Sinusitis

[QuantumPixies]

How long should it last?

I’ve had a stinking headache for six weeks now. I had three weeks off work at the beginning. Was getting better but now it’s back with a vengeance and I’ve had a couple more days off. The gp has given me painkillers which haven’t really touched it and the steroids were working until I got another cold. There’s talk of an ENT referral if it hasn’t gone after 12 weeks.

Any words of wisdom/sympathy? I’m feeling really miserable.

Your GP didn't suspect a sinus infection and suggest antibiotics?

They said evidence for antibiotics wasn’t very good so it wasn’t worth taking them. I got a steroid spray to try for two months instead.

I've got chronic sinusitis, it's horrendous. Ive stopped going to the doctors because I know I can't have antibiotics so often. Warm flannel across your eye area can ease it sometimes.

I can’t remember the last time I didn’t have a headache. It’s just so miserable.

Try Neilmed's Sinus Rinse from most chemists or amazon.

e.g. www.boots.com/neilmed-sinus-rinse-kit-10077009

I’ve been using that blank. Thanks for the recommendation. It did help but it can’t seem to clear it. Very fed up with this latest flare up. Thought at least it was getting a bit better.

I was told because I'd had it longer than 6 weeks I ticked the box for a course of antibiotics- they started to work in a few days and the relief was amazing!

I use a machine to irrigate my sinuses once a day. I think it really helps.

SinuPulse Elite Advanced Nasal Sinus Irrigation System

That said, if your sinuses aren't draining they become the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and antibiotics may be indicated.

Ill try speaking to the gp again for some antibiotics. Thanks all.

I’m interested in this too as I’m the same. Had two migraines in five weeks but have also had a constant headache. For the last few days my head hurts so much over eyebrow, my cheek, and down my neck.
Paracetamol iboprofen and Sudafed haven’t helped at all. My mouth all hurts too and throb like pain. Is this sinus sounding too?

Sunny, yes, that sounds like sinusitis.

Actifed tablets from the pharmacy might help get things moving. They cost about £3.50 for 12 tablets last time I got them from Boots. But if these don't work then you will probably need antibiotics.

Basically sinusitis can be viral or bacterian. The viral one will go away with painkillers (but you also need seasalt nazal spray, you can get it over the counter and it works wonders), but the bacterian one (if it lasted for 6 weeks and you needed 3 weeks off I really doubt it's not bacterian) will only go away with antibiotics.

I lived in the UK for 9 years and I'm still shocked that you only get painkillers for pretty much anything. My friend used to joke that in the UK you'd go to the GP with a ear in your hand and they'd be like here get some ipubrofen, it should reattach itself🙄