Sinusitis - specifically ethmoid sinusitis

[potterycat]

I have self-diagnosed myself (with help of Dr Google) with ethmoid sinusitis. About 3-4 days ago my nose got very tingly and runny, then shortly after I noticed how sore my nose was when blowing it. Now the bridge of my nose is reddish, tender and a bit swollen.

I have been inhaling steam and using warm compresses, and also using Beconase nasal spray.

Can anyone advise or commiserate?! I mainly want to know how long this fun will last for

I have had sinusitis recently, went on for about two weeks and was very painful. Called the doctor after a week and was told they wont treat it unless it has been going on for 18 days :(

Steam and decongestants were my friends.

Advice - take it to a doctor sooner rather than later. Sinus infections can be right bastards.

I had a bout of sinusitis starting about this time last year. It took until April and four months of antibiotics to shift it, and it left lasting damage - I'm in for surgery to open up my cheek sinus openings properly and trim some of the other swollen tissue so I can breathe again.

Night-nurse saved me when I had sinusitis for 5 weeks last year.

I had a couple of months worth of it earlier this year and it was bloody awful. Could you bear to try a neti pot? Grim but did offer some relief for me.

Not sure if appropriate for your particular type of sinusitis but tip I got from a GP mate when I had one of those bouts where you'd happily drill a hole in your face to relieve the pain

Ephedrine nasal drops

It's available OTC but you have to ask the pharmacist for it, and they'll almost certainly have to order it in. Costs about £4, goes like shit off a shovel (it's essentially liquid speed) but it's very very effective when nothing else has worked

Ie you've tried steaming, saline rinses, basic decongestant, stronger decongestant (proper Sudafed you have to get from the counter, that contains pseudo ephedrine)

I'm surprised it's still legal but it's a good insider trick - I'd never have known if my GP mate hadn't tipped me off

This is assuming it's typical viral sinusitis - when I had bacterial sinusitis I had the most horrific coloured orange snot, and needed antibiotics to knock it on the head

Good luck and feel better soon