Sinusitis - feel so sick

[Perid0t]

Heeeeeellllp.

Thanks to the lovely MN ladies, I think I have sinusitis.

Symptoms:

Upper cheek ache
Nose ache
Forehead ache
Throbbing temples
Burning in forehead
Post nasal drip On and off
Ears feel blocked on and off
Dizziness and nausea
No appetite
I was extremely fatigued but that’s improved, I now have insomnia (likely due to the meds?)

Anadin extra is the only thing helping with the lain and I’m in Sudafed. But my god I cannot cope with this nausea. It’s hideous.

Does anyone have any tips? I’ve never had this before. Saw GP on Friday who couldn’t diagnose and nurse this morning who said ears were clear. She offered antibiotics but I declined due to no fever. Wish I’d tried them anyway now!

The ABs I mean.

Do saline nasal rinses - it loosens everything up and keeps it moist. Put a hot water bottle where it hurts most, and steam it out. I can never sleep on sinutab or Sudafed - I just take paracetamol. Go and get the antibiotics and try and sleep propped up.

If viral it just has to work its way through. For sleep, try night nurse. Also use Calpol plug in - usually in children's med section at chemist - keeps snot loose (If there is any sometimes the blocked feeling is just inflammation) and opens up airways.

Unfortunately, it will take 2-3 weeks to clear completely. I had it over Christmas and New year last year. Have a milder dose now too with a really irritating cough.

@Pincepie123 I won’t get an appointment today this late and they’re closed tomorrow. I’ll go Thursday / Friday for them if no better. It’s what the nurse suggested yesterday anyway.

My first post was thinking I had a brain tumour! So I understand why you feel like that.

@angelik I have a plug in actually, good idea, thanks. It’s been 9 days now so I hope it goes soon! Ruined my Christmas.

I’ve given up. The sickness isn’t improving today. Doctors again this afternoon.

Op i have the same for 16 days now, went to doc today but no luck with antibiotics- she said just viral and to ride it out. This bug is taking a bit 3-4 weeks to go she said. Can cope with most other symptoms like the fatigue but the pain in ears and face is the worse.
I’ve given up on Sudafed- they don’t seem to be helping- ibuprofen helps with the instance headache.
Going to try this nasal wash - I’ve tried using a allergy spray but that just makes my nose bleed.
What makes of nasal wash are good to try?

I bought the CROING one from Amazon.

www.amazon.co.uk/Croing-300ml-Bottle-Packets-Nasal/dp/B076GZHS3M?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

It’s really easy to use but I’m wondering how much good it does for deeper sinus congestion as opposed to nose congestion. The rinse doesn’t go down your throat like I originally thought it would. Thank God it’s not uncomfortable at all, you put the nozzle in one nostril, hold the bottle upside down, press the bottom, breathe through your mouth and the rinse runs down your other nose. It’s really weird the way it works.

OMG what? I meant press the “button’ not “bottom” and I meant other “nostril” not other “nose”. How many noses does one have?

I’ve been given doxycycline. What have you all got? Never had this antibiotic before.

@Rhubardandcustard the nurse today told me not to take Sudafed as it can dry the sinuses out and make it worse so I’m going to see how I go without it and just steaming instead. It does help with the face pain (the Sudafed) but the dizziness has been worse the last 2 days so maybe it’s trapped in my ears now instead.

Phenoxymethylpenicillin 250g.

Your nurse was wise. GP earlier prescribed some decongestant but told me not to use for longer than a week as it can make matters worse. I didn’t get it as, indeed, I felt worse after taking lemsip which had a decongestant in it.

I’m feeling weirder and weirder now. I’m wondering if there is some freaky virus going around I haven’t felt myself since Xmas day. I feel for you PeridOt re the dizziness it’s awful. I personally feel queasy and nauseous but it’s probably to do with the fact that I’m not eating or sleeping much. I’m seriously white as a sheet.

DH just told me that he didn’t feel 100% either, as in achey etc... and he’s not usually the complaining type.

I had the penicillin above but it didn’t work for me so had to go back and get amoxicillin

Are you better on that?

You should feel a lot better on the doxycycline, it's once daily, so try to take it at night

Feeling nauseous on New Year’s Eve sucks

Yes I feel so much better today! No face pain for first time since Xmas!

I haven’t taken it yet. Was soo scared of the side effects! Decided I’d take it in the morning as I can cope with tummy upsets better during the day (if it happens)

I’ve actually had a good evening of no pain and no dizziness but now I’m in bed it’s starting again.

@Pincepie123 I started Monday night with it so a couple of days ahead of you. My dizziness and nausea the last 2 days have been the worst and I’ve had no appetite the entire time (improved today) so haven’t been eating or sleeping much either like you. Hopefully you turn a corner over the next couple of days. Can’t wait for this to be over! Xx

Just got over that virus. Awful. Someone on here recommended facial steam three times a day for five minutes. I put eucalyptus oil in it. Also used the Neilmed Sinus rinse. And slept a lot.

I had EXACTLY the same symptoms a couple of months ago. I knew it was sinus related but didn't think it was sinusitis as I've had that before and it came with gallons of florescent yellow mucus. Maybe there are different types of sinusitis? I was also told my ears were clear despite the fact they felt blocked. It was horrible. The dizziness got to me the most. I'm happy to say it's gone now but it did take many weeks.

@SallyWD gosh really!! I don’t have the mucus, anything draining is clear which is why I was loathe to take the antibiotics in the first place. My ears are also clear but I can feel pressure inside.

Weeks - gah!!!!

I’ve found that doctors aren’t actually that knowledgeable about sinusitis/sinus headaches if they don’t present with the typical symptoms (mucus etc). The first time I had a sinus headache I couldn’t eat for a week (very unusual!), dizzy, normal painkillers couldn’t touch the pain. I eventually ended up in A and E getting checked for a brain haemorrhage, but they still couldn’t explain it. Eventually saw a more experienced doctor who realised straight away and gave me antibiotics which eventually cleared the worst of it, but I needed another course of ABs a few months afterwards because I still couldn’t raise my head when lying on my front without severe pain.
I can tell when it is coming on now, and get on the Sinutab straightaway, but if that doesn’t do the trick have had to convince doctors of what it is in order to get the right treatment. I live overseas now and have had to print out Google evidence that you can have sinus pain in the back of your head...

Hope you feel better soon. It’s miserable. If the pain is in my face I find sinus massage can help - pressure points on the face.

Had a horrible night's sleep again, despite feeling my symptoms of sinusitis improve quite suddenly yesterday. I didn't have the back of the neck pain, and the pressure on the face felt better. However I still felt nauseous, which in turn made me eat hardly anything, which in turn made me not sleep.

@pincepie123 I was very up and down with it too. I woke up hungry this morning so I am taking that as a good sign. Started the antibiotics this morning as well. I hope you turn a corner very soon. I went from feeling extremely dizzy and sick with no appetite to starving the next day so it can happen that quickly. I’m hoping mine doesn’t worsen again!

@BurningGubbins I had that impression too. Unless you have typical symptoms, nobody knows what’s wrong. I’ve had to diagnose myself. Lots of steaming happening in this house! X