Ive had this cold/sinus thing for about a week now. Saw my dr yesterday and didn't have an infection so im taking Claritan. But my vision is slightly blurred with this sinus congestion and I have no sense of taste or smell. The cold has got much better and I am improving. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced these symptoms and how long they lasted. Its really annoying not being able to see as clear as usual or smell anything. I also started to use a neti pot today to get this stuff out of my head and unclog my ears. Hope that helps to clear it.
What SH said. The real Sudafed that you have to get from the pharmacist is the only stuff that has ever cleared my sinuses.
You've gotten good advice here. I just want to tell you to stay on top of this. I ended up having to have sinus surgery because my first doctor didn't give me antibiotics for a sinus infection. I paid a terrible price for waiting for a month because of that doctor.
Sinus infections are nothing to play with. Honest to God.
Claritin dries you up. If you're congested you need to stop taking allergy meds and take a decongestant to make the goo in your head runnier so it will come out.
Allergy meds treat itchy eyes, runny nose that is caused by breathing irritants, rashes, and allergic reactions.
Decongestants treat stuffy noses, clogged sinuses, thick gunky goo in the nose, etc...
Mucinex or the target version of it . Our doctor told us to use mucinex for congestion to keep it liquid so it doesn't turn into an infection . It worked for our family this winter . We used it whenever any of us had congestion and it didn't turn into anything that required an antibiotic :) Hope this helps!
Sudafed with Pseudoephedrine 12 hour.
http://www.sudafed.com/products/adult/sinus-congestion/su...
You have to ask the Pharmacist it is kept behind the counter.
But this is the only thing that helps my Husband's bad sinus problems.
It is non-drowsy.
I highly recommend trying the Sudafed I mentioned above.
My Husband, uses that and with Claritin. And that nips it in the bud for him.
He also uses the neti pot too. BUT when his sinus problems are real bad, the Sudafed is the only thing that has helped.
A neti pot works wonders for me.
Just be sure to either BOIL the water and let it cool down or use distilled water, not just hot tap water.
Mucinex. It thins the mucus and helps it come out. For what it's worth, I disagree with your doc.
Use a humidifier in your bedroom at night.
Steam your sinuses (hot steamy showers) as often as you can.
You can try sleeping with a heating pad on low on the back of your neck (it helps me).
Try some Vick's Vapor Rub on your chest and neck (the Vick's on the feet thing never worked for me and besides I kind of like the scent).
Keep well hydrated - tea (with lemon, honey and a teaspoon of brandy if you're not driving anywhere), chicken soup broth, lots of water, etc.
Hope you feel better soon!
