Sinus Infection

[Janos]

Morning all,

I caught a cold over the weekend which left me with a blocked sinus. It's a bit painful round my nose and eye, but not too bad, except when I tilt my head to one side. I've been taking sudafed and the odd bit of ibuprofen (as advised by a pharmacist) but with little effect. Not having a sinus problem before, I'm not sure how long these things last. I was thinking it would be a few days.

My question is - is it worthwhile seeing a doctor, or is it likely to be a viral thing that I can't do anything about.

Laters,
Janos

PS - Hopefully diving on Sunday 23rd, so fingers crossed it clears up before then!

[MATTBIN]

Janos
whenever my daughter gets a sinus problem she shoots straight round to the doc's, he dishes out antibiotics and it clears the problem quickly. I usually let nature takes its course as I'm not a big fan of taking pills for every minor ailment. Your call.

Matt

[Steve S]

Hi Mate,

I would keep taking the meds you are on already and try menthol crystals dissolved in boiling water in a dish then with a towel over you breathe the vapour, that'll shift it

If your GP is 'owt like mine you won't get antibiotics for stuff like that.

HTH

Safe diving,
Steve

[Lynne]

Originally Posted by Steve S

Hi Mate,

I would keep taking the meds you are on already and try menthol crystals dissolved in boiling water in a dish then with a towel over you breathe the vapour, that'll shift it

If your GP is 'owt like mine you won't get antibiotics for stuff like that.

HTH

Safe diving,
Steve

My GP won't give out anti biotics for sinusitis, but has given me a steroid nasal spray which works a treat (as long as you don't overuse it and strip the skin from the back of your throat like I did ) I now carry one as a preventative measure whenever I dive (although sinus problems never seem to occur while diving but when I stop - solution - dive all the time)

[Woz]

If you get one of those pump nasal sprays (the Sudafed one is great) then a quick squirt up each nostril and 10 mins later you'l have snot dripping of your chin. As a long-term sinus sufferer (my dad an duncle have both had ops to widen theirs) these sprays are a godsend.

Use only for 1 week though otherwise they iritate the nasal linings, causing them to swell and block your nose. Again.

[Moray]

Dear Janos

I go, for instant relief and cure, for the old-fashioned bit: a bowl of warm water with several spoonfuls of kitchen salt dissolved in it, snort it up each nostril. Burns like hell! But will instantly clear your sinuses and kill whatever is boggling them up. Do this twice a day for two days and you should be alright.

But like I said, burns like hell for a few minutes!

p.s. antibiotics can cause a vicious spiral, the infection can go chronic

[DJL]

Janos,

I've had my fair share of sinus issues recently and when Sudafed etc didn't work I went to the docs. She prescribed Doxycyclin (sp?) which is an antibiotic. 1 tablet a day for 5 days.

Just wish I'd known that when I was in Thailand as these can be bought over the counter - damn English bureaucracy!

Dave.

[Conor]

I never had sinus problems until I started diving, then I got a reverse block and since then have had problems when diving. I use the sudafed spray before diving and keep it and some sudafed tabs handy for after diving should a block occur.

Most unpleasant experience has to be clearing my sinuses at 25m because I was getting a lot of pain on ascent. Let a little sea water into your mask and snort, not pleasant but if you find yourself in that situation its a better solution than ascending and causing more damage/pain

Conor

[Janos]

Thanks all

I'm back from work now and will try the non-pharmaceutical remedies for a bit, but if there's no improvement I'll try and see the doc on Monday for some antibiotics.

Laters,
Janos

[dry suit diver]

sudafed can cause heart palpitations /irregular beating in some people
did with me when 13 and doc prescribed it for blocked sinuses ,scared the shit out of me and my parents.