My son (age 8) and I are both having severe congestion in the right side of our heads. I know that it is sinus congestion, but we have taken Claritin, Psuedephed, and Robotussin. Everything helps with the small amount of nasal congestion, but nothing touches the sinus congestion. My son is complaining of a "headache" behind his right eye (same as me) does anyone know of something over-the-counter to take that may help? It is not so severe that will hinder us from our Christmas festivities, but we are a bit down and not very comfortable. Thanks so much for all the wonderful advice you all have.
Thank you all so much. After one response about saline spray, I realized I had some. I have the Vicks Spray which worked pretty well. Not perfect, but much better. My son was better too. Thank you for all your advice, and I will definately be using some of the other suggestions in the future as this is a common occurance for us. Have a very merry Christmas, and thank you again.
I had sinus congestion 2 weeks ago. I got antibiotics prescription from my doctor on the top of medication for decongestion. Both together did work. The sinus congestion basically went away by the time I finished antibiotics course.
Wish that you and your son can have a congestion free New Year!
I have had sinus problems since I had oral surgery for a failed root canal that kept on getting infected, leaving me with a swollen face, etc. I have been using the neti pot for years, but it hadn't worked that well since I had the surgery. I recently started using rosemary essential oil, which I use in the neti pot saline solution anyway, directly on my face (forehead, checks, around the nose, throat) and upper back. I mix it with a little bit of olive oil. One or two drops of essential oil is enough, plus just a couple of drops of olive oil. It has been a true miracle. My headaches are gone, the sinus pressure is gone, I can breathe much better. It has been about a week that I have absolutely no symptoms after about 3 months of increasingly painful headaches that even made me feel disoriented and nauseated....I buy the essential oils from Young Living (I personally think they are the best), but you can find some relatively OK ones at whole foods or sprouts... Good luck!
Other than what you are already trying for the nasal congestion, the only thing I can suggest are saline drops or spray. They work wonders on my daughter for breaking loose the congestion so when you blow your nose, you can actually breathe afterwards. It also helps my daughter's head/sinus congestion. I know Little Noses makes a saline spray(can be used as drops or spray) that work well on children and adults. It can be found at Walmart, and probably just about any other drugstore with the childrens' cold medicines. Hope this helps.
You can try MucinexD it dries up the mucus. My husband was like that while I was in the hospital delivering and the nurses told him to take the MucinexD. He was feeling much better within a couple of hours. It wired him so you may not want to take it close to bed time. Hope this helps.
Try some Mucinex. I used it a couple of times and it did work.
I bought it at target and they also have one for children too.
Hope you and your son feel better.
Happy Holidays! :)
Saline is the BEST. You can make your own ENT solution:
1 quart hot water
2-3 tsp sea salt
1 tsp of baking soda
Mix all and bring to room temperature.
Use in a spray bottle or squirt into your nostril w/ a dosage syringe.
If this is an ongoing problem you may want to look into getting a Neti pot. http://www.healingdaily.com/exercise/neti-pot.htm
Feel better :-)
Benadryl D. Not regular Benadryl. Benadryl D.
When medicine won't work, stand over a boiling pot of water with a towel over your head. I have REALLY horrible sinus headaches and this is what my doc recommended to help loosen up the congestion. Obviously, I wouldn't have your son do this. It does work. Standing under the water as hot as you can stand it will loosen things up as well.
Hope this helps.
I'd see if Mucinex will break things loose, but also use saline 3 or 4 times a day. A long, steamy shower should also help. The netty pot is great too (similar effect as using saline, only it's a sinus flush instead of spray, so it works better). You should be able to find one at a natural foods or supplement store (The Cupboard, Sprouts, Whole Foods, etc.) I believe the main ingredient in Mucinex is guafinasen, which may keep you awake. When I have had to take it, I try not to take it after 5pm or so. You should get a little pain relief from advil or tylenol.
Be sure you drink plenty of water no matter what else you do.
And, if it's more pain than pressure, you may have a sinus infection. I think many doctor's offices are open on Tuesday.
I think it is very important to look at the cause of this ailment, especially since you both have the same symptoms! Taking a pain reliever will not help in the long run. I would look at your home first. Are there many allergens in the home that would cause this? If you and your son feel these symptoms in the morning it may be old mattresses that are host to things that make us feel sick. Also, are you using chemical cleaners in the home? These are really abrasive and can cause headaches. Even dryer sheets contain chemicals that cause problems. Carpeting can irritate too. My suggestion to you is to phase out the chemicals in your home. There are many great, natural products like Seventh Generation. They are a little more expensive but I feel are worth it.
How about your husband? He is not experiencing this problem I guess? Maybe you and your son are more sensitive. I react to all sorts of things my husband does not bat an eye at.
Another thing that just occured to me is the area in which you live. Are you near a factories or things of that nature that would emit fumes and other nasty things? If you like, please write me and maybe we an pinpoint the cause.
I.
