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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Sinusitis - what can I take before my head explodes!!!!

26 replies

frida75 · 28/01/2011 21:54

Hi, I'm 22 weeks and have had sinusitis and aches and pains for a week now. Tried olbas oil, vicks, steam all the old favourites, but I'm still feeling pain in my face, head, jaw and teeth.
I'm taking 75mgs of Aspirin a day until 36 weeks on advice of my consultant due to previous m/cs, but my midwife suggested stopping taking it so I can take pain killers. But I'm far too scared of M/c to do that!

Any advice?

OP posts:
wishwales · 29/01/2011 05:45

Have you considered prescription nasal spray and/or antibiotics? I am suffering greatly as well without my daily allergy pills and decongestants. Using the nasal spray twice a day, when I remember, does help keep the inflammation and pressure down. And I took amoxycillin early on in my pregnancy when I couldn't stand it anymore. That cleared it up for at least a few weeks. I feel your pain!!

OrangeGloss · 29/01/2011 06:07

Frida sorry you're in so much pain, I'm sure you've tried this but my dr recommended Sterima (sp?) which is a natural spray, but may only help the tension/pain in that immediate area

I got desperate a couple of weeks ago when i had it and resorted to smearing Vicks and Tiger Balm over where the pressure was, it helped for a bit but gave me awful dry skin. Was desperate tho

Sorry I couldn't help more, I hope it eases soon :(

ILoveGregoryHouse · 29/01/2011 06:25

Hi. I suffer badly from sinusitis when pg. Acupuncture and steam inhalation with lemon oil worked for me every time but it's the acupuncture that made the difference. The relief when the needle went in!

AlisonOrdnung · 29/01/2011 07:08

I got the homeopathic thing from Holland and Barrett and it seems to have worked!

yama · 29/01/2011 07:24

The baby nasal sprays can be used by pregnant women. Don't know if they help though.

Oneof4 · 29/01/2011 08:02

I had a certain amount of success with reflexology, much to my surprise. You have to keep going though.

Good luck - it's miserable isn't it.

moregranny · 29/01/2011 09:17

Frida the saline nasal spray from Boots worked very well for my daughter, she had awful sinus headaches, also the 4head stick :)

featherblue · 29/01/2011 12:29

I'm 20wks and have this as well. I'd like to rip my face off at the moment. :( It gets so bad I feel like I'm going to throw up.

I'm now on my second round of antibiotics, and they have helped a bit. I also use NeilMed Sinus Rinse up to three times daily when it's really bad. It does actually work very well for an hour or two after, and I think for more minor sinus pressure might fix it completely. Might give you a little relief?

I bought it at a local pharmacy, but I think some bigger Boots, etc have it as well.

I really feel your pain! It's been my worst pregnancy symptom so far. :(

CrapBag · 29/01/2011 12:42

BECONASE!!!

I have to take it permanently anyway due to sinus problems but it does get worse in pregnancy.

Your doctor will prescribe it so you can get it for free.

NotJustKangaskhan · 29/01/2011 13:08

Seconding saline drops - they worked amazingly well for me. I was also cleared in my last pregnancy to use Nasacort (not sure on spelling) nasal spray occasionally - using drops then following up with a spray worked wonders for me. Getting special allergy pillow and duvet was also helpful.

littleyellowchicken · 29/01/2011 15:56

I second Becconase. It's fab. Phamarmacist told me it acts as a local steroid - i.e. acts just in your nose - and is very unlikely to affect baby.

This website is great for giving the lowdown on what's safe and what's not in pregnancy.

www.safefetus.com/

tlise · 29/01/2011 18:38

Have you been to the docs? They can give you some anti biotics for it, safe in pregnancy. hubby suffers from it a lot, its not nice :(

AppleAndBlackberry · 29/01/2011 20:06

I think you can take paracetamol at the same time as aspirin can't you? Unless you've been advised otherwise.

I think something like Vicks Sinex spray or equivalent would be ok too as it acts locally.

Feel your pain, I am 38 weeks and have been unable to sleep with sinus pain this week and only had paracetamol until I found some Vicks Sinex in the cupboard today.

GeekLove · 29/01/2011 20:21

I am just about to finish my second course of antibiotics since I had this from December. I second the nasal spray and I was taking paracetamol before bedtime. I found long baths gave some relief as well as steam inhalation with Olbas oil.
Nightime was the worse even though I made a pillow ramp to sleep on. I found nose strips helped a bit but DH still had to sleep in the spare bedroom what with the snoring/snorting incessant noseblowing.
Also Vaseline is your friend as it does mean you haven't got a sore nose as well.

CrapBag · 29/01/2011 20:35

You aren't suppose to take asprin in pregnancy. Paracetamol is ok, thankfully as I have had to pack it away due to SPD but asprin isn't allowed.

tlise · 30/01/2011 00:32

I take aspirin daily and paracetamol when needed.

Crapbag some of us are prescribed a low dose of Aspirin for various health reasons which is safe to take, as long as it has been prescribed by the consultant. I have to take it cos of my bp being high, so I am at more risk of pre eclampsia, and I know some have to take it because they might have had PE in previous pregnancies. :)

GeekLove · 30/01/2011 01:00

For steam inhalation to be effective you need to be doing it at least 8 times a day -not really an option if you are toddler wrangling.
Also don't do what I did and when having mistakenly purchased vaporiser refills instead of Olbas oil chuck one in the bath. They are STRONG - you might not smell them but they make your skin feel interesting - freezing and hot simulataneously all over!

caramellokoalalover · 30/01/2011 12:57

Just wanted to thank the OP. I read this yesterday with the feeling of wanting to take my head off and leave it on the side of road and had daftly not connected that I could have sinusitis. I just thought I was taking a long time to get over flu and had an evil tension headache and general pregnancy crappiness. Went to the GP and got sorted with Beconase and antibiotics and feel better just knowing this will improve! Thank god for MN!

Rozeeglow · 30/01/2011 15:17

I second the neti-pots. Nasal irrigation has really eased my hayfever and cat allergy (yes I have a cat - silly I know). I've stopped using the 'special' salt that comes with the neti starter packs and use a little less table salt instead - if its good enough to eat and rinse mouth ulcers...
Its supposed to be excellant for sinisitus but I don't have first hand experience of that.

Tha hardest part is getting used to running salty water through your nose (feels bizarre initially) and of course the yuckiness it flushes out :)

jellyhead188 · 30/01/2011 16:11

Hi - not to worry you but I was told not to use Olbas oil as it can make your uterus contract and bring on contractions.

The only thing that helped me was antibiotics to be honest! I feel your pain its something I get a lot since having my first baby!

snowcake · 30/01/2011 16:24

can you get real dried chamomile flowers and pour hot water over a handful, then inhale the hot steam with a towel over your head?
Really helped me, also saline spray was great.

FattyArbuckel · 30/01/2011 16:31

Try steam inhalations with menthol crystals and also irrigation - dissolve lots of salt in a mug of warm water, hold one nostril closed, big sniffs with the other and sniff up the saline til it comes out of your mouth.

you need to be desperate to try it but it so works Smile

wishwales · 30/01/2011 21:54

I went to the after hours doc last night because my sinusitis got so painful
I was crying! They prescribed Cefalexin (an antibiotic) and co-codomol. I am already getting some relief.

pipplin · 31/01/2011 10:43

alison what is the homeopathic thing please?

I never knew that about olbas oil! Shock