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Member since 8/26/05
Posts: 1249
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Posted on: 9/1/10 9:45 AM ET
Can anyone give me some advice. I have had pain and pressure behind my eyes and in my sinuses for about a week now. Because of my intense fear of medication, I have not taken anything but benedryl for allergies, but I'm getting a little tired of this pain and pressure. Any advice? I have been inhaling warm saline steam, using a net-pot, putting warm clothes on my forehead, etc. I was just wondering if anyone had a method of relieving the pain, other than pharmaceutical. I don't think it's an infection, because the mucous is rather thin and clear.....any help would be appreciated!!!
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Deb: www.thinkingcouture.blogspot.com
  
Member since 4/8/02
Posts: 2704
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Posted on: 9/1/10 9:53 AM ET
I'd try laying off the neti pot for a while and see if that helps. My sinuses and the dry climate where I currently live are mortal enemies - I tried a neti pot for a while and found that it made things worse. I think there was actually a study recently that found that neti pot use lead to more sinus infections, so they are not for everyone.

A warm rice bag or similar is also nice, the kind you can heat up in the microwave and place on your head (don't cook your eyes with it though).

The things that help me the most are my massive humidifier (likely not your problem in FL), and a combination of acetaminophen and guaifenesin (mucinex).
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mmmmm woooool
  
Member since 7/16/07
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Posted on: 9/1/10 9:56 AM ET
In reply to Deb Fox
Quote:
I don't think it's an infection, because the mucous is rather thin and clear

It's probably best to have it checked professionally anyway -- a week seems like a very long time to have a sinus headache. This must be awful for you -- my sympathies.

-- Edited on 9/1/10 9:57 AM --
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my shield and my very great reward ~ Gen. 15:1

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If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. ~ Albert Einstein

People have a way of becoming what you encourage them to be, not what you nag them to be. ~ Scudder N. Parker
  
Member since 5/11/08
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Posted on: 9/1/10 11:00 AM ET
In reply to Deb Fox
Deb, I suffer from severe allergies, and don't tolerate antihistamines very well either. Try putting some Vicks in your nose (I know, we are told not to) and perhaps at the pressure points near your ears. Don't get it in your eyes :-) but it's safe on your skin. Strong coffee or a Coke will help too. I find carbonation helps me me more than coffee.

Good luck-I feel your pain!
  
Member since 2/9/04
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Posted on: 9/1/10 12:01 PM ET
In reply to Deb Fox
The ragweed and goldenrod are having a bumper crop this year.

Are you using filtered water in the neti pot? If I use tap water, the chlorine makes everything hurt worse.

Have you tried some decongestants? It could be pressure, and Sudafed might help. The OTC version is different from the version you have to sign for that meth users want.

Maybe an NSAID / analgesic for the pain would help.
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iPad's auto-correct is my enema.
  
Member since 1/8/05
Posts: 2196
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Posted on: 9/1/10 12:23 PM ET
In reply to Deb Fox
I had serious chronic sinus infections for years.

I had to be on antibiotics most of the time. it ws miserable. My suffering has basically stopped since I started using Qantum's sinus and allergy nose spray. it's made out of a nasty concoction of herbs including horeseradish and cayenne pepper. It hurts going in. but it keeps those sinuses clear. I also take their cold and flu formula by mouth. it tastes like poison but it works. My theory is that the microbes just say "feh! this is gross !!!" and hightail it out of your body.

I get the Quantum stuff at the healthfood store. We call it horrible herbs but I haven't had a bad sinus infection in about ten years. It truly feels awful and tastes awful putting it in your body. Don't say I didn't warn you.

I also use saline spray for daily care
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sarah in nyc
https://sewnewyork.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 7/20/08
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Posted on: 9/1/10 12:28 PM ET
Are you drinking plenty of water?

My sinus infections and headaches disappeared when I got off of processed foods and sugar.

I can tell when I slack off my water as a headache is often the first symptom.
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Mary


  
Member since 6/3/06
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Posted on: 9/1/10 12:32 PM ET
We have frequent air pressure changes in the spring and fall (I live on the coast). I can always tell when we are about to get fog or rain - half of us in the office get this same terrible headache. It feels just like a sinus headache, but it's from the change in the barometric pressure. My cure, which works every time, is to take a 'sinus headache' medicine (I know you said you don't like medicine, but this is exactly what it's for). Sometimes I will also apply a moist heat (the rice bag steamed up in the microwave) for a short while, and lay down with my head slightly lower than the rest of my body. Get up in 10-15 minutes, and everything is fine until the next fog cycle.

I agree that you should consult with a doctor to rule out anything serious.
HTH.
  
Member since 8/24/02
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Posted on: 9/1/10 12:41 PM ET
In reply to Deb Fox
Deb, sinuses are a bear to deal with. For one thing, we walk around upright, and sinuses were designed with an on-all-fours plan, so the openings are in the wrong place for drainage for humans.

Second, those openings, called 'ostia', are tiny, and when they're swollen by allergy or infection, nothing gets in or out.

But that hardly matters, because of where're they're located. The only ones a neti pot can reach (assuming the openings are actually open) are those of the maxillary sinuses, under your cheekbones:

sinus location

But you are describing ethmoid and frontal sinus pain, and no water is going to get up there. If you were to spray your nose with Afrin, then lie on your back on your bed and hang your head over the edge, in about 40 seconds or so, enough Afrin would trickle into the area to start to shrink those swollen tissues and open the ostia after maybe 15 minutes or so of just walking around. That would give you temporary relief--but it wouldn't take care of the allergens that would still get you later in the day, or the infection, if you have one of those going on.

The best thing you can do--after a week-long headache--is get thee to a doctor and start some serious preventive treatment, in addition to clearing you up for the moment.


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Elona
  
Member since 3/27/08
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Posted on: 9/1/10 12:41 PM ET
You should probably go to the doctor. I just had a major sinus infection and didn't have the yellow gunk like you think of when you have one. I'm very averse to taking antibiotics too but sometimes you just gotta do it.

A friend of mine who is into homeopathic remedies told me to take garlic pills for a sinus infection. I can't comment on if or how well they work though.
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http://kimsewsilly.blogspot.com/
  
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