Sinus infections -- how do you treat the symptoms?

[zoebartlett]

Maybe this belongs in FHH but I thought it might get more traffic here.

I usually don't post health related things here but I'm at my wit's end. If you're prone to sinus infections, what do you do to treat the symptoms? I get them probably once every season, but for some reason, this is my second since Thanksgiving. Maybe it didn't really go away but I began to feel a little better. Then, on Saturday, it hit me like a ton of bricks and I'm miserable. And whiny. Sorry for the me-centric post but I could use some suggestions please.

So far, I've been to the doctor twice, and I've been on a Zpack (Azithromycin) and now Amoxicillin. I've been on this since yesterday. I'm also taking Robitussin DM, and I've tried Mucinex, which never works. I've tried hot showers, sitting under a towel with a steaming pot of hot water, and resting. Oh, and I've also tried a neti pot and a sinus rinse, but those do nothing. Nothing seems to be working yet. It's so hard to breathe and I haven't slept well at all.

Do you have any other ideas of things I could try? Thank you!

 

[MonkeyPie]

I honestly can't think of a single thing you haven't already done! Except I take Dayquil Sinus in the gel tabs and they help a lot. I'm sorry you get them so often! I used to get one bad one every year around Christmas (knock on wood, so far I am ok right now), but instead I have gotten them twice just since October-ish. I had them once a month when I was pregnant, too. Horrible, that itch way up there that you can't scratch!

 

[Haven]

Zoe--I'm so sorry you suffer from sinus infections. I used to get them all the time when I lived in Champaign for undergrad, and they were miserable. (I don't get them now that I live just outside Chicago, interesting, isn't it?)

I'm not big on taking medications, so this is what I did:
- I drank lots of water, and tea, and ate lots of chicken noodle soup.
- I boiled water in a big pot and put my head over it, which a towel over my head, and just let the steam drain me.
- If I was up to it I sat in the steam room in the girls' locker room.
- Lots and lots of rest.

I know these aren't groundbreaking remedies, but that's all I did. I think the fluids and the rest are really key, and it sounds like you're already doing that.

I'm so sorry you're in pain. I don't think people understand how miserable sinus infections can be if they've never had a really bad one. I lost my hearing in my left hear for over a year after a particularly bad sinus infection. The doctor told me I had sensorineural hearing loss, I think it was, and that I'd never get it back! But I did, thankfully.

Anyway, I feel for you, and I hope you feel better soon. Are you on break already? I hope so--at least that way you can rest.

 

[PinkTower]

You are a teacher, correct? So am I. I completely lost my voice with mine. The z-pack is gone, everything, just like you. I finally am better beginning yesterday. What I think finally did it was two days of bedrest. I asked a parent in my classroom, (a hematologist) what to do Thursday, and he said, " My name, you need some rest." I stayed in bed Sat and Sun and I am better. You have got to let go so your body can catch up.

The only other suggestion is that my doctor told me I would get better if I took a little bit of Prednisone. This was not possible, because it would interact with something else I have to take. Just a thought.

 

[davi_el_mejor]

My family has horrible sinuses, I feel your pain. I get about 6 or 7 a year. Saline nasal sprays and decongestants are my best friends during that time. Keeping the sinuses moist while getting rid of the mucus is a hard game to play. The worst I had was in boot camp. The corpsmen gave me the strongest decongestant they had and that made my sinuses a desert, not to mention the dry dry dry heat in the barracks. My sinuses started to bleed they were so dry. So every time I coughed up the nasty mucus it was blood stained, imagine how scary that is.

Steam, saline nasal mist and decongestants.

Feel better soon!

 

[AprilBaby]

Sounds like you are doing every possible thing short of sinus surgery. Good luck!

 

[zoebartlett]

Thanks MP and Haven!

Haven, our holiday vacation begins at 3pm tomorrow. Our Christmas party is tomorrow and I'll be missing it. I already can't wait to come home right after school and go to bed. Wow, you actually lost hearing because of a SI?! I'm glad it returned!

Sinus infections are horrible. It hurts and I feel loopy. I don't think I could have an intelligent conversation right now if I tried.

It's good to know I'm on the right track, and I'll continue doing the things that have been mentioned. Even if they feel like they're not working, I'll keep at it.

