Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

Original poster

Sinus/Rhinitis relief please!

20 replies

MrsLeclerc · 20/12/2021 11:38

GP has said I have allergic rhinitis. I thought it was the super cold that’s been going around and have been struggling for months.

Sleeping propped up is giving me terrible backache and my nose is so stuffed I’ve lost my sense of smell. I did a PCR yesterday which was negative.

GP has prescribed antihistamines and a steroid nasal spray, I’m on day 5 but no improvement yet.

I’m so miserable with it. Does anyone have advice/remedies they could pass on?

OP posts:

sleepymum50 · 20/12/2021 11:49

It probably sounds odd but I get relief from a blocked nose with massage. Not sure if it would work for sinusitis.

I use one finger and make small circular movements with a reasonable pressure on and around my nose, cheekbones, bridge of nose. I also do a movement the pulls up the skin from eyes to bridge of nose to between eyebrow to forehead.

I find it works 80% of the time after about 10 minutes. I often do it when I first wake up. I think it works because the massage moves blood and toxins? Around, or just because it warms up the area.

Don’t forget the usual stuff - decongestants (if allowed), super steamy shower, or head over a bowel of hot water with menthol added.

I’m miserable with a bunged nose and always get a rotten headache.

Ohsugarhoneyicetea · 20/12/2021 11:50

I use fexofenadine tablets and avymys spray and they work for me. I became immune to most antihistamines, maybe ask for a different type if what you have isnt working.

Cuck00soup · 20/12/2021 11:54

Does steam help at all? I find a hot shower before bed makes a lot of difference & a hot flannel can help with the face ache.

Original poster

MrsLeclerc · 20/12/2021 13:37

Thank you!
@sleepymum50 I’ve looked up some sinus massage and had a go. I’ll definitely keep on with that.

@Ohsugarhoneyicetea the GP said it can take 10 days for everything to kick in so I’ll give it another week or so. Good to know there are other options if this doesn’t work.

@Cuck00soup steam is great but after about 15 mins it all gets clogged again. Will definitely try a hot flannel though, that sounds lovely!

I’ve got a humidifier going with eucalyptus oil in but I really just want to remove my head and give it a rinse!

OP posts:

LakieLady · 20/12/2021 14:42

Boots own brand decongestant tablets are the only things that unblock my sinuses effectively, and they work in minutes.

Cuck00soup · 20/12/2021 14:49

really just want to remove my head and give it a rinse!

My sympathies. It's pretty grim, isn't it?

shorttwoshot · 20/12/2021 16:21

The steroid nasal spray will take a while to help so persevere.

I'd recommend inhaling from a bowl of steam. I do it every morning with menthol crystals, eucalyptus and lavender oils.

Saline rinse like sterimar or Neilmed morning and night and in between when it's bad.

The blue Sudafed tablets (60mg) help.

Hot water bottle on your face if the sinuses feel blocked and inflamed.

It's really frustrating, you have my sympathies.

misscockerspaniel · 21/12/2021 15:23

Honey is nature's remedy. Use in (for example) tea and put it on toast. Works for me .

Annasgirl · 21/12/2021 15:28

The best nasal spray is “Avamys’. It is prescription only in Ireland. My friend who is a go recommended it to me - me and the DC are now all on it. It is amazing. Totally clear - I have lifelong allergic rhinitis!

Draggondragon · 21/12/2021 15:33

Elsewhere in the rest of the civilised world, we just see an ENT and get treated

Shelleyjelly80 · 21/12/2021 15:37

I have suffered from rhinitis almost constantly since having my DD 5 years ago. I use a steroid spray x2 a day and use sterimar/Neti pot when particularly congested and antihistamines in summer. I have recently discovered that using the breathe right strips at night in conjunction with my spray is really helpful, I also have a deviated septum so sleep on my left side to be able to breathe properly-with the strips I can also sleep on my right again and sleep much better.
I had to try a few different sprays before I found one that worked for me.

SecretSantaSquirrels · 21/12/2021 15:40

I have this. The nasal spray takes a while to work, do not give up thinking it's not working.
I also use a neti pot about 3 times a week. Cost about £3 and use cooled boiled salted water.

Elsewhere in the rest of the civilised world, we just see an ENT and get treated She has been treated it's just not taken effect yet. Are you suggesting the doctor should go straight for the nuclear option (surgery) without trying the simple stuff that works for most people?

Original poster

MrsLeclerc · 21/12/2021 15:54

Thanks all for the ideas.

I tried to do a nasal irrigation and then had a huge wobble that I was going to get a brain eating disease from the water… I think being unwell for so long has made me a bit barmy.

@Draggondragon to reassure you, I have another GP appointment after Christmas so he can see if the prescribed meds are working. I’m sure if I’m still suffering he’ll change the treatment/make a referral. This is simply a request for help while waiting the 10 or so days for the prescribed stuff to kick in.

OP posts:

nomoneytreehere · 21/12/2021 18:47

I've only had bad sinusitis once and went straight to the ent as it was agony. She prescribed a nasal rinse and honestly I felt better that night. Neti pod like a previous poster said. She said that she and her children do it as soon as they have a cold. Have another go. I told my cleaner about it when she had it (and had been going backwards and forwards to the GP and couldn't work) and she sent me a bunch of flowers after as I think it worked so quickly for her.

Eloisedublin123 · 21/12/2021 23:05

Try spirulina (powder in water or tablets)
I found this out by accident, it’s totally cured by sinusitis and is cheap and natural. Google it and you’ll see it’s kinda well known too. I take 3-4 X 500 mg tablets every morning

LeftieLucy · 21/12/2021 23:09

A nasal douche.

1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda
100ml of water hot enough to dissolve

Wait for it to cool down.

Over the sink, scoop some water into your hand, snort it up one nostril and spit it out of your mouth. Repeat for the other nostril.

Do this 2/3 times a day.

Sounds/is gross but works a treat.

Franca123 · 21/12/2021 23:17

Only thing not mentioned already is echinea which helped me once years ago. I actually find that steroid nasal spray works well within 24hrs. A swim in the sea helps as the salt water gets up there. And a proper steam room. Good luck. It's horrid. You have my sympathy.

oviraptor21 · 21/12/2021 23:20

Painkillers and sleep upright - on a sofa if needs be.

Terracedtardis · 21/12/2021 23:21

Longtime rhinitis sufferer here. I’ve had two ops, all manner of sprays and tablets and still suffer. I find using the Neilmed nasal rinse twice a day the only thing that really helps. Get the hypertonic one rather than the normal as it’s sooo much better!

YellowMonday · 21/12/2021 23:28

Welcome to my world - chronic rhinitis from severe allergies to dust, due mites, pollen, grass seed, to name a few!

Manage allergies (e.g. I shower and wash my clothes as soon as I arrive home during hay fever season to remove pollen) and no carpets, etc
Neti pot to wash out the snot - it's not pleasant but gives instant relief
I find Dymista is the best nose spray when my allergies are really bad + anti histamines
Eucalypts oil in the shower, steam helps to break up the congestion

I wish there was an easy fix, but for me I just have to live with it. Being in AUS, current season destroys me every year. I look like I've been punched (black swollen eyes) and poor sleep from snoring. Yay.

Flip