At what point would you see a doctor?

[amcal]

7 days ago I started with a sore throat.  It quickly progressed into a common head cold.  Sniffles, runny nose, tired etc... But, from the very beginning, I had serious ear pain - so much so, I had my dad check them with his otoscope and he said they looked perfectly normal.  I continued with intense ear pain that turned into sinus pain and jaw/tooth pain.  So, I figured it's turned into a sinus infection.  No big deal - continued doing what I was doing - lots of fluids, GSE nasal spray, Tons of Vitamin C (even had 25 grams of IV vit C on Tuesday), Vit D, Oil of Oregano, super strong probiotics.  

Well, two nights ago I started with low grade fevers and the sinus pain has gotten unbearable.  I had the fever and pain again last night and so it got to the point that last night I took 2 vicodin (which have tylenol in them so that broke the fever temporarily).  I woke up today thinking I felt better but, the pain in my sinus/jaw area is getting so intense again, I just took another vicodin.  

I am not a medicine person.  I rarely take anything like that - the vicodin was left over from a surgery 2 years ago.  

So, at what point should I consider that this might be something more and may require antibiotics?  I'm totally anti - antibiotics but, it seems to be getting worse, not better.  

I'm having tons of very thick, colored phlegm from my nose and chest.  Sore throat is gone but, head congestion is terrible, sinus pain is excruciating.  I know if I go to one of the local care clinics they'll just prescribe antibiotics but, if there is anything else I can do, I'd rather do that. 

[jgallagher66]

Complications are probably pretty rare from an untreated sinus infection but I think you should go get checked. It does sound like a secondary infection has developed that can probably be easily treated now. If you wait serious complications from the infection spreading are possible. I prefer to avoid antibiotics too but I would take pain that severe pretty seriously. I would feel better taking a course of antibiotics for this then the vicodin. I hope you feel better quickly.

[ananas]

I would at least go get checked at this point. You don't HAVE to take what is prescribed if you choose not to but you can at least get a good idea of what you're working with. Also, have you tried a neti pot? That usually knocks out sinus infections for me.

[pek64]

If you want to try herbal remedies, ginger and echinacea teas.

[amcal]

Dr got me right in and I have a pretty nasty sinus infection / respiratory infection.  I caved and started on antibiotics.  Every day it's getting worse and worse, had a fever all day today and I hate the idea of narcotics for the sinus pain.  I feel better just treating the cause.  Hope this knocks it out.    Thank you for the thoughts!

[PeacefulSeams]

I can sympathize with you. Everyone in my house has got it too! I am better now but my little one is sick. I am going to see if the DR. is open at all today....if not, then to the emergency room we go. Breathing problems run in my family so I am not one to chance it. Last time I did that, my oldest ended up with pneumonia. I hate taking meds but if that's the only thing that will work...

[A&A]

I know of a young woman whose sinus infection turned into a brain infection and now she's in a medically-induced coma.  I'm glad you're taking the antibiotics.

[amcal]

Thank you for the input! Within 24 hours I was significantly better so it was clearly bacterial and needed the abx so, I'm ok with taking them. A&A, that was my fear. I've heard of terrible things happening from untreated sinus infections so I'm glad I treated it in time. I have to remind myself that abx do have their place.