Sinuses and Congestion

Have you tried the neti-pot? I am addicted...it has made a huge difference for me! You can by them in any drug store! It feels strange at first, but you will get really good at it!

Hi L., I used to get awful sinus infections. I take Christopher's Sinus Plus capsules 3x a day and use an olive leaf nasal spray in the mornings.This seems to work. I have a deviated septum on the left side and a blockage on the right side which they are soon going to relieve but this works for me. H. S.

sounds like you have a sinus infection in which case you may need an antibiotic.
Another thing to try, some people swear by it, but might be hard with you so stuffy is a neti pot.
good luck.
A.

It sounds like a sinus infection. You may need to get an antibotic from the doctor. Personally I drink chamomile/mint tea, lots of it when I get an minor infection. It takes a bit longer but it removes toxins from the body and makes you pee alot and sweat, but in 3-4 days the sinus infection should be broken up and you will feel alot better.

You've gotten a lot of responses. Obviously there are a lot of people suffering right now. I get sinus headaches and the only relief I get is from Sudafed Sinus headache. I can actually feel a pop in my sinuses when it starts working. Good luck.

L.,

I have the same thing. I had a fever, very low, for one day. I went to the Dr. after a week of annoying stuffy and drainage. She said I had a H1N1-like virus. She would not test or treat me for H1N1 because otherwise I am a healthy adult. She said it could last for 2-3 weeks but to call if my fever came back. She gave me a recipe for a mouth rinse to gargle with for my sore throut and said to use a netipot. I was feeling much better after a couple days then my fever came back. I started antibiotics and feel much better now. Evidently the virus weakened my immune system enought to let a bacterial sinus infection in a week after the virus started. Send me a message if you want the recipe. I would suggest going to the Dr. if you have or had a fever, if the stuffyness does not improve after a couple weeks or if there is swelling and redness near your cheekbone/nose and it is painful if you push on the area.
Good Luck and I hope you feel better soon!
R.

Try a "neti pot." You can find them at the drug store, ask for it. I haven't used one yet, but my friend swears by them. They're about $14.00 and you basically hold your head over the sink and pour a salt solution water through your sinuses. Then give your nose a good blow. The pot comes with good directions, just follow them. I know, sounds gross -- but she LOVES it because it basically gives the inside of her sinuses a good rinse and gets rid of the mucous faster than just blowing. Get well!

I take Singulair and Zyrtec daily (Zyrtec sometimes 2x) for allergies. But I also have to take Sudafed daily at least in the morning, but often every 4 hours all day. It's not perfect, but the head congestion is pretty well controlled.

It's hard to do but snort us some salt water in your nose and suck it down and out of your mouth. I know it is weird but it works wonder and the salt water get's all the junk out and helps remove the mucus.

sounds like a sinus infection...i suggest you see your dr soon...good luck

hi L.....i guarantee that you won't like the taste...but having a shot of Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar may help you....it is very hard to swallow, but your ears will begin popping immediately.....i found out this info on a website i often consult:

www.earthclinic.com good luck....

Sounds like a sinus infection to me if it is causing that much pain. I would see a doctor and get antibiotics.

HI L.-- yikes!!
I'd say H1 if you have a fever-- that hangs on for 3-4 wks for some.
If not-- I'd say sinus infection. After 10 days it's best to go in and get checked.

You're doing all the right stuff and it sounds like you have inner ear or lymph involvement now. Make an appt. with a professional to help you on the road to recovery- and maybe some antibiotics too.

About me: 49 yo perfusionist, wellness coach also doing an online biggest loser webinar for $$, wife, mom to 8 yo twin girls.

B. J

Rhinocort! Or any steroid nasal spray.

HUGE difference for me. Since I've been on that, I'm not on antibiotics 4 times a year for sinus infections.

Oprah (with Dr. Oz) featured a neti pot for congestion relief. Studies have shown that irrigating the nasal passages and cleaning the sinuses can relieve congestion and provide comfort. The use of a neti pot is an inexpensive, simple, and safe way to treat and prevent nasal congestion and sinus problems. Some people are choosing "neti" over surgery to alleviate years of painful discomfort.

