How do you deal with horrible sinusitis?

I sympathize and have a few suggestions that I hope will help.
If it's caused or aggravated by allergies, talk to your doctor about some medications you could try (prescription or over the counter) to help lessen the symptoms. Generally, you can help to relieve the symptoms at home by doing the same things you do for a cold. Drink lots of clear liquids, and eat yogurt if you are on antibiotics.
For congestion, there are lots of things you can do in addition to taking decongestants:
- Drink hot liquids, like broth and tea
- Hold your face over a bowl of hot water (careful) and drape a towel over your head and breath in the steam as much as can be tolerated.
- Go into the bathroom and run a hot shower. When the bathroom starts to steam up (make sure there are no fans on in the bathroom), go in, close the door, and sit down. Breath in the steam for a while (you may want to take something to keep yourself occupied).
-There are personal facial steamers that are available at many stores (brands like Vicks)
- Run a humidfier to put more moisture in the air.
-There are saline nasal rinses (not just sprays) that are used to flush out the sinuses. They come in different forms, like Neti pots and regular bottles. (An example brand in NeilMed, available at drug and department stores)
- For quick relief, try decongestant nasal sprays as needed
- Place warm, moist compresses on your face
- Try nasal strips (like BreathRight) that can help keep your nasal passages open so you can breath better
- Elevate your head while you sleep to keep things draining at night. Either prop yourself up with pillows or put something under the head of the mattress to prop it up.

Look up info on a "Neti pot". It is basically nasal irrigation. You will get amazing results. You can buy a Neti pot or you can sort of make one yourself with a small plastic bottle (8 oz) and some room temperature water, and some salt. You just pour the water into your nostril and it comes out the other side. By moving your head around you can slosh the water around and clean out the sinus cavities. You will be amazed. This method has been used for year to keep the sinuses clear of all the accumulated mucous that clog up your sinusus. The key is to be very gentle, and never use just plain water. It swells the membranes. I have tried occassionaly to use the water from my hand held shower, actually up my nose, but it is a little irritating. This is no joke. It really works. Look it up.

The best way to examine the sinuses is with a CT scan. It can evaluate the causes and extent of the sinus problem. The usual treatment is with antibiotics and drainage of the sinuses. Allergies are a frequent cause of swelling and blockage of the normal paths of sinus drainage. Medicines that shrink swollen membranes (such as pseudephed) may be useful in addition to antibiotics. Recurrent sinus blockages and infections may require surgical drainage.

It sounds like the Neti Pot might help you get over the sinusitis. My experience: I had a CT and Dr. found a blockage. Being too chicken to go for the surgery, I started using Saline Nasal spray once or twice daily. Somehow I let the Dr. talk me into another CT one year later. They found no blockage. I would suggest that once you get over an attack that you start using the Saline Spray to prevent further attacks. I know how bad sinusitis can be and I have had no problems for several years now. Prevention is the key, I guess. Good luck to you.

i went to an ENT and received treatment from a specialist. better than Yahoo any day!

My friend stopped having anything containing dairy, and his horrible sinusitis went away. Turns out he's totally lactose intolerant.

whatever! you do don't take presidone if the doctor gives it to you the side affects suck i gained weight,stomachaches, horrid nightmares all week while taking it, fatigue . it just sucks