Sinus infection

[NailsHairNipsHeels]

I’ve had, what I think is a bacterial sinus infection, following a bad cold for 18 days
I’ve only ever had this once before and was given antibiotics by the GP. I have all the same symptoms this time round:
headache/pressure in head and face
puffy face
thick muddy Green mucous
horrible taste and smell stuck in my head
blocked ears
sore teeth and jaw from pressure
and just feel generally awful

I thought I was starting to feel better but the last 2days have been worse than ever so spoke to a pharmacist for the second time They told me to get a GP appointment as it sounded like it might need antibiotics to clear BUT the GP are refusing an appointment and been told it’s something to be managed at home and it will clear after 2 weeks!
is there a miracle cure I might not have tried? When do I need to fight for a GP appointment?

GP told me that they will only consider treatment if you’ve suffered with these symptoms for 14 days. I put up with the near constant throbbing for 8 days (along with the other symptoms) and I lied, said it had been 14 days and that it was becoming difficult to stay in work. I said that I didn’t want to lose work and they treated me with antibiotics immediately.

Sinus infections are grim. Have you used a hot compress to help ease it?

Steam will help, as will a NETI pot (or the sea water sprays) but go and ask pharmacist. They can prescribe now I think? If not then keep going back to doctors, sinusitis is horrid. Hope you feel better soon!

I got antibiotics online for this, next day delivery. Cleared up in about 3.days.

You probably do need antibiotics but in the meantime get the Neilmed sinus rinse kit. you can get it from Amazon.
It will help get all the stuff out of your sinuses and the warm water feels nice and will give you a little relief. It’s much more effective than just a spray.

You should be able to get antibiotics from a pharmacy after 2 weeks via pharmacy first.
In the meantime steaming, neti potting.
I've had a terrible sinus infection since before Christmas, it's utterly miserable and making me feel awful but can't seem to get rid of it properly. I have had 3 courses of antibiotics now and use a steroid nasal spray.

I used to get this regularly and my GP said that he could offer nothing more effective than regular steaming. If you can get hold of some fresh sage and put that in the water, that will help dry it up.

A diffuser also works well. Try eucalyptus and tea tree oil

It depends if it's viral or bacterial. You don't necessarily want it to dry up and sometimes it's more than the mucus is super thick and so not draining properly. Mine is very stuck on my sinuses around eyebrows and eyes so I really want it to move!

I had a horrendous one last year. Had it for 2 days and thought fuck this. Booked a GP appointment saying id had it for 2 weeks.

Good thing I did as I had a raging temperature and an awful headache at the back of my head. Nurse prescribed antibiotics and said if temp didn’t go down then to go straight to A&Е.

From experience, if it’s one sided, it’s usually bacterial. When I lived abroad I used to buy the antibiotics over counter (phenexomethylpenicillin). I remember I was in so much pain last time, thinking if the GP didn’t prescribe antibiotics I was going to look online for some.

Really hope you’re feeling better soon OP! I think some pharmacies can prescribe antibiotics so try a different one and say you’ve had it over 2 weeks. In the meantime, netty pot works well.

Thank you for the advice. I don’t know is pharmacy first differs in different areas the 2 I’ve visited couldnt prescribe anything and could one recommend over the counter remedies that I’ve already been trying.
i had to take cocodemol last night as my face felt like it was going to explode!
im already doing nasal rinses before bed but it doesn’t always do much.
steam helps a bit but nothing is shifting it enough to say I feel better.
I’ll see about an online GP but I’m allergic to penicillin and never need antibiotics. I think the last time I had them was when I had the last sinus infection and that was definitely over 10 years ago!