Home non-medicated sinus relief

[Hudson_Hawk]

My allergies have been killing me. Started on Tuesday with the blooming of the trees. It''s bittersweet, I love being outside in this weather and everything is amazingly beautiful, but I''m suffering from serious congestion in my sinuses. It''s that kind of congestion that allows you to breathe through your nose but make your head throb and your ears pulse like they''re about to explode.

Obv, due to being pregnant I''m trying to avoid medication where necessary. I''ve been taking zyrtec daily and up until this week it''s really helped a lot. Unfortunately things are out of control now. My doc said sudafed is ok, but I don''t tolerate it well, it makes me jittery and foggy. I''ve heard good things about the Neti Pot but I don''t know if I''m beyond the point of relief with it. The real kicker is I''ve got to fly on Sunday so I need relief and I need it sooner rather than later. I can''t get in to see my doc until Saturday morning.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a non-medicine home remedy that might help?

 

[lizzyann]

Hi Hudson, I suffer from hayfever and get congested a lot. When I was pregnant, my Dr. recommended a saline nasal spray. It actually really helped to dry everything out and it doesn''t have any medication or anything like that in it.

 

[packrat]

I''ve used the saline spray too, even when not pregnant. I''d maybe try the Neti Pot anyway..JD loves his and uses it whenever he feels the slightest tickle and it goes away. Even tho you''re already experiencing the congestion, if might still help.

 

[Kaleigh]

Simply Saline spray helps a lot. Netti pot if that doesn''t help. Both are safe for preggos.

 

[movie zombie]

neti pot for one with or without salt.

steams with essential oils in the water: fir/pine, lavendar, eucalyptus are some that are suggested. don''t use a lot though. also tea tree oil. a very little goes a very long way. a steam several times a day should get you headed on the right track.

saline nasal sprays give me a bloody nose and since you''re pregnant, your blood vessels will be closer to the surface in your nose so i wouldn''t go that route. [doctor told me once that he could tell a woman was pregnant by looking in her nose due to those telltale blood vessels.]

,z

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Thanks ladies. I called my OB due to the need to travel and as soon as they heard about my flying and ear pain told me to see my PCP immediately. Since I couldn't get in to see the PCP until Saturday I went to the walk in clinic. So anyway, I was diagnosed with a sinus infection and the early onset of a double ear infection. I left with scripts for prednisone for the inflammation and some antibiotics. So unfortunately it's more serious than I thought, I actually had a fever, so I'm on prescription meds. Meds that my OB OK'd but meds none-the-less. I also picked up a saline nasal aspirator to use now and after.

Thanks for your help...

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

Try one of the nasal cleaners. They are gross, and wierd, but they can be a miracle.
My dad gets chronic sinus infections because of repeated, unfixed broken noses in his youth and a medication that lowers his immunity. Although it doesn''t cure it, it does help him more than any of the meds.
Just do not forget to add salt. He did once and it was so painful he will never do that again

 

[somethingshiny]

neti pot! neti pot! neti pot!

I''ve never had relief like I''ve had with the neti pot! I always use warm salted water.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

why is the salt so important? I would think salt water on irritated mucous membranes would hurt...

 

[packrat]

I think it''s along the lines of gargling w/salt water when your throat hurts. It''s cleansing and gets rid of gunkies. JD had to do it after his nose surgery and I thought ooo salt inside your nose after you''ve had that done would hurt but he loved it. Said it was soothing.

 

[Allison D.]

Neil-Med Sinus Rinse

 

[somethingshiny]

Think about your tears. That''s the approximate saltiness that feels appropriate inside your nasal passages. I''ve tried using plain water and it feels like pool water in your nose.

 

[kama_s]

Date: 4/15/2010 7:05:05 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
Thanks ladies. I called my OB due to the need to travel and as soon as they heard about my flying and ear pain told me to see my PCP immediately. Since I couldn't get in to see the PCP until Saturday I went to the walk in clinic. So anyway, I was diagnosed with a sinus infection and the early onset of a double ear infection. I left with scripts for prednisone for the inflammation and some antibiotics. So unfortunately it's more serious than I thought, I actually had a fever, so I'm on prescription meds. Meds that my OB OK'd but meds none-the-less. I also picked up a saline nasal aspirator to use now and after.

