Sinuses Clogged

Updated on April 22, 2010
B. asks from Evans, GA
26 answers

Hey ladies back with another medical question.
Every year I have allergy/ sinus trouble in spring time. This year the pressure in my head is so bad my top teeth are achy. I've tried several medications, vicks in the shower , hot bathes , etc, Does anyone else have problems like this , what do you do to get rid of it?
I can breath and my throat is sore because of the drainage but my head is still full of crud.

Thanks for any and all advice.

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So What Happened?

thanks for the great advice everyone. I have a sinus infection!
went to the dr , have a rx and I will be getting one of those netipot things.

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S.A.

answers from Atlanta on

Hello~ I know the feeling! Mucinex D is great, if it develops with a cough
use Mucinex DM. Also, when Spring arrives I always start with Claritin or
Zertec (generic) every day until its under control. Then, I'll do every other day until pollen has stopped. I'm in the process right now. What you don't want is a full blown allergy attack. Works for me! Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.C.

answers from Detroit on

Try a Neti Pot. I tried everything too, but still has sinus issues, then I heard about the Neti and it helps. I wanted to use it correctly, so I went to YouTube and found a few videos of people demonstrating how to use it. I've also heard that swimming has the same effect as a Neti Pot.

I hope you feel better:)

M

1 mom found this helpful
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A.K.

answers from Dallas on

I completely understand and sorry for you! I agree w/ the other ladies, my worst time of the year is hayfever season in Oct..uggh! I went to see an allergist only to discover I have no allergies but it was worth the visit because he recommended the nettipot which has done more for me than any meds w/ no side effects! I use it all yr round twice a day but you can use as many times as you need. Best of luck!

1 mom found this helpful

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A.M.

answers from Dallas on

ugh yes i have this. gargle with warm salt water various times throughout the day and that will help with the throat. use a humidifier all day if you can. Try the vicks on your feet with socks over. Also lemon and honey can help with the throat. Dont have much advice for the head...sorry :(

1 mom found this helpful
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A.C.

answers from Cincinnati on

A nasal flush or neti pot (as recommended below) is a great idea. I also take Zyrtec OTC for seasonal allergies, and when my sinuses get clogged, I use Mucinex to clear them out again (warning - it must be taken every 12 hours for at least 2 days to see any real affect). Also, sadly, remember to keep the windows closed and if it is really bad, shower directly after you have been outside to get all the pollen off your body. Sorry that it's so rough on you, and good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.Z.

answers from Wichita on

My sinuses are my enemy every Winter and Spring. I have had two sinus surgeries which help for a little while and then I inevitably start getting chronic sinus infections again. Anyways, what I have found to be incredibly helpful is the NeilMed Sinus Rinse. It works better than the NetiPot in my opinion because there is force driving the water through your nose. You can buy it at Walgreens. It is not particularly fun but it also isn't as bad as say accidentally getting water in your nose while swimming. Its great to do in the shower first thing in the mornings. Hope you find it as helpful as I did if you decide to get it.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.L.

answers from Atlanta on

Try a Neti pot, it drains warm salt water thru your sinuses and gets all the stuff out and can really help sometimes.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

You need to do a nasal flush.
Get what is called a "neti pot." you can find it at drug stores.
Use it as a regular thing... for sinus health.
My Husband gets lots of sinus problems... that is what he does and what the Doctor recommends. It helps.

Also, there is a Sudafed, with "pseudoephedrine." This works. But, it is probably behind the counter at the Pharmacy section... which you have to ask for. It is not just on the shelf. Here is a link:
http://sudafed.com/?utm_campaign=Sudafed%20Branded%20-%20...

This is the only one that works for my Husband's sinus problems/pain/congestion.

All the best,
Susan

1 mom found this helpful
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J.L.

answers from Chicago on

You can also buy what's called a SinuRinse similar to the neti pot but a little easier to use. It runs about 9.99 and you can buy refills separately a 100 pack for same price....Like you I get stuffy but boy does this help out a lot and your sinuses feel better and you sleep better to. This product is available and at any pharmacy and Walmart

1 mom found this helpful
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S.O.

answers from San Antonio on

Neti pot in the morning, and sleep with a cool mist humidifier in the bedroom at night.

1 mom found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

The best thing we have found is the Nasal Rinse foune in the allergy section of the drug store. It does the same as a netti pot. I think McNeill is the maker (not sure).

It has worked wonders for hubby and I.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

If what you're experiencing is similar to what I go through in the fall, it's caused my inflammation.

In my case, I've found that products containing pseudoephederine were helpful (Claritin-D, for example), but I couldn't take the 24 hour because I'd be awake ALL night.

I've also started using nasal steroids (RhinocortAQ, for example) which really seem to help.

A RN I spoke with last week was really positive about the neti pot and what he's heard from both the company that makes it as well as people who use it, so I think that's a good recommendation from the other moms as well.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.G.

answers from Atlanta on

Go to a health food store, buy a neti pot and ask how to use it. These pot can also be bought in regular pharmacy areas, but the pharmacist may or may not know how to use effectively. Use Himilayan salt - from health food store. J. Gordon

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C.X.

answers from Dallas on

The neti pot is out. The newest version is NeilMed. NeilMed is a nasal flush/rinse that you can buy at any drugstore/CVS/Target/grocery. In the past I had reoccurring sinus infections and at the sign of any trouble now I do one in the morning and one in the evening for a couple of days and it all goes away. It's all natural and very recommended by doctors.

