Sinus infection and upper tooth pain - any tips or advice please?

[Alabasterangel6]

I’m in the worse pain of my life - no exaggeration - I’d give birth 10 times over rather than have this.

I started with upper jaw pain middle of the week. Was convinced it was dental so went to see dentist yesterday PM who did a full upper X-ray and there is nothing there at all, all is well, but the pain has continued and ramped up overnight to the point where I can only describe it as having the worst toothache ever in every tooth in my upper jaw. It comes in waves (like labour but longer!) and each wave lasts about 30 minutes. I break out into a sweat and have tears running down my face. I didn’t sleep at all last night after 1am despite being dosed up to the max on ibuprofen and paracetamol in staggered doses. I also have nasty stuff running down the back of my throat which doesn’t taste nice and generally feel totally unwell (but no temp).

In desperation I went to the walk in at 8am and the nurse says it’s a sinus infection. She won’t give me antibiotics but has given me a flixonase spray and told me to take codeine but to potentially only try that at bedtime as I’ve never had it before and it may well make me nauseous?

Since coming home I have taken ibuprofen at the stated intervals, been inhaling steam and had my first dose of flixonase. My waves of pain are still just as bad and the ibuprofen just isn’t touching it at all. When I’m having a wave all I can do is grip the table or my head - I’ve never ever felt pain like it.

Anything else I can try or do?

I’ve just started a new job and I’ve got two absolutely critical meetings on Tuesday and I’m already worrying I won’t be better. To be fair if I still am in this much pain in waves by then I’ll probably want to remove my own head.

Anyone got any ideas? I’m willing to try anything but don’t feel safe to drive so may have to send DH out with any suggestions.

I would swap ibuprofen for Sudafed, check with the pharmacist before just in case it reacts badly with your nasal spray.

There are videos on YouTube for sinus massage to help clear them a little, steam sometimes helps or a warm compress held beneath your eyes over your cheeks and nose.

Also you may find the stop snoring nose strips help uptown open your nasal passages when you're sleeping.

I’ve got the exact same symptoms OP , you have my sympathy , was up half the night with horrendous tooth ache on the entire right side of my jaw . I’m taking cold and flu stuff and ibuprofen and it has helped slightly but I feel shit

You could try a nasal wash, it will help with the pain for about 20 mins maybe longer. I found it relived the pressure in my head and teeth. Neilmed do a good one

Thank you.

Both the nurse and pharmacist said don’t use decongestants (sudafed, etc) as they dry it up rather than liquidise it and move it on. We need to get the nasty stuff out.

Cold seems to be helping. At the moment when a wave starts I’ve been putting a cold can of drink wrapped in a cloth against my cheek and that’s helping stop it progress.

I’ve already had two doses of ibuprofen today and I’m only supposed to have another one full dose now which I need to save till bedtime (unless I’m brave enough to try the solpadeine they gave me). I am utterly miserable and unable to function.

How long will this bastarding thing last?

Off to look up massage techniques and then lie in a hot bath feeling quite sorry for myself....

@Floralnomad gave you got a blocked nose? Weirdly I don’t. I can feel creaky movements in my sinuses but can breathe clearly.

It sounds obvious but do keep up your intake of liquids, so that the mucus can break down a bit more. Plus with those painkillers you'll want to stay hydrated. Good luck.

I've had sinus infections so you have my sympathies op. When I was breathing through my nose I could feel/hear what I presume was mucus flapping about in my sinus cavities. It was grim! I found heat on my face helped loosen up any mucus and did some sinus massage (on YouTube). Doing this regularly and steaming helped dislodge some god awful yellow stuff I immediately felt loads better, my temperature came down and the pain subsided. I hope you get well soon.

No blocked nose here and I actually feel quiet lightheaded when I stand up but that could well be due to my existing medical issues . Hope you feel better soon .

Sounds awful. Don't be worried to go back if you feel worse.

You should be able to risk another dose of ibuprofen if you're currently tolerating it well. Take with food to avoid stomach problems. Prescription doses of ibuprofen are much higher - I've take. 4 x 600mg a day on prescription.

I would definitely try a saline spray (at a different time to the spray you have).

I had a sinus infection a few months ago with the same tooth pain you describe,,, horrible, hope you feel better soon.

Hi OP whether it’s sinus or tooth related it’s awful pain. First things first - if you’re not going anywhere or doing anything for the rest of the day and have the codeine to hand - take some - sooner the better. I found it the only thing that helped. Sod not taking it till bedtime! A little food can be helpful with any nausea. I’ve also found mixing paracetamol and ibuprofen more effective rather than first one, then the other. Just make sure you stay within the required maximum dose of any painkillers you take.

Me t - things you can do to help yourself. I’ve had sinus problems over the years and regularly used a sinus wash to try to sluice it all out. You can buy it OTC, or, as my GP suggested, make your own and use a large blunt ended syringe - or neti pot if you can find one.

Quick google - this will give you an idea www.fifthsense.org.uk/sinus-rinsing/
The recipe I was given was equal parts salt, sugar and bicarbonate though. This will also help reduce inflammation.

Steamy room will help keep the sinuses moist. Dairy products should be avoided as they increase mucus production. And yes, drink lots of water.

Hope things improve soon.

