Sinusitis: HELP PLEASE SOMEBODY!

You need to go to a regular doctor, not a clinic/urgent care place.

The doctor will probably refer you to a specialist. They may be able to prescribe something in the meantime.

COVID-19 strikes again!

If the stores in your area haven't run out of bleach, a good snort of that with some ammonia will clear just about anything out of your head. Which will make your mortician's work a lot easier.

OR you can go to a better doctor. Snuffle warm salt water (use distilled water). Try over-the-counter stuff. I had this and it took two months to get back to normal, including double vision. My doc even sent me to a neurologist and gave me MRIs, but it all was a sinus/ear infection.

Good luck. At least you can breathe.

Do you have green, yellow or brown snot? Go to a real doctor and get a Z pack. You need an antibiotic to get rid of a sinus infection.

What R4 said.

Where do you live and what's the pollen count?

If it's high I suggest mass quantities of Allegra. 3 tabs, 3 times a day.

OP DO NOT USE AMMONIA & BLEACH. It will kill you. Honestly, people on here have no idea who they are talking to so should be careful what they say. It is amazing how many people don't know that you can't mix ammonia and bleach.

Neti pot. Un-iodized salt. Adjust the temp for comfort. Once a day until you clear it all out.

Move back to where your people came from.

If you use a Neti pot make sure you use distilled water so you don’t get brain-eating bacteria from regular tap water.

I also do the antihistamine thing to help prevent a sinus infection in the first place.

I had chronic sinus problems. Alternated between antibiotics & bromelain (derived from pineapple).

You need antibiotics. Will usually start clear up a sinus infection within a couple of days.

Also Flonase might be prescribed. The other thing that will unblock the sinuses is Afrin, but you can't overdo it.

The thing is if you have an infection that's bacterial, you need antibiotics. If it's viral, antibiotics often still help me.

OP, it's odd that your nose is clear,. If it was clogged, I would say a few shots of Afrin which would clear it up instantly. You can try it and see what happens.

steaming bowl of water, tea tree oil drops into it until it is nice and smelly. stick your head under with a towel over you and the bowl.

1) Put a small amount of generic Vicks Vapor Rub under your nose, at the edge of your nostrils.

Even better, suggestion from long term sufferer, Go to your local Chinese herbalist and get a bottle of Pe Min Kan Wan for about $5. Very small pills work. Read Amazon review if you don't believe me. Chinese haters, It's made in Taiwan and has been around since the early 1900's as a cure.

Generic flonase is just as good as name brand and so much cheaper. Costco' s Kirkland brand has 5 bottles for about $27... that is an amazing deal.

And, OP, I first was prescribed it because I had your same symptoms...and could breathe just fine. Sinuses were impacted. You need to use the spray consistently for a while, even when you feel better, day and night. It will work.

Most sinus infections are viral. Antibiotics won't help you.

Do those Chinese places sell amphetamine type stuff? Effective weight loss stuff?

[quote] Most sinus infections are viral. Antibiotics won't help you.

Bacterial Sinus Infection Bacterial sinus infections are caused by bacteria that infect the lining of your nasal cavity. Often, it is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumonia, known as strep throat. Or it may be caused by the bacteria Haemophilus influenzae, which despite its name, causes illness other than influenza. According to the guideline, a sinus infection is likely to be caused by bacteria rather than a virus if any of the three following conditions are present:

Infection last for at least 10 days without any evidence of clinical improvement Infection is severe, including fever exceeding 102°F, and post nasal drip and tenderness in the face lasting for at least three to four consecutive days at the beginning of an illness. Symptoms or signs worsen, with new fever or headache developing or nasal discharge increasing, typically after a viral upper respiratory infection that lasted five or six days and initially seemed to improve

R3 Some idiot is going to kill himself, not knowing you were making a lethal joke regarding mixing those two chemicals. Yes, we might be better losing such idiots, but still.

