Another sinus infection

[serryjw]

I am miserable. I used a entire roll of TP blowing my nose today. It won't stop running. Any ideas?

[PittPoliSci]

1. i've had one for the last 2 weeks

my entire face hurts.

[benny05]

2. Besides Anti-biotics

Get some Sini-Rinse. It's not the typical saline solution you get for 3 bucks. This costs more because you also have to buy distilled water for it, but here's how it works:

It comes with a special bottle with a spout of sorts

You open the packet of special rinse and put the powder in the bottle
Then fill it up with 8 oz of the distilled water
Put your very washed thumb over the spout, shake it

If you have a microwave, put it in there at 10 sec intervals (about 30 sec is optimal, but sometimes less depending on the sea level where you live); it should be lukewarm but not hot

Then you put your head down over a sink with nothing else in the sink

Squeeze the right nostril (or left, which ever one is the most stuffed), then the other one.have your mouth open when you do it as the water will go through one nasal passage, but if you are really stuffy, the water will travel through your mouth

Repeat. That's about 7.5 oz and it won't go much further.

This moves the gunk in your sinuses. Do this every morning--not at night unless you are truly in sad shape. Most gunkiness happens while you are sleeping.

It's not cheap to get this, but cheaper while waiting to see a doctor. Anti-biotics are still best for sinus infection, but this measure will give you some relief and best if done with anti-biotics.

[lovelaureng]

5. You are right about this.

Rinsing your nasal passages will make a big difference. If you don't find Sini-Rinse, you can do the same thing with warm water and a little salt dissolved in it. This is the formula I use and it works every time.

[serryjw]

7. Allergic to antibiotics

a lifetime of abuse. The Penicillin family is the worst

[yellowdogintexas]

13. Neti Pot. Excellent thing to have. Feels weird but does it ever

help.

Eating hot peppery food is good too. Chicken soup with lots of garlic and ginger in it is wonderful.

[Neil Lisst]

3. Amoxycillin works for me.

You can't be allergic to penicillin if you do, however.

I've been plagued with nasal problems my whole life, and about once a year, I have to hit a nasty nasal infection with Amoxycillin.

I do not take the entire ten days, as they say to. I take about 4-5 days, then save the rest for next time. I do not believe taking a full regimen is always good, because it makes the body less affected by the drug each successive time.

Amoxycillin is the only thing that will beat a nasty nasal infection for me, but it's a personal choice. Some don't want to take anti-biotics. I take them when I need them, but make sure I need them first. I feel that way about all medicines. The less you use them, the better they work.

[serryjw]

6. THANKS EVERYONE

THE SINUS INFECTION IS NOW BRONCHITIS. I HACKED ALL NIGHT. The good news it is so bad that I have not had a cigarette all day

[Kali]

25. You may be creating antibiotic-resistant bacteria, please take the

whole course.

"I do not take the entire ten days, as they say to. I take about 4-5 days, then save the rest for next time. I do not believe taking a full regimen is always good, because it makes the body less affected by the drug each successive time."

This is science, not make-believe. You are putting not only yourself at risk. Other people can become infected by the organism you are "selecting" for. Read a bit about biology and this issue, please.

[Jamastiene]

4. Garlic, pain meds, a hot wash cloth and mentholatum.

Trust me. It is not as gross as it sounds. First, smear some mentholatum or vicks on your forehead and across your nose and under your nose. Next, take the wash cloth and hold it under running hot tap water for as long as your hands can stand it. I usually unfold the wash cloth and then fold it diagonally so I can hold the tips ends of it under the water. Next, Place the hot wash cloth over your face and lay down. When it starts to cool off, do it as many times as you can stand it. Next, take some potatoes and a clove of garlic and chop them up however you like them. Heat them on the stove until the potatoes are tender. You can add seasonings like butter/margarine and/or salt if you like for flavor. Next, eat the potato/garlic mixture. After that, take some sinus medicine or some other pain medicine and repeat the hot wash cloth thingy.

Or at least, that works for me.

[Neil Lisst]

9. all of the above sounds good, too, and will help

But, if it is an infection, you may need some antibiotic.

[Jamastiene]

14. Yes, definitely.

If you try what I mentioned for a day and see no relief by the next day, I'd definitely go see a doctor and make sure there is no infection. I've had sinus infections before and they are rough. There is something odd about sinus infections with me. I have wondered if others notice a certain smell. When I do get a sinus infection, I smell daffodil flowers strongly. Those are the yellow flowers seen in early spring. I think some people call them buttercups or Jonquils. When I have a sinus infection I smell them.

[Neil Lisst]

15. it's a distinctive smell, but I don't how I would describe it

taste in the mouth, too

All I know is, when I get a sinus infection, getting it stopped is the only thing that really matters. The headache is the killer.

I used every remedy I could before getting onto Amoxycillin about 15 years ago. I try to use it sparingly, as with all medicines. I prefer not using medicines as much as possible, but if I have to use one, I want the one that will do the most good in the shortest time.

[Jamastiene]

16. Yes, an infection usually does require an antibiotic.

I tend to fight them off somehow though. It may just be that I won't think twice before fixing my first step remedy with the hot cloth and potato/garlic soup concoction and then taking pain killers. Also, I have tried a hot toddy before too, but those work better for female troubles and outright colds than sinus infections, imo.