An ENT actually recommended that I get sinus surgery a few years ago. Apparently, 3-4 of them a year is a lot, and that's what usually happens. I'm scared to death of that surgery and the recovery process, and I've heard that it often doesn't solve the problems long-term. I don't want to go through it once, let alone more than that if the first time fails.

I really appreciate the recommendations. Thanks!

 

[zoebartlett]

Pink Tower -- I really hope you feel 100% SOON! Yes, I'm an elementary teacher. Kids have been getting sick left and right, but since SIs aren't contagious, I don't think I caught it from one of my kids (students). I took Friday off, went back yesterday, and I was out again today. I have to go tomorrow. It's my last day before vacation, and I feel like I've already used up a few more days than I usually do by this point in the year. Oh my voice...I like to think it sounds sexy because it's so raspy but my husband said, "nope. You sound like a frog." Thanks buddy.

Davi -- wow, you had it rough! I'm sorry you get them so often. I hear ya on the dryness. I still don't know how it's possible to have a drippy AND a dry nose at the same time, yet it happens. Maybe I should look into getting a humidifier (or a vaporizer -- what's the difference?).

April -- I know, I should consider the surgery, but it freaks me out.

Thanks for the well-wishes. I know I'm being whiny but I can't help it.

 

[elrohwen]

I used to get them multiple times per year and would be on antibiotics and steroids constantly. I actually had multiple surgeries as a kid on my sinuses, so I've had a lifetime of dealing with this. I'm not sure where doctors are with surgery now - my new ENT said that they used to do them way too often (I've had 6! ) but they're more careful now. A bad surgeon can mess up your sinuses, but a good one can do a great job. I do agree that they don't necessarily help long term - obviously if I had 6 they weren't all that effective. Every couple of years I'd be a mess again and get more surgery. I can say that the recovery time was next to nothing (though I was young, and young people have an easier time of healing) - if that's your worry, it's really not bad at all and I had no pain and never took the pain meds I was given.

The biggest thing that all of my recent doctors have recommending is Mucinex (I take Mucinex D, because the Decongestant helps a lot with cold and sinus infection symptoms - the regular Mucinex is only helpful if you're not really sick). According to the doctors, this is one of the only meds out there that actually gets the bad stuff out of your sinuses and is helping the problem. Other decongestants, depending on what other drug is with them, especially the allergy meds, can help you feel better in the moment, but actually make your mucus thicker and make it harder to recover.

They've also been recommending the neti pot like crazy. I find it makes my symptoms worse immediately after using, but if I use it consistently I get over sinus infections much faster. It might be a combination of things, but I'm willing to keep using it.

Another thing that helped immensely is allergy shots. I don't really have seasonal allergies, but every time in my life that I have been on allergy shots I have had significantly less sinus infections. Recently, I haven't had any sinus issues that needed antibiotics - I am able to get over colds on my own (though it still takes a few weeks, not a few days). Not sure if this would help you or if allergies are one of your factors, but it just goes to show that something that doesn't seem relevant may be a big contributor. I went from being on antibiotics 4 times a year plus steroids, to not having used antibiotics in the last two years. I saw this same benefit in my teens (though I went off the shots) so I think it's definitely the deciding factor for my sinuses. It could be worth pursuing the testing and shots.

Sorry you're not feeling well (and sorry for the novel)! Sinus infections are the worst. I'm not a fan of the antibiotics you've been on - they don't really work for me - so maybe they're not working for the bug you have? Levaquin has been my go-to antibiotic for years, so I would see if your doctor can prescribe that, or at least something not related to penicillin or Erythromycin. Though really, after two rounds of antibiotics, some prednisone might be needed

 

[Imdanny]

OK, this is TMI, but I have cysts in my frontal sinus cavities, and I'm having an MRI and seeing and EMT after he or she gets the results of that.

If by chance anyone knows anything about sinus cysts, I sure wouldn't mind hearing about it. Thanks.

OP, I hope you feel better soon.