OP, Sudafed is pretty effective at opening up passages, but you have to get the real psuedoephedrine (meaning ask the pharmacist for the real stuff. No prescription needed, though.) If it does open your passages, use the Neti pot to flush out any gross junk that has been trapped in your sinuses. Boil and cool the salt water first to sterilize it.

I wouldn't do this for more than 3 or 4 days, but it might get you started in the right direction.

[quote]The other thing that will unblock the sinuses is Afrin, but you can't overdo it.

I think they meant you CAN overdo it, as nasal sprays can cause rebound congestion later on, especially if overused.

^I see now that they meant that it is possible to overdo it.

[quote] I think they meant you CAN overdo it, as nasal sprays can cause rebound congestion later on, especially if overused.

Yes, I meant you can't (or shouldn't) overdo it or it will lead to other problems

OP has been suffering with this since December. Viral sinus infections clear up in 5-7 days.

JUst get the antibiotics, you WILL get better quickly.

OP has had the symptoms since December so it's likely bacterial.

Neti pot!!! It has changed my life!!!

[quote] Neti pot!!! It has changed my life!!!

I second that. Mineral water + salt with a neti pot.

OP, as crazy as this sounds, I’ve been seeing a chiropractor for sinus issues and can’t believe what a difference it’s made. No more headaches and pressure. It’s been life changing actually.

What R7 said. DO NOT MIX AMONIA WITH BLEACH!’n. Also, DO NOT SNIFF BLEACH. What you are taking in is chlorine gas and it is deadly. My family was in the bleach business, I MADE BLEACH. I know what I am talking about.

How do you make bleach?

I mixed bleach and hydrogen peroxide to clean my grout once.

Outside of the ammonia/bleach which many others have already warned you against (DON’T):

1. Are you really sick (temp, swollen lymph nodes, etc)....or just feel like shit? 2. Probably wouldn’t hurt to see a doc either way for clarity, but as this has been ongoing.... 3. I’ve had allergies (yes, this time of year - look up juniper and then let’s start a petition to burn them all) get me started with something I can ignore.....until I apparently get so congested that other things set hold and become sinus infection, etc... 4. If you are set on holding off on medical intervention and have no symptoms that it’s serious (fever, colored mucus/phlegm, etc)....I’m also a big supporter of the Neti Pot. As alluded previously: be sure your pot and the water are sterile! Continue antihistamines, but if not much better in 24 hours it’s probably not allergy blockage and its’ collateral damage: see a doc.

Best wishes!

There has been a ton of research on this. Antibiotics are generally NOT particularly effective with sinus infections - whether because not enough drug gets to the place it needs or else the bacteria are not that sensitive to antibiotics. Neti pots are better. It's the weirdest thing ever and many people end up swallowing some water the first time they try. Ideally you boil water and let it cool to a lukewarm temperature, Add salt and a little baking soda. Turn your head sharply to the side (as though you were lying sideways on a pillow). Pour water into one nostril. Very crucial is that you open your mouth and breathe ONLY through your mouth. Water will pour out of your other nostril (along with a lot of other nasty stuff). Then tip your head to the other side and repeat the process. Do not blow your nose afterwards, even though snot will probably be pouring out of it. Try to gently blow air through your nose and have a tissue handy to catch these draining fluids and take them away. In many cases, a few days use will unclog the nastiness in your blocked sinuses and your body will begin to self-cleanse them.

you could have a middle ear infection, OP.

just go to the doctor already. and not your asshole doctor, but a real one. hard to find, i know.

I have chronic sinus infections. Get a neti pot. It really does make you feel better. Don't fill it with either bleach or ammonia.

I had terrible sinus headaches, had to take prescription meds that caused me to sleep. I would lose a whole day in bed. About 10 years ago I had a balloon sinuplasty and never had a sinus infection or headache since. It's a painless, outpatient procedure. You might want to look into that.

Why not take an antibiotic? That walk in doctor is an idiot. Nothing new.

R34 See R30. Antibiotics stop being effective after awhile. You're right -- OP needs to find a new doctor.

