OT- Severe Sinus Infection

[DarknessEmbraced]

My sinuses stared bothering me on March 15th the day we left for Toronto. We were gone until March 21st. They bothered me off and on while we were there. I saw the NP last Tuesday because my sinuses were worse. Because I didn't have a fever she wouldn't prescribe an antibiotic. She said to keep treating it at home and if I get a fever and get worse to call. I called Monday. The NP is on vacation all week and my family doctor is booked up until April 12th. I was advised to go to the after hours clinic. I took the bus and arrived at the after hours clinic at 1:40pm. The signup sheet was out at 2:45pm. I was third on the list. The clinic doesn't open until 5:30pm so more waiting. I filled out a registration form and went back to a room and saw the doctor at 6:15pm. She said my sinus infection was really bad and that I had waited too long. I told her about the NP not giving me an antibiotic. She put me on Augmentin for 14 days. She said to take tylenol with codeine for pain. I take the augmentin twice a day. I started it on Monday night. My sinuses are really sore and painful, it hurts to chew and it hurts to have my glasses on. I had a low grade fever Monday. My asthma has been acting up so I have been following my asthma action plan and increasing my medications. I have been coughing up mucus and sneezing, and blowing my nose a lot. Today I feel even worse because I have the chills and the augmentin has me running to the bathroom every few minutes with severe diarrhea. I am eating small spoonfuls of activia yogurt a day to try to make sure I don't get a yeast infection. My throat hurts now too. I'm miserable! This is my second sinus infection this year!

[JudeD59]

I'm so sorry to hear this. Sinus infections are awful! I've been having a lot of problems with my sinuses this spring, too, but nothing like you're going through. Just waking up with headaches every day despite running a humidifier at night. I'm sure you already know this, but sitting in the bathroom with the shower running on hot so I can breathe the steam in through my nose helps the sinuses to drain a little. So does a washcloth soaked in hot water and laid across my eyes and sinus region.

I feel so bad that the first doctor didn't give you the antibiotics to clear it up before it got worse and I also feel bad that you had to sit in the waiting room feeling so lousy. I've done that before and it's horrible.

<HUGS> for you and I really hope the antibiotics kick in soon and you feel much, much better.

Judy

[DarknessEmbraced]

Thank you Jude! I'm sorry you're having sinus problems too!*hugs* Yes the Nurse Practitioner should have given me an antibiotic. I had a sinus infection last year which required two different antibiotics to clear. The same thing happened at the end of January 2017. You would think she would know by now.

[peanut_8]

Hi DE,

Sorry to hear about your sinus infection. Have you tried a sinus rinse or net pot? I'm prone to sinus problems also, and use the Nailed kit. My dr. is also a big fan it, and originally recommended it. Here's a link to a You Tube video demonstrating the method. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW9mvVe7Mk4 It's available in most drugstores and is pretty affordable.

Hope you feel better soon,
peanut

[DarknessEmbraced]

I was using netirinse with the squeeze bottle but now that my sinuses are so swollen the saline solution causes me more pain and it doesn't help. I think there's too much inflammation in my sinuses for it to get into where it needs to go. Thanks peanut!*hugs*

[stu]

Me too. I am in the middle of a rotten infection , just finished my antibiotics and it's still here.
Hope your have success soon. I have lost my sense of taste so I am hoping this is up side
Stu

[DarknessEmbraced]

I'm sorry you're suffering too Stu!*hugs* Sinus infections are awful and it would be horrible losing your sense of taste!*hugs* I would go back to the doctor. For my sinus infection last year and the one at the end of January, I had to have two different antibiotics to clear it up. I hope you won't have to go on Augmentin too. I hope yours clears up soon!*hugs*

[CRguy]

Hey DE ..... JMHO ... BUTT
that NP needs a bitchslap upside da' head

Glad you got the meds you NEEDED and I would seriously avoid that NP in future.
Sadly, I can tell you horror stories about severe sinus infections, medical people who missed the diagnosis or did not do what is needed.
Everybody is so effin' uptight about using proper antibiotics now, it makes me cringe.

...end rant

Just like our CRC Journey
BE your own advocate and keep pushing until you get results ..... WORD !

Hope you are feeling better soon !

Cheers
CR

[peanut_8]

DE,
Have you heard of Alkalol? It's a mucus solvent that you can use in your sinus rinse bottle. Some people use full strength, but when I need it I dilute to about 4 parts water to 1 part Alkalol. From my experience, it's a little more difficult to find than the Nailed kit, but not impossible. Perhaps you can call around? It's very soothing.

Alkalol is a unique blend of natural ingredients developed over 100 years ago as a nasal wash and mucus solvent. Today it still provides drug-free relief from nasal congestion and irritation caused by sinusitis, allergies, colds and post-nasal drip. And it helps dissolve mucus and clear blocked nasal passages. http://www.alkalolcompany.com/alkalol/#.WOWkp2WMC9Y

Best Wishes,
peanut

[ChiMama]

Sounds awful! I have no advice, just a virtual hug!

[DarknessEmbraced]

Thanks for making me smile CRguy!*hugs* Unfortunately it's impossible to avoid the NP because I see her more than my family doctor because my family doctor is always booked up. Peanut, I've looked up Alkalol on amazon.ca, it is available. The ingredients sound similar to vicks. I will look into it more. Thank you. Feeling awful today with chills, sweats along with the sinus symptoms and loose stools/diarrhea from augmentin. Activia yogurt is helping some. Sinus infection is really affecting my asthma and this cold,damp weather doesn't help. Thanks for the hug ChiMama!*hugs* Hugs always make me feel better.