Sinus pain relief methods?

FutureMrsW9 · March 2014

I looked on a few of the other boards and did see some things about this, but just figured I'd see if any of your had anything else to add. I've been suffering horrible sinus headaches the past few days, to the point where I couldn't come to work yesterday, and really shouldn't be here today because I'm really suffering. It's even hard to sleep because of the pain. My nose itself isn't stuffy and I don't sound nasal, but I can feel it all in my forehead and when I move the pain moves. I tried Tylenol and it did nothing (and now I feel guilty to taking drugs when it didn't even help), and I also have been sleeping with a humidifier basically blasting in my face, and that doesn't seem to be doing much of anything either. The only thing that seemed to help was taking a piping hot shower this morning and not turning on the fan in the bathroom and just soaking up the steam, but as soon as I left the bathroom the pain came back almost immediately.

I have a call in to my midwife, so I'm waiting for them to call me back. Has anyone else experienced this, and if so what have you done for relief? I'm getting desperate! I'm super busy at work, and really need to be functional.

wtfisup · March 2014

Get a non-medicated moisturizing saline spray (any pharmacy) and use it religiously.
Drink plenty of fluids so that you're plenty hydrated internally as well.
If the pain is significant, you may have a sinus infection. Does it get worse when you bend over, head down? If this is the case, don't mess around with trying home remedies. Just see a doc.

otter1103 · March 2014

Have you tried flushing your sinuses yet with either a neti pot or the spray bottle? I would definitely give that a try. You can get those kits at any pharmacy. I have never used the neti pot but I do use the bottle type so I can control the pressure. It's a good non-medicated way to relieve some pressure. Stay upright for awhile after doing it though so they can continue to drain.

Mia081081 · March 2014

Neti pot! Seems sooooo weird at first, but it flushes your sinuses and keeps them clean. I had a sinus infection a few years ago and used one for the first time. It completely cleared me out and I had no headache and no stuffiness afterward. Highly recommend. It's med-free and super safe. I got my kit at CVS and use it whenever I have a sinus headache or stuffy nose.

MrsCase1 · March 2014

I suffered for nearly 7 weeks with a sinus infection because I didn't want to take any medicines but after a round of pregnancy-approved antibiotics I felt better right away. Don't be scerrrred of meds!

FutureMrsW9 · March 2014

@wtfisup said:
If the pain is significant, you may have a sinus infection. Does it get worse when you bend over, head down? If this is the case, don't mess around with trying home remedies. Just see a doc.

YES! It seems to move with me. I couldn't even turn my head over to put a towel on my head after my shower this morning, and sitting up after laying in bed for a while is like torture. It also hurts to walk up and down stairs with the movement. What does that indicate? I'm just so confused because I have almost zero stuffiness - I can breathe fine. I feel like I have maybe a little post nasal drip, but nothing I would think twice about. Maybe I'm naive or never had any real sinus issues before....now you have me worried...

Dharmatron · March 2014

@FutureMrsW9 - I can always tell that I have a sinus infection when my face hurts. Does your face hurt? If you push on your cheeks on either side of your nose, is it sore? If so, you probably have a sinus infection and should go see the doctor. They clear up very quickly once you get antibiotics. I hope you feel better!

FutureMrsW9 · March 2014

@Dharmatron Actually, pushing on my cheeks and above my eyes, especially right where my eyebrows start, gives me a feeling of relief...same thing??

Edit: And yes, my face does hurt to an extent, but it's mostly in my forehead area.

Abenedict2011 · March 2014

Check with your doctor first obviously but I thought the blue musinex was okay during pregnancy. It helps to thin out the mucus but is not a decongestant. It may make you feel better.

temursgirl · March 2014

I second both the PPs recommending the sinus rinse/neti-pot and that it does sound like an infection. You should probably address the infection first... your doctor can give you safe antibiotics. I use the sinus rinse every day, morning and before bed. I have allergies and am prone to sinus infections.

shellbell813 · March 2014

Definitely get some Tylenol sinus. It did wonders for me! And it's safe during pregnancy.