 

[Miss Sparkly]

Ask him for nasonex, or if you're okay with spending a good penny (depending on your insurance) Nasacort. STAY AWAY from afrin and other such sprays. I personally was addicted to them for almost 5 years and it is so easy to do and common. Flonase and nasacort are non addicting - I use them as needed for eustachian tube dysfunction and they work wonders. Nasacort is my favorite but my insurance trippled the price for brand names with no generics so I switched to nasonex

 

[Autumnovember]

I used to have insane sinus infections. I would get really sensitive teeth, awful headaches, red eyes, stuffed nose and a slew of other symptoms. I went to my physician and he prescribed me numerous antibiotics multiple times along with nasal sprays. Nothing AT ALL worked. Then he decided that I must be allergic to something and sent me to a specialist. Nope, not allergic to anything. I finally did my own research and came to the conclusion that I had chronic sinusitis that needed to be corrected only by surgery. I decided to skip out on seeing my physician and went straight to the ENT doctor. He confirmed at my appointment that I would need to have surgery. It is the BEST thing that I have ever done for myself. I don't do well with surgeries in general and of course I ended up being in the small percentage of people that would need to have the surgery for a second time to fully correct the issue. It has now been two years since my 2nd sinus surgery and I am breathing normally and do not have any of the symptoms that I listed above. The surgery was not bad at all, I was under general anesthesia and I was let out of the hospital several hours later. I wore gauze under my nose or several days and then I was fine. I would suggest you go see a specialist to figure out the best way to correct the problem soon. The longer you wait, the more likely it will turn into chronic sinusitis if it hasn't already. One of my biggest mistakes after my first sinus surgery was not taking care of my sinuses properly. The ENT doctor strongly suggested I use the neti pot on a consist basis after my surgery and of course I didn't listen, I'm sure that played a large role in my having to have a second surgery. My ENT was absolutely awesome and I really have never heard of anyone getting multiple sinus surgeries. I asked my ENT doctor what the likelihood was to have a second one and he told me that with todays technology for the surgery its very unlikely. I would recommend avoiding steroids if possible.

Also, if you DO have the chronic sinusitis like I ended up having (due to the fact that my doctor chose to put me on every antibiotic out there first) NOTHING is going to help you feel better including those absolutely nasty nasal sprays (they taste like garbage).

Edit: keep adding more stuff!

 

[Autumnovember]

OK, this is TMI, but I have cysts in my frontal sinus cavities, and I'm having an MRI and seeing and EMT after he or she gets the results of that.

If by chance anyone knows anything about sinus cysts, I sure wouldn't mind hearing about it. Thanks.

OP, I hope you feel better soon.

I had polyps in my sinuses. I'm curious if those two are similar? If so, they'll remove them through surgery.

 

[sphenequeen]

I also recommend the Neti Pot. This is something that should to be done on a regular basis, like brushing your teeth, in order to see the real benefits of it. I have turned many a sinus sufferer on to this contraption. Many yogis use the Neti Pot to help them achieve deeper breathing during their yoga and meditation practices.

Watch a youtube video of someone using it - it is pretty fascinating. It will be a bit intimidating at first for sure. I take my Neti Pot in the shower with me every morning - the temp of the water is perfect and the cleanup is easy (sorry if that is TMI). I had a horrible cold that lasted me over a month just a short time ago, and the Neti Pot kept my sinuses clear the entire time.

 

[megumic]

I used to be a chronic sinus infection victim as well. Now I'm down to about once a year, compared to as many as 10 per year!

Not a great solution, but a temporary fix I occasionally turn to -- Advil Cold and Sinus. I hate to say it, but the pseudophedrine really helps take off the sinus head edge.

To prevent the infections...Use mouthwash on a daily basis. Kills the bacteria that runs btw your throat and your nose when you gargle. Also, saline 2x per day. Use a humidifier at night. Eat spicy food regularly -- opens up the sinuses and releases what's caught up in there. Drink water. Drink hot tea.

Feel better!

 

[zoebartlett]

I don't have a lot of time to post right now but I wanted to thank everyone for the suggestions. I'll be back later to address them.

 

[elrohwen]

My ENT was absolutely awesome and I really have never heard of anyone getting multiple sinus surgeries. I asked my ENT doctor what the likelihood was to have a second one and he told me that with todays technology for the surgery its very unlikely. I would recommend avoiding steroids if possible.

