sinus infection of death

[LoveTrains]

So I had this awful headache - in my forehead & underneath my eyes - for like three weeks. H finally convinced me to go to the doctor and I have an awful sinus infection. Doc gave me a three day zpack of sorts on Friday. I have now taken all three days since its Sunday, but I still feel shitty. What gives? Should I be feeling better after taking the antiobiotics?

At least my post nasal drip has stopped enough that my throat is no longer scratchy. But yeah, I still feel like poop. Do I need to call the doc back on Monday?

[luvmagoldn]

Uggg...that sucks. I would call your doctor. Usually people feel better after 24 hours or so of antibiotics.

Feel better!

[marshmallowevening]

My doctor said antibiotics are no longer the first line treatment for sinus infections and now steroids are. I guess it was good to get antibiotics since you were having symptoms for so long, but I'd ask for a steroid shot or dose pack. Good luck!

[hannamarin]

Ask for a steroid nasal spray.
I have been underwater for several days but no pain, tx. Those snore strips are great

[LoveTrains]

I am taking sudafed to try to break up all the stuff and probably drank at least 8 liters of water yesterday. If I still feel crappy tomorrow i will ask about a steroid spray. I have been taking flonase (nasal spray) and allegra for my allergies as well. Honestly the worst part is the headache. It is like the worst headache I have had since I had that spinal headache two years ago from that botched lumbar puncture/spinal tap.

[Deleted]

If you think allergies might be part of the reason you're so blocked up, take Benadryl. That should help your headache for the time being.

Have you tried a Neti-pot or similar?

[LoveTrains]

May 20, 2012 9:17:49 GMT -5 chilerellanos said:

Flonase is a steroid spray right?

I'd ask to get a steroid injection. Lots of hot steamy showers. The Neti squeeze bottle thing for a sinus flush.

Oh yeah, flonase IS a steroid nasal spray.

Maybe I will get a neti pot today or something.

[womet]

A 3 day Z pack was probably insufficient for your sinus infection. Since you are not feeling better, I would call back. You may need additonal antibiotics in addition to the flonase. The neti pot can't hurt, but make sure you use the right water with it. No tap water unless boiled (and then cooled, obviously).

DH had a horrible, horrible sinus infection and was taking 4 grams of antibiotics a day. Most times, people are taking X milligrams. So that tells you how bad his was.

[MixedBerryJam]

One other thing not mentioned: as a general rule, while antibiotics help with clearing up the infection, antibiotics upset my system in other ways altogether, and I generally feel pretty bad while I'm taking them and a day or so after. You know, digestive-tract-wise. Could that be the case?

I get wild sinus infections, often related to allergies, and I have to be pretty desperate to finally get antibiotics from the doctor, as otc sprays and steroids usually help. So I hope you're feeling better soon!

[Deleted]

Antibiotics aren't indicated for sinus infections. Recent studies have shown they are basically useless. That said, if your doctor has already given them to you, he is probably old fashioned and will send in more if you call. I think a steroid is probably more likely to be of benefit, although steroid are not without side effects. The healthiest solution is a neti pot, steam, mucinex with a lot of water and (this is the part that everyone hates) time.

ETA: Are your allergies well controlled? Could be time to look into another allergy med...

[justkeepswimming]

When I have really bad allergy/sinus issues, Mucinex and a rinse bottle are live savers for me. Also, although it may not have been the right treatment, Z-pack type antibiotics stay in your system and keep working for awhile after you take them (I think), so they may still be working even if you are finished taking them. My final word of (unsolicited) advice, get some probiodics if you aren't taking them already. Due to stomach issues, I never take antibiotics without them anymore, and I feel much better overall.

[LoveTrains]

Ok I tried a neti pot! TMI, but a lot of nasty mucus came out with out. I don't have any digestion issues.

[womet]

May 20, 2012 10:08:50 GMT -5 @lilly said:

Antibiotics aren't indicated for sinus infections. Recent studies have shown they are basically useless. That said, if your doctor has already given them to you, he is probably old fashioned and will send in more if you call. I think a steroid is probably more likely to be of benefit, although steroid are not without side effects. The healthiest solution is a neti pot, steam, mucinex with a lot of water and (this is the part that everyone hates) time.

ETA: Are your allergies well controlled? Could be time to look into another allergy med...

Lilly, I know you are a doctor, but not all sinus infections are created equal. I'm nto saying that LoveTrains needs AB, but some sinus infections need them. When DH had his, he had brown stuff coming from his nose. I can honestly say that I now know what death smells like because the smell that came from his nose/sinuses is the worst thing I have EVER smelled. He was on 4g antibiotics daily for weeks. And when that didn't work, he had to have surgery.

[LoveTrains]

May 20, 2012 10:08:50 GMT -5 @lilly said:

Antibiotics aren't indicated for sinus infections. Recent studies have shown they are basically useless. That said, if your doctor has already given them to you, he is probably old fashioned and will send in more if you call. I think a steroid is probably more likely to be of benefit, although steroid are not without side effects. The healthiest solution is a neti pot, steam, mucinex with a lot of water and (this is the part that everyone hates) time.

ETA: Are your allergies well controlled? Could be time to look into another allergy med...

Lily, the doc I see is pretty young. I want to say mid 30s. And a woman! Honestly I feel better already after doing the neti pot twice today.

[orangeblossom]

Like others have said antibiotics work for few sinus infections, but it can be hard to figure out what's needed when an infection has been going on for weeks. CDC just did a little blog post on the treatment guidelines for sinus infections, blogs.cdc.gov/safehealthcare/?p=2318 which includes an algorithm for treatment.

So many doctors are used to giving antibiotics for them, and frequently patients insist on it. so to not get a doctor to prescribe regularly will take time, because doctor's will have to change prescribing habits and patients may have to realize that antibiotics may not always help and figure out what works for them to get better before trying antibiotics.

[wife2dj]

Hope you feel better soon. Those suck so bad. I had one a few weeks ago and thought I was dying. Sounds gross but I drank 8 ounces of water with two tablespoons of Apple cider vinegar. I swear it worked. It began to loosen everything up and I was flushing it out with the netipot.

[wife2dj]

Also, I recommend cutting out dairy and any artificial sugar. Also stay hydrated no alcohol