[havocmom]

8. Am thinking of getting a nettie pot myself

Just have to get past the concern that I'll feel like
I'm gonna drown

[LaurenG]

18. I have used one in the past, you really don't drown you just think

you might *cough*, *sputter*. I have a friend, a biologist, working for the usda who is studying the effects of green tea on bacteria. It is effective against anthrax, the study will be published in February, in of all places a food magazine. Anyway he uses green tea in his nettie pot. I'm thinking of trying that too.

[spinbaby]

10. My sure cure for everything

Hot tea. Hot bath. Good book. Combine for an hour. Repeat as needed.

[otohara]

11. Here's What I Do

I buy this stuff called Sinus Buster - http://www.sinusbuster.com/

Don't be scared by the fact it's made from Capsaicin - and of course it has a bite to it - but nothing compares to how effective it is in cleaning out the sinuses.

I also take Guaifenesin. It is used to break up congestion and mucous and to help you breathe more easily. Guaifenesin thins mucous, increases the lubrication of your respiratory tract (lungs, nose, and throat), and increases the removal of mucous.

while it states Guaifenesin works on making coughs more productive by thinning it mucous - remember mucous is mucous - nose, lungs, throat - even cervical mucus (sorry if you're a guy)

Get the fast acting Guaifenesin at Walgreen's. There's two brands they carry - Humibid and Guifenesin - take 1 or 2 tablet every 4 hours - drink tons of water. (taper to 1 when you get better) At night take the 12 hour Guaifenesin (named Mucinex) so you can sleep. Use a humidifier in your bedroom if you can.

The reason you take the fast acting during the day is because it treats it more effectively. Can't stress enough to drink lots of water.

Take vitamins to improve your immune system.

If you feel the need to go to the doc and get antibiotics, be sure to take acidopholis/bifidus. (pro-biotics) - Probiotics are just a good thing to take everyday of the year for the rest of your life.

It took me almost one year to get rid of a sinus infection. When you start feeling better - keep doing the Guaifenesin for a while. You can also buy it in health food stores - there is no danger to using it for long periods.

[otohara]

12. P.S. And STOP Smoking

forever!

[Delarage]

28. I get my Guaifnesin from "Non-Drying Sinus" medications

that come with pseudoephi...whatever it is that got harder to get. Sudafed or the store brand usually has it. It kind of works for me, but I'm thinking about the Neti pot, too, since there's been a lot of recent positive press about it.

[DainBramaged]

17. Emergency room

Sorry, I'd just tell them I can't breathe and all this stuff is pouring out of my face. If you have health insurance, no problem, if not they can't turn you away. They always have the right drugs to fix you up for a day or three.

Oh, they have aloe-sprayed tissues now that don't screw up you nose. And Chap Stick helps too. I keep a bottle of Target Saline Nasal Spray, $.69. Helps the irrigation till I get the courage to see a doctor and deal with the bill.

[CatBoreal]

19. I get one every year and antibiotics do nothing for me...

What I found works was to put a mixture of spearmint and eucalyptus oil on an old pillowcase, slip my pillow into it and sleep, breathing the fumes in.

Works every time.

[PassingFair]

20. Do your TEETH hurt?

I have yet another sinus infection and my TEETH HURT!

[tjdee]

21. Mine do, and I started freaking that I needed 29 root canals.

I'm not sure, but I think my wisdom tooth is growing in (ugh, and I'm 29!)--at any rate, I started thinking it had a huge hole and was causing my head to ache and my glands to swell.

And then I had a dream that all my teeth fell out. LOL, haven't been to the dentist in a loooonnnggg time.

But I think it's really a psycho cold/sinus thing. Yuck.

[PassingFair]

22. I fairly sure my teeth are bothering me due to

sinus infection, but I'm not sure how it works...
Mostly the left side...

[tjdee]

23. Definitely possible, a doctor told me this, I've read it, etc.

The maxillary sinus sits right on top of your upper teeth--just googled for a pic, here it is.


http://www.dentalgentlecare.com/sinus_headaches_and_dental_health.htm

I just also happen to have horrible teeth so I never know what it is, and I tend to worry. I'm a worry expert!

[texanwitch]

24. I have sinus problems and after my wisdom teeth were removed almost

two ago I have sinus pain below my eyes, like the picture above.

I starterd drinking this herbal tea and the sinus problems are better now, not so often and less pain.

[tjdee]

26. Ooh, what kind?

What's in it?

I'm all about herbal.

[texanwitch]

29. Sorry to take so long, but I had to find the catalog.

The tea is called a Dental Health Tea Blend, comes in tea bags and contains orange peel, lemon peel, rosehips, hibiscus and parsley.

I drink twice a day, morning and evening, the taste is not so great but not that bad either.

The place I bought it from is:

www.herbalhealer.com

I hope it helps, my sinus was terrible but getting better.

[bigwillq]

27. Hope you feel better.

:hug:

[BigMcLargehuge]

30. locked

DU posters should not solicit or offer medical advice. Look what happened to the last guy who took medical advice here -



Thanks,

Big McLargehuge
DU Moderator.