As I seem to be getting over a bad head cold (or flu?) complicated by sinus pressure, at this point, I’m basically wondering if my self-care was on target–and hope other Board members might benefit from the collective medical wisdom on the Board.
During my illness, I’ve been eating pretty well, drinking several glasses of water each day, resting, and taking Allegra and Robitussin DM. (I will note that the extreme soreness in my throat the first 2 days is completely gone. I think this might have been sinus related.)
Aside from the sniffly stuff, my main complaints are terrible head and nasal congestion, with stuffiness in my ears. My question are these:
Allegra and Robitussin (and the occasional cup of hot tea) seem woefully underpowered to get rid of the head and nasal congestion. I’ve been doing Flonase the last couple days, which helps the latter. That said, what else can I do? My girlfriend wants me to get the doctor to prescribe antibiotics, but I keep telling her such meds will do nothing for a cold/flu.
To relieve my clogged sinuses/head congestion, should I be blow or snort up that crap from my nose and sinuses? I’ve heard doctors say never blow when you’re congested, because it will make it worse. Others say never snort. Truth be told, when I blow my congested nose, I often feel worse afterward. But ditto if I snort–as it seems to increase the impaction of the sinus cavities.
I think I nearly (and accidentally) OD’ed on Allegra and Robitussin the other day. I felt jittery and my blood pressure was low given that I constantly felt like I was about to faint. Now, though, I feel much better. Is ODing on antihistamines easily done?
What can a doctor do for me that I can’t do myself here at home?
I’m not a doctor, but I am a Mom, and I’ve had countless sinus infections myself.
I find that the various Sudafed products, especially the non-drying formula, help my sinus congestion. The active ingredient guafenisen helps keep the goop thinner and seems to help it drain better. IANAD and YMMV. You are absolutely right that an antibiotic for most colds and flu is less than useless – it’s actually bad for you. However, if sinuses are really painful for more than a couple of days despite home remedies, and other signs of actual sinus infection are present, an antibiotic may help that. If you’ve had these diagnosed before you will know the symptoms.
Don’t know.
If by O.D. you mean fatal O.D., it would depend on what other conditions you have. These things are not usually recommended for people with high blood pressure or other cardiac conditions. But the symptoms you’ve listed are ones that can happen if you take too much antihistamine. I’ve had that happen, too. I think it would be difficult for an otherwise healthy person to take a fatal dose of antihistamines. Again, IANAD, YMMV.
Not a whole lot. However, if you have a high fever for a significant length of time, have trouble breathing, chest pains, that sort of thing, you obviously get professional medical help.
Further unsolicited comment: IMHO you were doing the right things on your own. Copious amounts of liquid – hot tea, chicken soup, fruit juices are all excellent. And rest.
Just a couple of points … maybe take a “diabtetic” tussy instead of Robitussin … you don’t get sugar and other flavor and uneccssary crap in there.
I’ve never heard “don’t blow”. I get chronic bronchitis and sinus infections and the worst thing I can do is not get that crap out of my system. Other wise it just slides back and makes me feel worse.
As for keeping track of self meds while you’re sick, get a big piece of paper and write down what meds to take and when. Then check off when you’ve taken them … then you don’t take “too much” if you keep track.