Thanks for your help...

Salt reduces inflammation.

I'm concerned about the prednisone. Sending you an e-mail right now.

ETA: Forgot to mention, steam helps. Put hot water in a tub/big pot and cover your head with a towel. Inhale for at least 5-10 minutes. Try it 3-4x a day.

 

[somethingshiny]

I was just diagnosed with bronchitis and the dr made certain to NOT give me prednisone. I do have a history of miscarriage so maybe they''re extra careful with me, but please look into it before you start.

 

[LtlFirecracker]

Date: 4/15/2010 7:36:55 PM
Author: Allison D.
Neil-Med Sinus Rinse

For the last 2 weeks, I have been handing out about 1 sample of this stuff a day. I also give the patients the recipe for the saline so that they do not feel obligated to buy the packets.

I usually recommend isotonic saline (i.e. the same concentration as salt water). My FI has the worst allergies and the saline works better than flonase and zyrtec combined.


ETA: have herd wonderful things about the nedi-pot is well, if I were to do that, I would use the salt.

 

[Miss Sparkly]

Have you tried Nasacort? I call it my liquid gold

It''s the only thing that works for my sinus symptoms (and I''ve tried quite a few drugs

)

 

[kama_s]

Date: 4/15/2010 9:47:11 PM
Author: LtlFirecracker

Date: 4/15/2010 7:36:55 PM
Author: Allison D.
Neil-Med Sinus Rinse

For the last 2 weeks, I have been handing out about 1 sample of this stuff a day. I also give the patients the recipe for the saline so that they do not feel obligated to buy the packets.

I usually recommend isotonic saline (i.e. the same concentration as salt water). My FI has the worst allergies and the saline works better than flonase and zyrtec combined.


ETA: have herd wonderful things about the nedi-pot is well, if I were to do that, I would use the salt.

No one takes my fluticasone away from me!!!!

 

[elrohwen]

*Chants* Neti pot! Neti pot! Neti pot!

Coming from someone who has had 5+ sinus surgeries and has been off anything but occasional mucinex of the past year, the neti pot is awesome. It doesn't seem to be working and doesn't make me feel better, but it helps.

Allergy shots have also saved my life, but I'm not sure if you can start those while preggers even though they're not actually a drug (or if it even matters, since they take a while to work).

eta: It's hard to use the neti pot if you're already totally stuffed up, but it still helps. If you can breathe at all through your nose it'll help tremendously.

 

[megumic]

The newest and best remedy: spicy lemongrass thai soup. I believe it''s called tom yam soup - works like a charm to clear things up! Also, lavender eye pillow (whole foods, health store or etsy), nasal saline spray and Neil-Med Sinus Rinse. I get at least 3-4 sinus infections per year and these are the things that sometimes do the trick for me. Other times I end up like you, sinus infection plus double ear!

 

[PumpkinPie]

I''m sorry to hear that you''re sick and have allergies! I have never used one, but I know people who are big fans of the Neti pots

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Thanks ladies (Kama I replied to your email). I picked up a NeilMed bottle and used it last night and today. Can''t say I noticed much of a difference though. Now instead of having a pressure headache my sinuses feel like they''ve been rubbed with sand paper and lemon juice. Ugh, I just can''t win!

Oh re: the steroids. It was a very small very short duration course (lowest dose available for 2 days). The concern was with having to fly this weekend and the chance of bursting a drum from the blockage.

 

[zoebartlett]

I hope you feel better soon!

I''ve tried the nedi pot before and didn''t have luck with it, but I know it works wonders for some people.

Sinus and double ear infections SUUCCCKKKKKK (especially when you have them at the same time). Hopefully you can get some rest this weekend before your flight.

 

[lizzyann]

Are you feeling any better today Hudson?

 

[oddoneout]

Date: 4/15/2010 5:09:27 PM
Author: lizzyann01
Hi Hudson, I suffer from hayfever and get congested a lot. When I was pregnant, my Dr. recommended a saline nasal spray. It actually really helped to dry everything out and it doesn''t have any medication or anything like that in it.

Ditto on the saline nose spray. I''m not a fan of taking medications so it was recommended to me by a pharmacist. It works great (but does dry out the nose a bit).

