I want antibiotics for my sinuses

[Froomp]

I don’t have a cold or anything but for weeks and weeks I’ve had intense pressure behind the bridge of my nose. Sudafed hasn’t worked nor has inhaling steam. I went to the GP and asked if they would prescribe antibiotics and was told they wouldn’t, but showed me a link to some contraption that washes your nose out.
Has anyone had a sinus pressure headache without the nasal congestion last this long? And if you have what helped? AIBU to give it another week or two and then beg for antibiotics or something?

Antibiotics most likely aren't the answer. I like those hopi candles to relieve sinus pressure, and flixonase nasal spray. Sinusitis is a horrible sensation and I do hope you feel better soon.

Funghi is yours just the constant pain/ pressure or do you have other symptoms as well?
It’s awful. I didn’t realise it could hang around for so long. I hope the ENT can sort it for you.

Antibiotics don't work for sinuses. Keep them for important things like operations, sepsis etc.

Nasal spray for sinuses. Makes them less irritable.

Usually get sinusitis sometime in October and keep it until March.

Froomp that’s how it started, now it’s accompanied by a constantly blocked or runny nose, daily sneezing fits, a sticky cough and sore, itchy eyes. I regularly produce colourful substances and I can’t smell much anymore either.

I know it’s not practical but lying with a soft hot water bottle or heat pack on the bridge of your nose might help. Hopefully yours doesn’t stick around for much longer

Attached are the national clinical guidelines for treating sinusitis

The sinus rinse bottle is great. I use it twice a day for an ongoing sinus issue. It feels weird at first it after a week or so you'll be used to it. It feels great afterwards.

I went to the GP in June after 3 weeks of sinus pain. I originally thought it was severe hay fever but was producing a lot of grim mucous and was floored with exhaustion.

I got antibiotics without asking and symptoms cleared rapidly after starting the course.

Sinus rinse then hang your head upside down. Drink loads of water, you have to stay really hydrated, and give up dairy. If you’re really suffering, it’s worth a bash. Good luck!

It probably helped that I had tried all sorts including loads of flixonase (as I thought it was hay fever) without improvement. It was also exacerbating my asthma so maybe that was why I got antibiotics so easily.

How can you get to your age and not know what antibiotics do, what they’re for, and what they’re not for?

Absolutely unbelievable!

Thing is, they work for sinusitis. I am of a great age and this is my experience. The new clinical guidelines are bollocks. Go back to your GP, OP. Demand that they actually treat you.

Antibiotics most certainly do work for sinus infections .

I had one for 9 weeks. Followed the GP advice. It did nothing. Went back got the antibiotics and it waa was cleared in 3 days.

Not sure if you have or not but I definitely suggest s trip to the dentist!

I had the exact same as you, the pressure and pain just no other symptoms, it turned out one of my back teeth had become infected and the root was touching the sinus line (not sure what it's called) although the tooth itself didn't hurt, I had the tooth removed and the pressure/pain in my nose completely disappeared

YABVU your doctor doesn’t think you need them. People have too many antibiotics and think they are the panacea for all kinds of random things e.g. flu, cold etc

Simplest, cheapest fix that I was taught by my GP years ago is to inhale steam under a towel hood, but here's the difference: you tuck your head down so the drain hole is at the lowest point. It's best to stand up with the bowl on a table. You have to drop your head and twist it round as if you were trying to tuck it into your armpit! Block the other nostril and breathe in the steam, then swap sides.

Works for me every time!

There was a conversation on Mumsnet somewhere a while ago about going to a Salt Cave for sinus problems. Seems to work for some people but not everyone.

Neilmed sinus rinse, no dairy and some piriton tends to fix it for me.

All you need is warm salty water and neti pot,
very cheap

It’s annoying but you don’t need antibiotics. We need to stop demanding them for every little thing or you’ll come to regret it when they no longer work

No need for sarcastic comments the OP asked a totally reasonable question and I don't recall her giving her age.
I have had sinus problems in the past and after using steam and various over the counter remedies the only thing that has worked is a course of antibiotics.
OP you have my sympathy.

okay, AB may or may not be the way forward, but its nowhere near as dumb as fucking Hopi Candles.

Whatever you do, do NOT stick that crap up your nose! (or in your ears for that matter).

Antibiotic resistance is caused by large scale use of unnecessary medication for healthy animals in mega farms of thousands of livestock where individual examination and diagnosis is deemed too onerous and costly, not by OP getting antibiotics for an actual infection, which sinusitis is.

I should add that the thousands of livestock animals ingesting antibiotics in this way do so on a daily basis for years as they are sloughed into the animals' feeds. This is quite different to a person with a sinus infection ie a medical condition that responds to antibiotics taking a low dose antibiotic for five days.

Jesus, I’m in constant pain and wanted a way to stop the pain. It seems like antibiotics clears a sinus infection for some people. There’s no need at all for the snarky comments. Especially when I have already agreed I was being unreasonable.