Sinus Infection (confirmed)

[49erinnc]

Started getting sinus pressure/headaches about 2 weeks ago, along with nosebleeds when I'd blow my nose too hard. I also noticed the other day that the passageway in my left nostril is virtually closed off from inflammation. And I also find myself incredibly fatigued, despite getting plenty of sleep.

Does this sound like a sinus infection? And if so, how long does it take for antibiotics to really make a difference? I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon (yes, I know I should have gone sooner) but I'm hoping that I get some relief, even if it's minor, by the weekend. This is one of the most miserable things I've ever experienced. I feel like there are pairs of pliers clamped down (internally) all over my face and head. I also feel like I constantly need to sneeze but it rarely happens.

 

[Iron Woode]

no, you're getting a cold or possibly an alergic reaction to something.

 

[Homerboy]

certainly could be a sinus infection. I'm just finishing up the prescription for my last round with the bastards.
Only way to tell is to visit a doctor.

 

[ebaycj]

Yes you very likely have a sinus infection. I get these all the time (literally 2-3 a year for the past 10+ years). Same exact symptoms.

What color is your snot? This can make a difference. Bright green-yellowish usually = sinus infection. Clear + blood can also = sinus infection.

Anyway, as far as antibiotics, Augmentin (Amox-Clav 875mg) 875's will work, Biaxin (Clarithromycin) will work, but by far the best that i've found is Zithromax Tri-Pak (Azithromycin 500mg 3x) or Z-Pak (Azithromycin 250mg 5x). They will all take a week or so (at least) to work fully but you will feel markedly better in 1-2days.

As for over the counter stuff:
For the inflammation/congestion, get some sudafed 12 hour, some neo-synephrine REGULAR strength spray (do NOT overuse this, 1 or 2 sprays per nostril per day that is IT.), also Mucinex 600mg extended-release can help as well to expel some of the congestion. If you are coughing from drainage, use robitussin maximum strength cough (the one with only one active ingredient, dextromethorphan HBr) or get your doc to give you some promethazine+codeine cough syrup.

Go to the doc, see what he says.

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: Homerboy
certainly could be a sinus infection. I'm just finishing up the prescription for my last round with the bastards.
Only way to tell is to visit a doctor.

if he was having a real sinus infection, he would have purulent discharge coming from his nose. Trust me, it will be obvious at that point he has a sinus infection.

 

[ebaycj]

Originally posted by: Iron Woode

Originally posted by: Homerboy
certainly could be a sinus infection. I'm just finishing up the prescription for my last round with the bastards.
Only way to tell is to visit a doctor.

if he was having a real sinus infection, he would have purulent discharge coming from his nose. Trust me, it will be obvious at that point he has a sinus infection.

Yes that is true of a dangerously advanced sinus infection. Most people would rather kill it early and not let it get that far.

 

[loic2003]

Luckily your question wasn't flagrantly obvious as to what the problem could be, so you'll not get any sarcastic responses.

Thankfully you came to ATOT for medical advice. You actually get a sore left foot, and your right index finger is itchy when you have a sinus infection. The symptons you describe sound like you have an ingrown toenail.

Might as well cancel that doctor's appointment...

 

[Homerboy]

Yes that is true of a dangerously advanced sinus infection. Most people would rather kill it early and not let it get that far.

Exactly. And on a serious note, Sinus infections can be bastards. My brother in-law got a sinus infection. Let the treatment slip, it permeated his skull and he got an infection on his brain. 3 crainiatomies (sp?) later, he's had portions of his brain removed, deep scaring etc etc./

 

[Amused]

I know by two things:

My upper teeth hurt and my snot become a sticky brown color. Two sure signs of a sinus infection. I never get sinus pain, except in my upper teeth.

 

[Homerboy]

Originally posted by: Amused
I know by two things:

My upper teeth hurt and my snot become a sticky brown color. Two sure signs of a sinus infection. I never get sinus pain, except in my upper teeth.

yeah the teeth are the tell-tale for me. And I have horrible allergies that can stuff me up but NEVER make my teeth hurt. Once I feel that pressure behind my mollars I'm pretty sure its an infections.

 

[ebaycj]

Originally posted by: Homerboy

Originally posted by: Amused
I know by two things:

My upper teeth hurt and my snot become a sticky brown color. Two sure signs of a sinus infection. I never get sinus pain, except in my upper teeth.

yeah the teeth are the tell-tale for me. And I have horrible allergies that can stuff me up but NEVER make my teeth hurt. Once I feel that pressure behind my mollars I'm pretty sure its an infections.

