Sinuses (how To Relieve Without Speedy Meds???)

[missmokay]

I did nasal irrigation with salt water when I was trying to break a 3-month's long addiction to Afrin and had no problems with it. In fact, I felt it worked pretty well.

I went to the doctor today and said I did have a sinus infection. He scripted me an antibiotic, a nose spray, and cough tablets, none of which I can afford until Friday even with insurance because I'm desperately broke at the moment. The only one I'll probably get anyway is the antibiotic.

The new development is I now have laryngitis. I feel better for the most part, although still not much appetite or energy. But I can't talk very well.:-(

[Keraly]

Try some Advil (if you have some), as it is an anti-inflamatory. It also actually helped my NOSE when I had a sinus infection. I'd kind of forgotten about that suggestion until you mentioned your larynghitis! I give it to my boy when he gets croup, too. Sounds as if his throat is swollen, as you nasal passages and throat no doubt are. Hope you are feeling better soon. Perhaps this post has taken place too late. But it may help you nose feel less puffy and congested to take some Advil (ibuprophen) if you're still having sinus trouble! Worked better than the Sudafed type meds I was taking! One doctor told me about it. And my dear ole Mom was already suggesting it before that! She has MS and hypothyroidism, and has had many bouts with imflamed tissues of the siatic nerve, etc. Knew of it's anti-inflam. properties. ~ Tracy

[02magic]

Nasal Irrigation with saline is effective. You might want to add a course of Olive Leaf Extract. The label direction will tell you that the reccommended dosage is one capsule. It is a good idea to gradually increase your doseage to test for any allergic sensitivities but if you discover that you have no reactions very large initial doses work best (5000mg-3 times a day). It is primarily an antiviral herb but in large doses works well with other tyypes of infection. I have sucessfully treated my own tooth abcess with it but remember that I was my own "patient". I do suggest that you research Olive Leaf Extract. On a more "medical" path which I am not really suggesting but giving you some added information, Bacitracin ointment on a cuptip gently rubbed in the nasal cavity is an effective means of reducing sinus swelling. Sometimes the problem is low grade chronic staph infection. I am not a doctor and only speaking from my own experiences. I do prefer not using any types of anti-biotic treatments that aren't "whole herb" based however. Olive Leaf Extract is the best I have found.

[Drury18]

I hear you on the sinuses thing...just got over mine and I ended up with a scratchy voice too.

A few home remedies I used were:

Hot Drinks - Lemonade or Ice Tea mix in hot water is great. When you drink it the steam opens you up, and the hot liquid really opens up and clears out any of the drainage that has gone into your throat or chest. Its great.

Hot Water Bottle - if your having bad headaches with your sinsus, try laying the sore part of your head on a hot water bottle. Make sure to not make it too hot, but you want it quite warm. Just lay on that for about a half hour and it will calm it down, and probably put you to sleep (that's why you don't want it warm

Warm Compresses - Just take facecloths or towels or whatever, run them in some warm water (warm as you can take) and just place them over your nose and cheeks and leave it there until it becomes cold again. You can do this as much as you'd like.

I don't personally suggest the steam idea in the shower since I find I end up feeling congested and start coughing alot, but some people swear by it. Usually its a trial and error type of thing.

The best part of all the things listed above, there is no harm using these over and over again. Worst thing that'll happen is frequent poddy trips from drinking alot of Tea or Lemonade. That's the worst of it.

[lori j]

My ent doctor gave me an allergy spray called astilin for sinus & allergies, no side effects like oral drugs. You might want to ask your doctor about a spray for sinus.