Would you go to the Dr?

TchrJen24 · April 2011

Ok so I've had this weird sinus thing going on for the last week and a half. Started out wheezy with light cough, then moved into my head- and now I wake up congested and just stuffy/runny/sneezy every day. DH thinks I should go in, but I don't feel THAT bad- though I'm sick of feeling this way.

I probably wouldn't take the meds they would prescribe anyway- so I figure why bother. What do you think, should I wait it out, even though I'm going on 2 weeks here?

TheFannins729 · April 2011

probably not. i pretty much have to be running a fever and feeling like i'm dying to go to the dr though.

Pina · April 2011

If it truly is a sinus infection, it will not go away on its own and usually it will get worse, spreading to your ears and/or chest. Go to the dr.

jaymiegerard · April 2011

You could try using a netti pot. They aren't the most comfortable things, but it's all natural, safe, and has cured my sinus issues!

brit072206 · April 2011

I usually go to the Dr. only as a last resort. Other things I would try first:

1. Netti Pot

2. Safe OTC cold med

3. Safe allergy med. Do you get allergies? The runny/sneezy part makes me think allergies, in which case #1 and #3 would work.

TchrJen24 · April 2011

Thanks ladies- yep, I'm doing the neti pot 2-3x a day. Haven't tried OTC meds though, I'm scared to take anything at this point.

chiogirl02 · April 2011

I wouldn't. I made 2 trips because my husband made for very similar symptoms. My doctor cleared me to take Amoxicilin and Robitussin DM. Neither of them made a lick of difference unfortunately. I ended up having to wade it out for 2 1/2 weeks. But then again neither of those medicines worked on me as a kid but that is all they would give me.

brit072206 · April 2011

TchrJen24:
Thanks ladies- yep, I'm doing the neti pot 2-3x a day. Haven't tried OTC meds though, I'm scared to take anything at this point.

There's a decent amount of safe OTC meds. Double check with your doc, but looking at my doctor's sheet:

For allergies--Benadryl, Claritin (but not Claritin D), Zyrtec (but not Zyrtec D)

For Cold--Tylenol cold multi-symptom, Tylenol Flu, Robitussin DM or PE, Sudafed

I know what you mean. I'm not fond of taking meds either, and other than a low dosage sleeping pill for insomnia, I don't take anything. But 2 weeks is a long time to be going through those symptoms.

I think that either you have an infection that will only clear up with antibiotics (there are safe ones for pregnancy) or you've got some allergies going on.

Cotton · April 2011

I would call and talk it through with the nurse in the office. Usually they can ask questions and help you figure out if you need ot be seen or if there are safe things you can try at home. That's what I do for my kids and that's what I do for me.

Elizabeth

elynds · April 2011

I had that a few months ago and just went to my regular OB appointment that week and mentioned it. She basically said to take any safe OTC meds, and if it didn't go away by the next Monday (this was a Thursday), she'd write me an rx for a z-pack - which is what I ended up doing.

If you haven't tried OTC meds, that's the first thing most doctors will suggest, so I'd probably do that and then call if they don't help. Otherwise they probably will just recommend OTCs (unless it's a sinus infection - the telltale sign there is tender cheekbones).

RobotsandRoses · April 2011

brit072206:
I usually go to the Dr. only as a last resort. Other things I would try first:
1. Netti Pot
2. Safe OTC cold med
3. Safe allergy med. Do you get allergies? The runny/sneezy part makes me think allergies, in which case #1 and #3 would work.

Agreed. My first thought for you was allergies. I'm going through the same thing right now. I thought it was a sinus infection yesterday, but I'm pretty sure I'm just having awful allergies (haven't had problems like this since I was a kid, so shocked!).

I'm planning to pick up a netti pot, and if things aren't ok in a few days, probably pick up some allergy meds.

Is your snot green/yellow? If it is and you're feverish, then I'd probably lean toward sinus infection.

RobotsandRoses · April 2011

Also, I've been drinking hot tea and super cold orange juice like it's my job today, which is feeling great on my throat.

Hope you feel better soon!

brit072206 · April 2011

RobotsandRoses:
brit072206:
I usually go to the Dr. only as a last resort. Other things I would try first:
1. Netti Pot
2. Safe OTC cold med
3. Safe allergy med. Do you get allergies? The runny/sneezy part makes me think allergies, in which case #1 and #3 would work.
Agreed. My first thought for you was allergies. I'm going through the same thing right now. I thought it was a sinus infection yesterday, but I'm pretty sure I'm just having awful allergies (haven't had problems like this since I was a kid, so shocked!).
I'm planning to pick up a netti pot, and if things aren't ok in a few days, probably pick up some allergy meds.
Is your snot green/yellow? If it is and you're feverish, then I'd probably lean toward sinus infection.

Another good point! Clear/sticky/runny nasal discharge means its a cold, virus, or allergies. Yellow/green means it's probably hit the infection zone and an antibiotic needs to be Rx'ed.

TchrJen24 · April 2011

Thanks everyone- I ended up skipping the Dr, and I'm leaning toward nasty allergies more than anything else. Thanks for all the advice and lists of safe meds!

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