Hi there. I am new here and so glad I found these boards as it's great to see so many people offering helpful advice and sharing their stories.
I'm hoping I can get some advice here as well..

I've been dealing with sinusitis this week with symptoms of stuffy nose, painful headaches and cheek/teeth area pain. Went to the doc yesterday and he prescribed a Z-pack (antibiotic) plus a cortisteroid spray. The spray seems to be relieving the stuffiness and I'm actually feeling a bit better today. Should I still go on the antibiotics? There's so much talk about them not going good for you in the long run so I'm trying to use them only when truly necessary.

Has anyone had luck with treating sinus infections without going on the antibiotics? Or am I setting myself for long recovery if I just stick to sprays and nasal irrigation? I'd really appreciate some insight into this as I try to make a decision here. I should add that I haven't had any fever..

If your mucus is green throughout the day then take the Z pack. If it is just green in the morning when you wake up and it is clear through the day then do not take it.

When the mucus stays green; you have a full blown sinus infection.

If your mucus is green throughout the day then take the Z pack. If it is just green in the morning when you wake up and it is clear through the day then do not take it.

When the mucus stays green; you have a full blown sinus infection.

The mucus has been mostly clear the whole time... it's just the pain that's bothering me now (cheeks, eye area and still a slightly stuffy feeling). The main thing is that I would like to get rid of the infection completely

I believe that this could clear up without ABs since the discharge is not lumpy green yuck. Have you tried Claritin or using saline spray? The key is to keep your sinuses moist this time of year so the mucus does not pool in the sinus and become infected.

I am taking a Claritin once a day since I cannot take decongestant due to high blood pressure. My pharmacist recommended the Claritin and it has helped me along with constant use of saline spray.

I'd take the Z pack. Infection can be hard to flush out even with irrigation as the germs can really get down in the small parts of the sinuses and be hard to get rid of. And one Z pack isn't going to do any harm...unless you're allergic to it,that is!

I'd take the Z pack. Infection can be hard to flush out even with irrigation as the germs can really get down in the small parts of the sinuses and be hard to get rid of. And one Z pack isn't going to do any harm...unless you're allergic to it,that is!

Wow, that's pretty much exactly what my pharmacist said. He said that 5 days of antibiotic use is really not that much when you look at the big picture. Haha I think I'm a bit paranoid with this stuff ..

Thanks so much for all the replies so far. I'm hoping this is my last sinus infection for a long time..