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Sinus Infection / major cold?
What do you do for this?
I'm on day 3 now of a major sinus infection along with high fever. My dr prescribed an antibiotic, but it's not helping...and I'm not that surprised because it's probably viral (DDs are/were sick as well with high fevers for 5 days).
I'm taking Advil cold&sinus round the clock as well as doing the Neti Pot every few hours. But my throat is still severely sore to the point where I can't sleep and I'm having a lot of ear pain.
I just drank some apple cider vinegar after reading about home remedies (with water) so we'll see how that works....
I also read about putting Grapefruit seed extract in the Neti Pot and that helping a lot...
I'd appreciate any suggestions of things you've tried and that have worked! I'm at my limit and am having to take care of my 3y/o and sick 2y/o all day and I can barely function myself. TIA.
Re: Sinus Infection / major cold?
I'm having major issues with sinuses and my ears right now, too. I just went to an ENT last week and she said to keep up with the neti pot 2x a day, use Afrin (but only for 3 days at a time or you can get addicted) and if you have an exercise ball, it can help to bounce on it to help get whatever is loose in there to drain out.
Is your neti pot the actual pot, or one of the squirt bottle types? The doctor actually told me to use the squirt bottle one when you're sick b/c it can clear things out more effectively. The pot is more for when your sinuses are clear and you just want to keep them clean.
It also helps to fill up the sink with really hot water, put a towel over your head/the sink and breathe in through your nose as deeply as you can. That always helps break up what's inside and drain it out for me.
I just got over a bad one. the only thing that got me through was a HOT shower twice a day with a washcloth on my head. That was the only way I could get my sinueses clear enough to use the neti pot.
I had to sleep sitting up in the armchair for about a week so I could breathe. And the Advil Cold & Flu that you have to get from the pharmacist with the hard stuff in it.
And for God's sake stay home if you're not already. I had to work 3 days while I was miserable, and it wasnt until I was able to stay home a rest that I started getting over it.
Thanks girls. I didn't know there was a squirt bottle neti pot. I'll have to check that out! I'll try the exercise ball too, we'll see how that goes with my headache.
I've been doing the hot showers and stuff too...and definitely staying home. I just keep getting worse though. DH wanted me to go to the ER tonight but I feel silly going in for a bad "cold"... Thankfully my doctor is able to see me later tonight.
FWIW, the apple cider vinegar, I can definitely see how that would help! Problem is, I have chronic hives and I should have known better because it triggered a major hive outbreak on my face which just added to my discomfort. Lovely. But for anyone else, that's something that's worth a shot!
I felt a cold coming on the other day and started taking Zinc vitamins and the very next day improved a lot.
I have also heard that heating water and adding a lot of fresh squeezed lemon into helps clear things out, though I've never tried that one.
Definitely use the squirt bottle kind.
Also, get some oil of oregano at a health food store. It is a natural antibiotic, as well as antiviral.
Two drops, three times a day, for a few days.
Google oil of oregano + health benefits. You will see how great it is.
Thanks. Is that the same as oregano essential oil? I do have that...
I ended up going back to the doctor Thurs night I was so bad. He thinks it sounds like a really bad case of Mono, but my blood results came back negative. He's treating me like that's what it is though, and put me on steroids, nasal spray steroids and a good decongestant and it's working wonders! Still not feeling well, but at least I'm semi-functional...
Just went through this a couple weeks ago. I almost went to the dr. but decided against it since I'm not one that likes to be put on antibiotics when it's not necessary.
I had the sore ears, sore throat, big time pressure in my head. Best thing that brought me relief was rest, and placing steaming hot cloths on my face to relieve some of the pressure. It took a good week but it went away on it's own.
Hot tea with lemon and honey is very soothing on a sore throat. I carry it around with me in a travel mug and drink it non-stop when I'm sick. The tea is optional, it's the heat, the lemon and the honey that help.
I also like cough drops for the menthol, they make my throat feel better too. I pick the flavor that has the highest menthol level - it varies wildly by flavor. I think it's the honey lemon that is high in it.
If you can feel the congestion, I'd take a mucinex to try to get that stuff out of there.
When I start feeling congested with sinus I start using the neti squirt thingie like a mad woman along with mucinex and pseudofed at night (pseudoephedrine, the behind the counter stuff not the horrible new replacement) and afrin or other nasal spray if the others aren't working. Doing this, I've gotten down to just 1-2 sinus infections a year instead of 4 or 5.
Emergen-C! The stuff works wonders to boost your immune system. I take a couple a day when I feel myself getting sick.
The squirt bottle is the best as well - helps a bunch. I like it way better than the Neti pot. I believe mine is the brand Ayr and it comes w/saline packets.
Sleep also helps!
For colds, flu, and any other gunk that comes our way we use 1Tbs of elderberry syrup in a cup of hot water with some lemon and a few drops of whiskey for it's antiseptic. We usually layer in blankets and sweat it out.
When I feel symptoms I usually just start on Lauricidin pellets and homeopathic Flu Immune spray.
Get well soon!
The Neti-Pot works wonders, I'm surprised it's not helping you. Are you sure you're doing it correctly?
Also, if you eat raw garlic a few times a day [sounds weird, but it's a natural antibiotic]. Just chop it up, swallow quickly and down it with a glass of water!
Apple cider vinegar as well, if you put a paper towel in it, wring it out and put it on your forehead, stomach and feet it will draw a fever out if you have one.
Hope this helps!