What Can I Buy For Sinus Pain?

[Barsel]

Had a cough for 3-4 weeks so went to see GP who put me on double strength antibiotics. Don't have a cough now but I'm still blocked up which is giving me a constant headache and making me feel very tired. Can you recommend a sinus medication I can buy over the counter please?

[237SJ]

Sudafed tablets. You could try one of the ones that contain pain relief as well as the decongestant (that's if you are able to take them) I find inhaling steam with menthol and eucalyptus soothing as well although it is a fairly short term relief.

[AuntPollyGrey]

I'm a great believer in steam therapy. Put a few drops of Olbas Oil in boiling water in a bowl and inhale the fumes. Also flushing your sinuses with salt water is helpful. Beware using nasal sprays they can make sinus infections worse and cause 'kick back' inflammation.

[Bobbisox1]

This worked for me, I suffer with sinusitis too, it’s expensive ( Boots) about £17-99 and then you need to buy the small bottle separate, but it works

https://i.postimg.cc/v8NKYV2P/0-B689834-6307-4867-963-C-2-D4-C83-D13-AA9.jpg

[rockyracoon]

I use Sudafed and they’ve always been very good. There may be a cheaper generic version available.

[Barsel]

The one from Boots seems a bit expensive for me Bobbi so I might have to give that one a swerve. Would try it if all else fails.
APG thanks for the tip of not buying a nasal spray.
I happen to have some Olbas Oil in so will give that a try.
When I go to Tesco tomorrow I'll have a look if they do a ''cheaper generic version'' of Sudafed.
I'll have a look at the ones that contain pain relief as well.
Thanks for your answers . x

[Sqad]

Sterimar Nasal spray should do the trick.

I don't like systemic nasal decongestants.
I think inhalation is "faffy."
I think that the "rebound phenomenon" is over hyped.

Just personal views.

[Sqad]

Oh! and for the pain...Ibuprofen 400mgs as necessary.

[Bobbisox1]

I’m not an advocate of Sudafed, it’s an expectorant isn’t it Sqad? I took it once at night and was awake most of the night due to doing that

[Barsel]

Thanks sqad.

[Sqad]

Bobbi....it may have expectorant properties but it is a nasal lining "shrinker" that is it's main value in unblocking the nose.

[Prudie]

I hate Sudafed as it makes me 'wired' and restless. I also find Olbas oil helpful but if you can't be faffed to steam over a bowl then a few drops on cotton wool regularly sniffed helps me.

[Barsel]

Prudie, I don't know if it would be a faff. I do have some Olbas oil but have been thinking which kind of bowl I have that would withstand boiling water, assuming you do it with boiling water so I like your suggestion of putting a few drops onto cotton wool as I have that as well. Sounds much easier to do, in fact I'm going to go and try that now. Have been looking online at other suggestions and I see that Tesco do a blocked nose capsule (12 for £2) so I'll get those tomorrow when I go shopping. Thanks for your suggestion. x

[AuntPollyGrey]

Even less fuss than cotton wool -and you can keep it in your handbag when you go out

https://www.boots.com/olbas-inhaler-nasal-stick-695mg

[AuntPollyGrey]

Sqad I have to disagree wit you, its happened to me when over-using a well known decongestant and I lost my sense of smell/taste for months.
These sprays contain chemicals that shrink congested blood vessels. That’s how they open up your clogged passages. Because they’re applied directly to the nose, they give you quick relief.
After a few days, though, the blood vessels don’t respond to the medication anymore. You spray away, but your problem just gets worse. This cycle can continue for months, years, and even decades.
That’s why every bottle comes with a warning: “Do not use for more than 3 to 5 days.”

[Barsel]

Thanks for that APG will put it on my Tesco list for tomorrow.

[Sqad]

APG we will have to agree to disagree and I have also seen the restriction on bottles, to which I tend not to agree.
I am not denying the existence of rebound phenomenon but as i have said......i think that it is over diagnosed.
Nasal medication comes in many forms, steroids, vasoconstrictors , combination of both and solutions that do not contain any pharmacological agent.
Nasal problems come in many forms, allergy, infections anatomical deformities etc and to me , the point of the instructions on the spray limiting the length of use is more to do with the incorrect diagnosis than any "rebound" phenomenon.
As for your particularly personal nasal problem, i would have though that your loss of smell was due to a viral infection rather than any form of rebound phenomenon as a side effect of your nasal spray.

Just my opinion I might add, not shared by everyone.

[Mamyalynne]

I am a fan of Sterimar too, natural and effective.

[237SJ]

Sod the natural and effective :) Give me any drugs that will help as pressure changes while suffering from blocked sinuses can be absolute agony - feels like your head's going to explode. Another thing that helps it sleeping sitting up as much as possible - laying down seems to prolong the problem.

[Mamyalynne]

Acute sinus pain is dreadful I agree, I once scalded my face with a hot poultice so desperate for relief.

Sterimar may not help everyone but it's helped me in the past.

[woofgang]

I agree with Sqad. Sterimar nasal spray will rinse the yack out and sooth. If I need to do more, I use Beconase but at a different time from the Sterimar.