Sinus infection 4th week now - (ignore if tmi…) please tell me this will get better hope needed

[Keeponhoping100]

Just looking for reassurance from others….got a killer sinus infection - now into 4th week. Just looking for reassurance from others who’ve had it for a long time and then recovered so that I don’t lose all hope as it’s really now effecting my mental health - crying as struggling to look after almost 3 yr old feeling so unwell. I just want to know that there are others who have had a longer bout of it and eventually recovered even if it took a while.

The worst thing is the endless amount of thick green / yellow stuff. I tried to fight it off for almost 3 weeks doing all the reccommended things- but started antibiotics- doxycycline after phoning GP (have issues with amoxicillin). It’s not working - day 3 and no change. I really don’t want to go on more antibiotics which I know is prob what they will suggest - kills your good bacteria and tbh not sure another type is likely to help if this one hasn’t. I am so so low - crying as I’m struggling to look after my toddler feeling so unwell for so long. My biggest fear is that this will go on and on and won’t ever recover. I’m hoping not to have to go to an ENT (nhs I know make u wait ages before referring anyway). I went to one years and years ago when I had sinus issues as have a deviated septum - but really hoping not to have to go down that route. The weird thing is I’ve not had any sinus infections for a good 3 years despite getting them a lot when I was younger . I’m doing everything I can - sinus rinses, inhalations, not oral decongestants as they make me feel terrible, loads of showers, humidifier at night. I can breathe after doing the rinses and loads of gunk comes out but there is just so much of it - just want the gunk to stop! Please please tell me this will get better despite it going on and on…? Thinking of ordering bromelain tablets - anyone tried?

This was my life until my late 40s, when I finally saw a Consultant ENT surgeon and had an operation to open up my sinuses. I can honestly tell you that it transformed my life. I no longer spend the winter months suffering, trotting back to the GP for more antibiotics, and feeling like I had been run over by a truck. Screw up your courage, and get a referral. While you wait, ask your GP for a steroid spray, daily use will keep the symptoms to a bearable minimum. Neil Med Sinus Rinse is also useful.

Thank you so much for your advice…I will def ask for a referral - I just know that the nhs often ask you to wait 3 months before they are willing to refer on to ENT - as I’ve not had an infection this bad for a long time (although had loads when I was in my 20s/early 30s), I’m not sure the GP will refer now - but I will tell him that I used to have ongoing issues and saw an ENT in the past who mentioned possible surgery for a deviated septum. Great to hear it changed your life - what was the recovery period like after surgery? Also did you manage to get it on the nhs or did you go private - def can’t afford private treatment but I may go and see a private ENT just for an assessment and ask if they can write a letter to the GP to ask to refer on nhs. I’ve got a steroid nasal spray plus about 3 cans of saline spray and also do the Neil med sinus rinse religiously!