Sinusitis- what the fuck?!

[LottieLou90]

Hi all,

Apologies, posting here for traffic.

I’m sure I have sinusitis. I am currently getting over what has been an awful cold / flu thing and I feel like my head is going to explode now.

My nose is blocked to fuck, my eyes, ears, head, cheeks, jaw basically my whole face and head is so bloody painful I want to cry but I can’t because I might pass out from the pain. Also, my nose is making this ‘clicking’ sound like it’s attempting morse code and whenever I blow my nose, it’s like I’m blowing Slimer from Ghostbusters out (sorry tmi)

I’ve managed about 2 hours sleep so far. The things I have tried, and failed, to ease the pain - warm flannel over face, propping myself up in bed, paracetamol and ibuprofen, vicks rub under my nostrils and temples, massaging (practically rubbing) my head and face.

Nothings working. I’m fucking fucked off, DD6 will be up in about an hour as she is excited about mother’s day and it’s my birthday in a couple of days 😫

I just want to sleep. I’ve gone from feeling very sorry for myself to just pure anger from the agony.

Please, does anyone have any tips or advice? Does this sound like sinusitis? Need to hopefully minimise the pain for today at least.

Thanks.

I have a sinus infection just now and felt like this for ages. I ignored it as I thought I was just tired due to being 23 weeks pregnant with a nasty cold. It won’t go away without antibiotics if it’s deep rooted. My doctor gave me a 6 day course and on day 4 I started to feel a little more human.

It’s horrible you have my sympathies.

Sudafed (make sure it’s pseudo ephedrine) with paracetamol alternated with ibruprofen, plus anti-histamines. You can also take Guaifenesin which is sold as chesty cough relief but will thin the mucus.

If you can get hold of a Neil Med sinus rinse kit that will help tremendously as well.

I get this after every head cold as I have narrow nasal passages. The above should get you sorted out, the key thing is to get the mucus thinner and draining.

Oh and drink loads of water - at least 2L.

I get this. Decongestant spray works a treat and don't blow your your nose. This actually pushes everythjng back down onto your sinuses. You have to sniff everything back the other way- its not pleasant for you or anyone around you, but it really helps

I'm not sure if anyone has suggested this (have quickly scanned and can't see a mention) but Otravine nasal spray is amazing! Also the back of a hot teaspoon (dipped in not quite boiling water) held against the swollen area also gives some relief. Obviously not so hot it would burn! Hope you're feeling better soon as it really is a horrible thing to have!

Sinus rinsing isn't as gross as it sounds. I put it off years because it sounded horrible but I've started using the Neilmed sinus rinse kit when I get a sinus infection now and it's very quick and easy

Another vote for the Sterimar spray - makes flushing easier for me
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Unfortunately, I am an expert in sinusitis as I get it regularly. The only thing that treats and clears it quickly is the seawater spray. I use Sterimar (get the bigger size) or you can use Vapospray. I use it in first couple of days every couple of hours. It doesn't look like it's making any difference but you will know it's clearing the passage when eventually the sea water is able to work up the nasal passage and down throat into mouth.

You will need Sudafed but all that will do is mask the pain, my doctor says (and I agree) that it's not that great as a decongestant.

Final nasal spray. Best one is Otravine. Yo can use that one several times a day for 3 days max. To be honest, I don't always use it because the seawater spray works so well.

Good luck!

My GP, sick of looking up my nose so often, Said when you finish these antibiotics, change your mouthwash to Oraldene - would probably say Corsadyl these days - and rinse your nostrils with a solution when you brush your teeth. About the strength of the stuff you rinse with at the dentist. Had far fewer after that.

Can you go to a walk in centre and get anti biotics. I 90% of the time get a sinus infection after a cold makes my teeth hurt! I now just call my gp and say i have one and they prescribe iver the phone. You have my sympothies. If you cant geg there then Sudafed is a godsend until you get some

As a quick fix, putting your face under a hot shower, closing one nostril and snorting hot water up the other is helpful, even if it’s gross.

Another vote for Neilmed here. Best used with warm water - you need to boil the water and let it cool anyway (I tend to do a large jug and then reheat in the microwave if it's cooled too much). I've used Sterimar too (after nasal surgery) but it's more expensive and you can't warm it up.

@makingmammaries you really shouldn't be doing that with tap water other than it'll sting like buggery. The reason why boiled (or distilled water) is used in nasal rinses is to get rid of nasties that might be in the water. The tissues in the upper nasal passages are thin and there have been cases of people getting brain infections/parasites from doing this (it's the same reason you shouldn't wash contact lenses with tap water) 🤮

Nothing but sympathy, I’m on the very tail end of it.

Mine was at the point where if I tried to steam, the steam physically couldn’t get through my nose.

Over the counter decongestants and a microwave hottie to the face seemed to make the most difference (a hot flannel wasn’t cutting it).

I also somewhat overdosed on the Olbas Oil and was sniffing 20 drops near without flinching by the end

Antibiotics will help. Buy a saline flush tube thing from the chemist in meantime

I use a nasal rinse/wash, you put pre-boiled warmish water into the container with a sachet of powder which I is just saline solution. It rinses/flushes all the mucus etc. I've never found any of the other treatments or medications ever worked for me. Hope you feel better soon.

I had this when I was younger and it utterly sucks. I used synex to help but used it so much, the lining of my nose got dependant on it and I couldn't go for an hour without using it to clear my nose. I now avoid the stuff!
I use the nasal strips that stop you snoring, they open up the nose and take a lot of the pressure off your face. Hope you feel better soon.

I’ve had it for 3 days too, I’m in horrendous pain on cocodamol even my bloody teeth hurt.

I get this every time I get a cold. A hot water bottle or wheat bag on your face helps.

Oh and drink as much water as you possibly can. Once it did start shifting it made a huge difference, to the point that if it was feeling sticky and bleurgh, I’d go drink some water and it would start shiftin g again.

Beconaise works well alongside decongestants.

Exactly how my sinusitis was. A lot more painful on one side and even touching the face, bending down etc felt like agony.

I'd go to your GP for antibiotics as it's excruciating to bare with and it also made my ear numb.

You can buy menthol crystals from the pharmacy for pennies. Drop a couple of crystals (I do mean only 2 or 3) into hot water and put your head over the bowl with a towel over you to inhale. Use an otrivine sinusitis spray, take a decongestant without painkillers and then take your own strong painkillers.

Finally get yourself to a GP as soon as you can as it sounds like you need antibiotics.

Nasal washes can be good too but it depends if you feel up to doing it.

Try a bowl of hot water & Olbas Oil - works really well for me.

I got antibiotics for a sinus infection last year, go to your gp

You have all been fantastic. Thank you so much for your advice. Sorry for the late reply, been awake since I first posted then DD6 came in at 6.30am all excited.

DP has brought back some Sterimar so going to try that now. Bending forward is agony. My sympathies to all of you that have had it - especially more than once!! My god it truly is something else.

Apologies I can’t remember the name of the poster that asked what colour the snot is - it’s bright green at the moment and the amount that was coming out was unreal.

Going to jump in the shower also.

Thanks again x