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A.A.

answers from Columbus on

Ever since I've been in the south, I've had allergy and sinus trouble and wind up breathing through my mouth at night because my nose is stuffed up. Finally got really sick this spring and discovered that my mouth-breathing is causing lots of problems for me. Look into the Buteyko breathing method -- which focuses on nasal breathing and reduced breathing -- it's done wonders for me but takes a lot of discipline. Lots of you-tube videos discuss how it works. I'm actually taping my mouth shut at night with a light surgical tape and I wake up much better than before. I also use a neti pot to clear out sinuses once a day, after breakfast. I hope that helps. SInus infectins are hard to fight with medicine -- and this natural approach is much more effective for me.

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C.B.

answers from Atlanta on

The best thing to do is make a solution of 8 oz warm filtered water, 1 TBSP sea salt and 1 TSP hydrogen peroxide. Take the solution as far up the sinuses as you can get it. You can also gargle with it, and clean your eyes too. Nothing lives in hydrogen. perfect for the living pathogens in pollen, mold, viruses, dust and bacteria. I have a practice and people who have had sinus congestion and allergies for years swear it is the only thing that has ever worked.

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P.D.

answers from Macon on

I go to a doctor of osteopathy (a D.O) who has special training in crainial manipulation. She drains the fluid for me with a osteopathic manipulation session. It's really helpful. And she taught me some things I can do at home to help keep the fluid drained.

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C.A.

answers from Atlanta on

I agree with the other posters about the neti-pot and they also have one that is like a nasal sprayer but works just the same. It is my understanding that Allergies/Sinus has to be maintained and prevented by using a daily nasal spray and allergy medication. You can either do singulair which is RX only or try the clariten or Zyrtec like another poster suggested but you have to take it every day in order for it to do its job combined with the daily nasal spray but I would say get you some salt water sinus spray to use on a daily basis and do the neti-pot maybe once or week just depending on how you are doing.
If a cough develops you can use the Mucinex as well but be careful with that stuff because I just had a sinus infection myself along with cough and after I took the recommended dose for adults I felt very weird and I can't even describe how I felt exactly but just felt weird. My mother told me she has to cut nasal decongestant in half because she feels weird too if she takes the full dose. Be careful with that stuff I guess.

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B.J.

answers from Kansas City on

If your teeth hurt, it may have developed into a sinus infection. You may also want to try a NetiPot to clean out your sinuses and help you heal more quickly. I'm afraid I would visit my doctor at this point. I hope you feel better soon!

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K.B.

answers from Charleston on

I recommend using a neti pot every morning to flush out your sinuses. It feels great and it will immediately open you up. You can buy them at health food stores but I got mine at walmart. Its called NeilMed NASA FLO Neti Pot. Hopes that helps.

K.

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D.M.

answers from Atlanta on

I had chronic sinus infections for ten years and was on and off antibiotics as a life-style.
I made several changes and have not had one infection in over 7 years.
I use very little heat in the winter in my home so the air isn't dry.
I run a HEPA air cleaner in my bedroom with the door closed every night
I drink lots of good clean water to stay hydrated
I use the neti pot in the morning and at night with some salt and a pinch of baking soda
If I have been out breathing pollen or dusting the house -- changing vacuum bags --basically doing anything that forces my nose to filter the air, I use the neti pot to clear the nose and sinuses.
Above that, it you feel a bit stuffy before bed (and after doing the nasal rinse), I keep a little bottle of eucalyptus and menthol oil that I mix with carrier oil. Put a few drops in the palm of your hands and rub them together, then cup your hands over your nose and breath in. WOW!!
Hope you feel better. Go to you-tube and watch video clips of the use of a neti pot if you are unfamiliar. It may seem crazy at first. I am the type that holds my nose when I jump into a swimming pool and could never stand to get water up my nose. It took sheer desperation to purposely pour water into my nostrils but it runs out the other side and is not scary or uncomfortable (unless you use cold water. NEVER DO THAT! Good luck and get ready to be rid of your sinus problems!

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S.G.

answers from Savannah on

I am on Allegra this year as I was having to double dose on Zertc to get any relief. Tree pollen is full force right now and I've had to take a sudafed a few times a week and zaditor eye drops once in a while for my right eye that waters sometimes.

I've debated talking to my dr about getting the allergy shots too!

L.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Have you tried the Neti pot with a simple salt water rinse? This thing has been around for hundreds of years and used by yogis in India and has caught on here recently. I have seen them various places but I got mine at a pharmacy in Little 5 Points in downtown Atlanta. It really works!

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A.K.

answers from Atlanta on

I usually use the claritin D, or my prescription nosespray Patanase ,instant antihistamine. I did also buy the walgreens brand neti pot and that helped too. You might want to go to an ENT , it shouldn't be that bad where teeth are hurting.

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C.P.

answers from Chicago on

B., I had chronic sinus infections/ear infections all my life and the only thing that has ever stopped them was for me to take Pseudoepherdrine (Walphed or Sudaphed - behind the counter). Not the PE stuff - that's a waste of money.

What I do, is the first sign of a cold or sinus conjestion, I take a pill, when that pill wears off, I take another one. The sooner you take them, the better off you are. If you don't take it on the first sign of the cold/infection, you may have to take 2.

Take the pills for as many days as you need to (usually 3-4 days for me). since I started taking them, I've not had one infection.

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S.M.

answers from Atlanta on

Go to the "sinus" section of your local drug store or grocery store and pick up a "Neti Pot" - you should be able to get one for around $10 or so. It's not the most graceful method, but if you have painful sinus congestion, the relief is IMMEDIATE!

And make sure it's sterilized between uses, especially if you may have a sinus infection, otherwise you could prolong it. Just before I use mine, I give it a quick rinse and put it in the microwave for a minute or so for the steam to sterilize it. Then after using, clean it with soap & water.

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