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OT doctor or no doctor???

kellyyy's picture

Submitted by kellyyy on Thu, 05/09/2013 - 9:24am

Anyone familiar with sinus infections? I have been fighting a nasty cold for almost two weeks now. I started to get better a couple days ago but then the next day I was exhausted and had a killer headache. I made it through that day and the next morning my sinus on my right cheek was puffy. School nurse said I might be getting an infection and if it got worse I needed to go to the doctor. I took today off because I am sick of being sick. The puffiness went away but when I touch it, it feels funny. Doesnt really hurt but almost like something is in there. My only complaints is my sinus and a post nasal drip. I always get that with colds. So I'm not really worse, but not really better. Anyone has something like this and thinks I am almost better or should I just fork over the money and see my doctor??

Comments

Crazy_in_Ohio's picture

Submitted by Crazy_in_Ohio on Thu, 05/09/2013 - 9:55am

I love my Neti Pot. Once I got over the "grossness" of it, it's amazing.

Between that and my love of generic Alkaseltzer Cold & Sinus Plus, I usually can kick sinuses and colds within a couple of days.

Shaman29's picture

Submitted by Shaman29 on Thu, 05/09/2013 - 10:03am

It depends on the color of the mucus you're expelling. If it's clear, white or yellowish, then it's just a matter of clearing it out (see Echo's suggestion for the Neti Pot).

You should see a doctor (and sorry to be gross) if the mucus is a dark yellow or green. That indicates infection that should be treated with antibiotics. A Neti Pot will clear the mucus but it may not completely treat the infection.

Yosemite's picture

Submitted by Yosemite on Thu, 05/09/2013 - 10:07am

I used to get sinus infections all the time. Neti pot helps, also when I start to feel it coming on I use olive leaf extract cause it has antibiotic, antifungal and antivirus properties. That usually does the trick for me.
However, if you have a fever or severe pain or really green discharge, I would skip home therapy and go to the doctor. My grandma got a sinus infection, got antibiotics, took some but didn't finish them cause she felt better. Her sinus infection went into her blood and killed her. So listen to your gut and don't play around.

Yosemite's picture

Submitted by Yosemite on Thu, 05/09/2013 - 10:25am

Thank you. It was a long time ago but still sucks. Hopefully the OP's immune system is better than an elderly lady's was but no point in taking unnecessary chances.

kellyyy's picture

Submitted by kellyyy on Thu, 05/09/2013 - 10:47am

I sucked it up and went to the dr. I think I am getting over it but I dont want to miss another day of work in case I am wrong. The feeling of something in there is too strange! I so need a netipot! Every cold I end up with a drip that last weeks and it is so gross!