DagnyDoo · March 2014

I feel your pain! In addition to the neti pot (weird and gross, but effective) my PCP put me on Rhinocort RX once she had verified the infection (no antibiotics). It's name brand so a small fortune, but at least it's Category B. That plus the sinus flush have been my saving grace. Hope you feel better!

wtfisup · March 2014

Sinus infections don't mean stuffiness -- stuffiness is just an indication of tissue inflammation and swelling. I.e. you may have inflammation and infection in the sinus cavity that's in the forehead, but not in the ones under the eye, etc. I tend to have issues in the left sinus under the eye and the one going back toward the left ear, which can actually cause tooth pain.

As a PP said, antibiotics don't always help. But in some cases, they're the only thing that helps. I tried nine billion home remedies with the one I got about six weeks ago, let it build to the point of causing tremendous pain, then went and got the antibiotic and had relief from it.

wtfisup · March 2014

Oh, and re: sinus rinses -- they're great for me with allergies, but don't do as much for this kind of thing. Still, worth trying. The flushes (I use the squeeze bottle) are more intense than the sprays, which just mist to moisturize.

temursgirl · March 2014

I'm with @wtfisup. The rinses won't clear up an infection (or a cold). They work by loosening up what's in there, thus relieving allergies, and preventing build up, which according to my doctor is the cause of infections I've had.

shellbell813 · March 2014

Agree with PP that it isn't always a sinus infection. Those are typically indicated by yellow or green mucus/snot. And unfortunately antibiotics are often handed out like candy but that can do more harm than good by making your body immune to the healing power or those antibiotics if used excessively and without reason.

jshrop · March 2014

I've heard that chiropractors can help if you find no relief. Hope you get help soon, they're the worst!

BMaidPlanner · March 2014

Most folks have a humidifier at home, but this lil' baby is also on my desk at work. It's absolutely silent and a cool mist. It's currently pointed at my face, and seriously, it's like night and day without it. I've loaned it out to my work BFF when she was sick also, she loved it. Amazon prime eligible too!

otter1103 · March 2014

@BMaidPlanner‌ can you tell me what model or manufacturer this is? I definitely need one at my desk

**Nevermind - I didn't notice the link. Off to Amazon now

Ashes92813 · March 2014

I just went through this! Sudafed and mucinex helped a little. Saline spray was ok. I caved and used a Reginald nose spray to clear my nasal passages. However, my doctor put me on a Z pak and a new inhaler because it had been 3 weeks and she knows I get pneumonia easily.

Feel better soon! Call the doctor if it worsens!

FutureMrsW9 · March 2014

Thanks for all of the input ladies! Yesterday was day 3 of the debilitating headaches, so I spoke with my midwife and she said go to the doc because it does sound like a sinus infection...sure enough, I went, they gave me some safe antibiotics, and within a couple hours of taking the first dose I felt a lot better! I'm still not 100%, but whatever they gave me is definitely doing the trick. I'm not the biggest fan of taking antibiotics if I really don't need them, but in this case I was in so much pain that I was dysfunctional and couldn't do anything at work or at home - heck, I could barely keep my head up to drive to the doctor's office. The doc also recommended taking Zyrtec before bed to help with any nighttime stuffiness, which I was having the past few weeks, and a saline spray just to keep everything rinsed out.

BMaidPlanner · March 2014

Oh wow, I didn't know Zyrtec was safe. Glad you are getting some relief!

shellbell813 · March 2014

BMaidPlanner said:

Oh wow, I didn't know Zyrtec was safe. Glad you are getting some relief!

I take zyrtec daily for allergies. My OB approved it...

OP - Glad you are getting some relief! Sinus infections blow!

FutureMrsW9 · March 2014

BMaidPlanner
Yup! Zyrtec is a class B, so it's safe - she actually did look it up right in front of me to double check and make sure. Not Zyrtec-D, she said no to that, but the regular is fine. I'm not sure if it's helping me at all or if it's the antibiotics, but whatever it is it's working so I'm very thankful!

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