Maybe the technology has changed in the last 10-15 years, but I had many surgeries as a kid and teen, so it is possible to keep needing them. Though in my case, I kept needing them because the surgery wasn't addressing the root of the problem. Sometimes polyps come right back in a few years unless you can figure out how to address the real cause when surgery is just treating the symptoms.

 

[TooPatient]

Keep up with the neti pot and steam. If you close your bathroom door and turn the shower on nice and hot you'll have a nice thick steam room in no time. I found this works better than a pot of boiling water.

I used to get sinus infections all the time (3-6+ times per year) and they were MISERABLE.

What has been a huge help for me is using the netti pot once every couple of days even if I don't think I need to. This has really helped keep my sinuses clear and helped keep stuff from taking hold. Since starting to do this about 5 years ago, I haven't had to go to the doctor for any sinus infections!


OH.... and sleep. Lots of sleep.
I know it is hard but it helps. Use lots of pillows and position yourself so you can breathe. If you're coughing you could also ask your doctor for a prescription cough syrup. I used one a couple of times (can't remember the name ) that really helped with the coughing AND it had codine in it so I was able to get to sleep easier. (I HATE taking medicine so I don't suggest this lightly, but you really do need to sleep)

 

[zoebartlett]

Thanks Elrohwen! I've been tested for allergies in the past but they didn't really find anything. Maybe I'll have it done again because it's been a few years since I had it done. Instead of the neti pot, I've been doing a sinus irrigation cleanse (from Ocean) -- sounds lovely, doesn't it? That hasn't been doing much but I'll stick with it.

Danny -- thanks and I really hope you feel better soon as well. I hope everything goes well with the tests. I've never had sinus cysts (not that I know of anyway...), but I can imagine that it wouldn't be pleasant. Thinking of you!

Thanks for the tip, SB! I'll put the sprays you mentioned on my list of things to consider.

AN -- Thanks for letting me know about the surgery. I really should look into it at this point. I've never had actual surgery, and that one scares me for some reason. I do need to give it some thought though because I'm miserable. I've been on Amoxcillin since Monday and I don't feel any better. Well, my sinus headache went away and my sinuses don't hurt anymore, but all my other symptoms are still there.

Thanks for the tip on the neti pot, Sphenequeen!

Megumic -- I have been craving Indian food lately, so maybe I'll give that a try. Mmmm. I've never thought of mouthwash. I'll have to try it. Thanks!

TooPatient -- thanks for the recommendations! I'm been practically downing Robitussin DM like it was candy and I hate the stuff. It's not helping much though. I do have a terrible cough -- deep chest congestion too. I did sleep a lot today, so that's good I suppose.

 

[kimchi]

I consistently have sinus problems. I do about as well as I do on antibiotics by doing the following:

I make a cup of soup with tomato juice/V8/Canned Stewed tomatoes, whatever. Then be sure to add a clove or two of garlic and some lemon juice. Heat it up and drink it hot, breathing in the steam. Drink this several times a day. The combination of the garlic and lemon and tomatoes is the key. I use a neti pot when the sinuses are really bad and for a full blown infection, a day or two in bed is the thing. If I have a cold, I'll use Afrin until the stuffy nose part subsides.

It's miserable to live with this. I've been to an ENT but he seemed far too eager to do surgery so I opted to not do it at that time. Good luck!

 

[reader]

My standby is a bottle of LorAnn's peppermint oil. Use 1-2 drops per cup of hot tea.

 

[sparklyheart]

Everyone I know with horrible sinus infection problems STRONGLY recommend the neti pot! It is supposedly uncomfortable at first and very intimidating but they all swear by it. It's not a cure but it should help clean you out so to speak.

 

[bebe]

Timely post, my DD is suffering today and I'm sure her Christmas won't be that bright due to the pain she is having.

My question to all sinus sufferers out there - what do you do when the pain/pressure backs up in your ears?
I used to put very hot washcloths on my ears, then stick a hot Q-tip in my ear. Can you tell I was desperate!!
My medicine solution was 2 Advil and one decog tablet.

I have battled this for years. It seems you can take a decog., but it sends the crap into your ears. My DD is trying
to find a solution for this and can't. I know the feeling well.

All the hot tea and soup doesn't help, the meds just push the pressure around. No one needs this now!!