Yeah if you get upper tooth pain, that is almost a sure sign.

The other sign is the immense tiredness. This is basically because your body is fighting hard at a losing battle with whatever is infecting your sinuses. This is also an almost sure sign of an infection.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Homerboy

Originally posted by: Amused
I know by two things:

My upper teeth hurt and my snot become a sticky brown color. Two sure signs of a sinus infection. I never get sinus pain, except in my upper teeth.

yeah the teeth are the tell-tale for me. And I have horrible allergies that can stuff me up but NEVER make my teeth hurt. Once I feel that pressure behind my mollars I'm pretty sure its an infections.

The pain is funny for me. I can chew all day with no pain. It only hurts if I jar my body or head. My GF would laugh at me when I would moderately hit myself on the head to see if my teeth still hurt while I had an infection. Another way is to stomp on the floor. Any jarring motion would make them hurt.

 

[Homerboy]

The pain is funny for me. I can chew all day with no pain. It only hurts if I jar my body or head. My GF would laugh at me when I would moderately hit myself on the head to see if my teeth still hurt while I had an infection. Another way is to stomp on the floor. Any jarring motion would make them hurt.

yeap exactly it

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Homerboy

The pain is funny for me. I can chew all day with no pain. It only hurts if I jar my body or head. My GF would laugh at me when I would moderately hit myself on the head to see if my teeth still hurt while I had an infection. Another way is to stomp on the floor. Any jarring motion would make them hurt.

yeap exactly it

Holy crap! I thought I was the only one that experienced those kind of symptoms. I tell other people about them and they look at me like I'm a freak. LOL

 

[Homerboy]

Holy crap! I thought I was the only one that experienced those kind of symptoms. I tell other people about them and they look at me like I'm a freak. LOL

Maybe we're both freaks though

 

[theeedude]

Originally posted by: Homerboy

Yes that is true of a dangerously advanced sinus infection. Most people would rather kill it early and not let it get that far.

Exactly. And on a serious note, Sinus infections can be bastards. My brother in-law got a sinus infection. Let the treatment slip, it permeated his skull and he got an infection on his brain. 3 crainiatomies (sp?) later, he's had portions of his brain removed, deep scaring etc etc./

Is it true that once it gets to the brain, it's a lot harder to treat because antibiotics have a hard time getting through the blood brain barrier?

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Homerboy

Holy crap! I thought I was the only one that experienced those kind of symptoms. I tell other people about them and they look at me like I'm a freak. LOL

Maybe we're both freaks though

But we're less of a freak if there are two of us than we would be if there were only one.

 

[Homerboy]

But we're less of a freak if there are two of us than we would be if there were only one.

Like Siamese twins!... wait no that doesn't work...

 

[49erinnc]

Was bothering me so much that I got my afternoon appointment moved to this morning. He knew right away I had a sinus infection but they took X-rays to confirm. I feel it all over my face but the doctor said it's really just infected on the left side (my left).

They gave me a HUGE shot of Rocephin in my ass. I kid you not that I cannot even sit on my right cheek from it being so sore. Feels like a really bad bruise but I can live with that if it helps get rid of this infection. He also gave me a week's supply of Avelox (oral antibiotic I think), a week's supply of Entex LA (??...think it's a decongestant) and a prescription for 42 Vicoprofen. I still have plenty pain meds leftover from a previous neck surgery so I doubt I even fill those.

He told me I may notice a difference as early as this evening because of the shot they gave me but that it would likely take several days to really get it out of my system. I don't wish this on anyone. The fatigue and pressure in my head is relentless.

 

[ballmode]

had that last week. it sucks

 

[interchange]

Shot in the rear = good doctoring. Seriously. You don't want antibiotics messing with your gut.

Originally posted by: 49erinnc
Was bothering me so much that I got my afternoon appointment moved to this morning. He knew right away I had a sinus infection but they took X-rays to confirm. I feel it all over my face but the doctor said it's really just infected on the left side (my left).

They gave me a HUGE shot of Rocephin in my ass. I kid you not that I cannot even sit on my right cheek from it being so sore. Feels like a really bad bruise but I can live with that if it helps get rid of this infection. He also gave me a week's supply of Avelox (oral antibiotic I think), a week's supply of Entex LA (??...think it's a decongestant) and a prescription for 42 Vicoprofen. I still have plenty pain meds leftover from a previous neck surgery so I doubt I even fill those.

He told me I may notice a difference as early as this evening because of the shot they gave me but that it would likely take several days to really get it out of my system. I don't wish this on anyone. The fatigue and pressure in my head is relentless.