Sinus issues for 4+ weeks, tips please

[Macchiatooo]

Looking for advice on what to do to get better

have had sinus issues for over a month now (congestion, face pain, ear pressure, FATIGUE) and throughout this month, also had eye styes and blepharitis, mastitis and a cough. Not sure if related. It has been very up and down, felt like it was getting better to only return… and much worse at points, seemingly randomly got chills, aches, fever last week alongside sinus congestion. Have been using sterimar but doesn’t seem to really make much diff. Started using beconese few days ago as had a box knocking around and has helped at night. Anything else? NHS says over 4weeks to see a GP, would a stronger nasal spray help?

If it's been this long you'll likely need a culture taken rhen antibiotics if bacterial. Nasal sprays will be next to useless. I'd recommend twice daily full nasal rinses (netipot or similar) to get out more of the gunk. An infrared lamp to dry out the sinuses can also be rather useful as far as conservative treatment ngies.

Thanks for this. Will contact gp on Monday. I actually ending up having a course of antibiotics for my eye infection which made no difference to the sinuses… maybe wasn’t right type of antibiotics? I’m breastfeeding so it’s limited

Like a netipot but I find easier to use, I recommend Neilmed Sinus Rinse. Usually available in pharmacies or online. It's a bottle that helps you squirt saltwater into the sinuses.

You get special salt sachets that you dissolve in warm, previously boiled water.

just had a quick look, this is a salt spray, is it much different to Sterimar?

Have you tried decongestants??

No as I’m breastfeeding

Sinus lifelong. I use "one a day" pill, anti-histamine plus echinacea. The pill reduces the inflammation and solid stuffed up business, makes some liquid flow for an hour or so then it calms down. The stuff draining down to lungs and stomach sets up irritation and infection so although pill just gives relief from nose area symptoms it has wider effect.

Echinacea acts instead of antibiotic, good for all infections (incl. wounds) but specially good for lungs. High dose 3,000 mg if nec. every 4 hrs day 1 & 2 tapering down to twice a day even once a day. Echinacea v safe but does cause swelling at first.

Bowl of water beside radiator helpful to dampen air.

Are infrared lamps good? How long do you have to sit there to gain any benefit?

Steaming and then Neilmed sinus rinse. The steaming opens the passages and the neilmed gets right round the sinus eventually as it opens up. I got antibiotics after a particularly bad period but I think the steaming and Neilmed was better if I did it twice a day. Beconase is good but they could give you a stronger one. Try all this and make an appointment with the GP even if it is in 4 weeks.

Another vote for steaming followed by neilmed sinus rinse! It's a bottle not a spray- like a neti pot but easier as you squeeze it to squirt the water through rather than pour. Weird at first but also very satisfying- I've had some amazing stuff come out of the depths my face that was of an entirely different colour/quality from nose blowing alone!

I used to get sinus pain for up to 12 weeks regularly and it was just awful, you have my sympathies! Eventually had surgery to correct a deviated septum and it's been much better since - still get acute infections during a cold but they don't last anywhere near as long as things aren't staying stuck in my face

You squirt the water up one nostril and it washes out the sinuses then drains out of the other nostril, with any gunk. It holds a fair amount of water (perhaps 400ml from memory) so not a mist/ spray, but a good thorough wash with warm water.

I breathe through my mouth throughout, just remind myself not to panic, as it is an unusual sensation.

Oh also before the surgery I had to get antibiotics each time to clear it but they can be pretty reluctant to give them. Think I was given a steroid spray at one point too - the brand name was Flixonase

I think I have this though GP has basically dismissed it.

I was advised to use a neti pot but it didn't really do anything?

I get nasal drip in my throat, ear ache on one side, tinnitus in both ears, tender nose/cheeks and a sore throat on one side. Fatigue and tired eyes too.

GP thought it may be an allergy and he googled likely allergies!!!!

Tried various sprays but no improvement.

I have it all year but it dramatically worsens September to February.

Any ideas or same experiences?

I read somewhere to make a "kah-kah-kah" sound while using it as it stops the water from going into your throat - really helps! I genuinely enjoy doing it now 😂

Hi would it still drain out the other side if you have a deviated septum ? @Swissrollover

It did for me, though I do think it's more effective now I've had the deviated septum corrected via surgery

For temporary relief you could try menthol or eucalyptus. I use Jakemans honey menthol sweets for post nasal drip and they temporarily stop me coughing. If you can get eucalyptus sweets they are even better but I usually buy several bags when I'm in France as I haven't seen them here. You still need to to see the GP to treat the infection/allergy. This only helps with the symptoms

I was going to post this myself this morning. I have had this since 3rd August now. First week of September I went to the GP and was given antibiotics, don't feel it went away completely and it's slowly getting worse again. My nose has been completely blocked for over a week again, eye pressure, head pressure, ears feel like I'm on an airplane and all sounds are just irritating my ears and head. Im totally fed up so following along, you have my sympathy.

Thanks so much everyone. Lots of really helpful advice. I went to Boots earlier and saw the Neilmed - £22! But I’ve now seen it’s recommended several times so thinking of going back to get it. Will contact the GP Monday too.

@Macchiatooo

£14.70 on Amazon for the bottle and sachets

Hi everyone, the GP told me to continue with beconese for 3-4weeks as it appears to be having a positive effect and because I am breastfeeding. Although nhs website says it is fine to use steroid sprays when breastfeeding (which is what I was after). My sinus symptoms have improved although not gone totally. Thoughts anyone, should I go back and request steroid spray?

@Macchiatooo

Can you book a GP appt for in 3 weeks time so this gives your GP's recommendations chance to further work or not? That way if its not working, they have less reason for saying no to the spray?

I suppose it depends on the severity and how you are feeling?

Thank you, that’s a good shout

Symptoms have improved a lot since starting beconese but I’m not 100% and still pretty fatigued. I was hoping to really knock this on the head with a stronger nasal spray