Hello everybody. My allergies and sinuses always seem to act up pretty badly during the fall and winter months. I've had a double ear infection for a while. But thats seemed to clear up thanks to a Zithromax Z-pack. But I always have stuffy ears, a stuffy nose, pressure in my head(sometimes my face), and mild headaches during the fall and winter seasons. Its always worse at night and kind of bad in the morning. I went to my doctor and she prescribed me a Medrol Dosepak and another Z-Pack. I hate taking prescriptions, or pretty much any kind of medication. The only thing I take is Zyrtec 10 Mg. I'm scared to take a corticosteroid because I've read about the terrible side effects. I was wondering if I should just not worry about getting the medication and deal with it until winter is over. Does anyone deal with the same symptoms as me and has lived with it until the fall and winter is over without taking those kind of meds? Sorry this was so long but im desperate for feedback. Thank you very much.
-Chris

You might try taking a benedryl at bedtime. I do every night during the winter. The heat being on drives my sinuses crazy and does a number on my dust mite allergy. Then take your Zyrtec in the AM.

Thank you so much for the feedback:)
The main thing im worried about is the pressure in my head and face sometimes. I think thats my sinuses. And my doc told me to take the Medrol for that. But the possible side effects aren't worth it in my opinion. Is this a normal thing for a person with sinuses and allergies to have head and occasional facial pressure?

my doc told me to take the Medrol for that. But the possible side effects aren't worth it in my opinion.

If you've never taken the Medrol before, I'd recommend that you go ahead and try it. The side effects of a short course of oral steroids are pretty minimal (for me it's typically insomnia, irritability and increased hunger). The long-term effects - which are definitely scary - are only an issue if you take it daily over a long period of time.

I've had similar symptoms but sometimes I think the winter dryness causes more problems than the allergies because my sinuses seem to get inflamed from the combination of antihistamines and dry air - a humidifier helps keep them moist and less inflamed. Do you know what you're allergic to?

I appreciate the feedback:)
I really have no clue what i'm allergic to. I've already cost my family so much money because of my health problems from this. I don't know if we could afford for me to get an allergy test. All I know is that it flares up pretty bad during the fall and winter. I'm guessing mold and dust mites. But i'm not sure. I've lived with it through the past before. But I just don't know whether to take the Medrol or not. I'm leaning towards not doing it. Sure I feel kind of bad, but i'm kinda used to it now. The risks outweigh the benefits for me. I was prescribed the 4 mg dosepak. But I don't think i'm gonna take it. I really appreciate the help! Any more feedback would be great:)

I'd go on an take it. Your sinuses are obviously inflammed and infected. You need to get rid of that. Try flushing with saline spray too.

Also, fall allergies usually include ragweed. So if you are having these problems in the fall and winter, it might be good to start on the Zyrtec in August and stay on it thru the winter. Use the saline spray (very cheap and nothing but saline in it) daily and try to keep your sinuses clear. Add the benedryl (generic is very cheap also) at night.

And yes, the pressure you feel is from the sinuses being full of infection. You need to get rid of it and get the inflammation down.

Good luck!

Thank you so much. I think I'm going to try taking the second Z-pack my doctor prescribed. It seemed to work great for two weeks. But then it came back. If it doesn't seem to help after that, than i'll get the Medrol. The side effects just scare the hell out of me. And I know that I did ok taking Zithromax. I appreciate everyones help. I'll let you know how it goes.:)

If you took the first Z-pack and the symptoms came right back it's likely that, as Titchou says, your sinuses are really inflamed. The Z-pack knocks out the infection but the inflammation keeps them from draining correctly so as soon as you're off the antibiotics the cycle starts again. Until you get the inflammation down the antibiotics are only going to be a temporary solution. Trying to flush your sinuses with saline is another good idea that may help some.

Back to the Medrol, I'm wondering what you've heard about side effects that has you so scared?

Hi CT, mold levels are at the lowest in the winter and highest during the summer so I doubt that your allergy is mold. All of the pollens are gone now too. Winter is dust mite season because we get out all of our thick clothes and blankets. I would suggest just controlling for dust mites and you can probably stop taking all of your meds. Dust mites are the easiest allergen to control for. Get a dust mite cover for your mattress and pillows and wash them periodically when your symptoms increase. Wash your blankets periodically also when needed. Clean out your bedroom of clutter and keep it really clean by vacuuming slowly often and wiping down surfaces. Wash your sheets weekly and you can change your pillow case more often. Keep the rest of your house well vaccuumed too and vacuum the furniture. You can throw sofa pillows in a trash bag and suck them out with a vacuum hose. My whole family stays pretty much symptom free doing this.

We think that steroid nasal sprays work better than antihistamines. Flushing out your nose with saline also works great for clearing out your sinuses (neti pot etc.). I make my own saline. Half cup of water with 1/4 tsp salt. I use a baby bulb nose syringe and shoot the water up one side and it comes out the other. I do this standing over the sink. Myself and I know others who have avoided antibiotics by doing this.