Sinuses ouch any tips to help

[Billylyne5]

Oh dear I have picked up a horrible cold and I think it's attacked my sinuses, my teeth are hurting my face is hurting, and even though I have a cold my nose feels dry and burning inside, I feel throughly sorry for myself.

Added to this the rhuemy has discharged me because my bloods were normal so despite a multitude of symptoms she said I cannot have sjogrens.
I can't get in to see my GP until Tuesday any tips to help this sinus pain ?

[BKreader]

pseudoephedrine is helping me during the day. Diphenhydramine at night.

[cccourt1942]

Steam...if you don't have a warm humidifier, boil water and put a towel over your head and breathe in.  This will not heal your woe, but will make you feel better.  I am always into relief.   Keep the pot simmering!  OTC eye drops-Alcon natural tears (again for comfort), pain reliever (I take Tylenol personally) , and decongestant of your choice. 

I don't recall if you have dry eyes/dry mouth but if you do, you might cut any decongestant or antihistamine in half due to the drying effects.

BL: I want you to know I am one of the ones who had symptoms for 30 years (perhaps more) and never put them together.  Once I put them together, I rcvd a verbal dx with advisement to have blood tests for SjS.  I did, and I was positive!  The reason I am telling you this is during those 30 years of being unsuspecting...I treated my various symptoms AND the ONE recurring aggravation:  sinus infections.  I am sure I must have gone to the doctor for something else over 3 decades but I can't recall anything.  All of a sudden, I believe starting about 3 years before the SjS dx the sinus infections stopped almost dead in their tracks.  Actually (upon inspecting my medical records) I had suffered two in the previous 3 1/2 years.  I have not had one since dx...in fact I "feel" as if there is no fluid, mucous, etc in my head  (sinuses), eyes, mouth at all.  Once I asked the ENT about what I just said and he just told me that was a silly question to think I had zero moisture in my entire facial structure.  Again...it FEELS as if there is none.

When I say I hadn't had anything but sinus infections all those decades, starting 6 years ago the salivary gland (parotids really) chronic infections began, the "allergic" conjunctiva started (mis diagnosis for eyes) ONE ear infection (my one and only in my life), and burning tongue became chronic the last 3 years.  All SjS.  I think there were others... but am trying to wind this up.   

All that to say--keep checking back re: the SjS.  You may be on the right track.  Best to you in comfort till you can get to your doc's appt.
ccc

[Kathy57]

I agree with CCC.  I have a facial steamer that someone recommended for me on this site.  Mine is a Revlon and it does face and nose but mainly I just use the face piece because it gets both.
It was relatively cheap.  Less than $24,

Warm moist steam!  Very soothing.  I do not have a whole lot of moisture anymore in my nose and sinuses, but I still get thick post nasal drip and I cough quite a bit.  Are you coughing up anything?

I cough up thick white phlegm (gross, I know) in the morning.  I think my lungs are just dry and I just need to clear them out.  My poor sore, dry and inflamed sinuses, too!

I use saline nasal rinse up to twice daily.  Neil Med.  Use a vaporizer especially while sleeping.  Be careful with over the counter meds cause they can really dry you out.  I use mucinex now too.  My sinuses seem to always bother me.  😱

On a side note, I am seronegative for Sjogren's, but my Rheumatologist is still treating me.  I'd try and get a second opinion if I were you.

Good luck!

Kathy

[Billylyne5]

Thanks folks,
I have eye drops from ophthalmologist for dry eyes thankfully, but definately needed them more this week
I just did the steam thing and it did help although short lived.
I used to get sinusitis a lot which created a lot of very unpleasant mucus but not this time, I think they are more inflamed then infected.
I am seeing GP next week and will be discussing a refferal for a second opinion, too many symptoms too ignore as coincidence

[PattyAnn]

I have had lots of sinus problems, with horrible postnasal drip. Now when i feel it coming on I take Claratin D for a few days, and this seems to stop it. Don't know if this would be helpful to you, or if you can even take it, but just wanted to throw that out there

[JojaAZ]

Easy to connect to sinus problems.  My first sinus dx was about 1984.  infection? I don't know.  So many other problems: dx hypochondriac. To cut to the chase 2002 to 2009 I had six sinus surgeries.  What I use for that dry sinus feeling is Ayr Nasel Gel.  I started using the tube of gel but have recently found the Ayr nasel spray.  Usually I have to ask my pharmacist to order it.  Basically it is a light saline gel with just a touch of mint. SS dx was not until 2014 and I am 66.

Good luck,

JojaAZ

[litliwlowa]

Thanks folks,
I have eye drops from ophthalmologist for dry eyes thankfully, but definately needed them more this week
I just did the steam thing and it did help although short lived.
I used to get sinusitis a lot which created a lot of very unpleasant mucus but not this time, I think they are more inflamed then infected.
I am seeing GP next week and will be discussing a refferal for a second opinion, too many symptoms too ignore as coincidence

Do you have an ENT? for the frequent sinusitis I mean.

Also, I use a netipot sinus wash every day which keeps my sinuses much happier. Plus room himidifier. Plus when they get really dry inside I use a small amount of vaseline (something in the Ayr nasal stuff doesn't like my nasal passages)

Amanda