Perhaps it’s a tumor?

Sounds like worms. Or rabies. Please drink plenty of water because rabies makes you thirsty. Water also helps drown the worms, in case it's worms.

You have (I believe) a sinus infection. You need the following, in order of importance starting with the most important:

Augmentin

Sudafed

Tylenol

Azelestine Nasal Spray

Flonase

Saline Sinus Rinse

Augmentin has been shown to be better at combating sinus infections than any other antibiotics. Z-packs do zero for sinus infections. Be sure you take Tylenol with Sudafed. I would take three Tylenol, don’t be a sissy about it. Report back.

^are you sure it’s not a tumor?

Another vote for flonase, but have you considered environmental factors as well? Maybe try cleaning with vinegar and/or bleach to kill mold if you live in a humid environment. Wash your bed clothes & maybe switch out your pillow. Hope you feel better - sinus pain is miserable!

This is much better than a Neti-pot....

Add some of this to your Neil Med, along with the salt packet....

^the pic didn't post.... Add some of this to your Neil Med....

R41 YES! I've been using the NeilMed. It's much easier to use than a Neti Pot (for me) and easier to keep clean. PLUS it comes with packets of pre-mixed solutions. OP, give it a try. Very easy to use.

Ding, ding, ding R8 for the win. I love my neti pot. People seem to be a bit afraid of them, but they work miracles.

Make sure to use distilled water and the little sodium chloride/bicarbonate packets. Instant relief, but make it a part of your daily routine. Go on YouTube to watch the correct way to do it.

I also use this at times along with a salt packet in the Neil Med, a tea spoon or to in the water

^two

See an ENT ffs. I work in an ENT practice. I can’t tell you how many GPS undertreat sinusitis. Plus you may have anatomical issues that predispose you for sinus infections or make them harder to get rid of.

Go to a doctor or ENT for antibiotics. In the meantime, I cannot recommend Mucinex highly enough. The extra strength twice a day will have a startling effect on pressure/discharge.

You need to see an ENT (Ear Nose & Throat doctor) OP. I had to have surgery back in the 80s for my sinus issues. They did a bi-lateral inferior turbinectomy on me. You may have a similar problem in that the turbinates in your nose (spongy spiral bones that heat and moisturize air as you breathe) may swell up too much when you have a sinus attack and cause the blockage. My issue was compounded by the fact that according to my ENT doctor I was born with minimal sinus cavities so when I had a bout of sinusitis what sinus cavities I did have filled up much easier and faster.

But an ENT will do a far better job at diagnosing you than some clinic doctor can.

See a doctor.

If it's just allergies, see if he will prescribe AVAMYS.

Had sinusitis for several years until I used this. A squirt in each nostril once a day. No problems since.

You should get Sudafed Sinus Congestion with Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride. Walgreens sells a version called Wal-Phed D. You will need to ask a pharmacist for it as it is behind the counter, but no prescription is required. It's a controlled substance because people use it to make meth. But trust me, this will clear you up.

Whatever you do, do NOT take Mucinex.

r52 is right. If you buy Sudafed, ask the pharmacist for it. The kind they sell on the shelf is called Sudafed PE and it does not have the pseudoephedrine hydrochloride in it anymore.

Go buy some poppers!

If You've had this since December you need to get another doctor.

OP here. Thank you everyone for the helpful comments (mostly!). I am seeing an ENT on Thursday. Still having the forehead and eye pressure today, causing dark circles under my eyes which I hate. I can still breathe ok. I have tried different sprays and they dry out my nose and I get a nosebleed. I have tried so many OTC remedies I could open a pharmacy.

Two years ago I had very stuffed ear canals and did have the balloon procedure and that helped with the ear fullness, so maybe this is related to that problem.

Netipot and make sure to only use distilled water.

R7 - the little frau - seems to think that because SHE knows something, no one else does, and that ANYONE would snort bleach.

Our Little Savior.

Christ.

(53) why not?