Sinus infection... blech...

[DevilsAdvocate]

I went to the Dr. today... got the obligatory Rx for Amoxicillin. Scored some Aquatabs, and some other crap.

I need two things -

1) Nasal spray or a coat hanger - a sharp one... I don't care what kind of damage it does... I want it out.
2) Pain killers...

Any OTC advice? I'm dying here... and I did see a Dr.

 

[BillGates]

I get those all the time too - I've stopped going to the doctor for them and usually within a week I'm better. I figure it'd take that long to get better whether or not I was on a prescription. Maybe it makes my immune system stronger in the process.

Sudafed is my favorite OTC decongestant - I always have it around. Advil is good if you have any sinus pressure or pain.

This is a perfect excuse to sit home and watch movies/play video games - enjoy!

 

[TitanDiddly]

Originally posted by: BillGates
I get those all the time too - I've stopped going to the doctor for them and usually within a week I'm better. I figure it'd take that long to get better whether or not I was on a prescription. Maybe it makes my immune system stronger in the process.

Sudafed is my favorite OTC decongestant - I always have it around. Advil is good if you have any sinus pressure or pain.

This is a perfect excuse to sit home and watch movies/play video games - enjoy!

And the added bonus of not letting your body build up a resistance to medicines you may need a lot more later.

 

[DrNoobie]

Originally posted by: PhasmatisNox

And the added bonus of not letting your body build up a resistance to medicines you may need a lot more later.

Amen! Although, depending on the severity of the infection, antibiotics may be required. For OTC medication, definately go with Sudafed and Advil. There's not much better OTC out there for a sinus infection.

 

[MithShrike]

Yeah, talk about your body building up resistance. If the doctor prescribes anything penicillin- or erythromycin-based it doesn't help. I really don't want to take Cipro for a sinus infection but considering I have a Haller cell, and a deviated septum, my sinus infections can and have lasted for months at a time and are quite severe. I know how you feel. Sinus infections suck ass.

 

[BillGates]

The really sucky part of sinus infections is that it's hard for me to call in sick for them. I have tons of sick time at work but for all intents and purposes I can work just fine - I'll just be miserable.

 

[bradruth]

I've had many a sinus infection. All I can say is just tough it out. It sucks, but you just have to cope.

 

[BigPoppa]

Originally posted by: BillGates
The really sucky part of sinus infections is that it's hard for me to call in sick for them. I have tons of sick time at work but for all intents and purposes I can work just fine - I'll just be miserable.

If you work in a cube farm, think about your fellow workers. If its contagious, take a few days off. Maybe try to do some work at home (I know its not possible the majority of the time, but the effort will be noticed).

 

[BillGates]

Originally posted by: BigPoppa

Originally posted by: BillGates
The really sucky part of sinus infections is that it's hard for me to call in sick for them. I have tons of sick time at work but for all intents and purposes I can work just fine - I'll just be miserable.

If you work in a cube farm, think about your fellow workers. If its contagious, take a few days off. Maybe try to do some work at home (I know its not possible the majority of the time, but the effort will be noticed).

I've considered this but I don't think that sinus infections are contagious.

<< goes to read more about it, maybe this is my ticket!

 

[So]

Originally posted by: DrNoobie

Originally posted by: PhasmatisNox

And the added bonus of not letting your body build up a resistance to medicines you may need a lot more later.

Amen! Although, depending on the severity of the infection, antibiotics may be required. For OTC medication, definately go with Sudafed and Advil. There's not much better OTC out there for a sinus infection.

Definitely. I had one around this time last year! Hoo boy. I tried to tough it out for WEEKS and it just kept getting worse. Good food, rest, non OTC (non antibiotic) drugs...kept getting worse. Finally, I went to the Student health center and they didn't believe it was a sinus infection! It was FINALS week (UCI - so, winter quarter) and it kept getting worse. I went to another doctor and I finally got him too see that it was a sinus infection. I thought I was gonna. He gave me amoxicillin and it was half better in 24 hours. Bleah. I don't like to medicate myself at the drop of a hat, but sometimes sinus infections are bad.

 

[DonIsHere]

Don't use Afrin!

I used to have a sinus infection. At first, I used Afrin to get rid of the annoyance. It never went away and actually got worse. The doctor said I basically screwed myself over because using Afrin too much can make your symptoms worse.

A friend of mine who goes to medschool also had it. He basically let the infection run its course, using Sudafed or Claritin sparingly to relieve symptoms. I think he said his infection went away after 6 weeks.

Mine lasted about 6 weeks too.

Just tough it out.