To ask for more antibiotics? Sinusitis 4 weeks

[aNonnyMouse1511]

I have just woken up from falling asleep after putting the kids to bed as I am still suffering with sinusitis for 4 weeks.

It has hit me hard with fatigue, facial pain, constant headaches, dizziness, nausea and lack of appetite.

I’ve had one set of antibiotics and felt like I have been improving but not ever completely gone, especially with the dizziness and the headaches, but then today I have been unbalanced, barely ate a child’s portion of dinner and then passed out in bed. Feeling sick and like crying really! I can’t believe how long this is going on for and nobody can tell me if it’s viral or bacterial and in case it’s the latter, I’d like to see.

Any input gratefully received.

Invest in a Netti Pot to flush out your sinuses (sounds gross but it does help a lot)
Feel your pain, as (was) in same boat until used the netti pot for the first time last week?

@OldSpeclkledHenintroed a nasal flush on Friday and honestly it just freaked me out. Some water got trapped and i have felt worse since with the balance issues and feeling sick. Also freaked myself out about the possibility of introducing bacteria where it shouldn’t be and loathe to try it again!

Get a GP appointment ASAP. You sound like DH. One week of AB's never clears his sinusitis up. He also has problems with balance,dizziness, earache, etc when he gets it. If you can get any, he does find the Max Strength Sudafed help - maybe they can get you through until you can get an appointment. Steam inhalation might help too - add eucalyptus oil if you have any. And try a wet flannel as hot as you can stand it laid on your eyes/ forehead.

What antibiotic were you given the first time?

Antibiotics don't work well on sinusitis. Better to get a nasal spray and decongestants.

Hope you’re feeling better soon OP. I got sinusitis and a really nasty flu type virus before Christmas and I’m only just getting back to normal now. It’s taken me 2 lots of antibiotics so I’d definitely get in touch with your GP to see if it’s worth having another course x

Any chance you can get a dental X-ray? That’s the best way of showing up pockets of infection.
I totally get it I suffer terribly with this and I’m just getting over a really heavy cold that I know is going to more than likely turn into sinusitis by the end of the week 😭

@ViaSacra doxycycline x

Sometimes sinusitis is viral not an infection that’s actually treatable by antibiotics- it can be either bacterial or viral and often hard to tell! It’s often assumed that if you feel worse
It’s bacterial but not necessarily the case. So absolutely further ab might help if it is bacterial but if it’s viral would make no difference what so ever it may just be coincidence that that over the time you take the ab’s a viral infection is getting better.

@BlackeyedSusan my doctor told me not to use those as they dry out the tract and can make it worse. I definitely have ‘dry’ sinusitis as no/very little mucus at all being produced. It’s all in my blooming ears at the moment!

@Fcukthisshit oh that’s terrible! This hit me 2 days before Christmas but I didn’t have the flu or anything thank goodness. That sounds appalling.

@BamboozledandBefuddled thank you x - I haven’t found many people that have had the symptoms I’ve got!

@CrocodilesCry I had a brain MRI over a week ago that showed issues with the ethmoid sinuses and a retention cyst in the left maxillary sinus x

@Jen306 that’s what I thought. I guess I’m just feeling pretty desperate ☹️

I used to have it regularly. I gave up all gluten and that fixed it. Haven’t had sinusitis for nearly 30 years now.

just coming to see why you are spamming me with emails... except it is not you... 5 noifications that you have mentioned me once.

there was some research done, I was only vagulely paying attention and noted only some of the information. I also suffer form sinusitis and it going to my ears so noted the relevant bit, e don't bother asking for antibiotics.

perhaps ask if there is other treatment/prevention?

@BlackeyedSusan oh dear! No definitely not me!

I saw the nurse this morning. She’s given me a nasal steroid spray to try. And told me it’s gonna take months to work. I cried.

Steaming repeatedly
That's what my gp recommended
Sinusitis doesn't respond to antibiotics in most cases

I’ve just read the NICE guidelines and it states that steaming doesn’t work 😫

Well I find it soothing

Antibiotics don't work and sinusitis on average lasts several weeks
I seem to get a dose every January
I have long since given up on antibiotics as they don't make me better and I think we should all minimise antibiotic use

You shouldn't ask for more antibiotics but you should go back to the GP and describe your symptoms and take what they prescribe.

Thanks all for your advice.

Been prescribed a steroid nasal spray x