Woken up by hideous sinus pain, any tips?

[EnglishRose1320]

I've never had sinus pain before and boy does it hurt. I've been ill since Monday with some kind of viral/flu/covid type thing. Feel really run down, but just about surviving on pain meds. However at half 3 today, I woke to a searing pain in one ear and across my face on that side, just under my eye/cheek area. Quick Google and it looks like it's sinus related.

Any tips on how to manage this? I've taken some more pain relief but over two hours later it's still to painful to get back to sleep.

I had covid a few weeks ago and have had sinusitis before and had just the same as you OP.

Heat always helps me, a shower is great as the steam helps but if you are ok with putting your face under the shower for a bit and the water running down your face it helps as well.

Steaming over a bowl of hot water with a towel over your head, obviously be careful temperature wise.

A warm flannel or I have even seen myself sit drinking a mug of tea then when I’m finished placing the warm mug against my face - sounds weird, but it’s so soothing.

Hope this helps a bit and you’re feeling better soon.

Sometimes steam helps, drink lots, I massage mine (saw a YouTube clip - not sure it's scientific but it didn't make it worse!). The sprays recommended by pharmacy didn't really help me but may be worth a try

Sinus pain is horrible. If it doesn't clear in 5 days or so I'd go to the GP as it may need antibiotics to clear up

Thanks for the tips, going to try the hot mug placed against my face now- I can imagine that would be soothing.

I think the shower would wake everyone else up if I had one now, but will definitely have one after the alarm goes off.

Is there any particularly tender spot or is it more diffuse?

I also find massage really helpful. Mainly pulling motions down my temples and away from my nose.

Sometimes this trick works for me - with tongue pressed to roof of mouth, press firmly between eyebrows for about 15 seconds. Then release both at the same time. That sometimes helps shift the pressure so it’s less painful.

I also find it helpful to prop myself up with pillows when trying to sleep so that I’m more vertical

You can sometimes drain sinuses by rapidly tapping on the bone. You can use your fingers but a dry electric toothbrush is easier.

In terms of pain relief I find anti inflammatory like ibuprofen if you can take them helpful rather than just paracetamol.
also that decongestant ,but the proper one, ask the pharmacist.
also steam & massage.

I would call GP and ask for treatment. A sinus infection that I struggled on with for a while before asking for testament has left me with chronic rhinosinisitus. I was always going to be prone to this as I have asthma and the pain is contained now with a daily steroids spread and antihistamines but I do wish I had got antibiotics for that initial sinus infection quicker. Hope you’re feeling better very soon.

Acupressure on wrist -

https://youtube.com/shorts/TLrtCyoilOQ

Manually - %3D%3D

With the latter you may need several attempts but it does work.

Sinutab tablets really help me. It’s horrible pain. Hope you feel better soon OP.

My DH had this a couple of weeks ago and after putting up with it for a week told him to try an antihistamine tablet each day. This worked but made him drowsy all day, so he took half a tablet for 3 days and it has cleared it. I also got him some Otrivine nasal spray which he took every day. It’s cleared up now so not sure exactly what he had, he spent 2 days in bed at first thinking he had a bad cold, thought he had covid, but tested negative. Cold remedies didn’t help either.

It's miserable. Really hope you get some relief asap.
I have chronic nasal pressure and fullness on one side. I've been to ENT etc they never find much. I have constant clicking too.
Hopefully yours clears up but do see the GP of it doesn't in a few days.

I've ordered a bioelectronic sinus device. Just from ebay to try. You can get expensive ones.

Long term sinus sufferer

steam inhalation.
sinutab - behind counter ones
saline spray
try and clear any blockage - blowing nose (picking if you can feel anything - gross I know)
I have ‘shallow’ sinus on one side that are prone to infection so often need antibiotics.

Just woken up with this too. Following for advice.

Massage the point where your nostrils flare, do it with pressure it'll be sore but the more you do it the better you'll feel and it'll help to clear any sinus congestion.

All of the above that PP have suggested but can I just be that person and say be very cautious with the amount of time you use a nasal decongestant spray or tablets. You can get something called rebound congestion if used for longer than 5 days and it’s bloody awful. It’s more prevalent in spray usage than tablets. Stick to well within the recommended timeframe.

Hope you feel better soon.

Sterimar saline spray. Rinse out the crap in your sinuses. Gross but satisfying.

This is how one of the new covid strains is presenting, OP. Sinus pain/severe migraine-type headache.

Chances are it's covid, just letting you know in case you have contact with vulnerable people.

Sudafed for sinus pressure and pain (the max strength one you have to buy from a pharmacist) always works for me.

The worst sinus pain I've ever had I only managed to cure by sitting under a facial steamer for about an hour. The steam eventually soothed it.

Take anti inflammatories too. Eat food with ginger, turmeric and garlic as these are all anti inflammatory.

@EnglishRose1320 Sorry, I forgot to mention that although you may well have covid as that's often how it's presenting these days, the good news is that the sinus symptoms just clear naturally along with the covid. I was a bit relieved not to have sinusitis tbh as I've known people who suffered with that for months!

@betwelve I did do a covid test day before yesterday and that was negative, but I know it could still be covid. I've been sent another covid test & a flu test by a scheme the GP asked me to do- think it's a countrywide monitoring thing, so will see what they come back with.

A combination of keeping on top of pain relief, massaging the area and placing warm things on the area is keeping it at a tolerable level atm, hopefully it will clear up soon. Going to try and sleep propped up today so it doesn't get so bad again.

I had something similar at Christmas, which was also neg to all covid tests. I buy pseudoephedrine (Boots decongestant tabs) to help drain the sinuses. I also bought a neti pot. The most unglamourous thing to use, but my goodness- the gunk that came out! 😬You should ONLY used boiled or sterile water and the saline sachets that come with it- never regular tap water.

Obviously see your GP is not improving.

I get a wet flannel as hot as I can bear it and drape over the affected area. Only thing that helps!

Sorry can't help but here to sympathise. Just had Covid a couple of weeks ago, had horrible congestion and sinus pain. I've had Covid twice now, nearly two years apart but with the exact same symptoms each time !

Hospital grade sinus medicine works for me. Prescribed by a GP. Dymista.

Also cocodamol 30/500 in between.