pseudoephedrine

[Johndg2]

I've posted a few times here on this board, and a lot of people have been helpful or encouraging with my sinus issues.

Here's the thing. The only thing that seems to make me feel better, i.e. relieve congestion is pseudoephedrine, and nasal rinses with a neti pot.
However, pseudoephedrine makes me feel a little anxious, which by the way, I can tolerate alot more using the allerx psueodephedrine, instead of another like advil at the same mg dosage.
So pseudoephedrine dilates the blood vessels, which decreases blood flow to the mucus membranes, thereby reduces swelling and subsequent mucus production. Is that right?

All my discharge has been mostly clear, alternating from really thin, to pretty thick, and every once in a while slightly yellow. This leads me to think that there is not bacterial infection. Plus avelox a couple weeks ago did nothing for me. I'm taking amoxicillin right now, because I got an abcessed tooth pulled, thinking that that might be causing an infection, and that it could be the underlying cause to all this. Either time or amoxicillin cleared up the first infection 4 months ago. (I've had 3 in the last 4 months).

Also, antihistimines, dont help at all. This leads me to think that it's not allergies, such as pollen, food, an irritant lack that.

My main question is, should I continue using pseudoephedrine? Sounds like I could answer that for myself, being that it has been the only thing to relieve some congestion. But now that I'm taking it, I have very little discharge. And plus the allerx has an anti-cholingerrichich dries you up. I could keep moist by drinking lots of water and nasal irrigation I guess.

This seems like so much of a chicken and egg type situation. And it seems like to me that these sinus problems are so hard to clear up because there are 3 and 4 factors involved. I just need to pinpoint the irritant. I alway get a sinus (infection) after a cold. This time was extremely bad because it came on after a bad stomach viral infection. I've been sick, or not well for over 7 weeks. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

pieces, John

[MandyPandy]

you sound like me going round and round at times LOL! I'm not sure about all the technical questions. I thought that pseudoephedrine actually opened up the blood vessels for some reason. I know that it raises blood pressure and can keep one awake which is why i thought that it opened them up but I don't know. if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure you should be careful taking it which is why you should talk to your doctor about it. Whenever I am sick though w/ sinuses my doc puts me on 2 sudafed every 4 hours until it gets better. in their opinion it is the best thing (even moreso than the other decongestants). Benedry or antihistimines are only going to make it worse as they will congest you or dry you up more. many times allergies will trigger a sinus infection but once it gets to the point you are at unless you are sneezing your head off the antihistimine will not do much. Definitley call the doc if it doesn't get better in a few days.

[Johndg2]

Thanks for the reply. I have an appointment with an allergy and immunology specialist in a week. I think that this may all be allergy related. No colored discharge. But I did have a soar throat for a few days, with post nasal drip, as if bacteria was clearing out and irritating my throat. And I am on amoxicillin right now. Who knows? Allergy test and CT scans will help alot.

I took some Sudafed (with pseudoephedrine) today instead of the Allerx pseudo, and I can tolerate it much better, and it's at the same dosage.

Last night I started feeling like myself again, and this has continued throught today, although I do still have some sinus pressure, PND, and just tired. Went to soccer practice (im a coach) ran a tiny bit, and sweat like crazy.

It almost feels like a fever is breaking.

John

[Paet]

Pseudoephedrine makes me anxious, too. If I take the 24 hour one, I almost have a panic attack and have complete insomnia. The 4 hour one is milder but still makes me jittery. Why is it the only decongestant out there? You would think the scientists would have come up with something else by now. lol. I really wish I could help, but I'm struggling with sinuses right now, too.

[Ashlynne]

Have you tried the 12 hr Sudafed? I like it the best of all. Only thing that works for me.