Sinus Headache

Anything blowing air around, thus dust, pollen and anything else, should always have the best 99% filters possible and changed on a regular basis.

 

Not sure what Shirley does, but I bought this kit from Amazon and includes instructions on how to sterilize the bottle in the microwave after use. It was fairly inexpensive ($10) for the bottle and 50 packets of saline powder. I suppose if a person were to use it twice a day, every day then it might need replacing after 3 months if following the sterilizing protocol.

I found this product to be horribly salty, since apparently a lot of the liquid exits both through the open nostril and the mouth. I used it earlier today and I have not been able to get the salty taste out of my mouth or the "raw" feeling off my tongue. I will use only a half of the saline packet next time.

It didn't remove much gunk from my sinuses. I guess because at this point I'm only having thin, clear mucus. I am noticing a weird metallic "smell" when I blow my nose.

 

Thank you for this, Von. I have to say, this product is a miracle worker. It is the only thing that has provided any relief for the pain and pressure in my sinuses. I can tell when it is wearing off as the pain returns with a vengeance, but after I take the next dose it only takes about 20 minutes to ease the pain. I take them at bedtime and get a good sleep.

 

Makes sense.
Tylenol is an anti-inflammatory and inflammation is the major problem with sinus headaches.

 

I tried regular Tylenol and it didn't help at all. The Tylenol Sinus has a decongestant that seems to be the key; it helps shrink the swollen sinus membranes.

 

I don't know why you would need to use it twice daily. If you open your mouth and pant while irrigating, little or nothing should get into your mouth, as that will close the passages. I don't know the concentration of the salt in your packets, but most provide 1N saline with one packet per given quantity of sterile, boiled or distilled water. Up to 2N concentration should be okay. You may also be able to get saline for irrigation from a pharmacy that is generally 1N and buffered.

I am so sorry you are having such difficulty @Beth Gallagher

 

It's just gross. Did you ever gargle with warm salt water, then that "salty yuck" stays on the tongue forever? Like that.

 

Thanks, Don. My husband wanted me to take a Covid test since I feel so awful, but I don't see the point. I haven't had any fever.

I was just using that "twice a day" as reference for having to replace the bottle after 3 months. The instructions say it can be used up to SIX times a day...sheesh. I don't plan to use it again unless I get worse; it didn't seem to do much for me.

I don't know if I have weird sinuses or what, but the water comes out my open nostril almost immediately when I squeeze the bottle. Just a trickle comes into my throat/mouth. I guess the "squirt bottle" works faster than a neti pot. The instructions say to not hold my breath.

What kind of specialist should I see about the muscle cramping/spasms that I have? For some reason, those have ramped back up and I am a bundle of misery.

 

That reminds me... there is a nasal spray (Amazon knock-off of Afrin) that comes in menthol. It's a decongestant and it smells exactly like Vick's VapoRub when I spray it in my nose. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MLTLN74?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

Don't hold your breath; just pant or breathe holding your mouth open wide.
Muscle spasms...your PCP might be a good place to start. A neurologist would work for a long-standing problem, but so many things can cause it that it is hard to know for sure without a few tests to narrow down the possibilities. Did you have the spasms when your were on chemo?

 

It took me a while to remember what it's called but a vaporizer is also a good way to open up nasal passages.

 

You're welcome, Beth. This one thing that I will not substitute when it comes to a sinus headache.