Oh god, you have my sympathy I had a tooth out on Monday ( not the same as what you are going through at all) and just started feeling better yesterday. Like a pp said, I would up the dose of ibuprofen if you are tolerating it. I definitely over dosed on it slightly this week and it was worth it.
Hope you feel better soon.

Honestly I am not a wuss - far from it - but I would seriously labour again on just gas and air than have this.

Okay I am now doing weird massages including pressing on my mouth roof with my tongue and between my eyes! I can’t do any that involve pressing my face as the agony after is tear-inducing.

If I could just be reassured that by Monday/Tuesday whatever this will be over then I’d just cope but I really will do anything and everything suggested in order to minimise the time this goes on for.

I have ordered a saline spray on prime delivery for tomorrow. I’m a bit scared of sinus washes/pots won’t they make me feel like I’m drowning!

I had problems for years until I had a ventilation operation. Then we moved to the edge of Atlantic/continental weather systems both e/w and n/s. Each time the pression changes I get problems.

Acetyl cysteine is available at Holland and Barrett (Nac) in capsules, or on prescription. It's a mucolytic and will help the crap thin and drain.

I've got narrow sinuses in my forehead, and the bone dividing them is off centre. If I massage gently with the heel of my hand on the corner of my eye it can help. That's if it doesn't make me want to throw up.

Prednisolone tablets are good too, with those I can avoid antibiotics.

Hope it gets better soon, and avoid the sw of France close to the Massif Central.

If you aren’t planning on driving and not responsible for DCs, try the codeine.
What dose have they given you?

Steaming and leaning forward and tilting head towards the unaffected side sometimes helps drain mine when they are bad.

Well a saline spray or neti pot or syringe, whether home made using cooled boiled water or store bought, will help bring the inflammation down. If you have a Boots/Superdrug or other chemist close to you you might be able to get something sooner. I agree it’s a strange feeling doing a nasal rinse but it helps to reach as far in as possible. I found I could still breathe through my mouth when I used one.

This and codeine, asap, should help with both pain and inflammation.

OP I really feel your pain! I'm an absolute martyr to my sinuses! It will ease. I know it feels like it's dragging on forever but I'm promise it will stop. The only relief I get is dissolvable cocodamol which you can get over the counter. I also fill my mouth with warm water and sort of swill it around my teeth. It's like having a bath to ease pain but for your teeth IYSWIM. It's only temporary relief for me but it does seem to ease the pain. Also a sinus flush. You can make your own and their are some videos on YouTube. If it is a bacterial infection then you'll most likely need antibiotics.

Codeine is 12.8mg codeine and 500mg paracetamol per tablet I was told to take 2 at bedtime and another 2 4 hours later if needed.

I’ve got a nelimed spray - DH went and got one before the chemist closed. I’ve also been steam inhaling but the pain it kicks off is so acute - watering eye and hellish pain - was gripping onto the sink and couldn’t let go!! Ditto the massages. There was one that suggested pressing under the cheekbones - that was about as much fun as sticking pins in my eyes I couldn’t speak afterwards.

Is the nelimed going to help? I’m usually not keen on water up my nose in any form but frankly at the moment I would swill it out with Jeyes fluid if it would stop this horrid sharp acute pain.

@Alabasterangel6 I have suffered sinus issues on and off for years. There are some reflexology points on the underside of your toes - I can do it myself, easier for someone else to do it, and I find tilting my head back at a certain angle also gets things moving.

To get a good nights sleep I use Sudafed (the liquid not tablets). I believe they have different decongestant in them and the liquid works better for me. If you can get some sleep you will be in a better place to get to your meetings.

I really feel for you as I get toothache with my sinus issues and it's agony, I feel every footstep I take thudding through my teeth and into my head. It's awe full. I hope you start to feel better soon

I find facial massage (including behind me ears) helpful. That said the only thing that really works is a steroid spray my gp gives me if I beg but my dentist doesn't like me using it.

Mine are allergy related but chronic so feel your pain. Definitely worse where the weather changes.

OP, at the risk of sounding like a broken record- and I do feel your pain as I’ve be been there before - you have said you will try anything, so...

1. The nelimed will help to bring down the inflammation and flush out all the gunk. You can even google videos on how to do it. My DD did it last week as she had an ear infection that spread and it helped.

2. The codeine will help with the pain. A little food can help with any nausea. You can take it any time as long as you stick to the instructions on max dose.

@Gamorasgran I wonder why your GP was reticent at giving you the spray and your dentist didn’t like it. I used steroid sprays for many years - nasonex and avamys - for chronic sinusitis. Also had an MRI to show blocked sinuses. I had more or less permanent headaches right in the middle above my eyes. Luckily it’s got better now - oddly it improved when I got divorced 🤔, but comes back when I do a lot of gardening. I’ve learnt to manage it over the years.

@over50andfab noted!

Am going to attempt some spaghetti then nelimed and pills. And second dose of flixonase before bed. Boiled water cooling ready to mix with the sachets. Then I hope a film and a blanket and a snooze..... thank you.

Ok, hope you feel better soon.

Also just thought, when you’ve done the nelimed, bending over with your head down can help clear things further - though be careful as sinus problems can cause balance issues!

Apart from the pain relief, you can drink a lot of pineapple juice or take bromelin tablets, they help a lot to brake down the mucus.