The spout of the neti pot is gently inserted into one nostril, while the head is tilted downwards, so that the water flows out of the other nostril. The nose is then dried. It should be done over a sink and takes about only 2-3 minutes from start to finish. Benefits include: gets rid of pollen, dust, and irritants that accumulate in the nasal passages; clears mucous from the nose; relieves sinus pressure; improves breathing; helps to relieve allergy symptoms and sinusitis; inexpensive and easy to use; no drugs or medications are involved in the neti technique.

My husband and I both use a neti pot - we swear by them!

Hi L.

I think the others' advice received here is really good--especially the saline flushes.

To get some quick relief you might also look for an over the counter that actually has a decongestant in it (look for pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine). Try a low dose to begin with.

--as far as i know mucinex is for thinning mucus that builds up in the lungs. Won't help at all if you have sinus pressure (which it sounds like you do from the hurting ears).

Good luck and hope you feel better really soon!!

I totally agree with the netti pot, but since you said it has lasted weeks and are having pain in your face/ears/ect your congestion may have turned into a sinus infection. In which case a visit to your doctor and a short course of antibiotics will clear it up.... good luck

Sorry to sound gross, but if your boogers are darker yellow or greenish, then you may have a sinus infection and should see a doc. If your boogers are clear or only a little yellow, then here's what I do (I was born with a stuffy nose, too!)

Boost your immune system by: 1) getting as much sleep as humanely possible, 2) avoid sugary and starchy products as they cause inflammation (your sinus tissues are inflammed right now and that's why it's hard to breathe, 3) sleep with your head raised so you can breathe, 4) try to get outside in sunlight as much as possible-the vitamin D is weak this time of year, but the sunshine should cheer your spirits. Most allergens are indoors, so the more you're outdoors the more you can give your nose a break.

The other moms spoke of neti pots, etc. Good suggestions! Don't forget the old-fashioned Mentholatum (sp).

Have you tried Mucinex-D? You have to get it from the pharmacist. That's what I took for a nasty sinus infection and it worked wonders!

I have had a lot of sinus issues, and even had surgery. What works wonders for me is a neti pot or sinus rinse. I was doing them daily, but now I do it only if I start to get a cold. It holds the sinus infection at bay. Also, Sudafed (otc, but you have to get it at the pharmacy counter) helps keep stuff moving for me. If you have pain, take some tylenol two. If things don't start to clear up in a few days then see your doctor. Although, my doctor told me that the neti pot will help far more than any antibiotic.

Have you tried a Neti pot? I bought one a few years back at Wallgreens, about $7, and it works wonders!! It has kept congestion and sinus issues from turning into an infection.

Get yourself a neti pot. You can get it at most pharmacies. I have always gotten sinus infections when I get a cold but since I have started using the neti pot (I only use it when I have a cold coming on... not every day) I have not had a sinus infection and my colds have lessened in severity. I know it seems a little strange to use the first time but it really does work to irrigate the sinuses and drain alot of excess mucus. Here is a link to how it is used. There is also an interview with Dr. Oz and his opinion of the neti pot. http://www.neti-pot.com/neti-pot-as-video.cfm I got my neti pot at CVS. Good luck!

Have you tried a chiropractor???

my doc says to do nasel flushes with warm salt water. The salt is a cleanser and will open up the sinus passages. It is better than nasel sprays as when it trickles down through the back of your nose it will not upset your stomach. I would get sick & vomit from the nasel sprays. The warm salt water will not get you sick. My doc says if you do this with the first onset of symptions that you can prevent a sinus infection. Hope it words well for you as it sure has for me-
PS one less trip to the doc

Hi L.,
It looks like someone already mentoned the neti pot. My husband uses it and it is a sinus rinse. He uses one by NeilMed called Sinurinse. It is available at Walgreens and probably most other drug stores.

Hope this works!

IL