I have so much sinus pain for over a week. The Dr. diagnosed me with a sinus infection and gave me antiboditics which I've been taken 3 days--its not getting any better. The pain is in my temples/cheek bones/around my eyes. Could this be from allergies? I'm not sneezing much and not having a running nose--i just have severe sinus pressure. What could be causing this? Does anyone know what I can do?

Antibiotics don't work well in the sinus passages. There is very little blood flow in that region, and if there is a blockage, they are even less effective.

One way to get around this, is to prescribe Prednisone, a systemic steroid that gets rid of the inflammation, and lets the antibiotic work better. Another method is to use something like the SinuNeb system -where you breathe in the antibiotic through your nose, directly into the sinuses.

Another thing you should be doing, is irrigation. The Grossan Hydro-Pulse machine works well. You can mix salt water, baking soda, Alkalol, and about 3ml of hydrogen peroxide, and irrigate with it. This will clear most infections. Only do this for a couple days though, or you will irritate the soft tissue. After that, irrigate only with saline.

Be careful of the antibiotics. Some (Avelox, Levaquin) have potentially serious side-effects, and can be very dangerous. I suffered nerve damage, tendon ruptures, and all sorts of nasty stuff after taking Avelox 4 months ago.

Thanks for the advice :)

I have so much sinus pain for over a week.

Do you remember your activities prior to your sinus attack? Any major change in your life. New clothes, new takeout foods, new apartment, new sheets or blankets, new makeup, new boyfriend, new medicines, new pet, new cosmetics, new job, change in job activities, new diet?

Giraffe: Your immediate problem is `relief'! Boil or micro water & breathe the steam
coming up allowing some to warm your forehead. Don't do too long or too close or
you'll get a steam burn. Eat hot-peppers or cut onions to make U tear up & loosen
flow. Buy hot/cold pack & drop in a thick `sweat-sock' that's wet & micro till comfort
temp to rest over brow/eyes/nose area. Augmentin is a great antibiotic for severe
sinus infections if U can tolerate it. Inflammation may be backing up plumbing. Tight
vessels from stress/pain will also backup. Ask Dr. for rx of low-dose Xanax as it is
also a smooth muscle relaxant & will help U sleep. Consider Coronal CT if lasts long.

I like boiling spearamint scented aromatherapy oil (just a little does the trick) and breathing it from a steaming pot. It also depends on the type of antibiotic they gave you--some dont' work so well in the sinus regions others better...