the snot monster cometh

[oldbanger]

I am one week into an awful sinus/chest infection. It's thankfully mostly out of my chest, but otherwise it's pretty virulent. I appear to have a sensitivity to sudafed, can anyone suggest something to stop my nose running and clear things up please? Even my teeth hurt and I am frightening the children with the sheer volumes of snotty tissues I am trailing round with me.

[Digger]

I've been told GP's are quite knowledgeable on this subject . . .

Having said that otrivine nasal spray will allow you to breathe but best not to take it for more than a couple of days or you'll become even more blocked up. . . unless they've improved the formula recently.

[sawman]

neilmed sinus rinse kit would probably be helpful to clear and sooth your sinuses. Ibuprofen is very effective for the sinus/tooth pain

[IanMorewood]

I alternated paracetamol and ibuprofen on a two hour basis to deal with the sinus pain when I had similar a couple of weeks ago. Covonia cough syrup and some aloevera tissues dealt with the other symptoms to some effect.

[Piersman2]

Digger said:

I've been told GP's are quite knowledgeable on this subject . . .

Having said that otrivine nasal spray will allow you to breathe but best not to take it for more than a couple of days or you'll become even more blocked up. . . unless they've improved the formula recently.

^^ This. Otrivine works like a miracle. But... you need to wean yourself off it as your nostrils seem to want to continue using it for ever even after the snots have finished.

I'm on it at the moment, I got a sore throat and nose over the weekend, The snots yesterday were epic! All hues of green from clear to dayglo. Tomorrow i will start limiting the Otrivine and stop it by Monday.

Oh, and as above, whilst suffering the sore throat/nose I also take an Ibuprofen and paracetamol every couple of hours to reduce the nasal swelling.

[oldbanger]

Thanks guys Ortrivine has done the job. I also tried Sinex and that just burnt.

[oldbanger]

I'm now into the third week. Unfortunately it moved into my ears after starting the ortrivine. I managed to drag myself to the docs once painkillers stopped working and I was right, the only treatment is stronger painkillers and waiting it out.

[Sticks.]

Have got it at the moment too. Have you tried steam inhalation with Olbas Oil or Eucalyptus? Ibuprofen seems to do a bit.

[LordGrover]

oldbanger said:

I'm now into the third week. Unfortunately it moved into my ears after starting the ortrivine. I managed to drag myself to the docs once painkillers stopped working and I was right, the only treatment is stronger painkillers and waiting it out.

Alternatively?

[Johnnytheboy]

Something like this is going round our area like wildfire.

Day 1 - Sore throat
Day 2 - Feverishness
Day 3 - Hilariously runny nose & sneezes
Day 4 - Pain in nose/sinuses/round eyes
Day 5 - Irritation to eyes/tearfulness
Day 6 - Better

I had it last week. Generic cold/flu pills very effective. At least when it's over, it's over quite quickly.

[IanMorewood]

Seven days you got the radio edit version you lucky so and so.

[Mobile Chicane]

oldbanger said:

I'm now into the third week. Unfortunately it moved into my ears after starting the ortrivine. I managed to drag myself to the docs once painkillers stopped working and I was right, the only treatment is stronger painkillers and waiting it out.

Sudafed (pseudoephedrine hydrochloride version) and hot curries will clear your head.

[oldbanger]

Mobile Chicane said:

Sudafed (pseudoephedrine hydrochloride version) and hot curries will clear your head.

Not making a dent I'm afraid. Is Madras hot enough? Curry is about the only thing I can taste

I have been recommended some contraption for blowing air up your nose by the gp, but it requires a clear nose.