Help me...my sinuses are killing me

[Halfasianmomma]

It's been 7 days now. I've had recurring intense pain in my cheeks and right above my eyebrows. The pain has even spread to my upper teeth, but having just had them all checked and fixed, I know it's not dental pain. The only other thing that comes to mind is sinusitis, since I'm prone to that sort of thing.

BUT

I have no congestion.

A tiny bit in the morning but that's it.

But I've got so much pain it's astounding. It wakes me up at night. I've taken so many pain killers and yet it keep coming back.

I'd really like to avoid taking antibiotics because they never seem to do the trick and I always end up feeling icky afterwards.

I've been doing the sinus rinsing twice daily. I drink tons of water. I sleep with the window open. There's no need to steam since I have no congestion.

Miracle suggestions anyone? Is this just a question of wait and see?

[Vancouver Mommy]

I have suffered from accute sinusitus for years and my main concern is that it becomes a constant, chronic condition. Like you, I have no congestion, no runny nose - only pain. Some days it feels like I've been clubbed in the face. I have tried antiobiotics with limited results. It takes abx a long time to penetrate the mucous membrane, so you have to be on them for a very long time. What finally gave me relief (and I have been pain free for over a month after about six weeks of constant pain) was Traditional Chinese Medicine and a sinus rinse (not a neti-pot, but a squirt bottle and a little presssure). The doctor of TCM did accupuncture and cranio-sacral massage, as well as perscribing me two herbal remedies. The great majority of the treatment was even covered by my dh's extended health benefits through work (billed as accupuncture).

[Halfasianmomma]

thanks for the response mama.

I've got an appointment with a chinese herbalist in an hour. I'll ask about what you mentioned...

Did you have to continue with the treatment on a long-term basis or was it just done once and you finally got relief?

[ASusan]

I can't address your question specifically, but the general rule for TCM/acupuncture is a month of (weekly) treatment for every year it has been bothering you, although you *might* find relief after one treatment. I had 6 months of weekly treatment for a problem that had been around for at least 4 years, probably much longer (as it slowly developed over time).

[deditus]

These have actually been my allergy symptoms for this year - I normally am not bothered too much by my pollen allergies as long as I drink nettle infusions and take a good amount of vit c, but this year they have been horrible.

[beanma]

it sounds like a sinus issue to me, but I wouldn't discount the teeth. I just had to have a root canal and when I went to the dentist my teeth looked fine. There wasn't any visible abcess or any visible decay, but I had radiating pain along my jawline and into my sinuses. She prescribed penicillin which knocked the pain back to an acceptable level pretty quickly and then continued to knock it out until I could get to the endodontist for the root canal. Fun, fun. I, too, have a history of sinus issues and so that's what I thought it was at first.

For sinuses, cut out all dairy first. It's known to cause sinus issues. Then I would do some cranial sacral massage of my own. The pressure point that helps me the most is right behind my ears behind where the jaw meets the skull. Some strong pressure here really helps equalize things for me. With neti I've had mixed results. I think I have sinus polyps that interfere with it. Drinking hot tea or soup helps, too.

Hope the TCM practioner was able to help you. Please update when you get a chance.

[Halfasianmomma]

Well, the TCM lady is 7.5 months preggo so she's leaving soon. She's got me on a variety of herbs designed to help strengthen my blood (she's treating my migraine problems first). I've been drinking the yucky stuff for 8 days now and I can already see a difference. Regarding the sinus issue, she recommended doing the sinus rinse twice daily as well as the pressure points. She also said acupuncture would help but right now, I can't afford the treatment package (10 sessions for 600$).

FTR, I'm off dairy and have been since DD was born. Dairy = badness for me.

The pain seems to be tappering off slowly, and though I have no nasal congestion, I do feel like there's some post-nasal drip going on. The only thing I can do is take acetaminophen...

[Nicole730]

A friend just told me to put 2-3 drops of oil of oregeno under your tongue for as long as you can stand it, about a minute (it will burn!) Apparently it works, she was sooo happy with the results. I have not tried it yet though. She said she is still slightly congested, but the pain is gone.