To bother the GP?

[HolyPoly]

About a month ago I started to feel a bit unwell, really tired and my face (not like a normal headache) felt really tight and like lots of pressure.

Since then I've had quite a lot of thick green snot (sorry!) And my nose is completely blocked but not runny for the majority of the day. I really struggle to sleep.

The thing that's stopping me is I had about a week in between where it got better and I assumed was on its way out but it's now back for the past week and a half with the same symptoms, horrible pressure, green mucus, unable to sleep or breathe through my nose. When I'm up and moving about it feels slightly better but when I'm lay down at night I get horrible shooting pains through my sinuses.

I feel like I've been at the GP none stop all winter for one thing or another with my DC so they are probably sick of the sight of me.

I think you should talk to your GP. The green colour usually indicates the presence of bacteria and sinusitis has the potential to be serious. Could you get a phone appointment maybe?

Sounds like a sinus infection, so if you need antibiotics you can only get them from the GP. Contact them.

Sinusitis, do nasal rinsing google neilmed sinus rinse.

Sounds like sinusitis. Try over the counter remedies first.

Might be worth going to a pharmacist first to get advise? They'll probably say to go to the GP in this case, but at least then you'll feel like you're not wasting their time!

Have you done a COVID test? I had this exact presentation but didn't test positive until about 10 days in bizzarely. Same with my dd

Sorry should have specified. Yes I did a Covid test at the time and I've also done a few throughout, the last one being a couple of days ago. All negative.

You can try a pharmacist but I suspect you need to see a GP. I find the most efficient/least bothersome GP consultations are where I use their messaging service to give them clear info (what's happening, how long it's been going on, what I've tried so far) so they can decide if they need to phone/need to see me/just prescribe something.

Try high dose Vitamin C. I buy from Amazon and it staves off illness, have a look at 1,000mg or more per day. I first read about it in a textbook on immunology then researched the benefits, been using it for years and my health has improved. Just a suggestion.

You could try this for a couple of days, it's the only thing that's making me feel human after ten days of covid snottiness. I also highly recommend the NeilMed sinus rinsing. When I get sinus pains I also find that taking an anti-histimine seems to help as I get sneezy at pollen/dust/cat fur when I have a cold whilst I'm normally not allergic.

If that doesn't clear it then head off to the GP. Anti-biotics are brilliant when you need them but I always try self-care first as I hate the inevitable dodgy stomach and thrush from having anti-biotics.

Sounds like a sinus infection, so if you need antibiotics you can only get them from the GP.Sounds like a sinus infection, so if you need antibiotics you can only get them from the GP
A sinus infection does not mean that the only or best remedy is antibiotics. They would only be beneficial if the I section is bacterial and it is more like not to be.

This could very well be allergies. I would start with a steroid nose spray and antihistamines, but available over the counter.

Try this. Sounds vile but I promise you it isn’t.
3/4 fill a mug with tomato juice.
Add a clove of garlic, crushed (2 if you like)
A teaspoon of Lemon juice.
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce. ( 1 teaspoon if you like)
Heat and drink 2 mugs of this two hours apart.
You can also add a piece of ginger, crushed like garlic to make it extra hot. Clears sinus problems every time.

@Xpologog

Try this. Sounds vile but I promise you it isn’t. 3/4 fill a mug with tomato juice. Add a clove of garlic, crushed (2 if you like) A teaspoon of Lemon juice. 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce. ( 1 teaspoon if you like) Heat and drink 2 mugs of this two hours apart. You can also add a piece of ginger, crushed like garlic to make it extra hot. Clears sinus problems every time.

If that doesn't do something then there is no justice in this world!

Definitely sounds like a sinus infection (particularly your description of 'pressure'), but as others have said, you don't have to go straight to antibiotics / GP.

Your best port of call is a good pharmacist, who will be able to advise on OTC remedies.

I suffer frequent sinus infections and for me this works for the pattern of needing antibiotics. The few days 'recovery' then relapse again would indicate infection. Do you feel otherwise we'll? Any temp, aches etc?

I do suffer allergies so take antihistamines frequently. This feels quite different to those though. I always get runny, itchy eyes and a scratchy throat with my allergies which I don't have and the antihistamines I do take aren't making any difference to the sinus issues.

I did have a few nights where I felt like I had a fever (although didn't take temp as was in the middle of the night but was very sweaty and uncomfortable) but nothing ever came of it other than that and I've been okay since, it was about a week ago. I just feel very tired but I'm not sleeping so no wonder really.

Do Inhalations with Tea tree oil dropped in a bowl of hot water and a towel over your head. This is a natural antibiotic.