapping forehead and nose, massaging under earlobes, pulling ears out and wiggling jaw (this helps open Eustachian tubes which are often blocked).

Humming - loudly. Try a few notes to see which you can feel resonating in your sinuses. It creates vibration which again helps them drain. Best done in shower, partly for the steam, partly because it's less embarrassing somehow.

I avoid decongestants unless truly desperate, I find ibuprofen the most helpful. I see a previous poster said the opposite though, so I guess see what works for you. Antihistamine can also be helpful.

And yes, if you were prescribed antibiotics for an infection and it hasn't cleared, you need to go back to the prescriber.

A facial sauna/steamer can help and is less hassle than a cloth and a bowl of water. Sainsbury's Max Strength Congestion Relief (or anything with Phenylephrine Hydrochloride 12.2mg) is good especially if you are taking pain killers as this doesn't contain any and prevents overdose. Although you need to go back to the GP as it hasn't cleared with antibiotics.

I have a deviated septum and this makes sinus problems worse, eventually after about 20 years of sinus problems in both my cheek and forehead, I had endoscopic sinus surgery which drains the build up and makes the opening to your nose bigger. So far, it has solved my sinus problems.

Standard practice in our house is to open the dishwasher mid cycle to inhale the vast amounts of steam that billows out. A more hygienic and medical version is to use a bowel of steaming hot water with a few menthol crystals added or eucalyptus oil.

I personally lie on my bed face down with my head hanging down over the edge to allow drainage.

The small hole in the side of your nose that allows drainage sits quite high up so drainage isn’t spontaneous. It’s the reason why your sinus fluid floods out suddenly at night in bed when you roll over or when you bend over while stood up. The location of the sinus entrance is the one bit of evidence that we once walked on all fours and evolution has yet to relocate it.

Decongestants can help, but try and avoid ibuprofen because they can make you more congested. Tescos do cheap nasal decongestants, a lot cheaper than sinutab. Some swear by sinus washout with saline but it’s messy. Nasal sprays can become addictive, they clear sinuses well be repeated use causes inflammation of the mucosa increasing fluid retention so you end up using them for months.

Oh,I really feel for you.I've only had it once and felt so ill.
Thumping headache and awful pain in my cheek bones and forehead when bending forward.
Antibiotics treated it but i had earache and blocked ears for weeks.I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
Sudafed and Otrivine helped though.
Hope you feel better soon

Nasal Rinses and sinus massage

So I use nasal sinus rinse (twice a day) as recommended by ENT- it's gross but works
A facial steamer at least twice a day (without any added olbas oil)
I do this at the first sign of infection otherwise I get really bad sinusitis (my sinuses don't drain properly so have reoccurring issues)
Also sometimes an ear wax syringe or adding olive oil to ears help
If I don't the infection gets worse goes to my chest and I get admitted with asthma attacks!!

I honestly thought this was a baby name thread and was about to say no - please don’t call the kid Sinus 😬
Spray Sudafed - chat to pharmacist, the salt spray is amazing for clearing it all out too.

I find liquid Sudafed as opposed to the tablets help, plus a nasal spray like Otravine. I had a nasty bout of flu in Dec 2024 and the sinus pain was horrendous along with the vertigo which took over a YEAR to clear. I'm prone to sinus issues as I'm allergic to dust and animal dander. To be honest I've just had to learn to live with it. Steroid sprays from Gp do nothing for me.

I was diagnosed with sinusitis last week and was given antibiotics and a steroid nose spray which cleared it up. Have you tried a nose spray? You might need a different antibiotic too. Hope you feel better soon