Sinuses driving me nuts - help!!

[ashorterday]

I've had problems with my sinuses just on one side for nearly two years.

GP prescribed steroid nasal spray last year, also advised antihistamines which I took for months, made no difference.

The one side is always blocked, I feel like my right ear is blocked and I get chronic post nasal drip as well. I'm utterly sick of it.

It's always there but some weeks I'm expelling huge amounts of thick green mucus from that one nostril - I've used saline spray, decongestant pills, I use decongestant spray just so I can breathe at night but I really want to get to the bottom of it.

Has anyone found something that works? A method for clearing it all out? Any medications I've missed?

Instead of saline spray, have look at a sinus rinse. I do one nightly as well. Hasn't cured me, but helps a lot. Was recommended by ENT doc.

Antibiotics if its green mucus. Face steamer

I've tried doing that several times with no success, it seems to go up my one nostril and just fall out the same one (isn't it meant to come out the other side?)

@MayThePawsBeWithYou

Antibiotics if its green mucus. Face steamer

I thought it was only an infection if there was a temperature to go with it? I'll phone gp Monday. I have had antibiotics for it before but I felt ill with it last time.

I have same as you but ON BOTH NOSTRILS! In the end I saw a private ENT consultant as it was/is affecting daily life. Now I use a daily sinus rinse (NeilMed, from Amazon or pharmacies) and it makes it more bearable sometimes. I also had an operation to remove polyps but they have returned within 3 years. Huge sympathy, it's hideous.

With the sinus rise you have to tilt your head slightly. If you're very blocked it will come back put the same side but it's worth persevering because when the gunk comes out it's wonderful!

I had ABs many times for this, I also had sinus washouts done by an ENT doctor which was not very pleasant but it worked

I have a similar thing to @33goingon64 and I have a diagnosis of Samter’s Triad. I’ve had polyps removed three times and now use steroids a couple of times a year to keep them at bay. My sympathies because sinus problems are awful. Have your sinuses ever been scanned?

Green mucous is your body shedding white blood cells, indicating an infection. But not necessarily bacterial so antibiotics won't always help.

The GP had a look up my nostrils to check for polyps, there weren't any. I've never had a scan no. I'm guessing if I got referred to an ENT it would take ages to get seen so it might be better to go private.

I’d ask for a scan.

It does sound infected?

Have you tried a dairy free diet? Look it up if not.

Get a ent referral. I did and had a septoplasty which was life changing

Polyps can be further up. You need a scan.

My partner does nasal douching with a salt solution every morning and that really helps him xxx

I'll definitely request a scan when I speak to the gp Monday.

@StealingYourWiFi

Get a ent referral. I did and had a septoplasty which was life changing

Yes you may have a deviated septum?

Silly question but are you working from a laptop and looking down all day? I had terrible trouble with my sinuses a while ago as a result of this. Raising my screen really helped.

How are you getting on OP?

@Juniper68

How are you getting on OP?

After a full day of decongestant pills today (every 4 hours) it's calmed down today - I've booked a call with the gp but they can't fit me in til Friday.

I have the same, watching with interest.

I find smearing Vicks over my sinuses at night help, not very romantic but it definitely helps.

ashorterday I hope you get referred soon? I've been waiting for an ENT appointment for months.

Spirulina (powder or tablets) help this greatly. I take 2,500 mg a day (4-5 tablets) and my rhinitis has gone. Google it!

Not the same but a few years ago I'd get horrible sinusitis >15 times a year (I know as I was having more GP appointments than my health insurance would cover (not in the UK)).
I started taking zinc religiously and they've all but disappeared.