Sinus problems - what yo do?

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

Any advice? I had a really miserable cold in December, and have been ill ever since. I saw the doctor at the end of January, who said it was a sinus infection, and gave me antibiotics and a nasal spray - I got a couple of weeks of feeling more normal, then it was back. I figured I just needed to live with it, but my dentist mentioned at a checkup last week that my tonsils were very inflamed, and took x-rays because I am feeling pressure in my upper teeth, which have nothing clinically wrong with them. She suggested I go back to the doctor.

I have an appointment on Tuesday, but I feel like a bit of a twit. Is there anything they can do? Symptoms are choked nose, relieved by decongestant, but that makes my nose stream, thick, yellow-y mucus, sore throat/cough on and off, feeling of pressure round my cheeks, behind my eyes, and in my upper back teeth.

I am so fed up, but hate to think I am wasting the doctor’s time.

Gah, what to do!

You're not wasting time when it's affecting you that badly.

I spent three months on antibiotics and that didn't quite completely shift it - turned out I needed surgery to open up one of my sinuses. Had a bloody brilliant time ever since! Well, apart from the first ten days or so which were just bloody.

In a previous thread there were a surprising number of people extolling the virtues and success of acupuncture therapy, so unless that was down to a sudden wave of Chinese trolls come past you could have a look into that - cheap and quick!

Thanks for replying. Bloody hell, three months on antibiotics sounds awful. I probably should have gone back to the doctor sooner, it is just so difficult to get an appointment, and I hate feeling like I am being a pest - although January was the first time I had been since registering when we moved here four years ago, so I am not a regular attender.

That is interesting about acupuncture, and I would be totally happy to try an alternative therapy. It looks like it’s about £50 a session here, which doesn’t seem that cheap, but any port, etc!

Oh - my local acupuncturist (which I didn't know we had until that thread!) was doing a session for £30 which is much more 'just do it' pricing. Not, thankfully, that I've needed to: having my sinus entrances expanded sorted me right out, I've not had such a cold-free winter in living memory :) Bit of an extreme effort though.

Try a sinus rinse. Neil Med are quite good. It might help you.

spoon I teach so always get colds, and even as a kid my colds seemed to last forever, but I have never seen the likes of this before. I honestly can’t remember what it’s like to feel properly well!

mine I have been using a Sterimar thing that comes in a big pump, a bit like a can of deodorant. Do you mean a neti pot? The logistics of that horrify me a bit, but I suppose I should give it a go.

Yes, something that flushes your sinuses through with a salt water solution - but do get the sachets that you mix up, and make sure you do it with body temperature water!

Yeah, I know exactly what you mean - I spent well over six months just feeling drained almost all the time, it was like sleep deprivation. Once in a while I'd have a couple of good days, and the difference was astonishing! So much energy and alertness! Then it'd be back, in a slightly different flavour of cold.... eeurgh. Lots of sympathy, I hope you get it sorted.

I’ve had a sinus infection since late January, and I’ve been back to the doctors a few times. I’m on my third lot of antibiotics. The thinking seems to be if it’s gone on for a while, they’re a distinct possibility. Of the various doctors I’ve seen/talked to, some give abs and some recommend self help measures like sinus rinses. One prescribed a nasal spray,
The latest antibiotic seems to be working. It’s Clarithromycin.

So pleased to be in good company! I feel really rotten today, like I have a new cold - ffs. My appointment is at 8.45 tomorrow, so will report back. Fingers crossed they give me the good drugs.

Updating to say I got Doxycycline, and another steroid spray. Plus a telling off for not coming back sooner. Pray for me.

I hope you feel better soon,Judy. I don’t want this again, ever!

Fingers crossed!