Despairing with sinusitis

MrHappy · January 10

I have lots of medical conditions and all are more serious than my sinusitis but my sinusitis is putting me in a very bad place. Sleeping more than 60 mins has been impossible for many weeks now because my mouth quickly becomes drier than the Sahara desert which of course wakes me up. I use Otrivine nasal spray which kinda works but that too has unpleasant side effects plus i'm concerned about the recent press articles stating using nasal sprays for more than 7 days can make sinusitis even worse and i've been going through a bottle of it every week for months. Hot showers help temporarily but only for about 20 mins though. I don't even want to be around anymore because i feel utterly exhausted through lack of sleep and not being able to breathe through my nose.

bookrabbit · January 10

I understand your concern about overusing nasal sprays. I am glad I never resorted to using them although having a stuffy nose used to be a chronic problem for me.

I found that removing fairy products from my diet helped a lot as did relearning to breathe using my diaphragm and understanding that it is perfectly normal for either one nostril or the other to be blocked. As long as one is open you can breathe through your nose perfectly well. I had to concentrate hard to make myself do it and concentrate on exhaling rather than inhaling. If you empty your lungs fully you will automatically inhale to refill your lungs and feel less restless about whether you are getting enough air.

I used to get a horribly dry mouth at night but now I belly breathe automatically and use my nose that no longer happens and I sleep better. Maybe this could help you too.

kitsmum · January 10

Since it has been going on that long I would suggest going to se your GP or pharmacist. It Otrivine might not be strong enough. Hope it clears soon and you get a good night's sleep.

teuchterlass · January 10

So sorry you are troubled by sinusitis it can wear you down quickly.. When my sinus starts bothering me I find it I cut down drastically on dairy products eventually my sinusitis clears.

I now use almond/soy/rice milks but frequently forget to buy cartons (live some distance from shops stocking alternatives) that is when eventually I go back using dairy products until my sinus problems arise again then once again cut back and use alternative milks

Freesia123 · January 10

@teuchterlass

I have purchased my oat milk no sugars from Amazon on several occassions. Have you thought of getting yours from there.

Catherine21 · January 10

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/140941/despairing-with-sinusitis

Oh im sorry thats alot to deal with have you tried a humidifer at night might help with mostiurer

Freesia123 · January 10

@MrHappy

Have you tried using a nasal wash bottle (Sinus rinse bottle) You can buy pre-measured saline packs or make your own solution.

Or Sudafed Sinus Max Strength Capsules

Also Antihistamines if allergies are the cause.

MrHappy · January 10

Thank you EVERYONE for your comments. So much great info for me!

SaraC_Scope · January 12

@MrHappy Sorry to hear you are dealing with sinusitis. Strangely enough I was unwell over Christmas and things weren't improving. I was exhausted, had swollen glands, a cold and cold sores. I visited my pharmacy and they told me I had sinusitis and prescribed me a nasal spray which I'm using for 2 weeks. I'm already feeling much better, but still recovering. It can take up to eight weeks to fully recover.

I would recommend you visit your GP to see if they can help.

MrHappy · January 12

Thank you @SaraC_Scope some good advice from you.

Yani09 · January 14

If you use candles then stop. Perhaps an antihistamine every day… underlying allergy could be behind. Try to relax and stay hydrated. A small oblas stick to ease. A steam filled room… Or a towel over your head over a sink full of hot water.. plus a few drops of menthol. Just to give you some relief. Smoky environments will make it worse. Best wishes.

MrHappy · January 14

Thank you @Yani09 for your tips.

StarryEyed · January 18

Hi @MrHappy

How are you doing? There are great suggestions here!

Regardless of the cause, I'm thinking along the lines of @Yani09 re the hot water over a sink. I do something similar - a steam bowl. I think this would help you because you said a shower sometimes helps for a short while. I do this every night recently as I'm struggling with dry sinuses leading to a splitting headache in the morning. Typically I use a few drops of either lavender essential oil or peppermint essential oil. You can also use eucalyptus oil. All of those oils are antiseptic (meaning they fight both viruses and bacteria). Sometimes I do this steam up to three times a day, but only use the oil once, before bed. I've suffered from respiratory problems since childhood, both upper and lower. These steam baths make all the difference. It's easy and fast.

Boil about 300 mL of water and put in a bowl. Optional - add a few drops of essential oil.
Set your timer for 10-15 min.
Be careful to slowly approach the water so you don't burn yourself. Drape a towel around your head, and loosely around the bowl. As the water cools down, close the towel closer around the bowl. Be sure to keep your eyes closed - you don't want steam on your eyeballs! Ouch!
Breathe in and out through your nose into your lungs, with your mouth closed.

This cleans and moisturises your whole respiratory tract - nose, nasal cavity, sinuses, throat and lungs.

Despairing with sinusitis

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