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Original poster

Sinuses driving me nuts - help!!

69 replies

ashorterday · 15/01/2022 20:04

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?

OP posts:
Einszwei · 17/01/2022 15:35

Just a warning that ENT referral times are currently horrendous. They were terrible before covid, but have got even worse.

Juniper68 · 17/01/2022 16:14

@Einszwei

Just a warning that ENT referral times are currently horrendous. They were terrible before covid, but have got even worse.
Tell me about it! I've been waiting for sooo long.
MrsJamesAcaster · 18/01/2022 20:40

I have similar so watching with interest.

Original poster
ashorterday · 20/01/2022 07:55

I got antibiotics but I've had four days worth and it hasn't cleared up...it seems to calm down for a day or so then build up again. I've got a neti pot coming today and I'm going to get some zinc and spirula powder!

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 20/01/2022 08:16

STEAM!! use a steam mug,they're cheap from a pharmacy and steam twice a day for at least 6 weeks and keep doing if it flares up again.

Juniper68 · 20/01/2022 08:16

@ashorterday

I got antibiotics but I've had four days worth and it hasn't cleared up...it seems to calm down for a day or so then build up again. I've got a neti pot coming today and I'm going to get some zinc and spirula powder!
You're certainly attacking it from all angles. Is it a weeks course?

The spirulina will take a couple of weeks to work I'd imagine?

Original poster
ashorterday · 20/01/2022 09:38

@Eloisedublin123 omg how do you take this hideous powder? I’ve put some in my porridge and had to throw it away, now I’ve mixed some with water and it makes a horrid green sludge 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
Juniper68 · 20/01/2022 09:50

[quote ashorterday]@Eloisedublin123 omg how do you take this hideous powder? I’ve put some in my porridge and had to throw it away, now I’ve mixed some with water and it makes a horrid green sludge 🤦‍♀️[/quote]
You can buy the capsules.
Have you tried in yoghurt?

Original poster
ashorterday · 20/01/2022 09:52

Oh bugger I didn't know there were capsules, I'd have definitely bought them instead. I've just mixed some up in water and necked it, grim. Half the problem is it's green so very offputting!

OP posts:
Original poster
ashorterday · 20/01/2022 09:53

STEAM!! use a steam mug,they're cheap from a pharmacy and steam twice a day for at least 6 weeks and keep doing if it flares up again.

I've got one but it just doesn't seem to penetrate? I end up breathing it in through my mouth (unless that's also helpful 🤷🏼‍♀️)

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 20/01/2022 10:07

@ashorterday

STEAM!! use a steam mug,they're cheap from a pharmacy and steam twice a day for at least 6 weeks and keep doing if it flares up again.

I've got one but it just doesn't seem to penetrate? I end up breathing it in through my mouth (unless that's also helpful 🤷🏼‍♀️)

Just keep doing it, it'll help. You need the sort with the bit that just goes over your nose.
Nitgel · 20/01/2022 10:13

I had this and had a sinus wash under GA at the Ear Nose Throat hospital. Neti pots worked for short term but it needed an op.

Eloisedublin123 · 20/01/2022 10:26

So the way to take the powder is in a smoothie! And yes to tablets. You can get in lidl (I think) (with the chia seeds and whatnot!) or in a health food shop. Take 1 a day for a week, then 2, and work up to 4!

StealingYourWiFi · 20/01/2022 20:17

Yes ENT wait times are horrendous. ENT was one of the first surgical specialities we stopped during covid at the hospital I work in and the last back to resume.

Juniper68 · 22/01/2022 14:56

I bought some spirulina powder. Seems cheaper than capsules. Lady in Holland and barrett said you need to take loads of them .

Eloisedublin123 · 22/01/2022 16:26

Good luck with the powder! I take 4 every day and it’s cured my sinusitis anyway thank god

Juniper68 · 22/01/2022 16:55

@Eloisedublin123

Good luck with the powder! I take 4 every day and it’s cured my sinusitis anyway thank god
I took mine in water with lime juice.
GreatBigBeautifulTommorow · 22/01/2022 19:12

I had FESS by ENT for mine 7 years ago and has made a massive difference.

They recommended Neilmed sinus rinse, comes in sachets with a bottle, I got from Amazon.

Original poster
ashorterday · 23/01/2022 02:15

@GreatBigBeautifulTommorow

I had FESS by ENT for mine 7 years ago and has made a massive difference.

They recommended Neilmed sinus rinse, comes in sachets with a bottle, I got from Amazon.

That's the one I bought, but it says on the instructions not to use if one nostril is blocked, which it is. I had actually tried to use it but it just doesn't work as it goes up and back out of the same nostril...

I might try the powder with lime juice, it needs something strong to make it palatable.

OP posts:
Juniper68 · 23/01/2022 07:45

ashorterday this sounds mad after one use but I've felt a difference this morning Shock
I've tried neil med for ages. Brings a little relief. But I think this needs to come from internally. Whether it be a diet change, supplements etc. And possibly something to treat any allergies? I have a dust allergy so that doesn't help.

I'll report back after a few days.

Eloisedublin123 · 23/01/2022 08:16

That’s such good news to hear! It gave me such relief and I had an immediate result too!

Juniper68 · 23/01/2022 13:27

@Eloisedublin123

That’s such good news to hear! It gave me such relief and I had an immediate result too!
Excellent. I'm going to have some now. Seemed to make me less hungry too?
Eloisedublin123 · 23/01/2022 16:33

I wish I had that too!

NutellaEllaElla · 23/01/2022 19:02

I've ordered Spirulina, thanks for the recommendation.

I have 2 deviated septums and allergic rhinitis all the fucking time. I've had an NHS ENT appointment, they did a scan, told me available surgery has a low success rate and wouldn't cure it my allergy anyway, told me to continue with the sinus rinse and sent me on my way. Utterly shit. I'm putting a lot on the Spirulina.

Is it worth going private?

Juniper68 · 23/01/2022 20:16

@NutellaEllaElla

I've ordered Spirulina, thanks for the recommendation.

I have 2 deviated septums and allergic rhinitis all the fucking time. I've had an NHS ENT appointment, they did a scan, told me available surgery has a low success rate and wouldn't cure it my allergy anyway, told me to continue with the sinus rinse and sent me on my way. Utterly shit. I'm putting a lot on the Spirulina.

Is it worth going private?

If you can get a second opinion privately I would.

I wonder why they won't operate?

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