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How can i fake a sinus infection?

How can I relieve a sinus headache/infection that just won't quit?

  • I had a minor cold about a week ago that has turned into a sinus infection (I think). The cold was pretty bad for a couple days, but then I was completely fine for 4 days. I'm having some nasal congestion, and swollen lymph nodes, but the worst problem is that I am getting this nasty headache whenever I'm on my feet/trying to do anything. No tiredness, no fever, no aches or chills. I've been getting these awful headaches for 3 or 4 days. I'm off work until Tuesday, but I'm worried that this won't be resolved by then, and am looking for any ideas to stop/lessen these headaches. Right now my nose is pretty runny, but it's thin and generally clear. My nose is quite red and sore, and the inside is very raw. I have a few swollen lymph nodes around my jaw. What's happening: Anytime I try to do anything on my feet/moving around for more than about two minutes, my head starts pounding. I'm not doing anything strenuous - just things like putting a couple dishes in the dishwasher, folding a couple pieces of laundry, feeding the cat, etc. I'm taking it super easy otherwise, getting a ton of sleep, but I'm partially stir crazy and partially want to chip away at the disaster my house is turning into. When the pain starts, I immediately stop what I'm doing and go lay down in the dark, with my upper body propped up. The pain is concentrated in my forehead, temple, and under my eyes. The pain is very intense (8+ out of 10), and at times feels like an icepick is going through my right eye. When this happens, my right eye waters uncontrollably. After 15-20 minutes of no physical activity (I can watch the TV if it's dimmed, use my phone if dimmed, read a book), the headache starts to subside. What I've been doing/taking to help things: *Ibuprofen, according to label directions, around the clock *Pseudophedrine, every 4 hours, during the day *Couch syrup with guanefesin and dextromorthphan, around the clock *Tried afrin for a couple days, all it seemed to do was make my nose more dry and irritated *Drinking tons of fluids *Getting lots of sleep, always with my head elevated *Eating relatively healthy, getting my fruits and veggies in. *Having spicy soups for lunch and dinner (pho, hot and sour soup) *Taking hot showers - which are lovely, but don't seem to do anything long term *Using a hot compress on the affected area of my head. Again, feels nice while I'm using it, doesn't help anything afterward. Luckily I'm off work on Monday, so I have some more time to recuperate. But I'm worried that this won't be resolved by Monday. I was at work for the first day and the headaches made it impossible to get anything done, and trying to cope was exhausting. I'm a temporary worker on the edge of getting a full time position, so I don't have any paid sick leave, and I'd really like to have good attendance. I took a day off on Friday, and a day off the prior week for the initial cold. What else can I do to help these stop/lessen these headaches? Is it worthwhile to go to the doctor? I'm guessing this is something viral, and I can't take any opiate based medication for (reasons). I'm saying to hell with it in terms of doing any household chores/anything on my feet for the rest of today and tomorrow, but I'm very worried that this won't be over by Tuesday. I know I have probably just have to wait it out.. but I really can't afford (in multiple senses) to miss more work.

  • Answer:

    Agree about going to the doctor or clinic. Also, my grammie suffered from sinus issues, as did my mom and so do I. One thing that helps, is if you have a partner, or do it yourself: Lie down, head slightly at an angle (or on the partner's lap), if you have a recliner and are by yourself, use that. So, not flat on your back. Use your forefingers and/or thumbs to gently massage the lower half of your eye sockets, from next to your nose and outward. Do this for a couple of minutes. Also work around the tops of your eye sockets, and then down on the sides of your nose and your cheeks. If you have an infection, you need antibiotics, but until you get to the doctor, this might help (temporarily), along with a warm washcloth over your face for a few minutes first.

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Sinus infections usually don't just decamp on their own, alas. Hie thee to a doctor.

thomas j wise

You really might want to hit the Minute Clinic and see if you need antibiotics. If this is a sinus infection, it's not likely to just go away soon. In the meantime, try doing that thing where you put a towel over your head and sit there huffing up steam from a bowl of hot water. I've also heard that orgasms are supposed to be good for clearing up congestion, but I can't say that's worked well for me.

Ursula Hitler

Surprised no one's heard of the tea tree oil steam bath. I used to get sinus infections, they felt like a bad toothache, and I tried this. Sinus pain went away immediately. It's the same as a steam bath for your head, but add 3-5 drops of the oil to the steaming water. Cover your head with a towel over the bowl or pot and breath in deeply, hold it, repeat. You may have to do this 2-3 times as the pain will probably return but relief is instantaneous. You can by it at any health food store, Trader Joe's, possibly drug stores carry it now. Try it tonight, if it doesn't work go to a doctor. BTW, IANAD.

lillian.elmtree

I have no way of knowing if it's an infection or viral that has turned into an infection. But my Grammie's doctor used to massage her like that (in no way sexual, old country doctor) and it really helped her and so that's what my Mom taught me to do. It's a stroking motion from the bridge of the nose outward, and when I do it to myself, it really helps. I also used to do it with my kids. If you have a partner and you close your eyes, they can do it all over your face and it feels so good.

Marie Mon Dieu

For my second infection, the mucus was clear, but they prescribed antibiotics anyway. FWIW. YMMV. Another reason to run things past an IRL doctor is that headaches can take on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medication_overuse_headache. Viz.: taking ibuprofen round the clock can trigger rebound headaches, which can become a chronic condition. Your headache might not even be caused by your sinus infection. For example, maybe it's from analgesic rebound plus stressing about missing work. Or maybe being sick has disrupted your caffeine schedule. There are a lot of unknowns here. Going to urgent care first thing tomorrow sounds smart.

feral_goldfish

I'm so sorry. Sinus headaches are a special kind of misery. I hope you can see the doctor tomorrow. They will help determine whether you need antibiotics. In the meantime, during my last sinus infection I boiled water and added a bunch of dried lemon balm and then poured that into a big basin and put a towel over my head and breathed in the warm steam. It really helped. The relief was temporary but with a headache like that even an hour or so without it feels like bliss. Also try to just do as much of the lying in a dark room as you can. Ride it out, tell yourself it's temporary, try to focus on things that make you feel calm and relaxed. If you can enlist someone for a back massage that always helps me when I have headaches. I hope you feel better soon.

sockermom

I've had sinus troubles for years and years. Quite unpleasant. Yes, go to the doctor. Antibiotics can help, though apparently sinus infections are much more commonly viral. Steroid spray can help in the longer term. Nasal lavage can help as can steam (recently boiled water in a vessel, towel over your head to make a tent, I like it with mint). I have found Tylenol more effective. The worst headaches have required Tylenol with codeine. There aren't any other treatment options short of surgery or oral steroids that I know of, but obviously you want to confirm the diagnosis with a doctor.

ssg

In the US, you can now get Nasocort steroid nose spray over the counter. It reduces the inflammation inside your nose/sinuses, allowing things to drain. That has always worked better for me for sinus infections than antibiotics.

hydropsyche

Late to the party here but I wanted to say that this happened to me about two years ago. I tried all of the over the counter stuff including the neti pot and things would get better for a day or two then a relapse. After about a month I went to my doctor who prescribed antibiotics and in two days the thing was gone and gone for good. It really made me wish I had gone to my doctor earlier- the reoccurring infection really sapped a lot of my energy and I felt fuzzy headed a lot of the time and the antibiotics were very effective. Good luck!

bluesky43

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