 

[LtlFirecracker]

Date: 4/15/2010 10:01:19 PM
Author: kama_s

Date: 4/15/2010 9:47:11 PM

Author: LtlFirecracker

Date: 4/15/2010 7:36:55 PM

Author: Allison D.

Neil-Med Sinus Rinse

For the last 2 weeks, I have been handing out about 1 sample of this stuff a day. I also give the patients the recipe for the saline so that they do not feel obligated to buy the packets.


I usually recommend isotonic saline (i.e. the same concentration as salt water). My FI has the worst allergies and the saline works better than flonase and zyrtec combined.



ETA: have herd wonderful things about the nedi-pot is well, if I were to do that, I would use the salt.

No one takes my fluticasone away from me!!!!

Oh don''t get me wrong, I am a huge fan of Flonase and Nasonex. That is usually the first medication I prescribe, and I take flonase too!

It just doesn''t work for my FI - but he really needs allergy shots and is being a stubborn male about going to the doctor....

 

[kama_s]

Date: 4/16/2010 10:13:43 PM
Author: LtlFirecracker

Date: 4/15/2010 10:01:19 PM
Author: kama_s


No one takes my fluticasone away from me!!!!

Oh don''t get me wrong, I am a huge fan of Flonase and Nasonex. That is usually the first medication I prescribe, and I take flonase too!

It just doesn''t work for my FI - but he really needs allergy shots and is being a stubborn male about going to the doctor....

I know, I''m just pulling your leg.

I''m addicted to flonase, it''s honestly the best thing since sliced bread (for me). But I have ridiculous sinus issues. I pretty much fill a kleenex with blood everytime I blow my nose *sigh*

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Still not feeling great. I went home from work at lunch and have just been lying low all afternoon/evening. I feel like the right side has started to close up again. I can''t even get the saline into that sinus right now. The left side is totally fine and clear. Going in tomorrow morning to see my PCP so she can check the fluid in my ears and we can chat about better allergy management.

 

[missjaxon]

Date: 4/15/2010 7:11:29 PM
Author: somethingshiny
neti pot! neti pot! neti pot!


I''ve never had relief like I''ve had with the neti pot! I always use warm salted water.

I totally second this!! I LOVE my neti pot!! My fiance also gets really bad sinus infections where his eyes water and he has extreme pressure and pain and he uses the neti pot and gets almost complete relief immediately. It is safe to use as often as you need. I use it for allergies, colds, sinus infections. I cannot express what a difference this has made in my life.

 

[kama_s]

Date: 4/17/2010 1:19:50 AM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
Still not feeling great. I went home from work at lunch and have just been lying low all afternoon/evening. I feel like the right side has started to close up again. I can''t even get the saline into that sinus right now. The left side is totally fine and clear. Going in tomorrow morning to see my PCP so she can check the fluid in my ears and we can chat about better allergy management.

I had a horrendous sinus infection a few months ago. I was so blocked, I actually had partial numbness and tingling in my face. I tried courses of antibiotics and what not to no avail. The thing that helped me most was increasing the dose of my nasal corticosteroids. I ended up taking two sprays 4x a day (which would still be lower that a normal oral prednisone dose). But if you''ve been prescribed a lower oral dose, then it might help to supplement with a topical corticosteroid. See what your doctor thinks about that.

Huge hugs. Hope you feel better soon.

 

[LtlFirecracker]

Date: 4/17/2010 11:21:08 AM
Author: kama_s

Date: 4/17/2010 1:19:50 AM

Author: Hudson_Hawk

Still not feeling great. I went home from work at lunch and have just been lying low all afternoon/evening. I feel like the right side has started to close up again. I can''t even get the saline into that sinus right now. The left side is totally fine and clear. Going in tomorrow morning to see my PCP so she can check the fluid in my ears and we can chat about better allergy management.

I had a horrendous sinus infection a few months ago. I was so blocked, I actually had partial numbness and tingling in my face. I tried courses of antibiotics and what not to no avail. The thing that helped me most was increasing the dose of my nasal corticosteroids. I ended up taking two sprays 4x a day (which would still be lower that a normal oral prednisone dose). But if you''ve been prescribed a lower oral dose, then it might help to supplement with a topical corticosteroid. See what your doctor thinks about that.


Huge hugs. Hope you feel better soon.

I hope both feel better too!

The nose bleeds are the one downside to flonase