Can you help find a remedy for Sinusitis?

Hi, my wife suffers quite badly from sinusitus, this normally entails her having a course of antibiotics to cure the infection, however does anyone know of something that is good to clear the sinus infection prior to the antibiotics working? as this condition is really painful, she has tried "steaming" with vicks vapour rub, but that doesn't have much effect; so we are getting a bit desperate now, esp as the Doctor seems to have a problem prescibing the medication (he thinks the bodies own immune sytem should fight it, which is okay unless you are the one suffering immense discomfort) any ideas greatfully recieved.

Thanks in advance

The evidence for antibiotics aiding sinusitis is shaky at best. A Swiss study failed to show that it affected resolution, with both treated and untreated groups showing 75% patients symptom free at 2 weeks with or without antibiotics.

If the problem is frequently recurrent or chronic it might be allergic rhinitis. (This is a bad name as it is generally viral triggered rather than allergic). This is a bit like having asthma u your nose, It can often be successfully managed with maintainance nasal steroids.

some sea salt (real sea salt) and warm water enough to make the water taste of the ocean and put a couple of drops in each nostril every few hours, this will help relieve the pain, not sure about completely cure, but she should feel better at least.

tell her to cut down on wheat and dairy as they clog up the sinuses making the problem worse

I suffered from sinusitis for years, having 3-4 courses a year.

The doctor is incorrect, if the infection is NOT treated, it will only get worse. I think his fear is that your wife will stop responding to the antibiotics which can then be a danger.

The best treatment I have tried is nasal douching.

Check out this site: http://www.1stvitality.co.uk/therapy/emc...

You can make your own saline solution. It involves sniffing in the solution and allowing it to bathe the nasal passages and rid debris.

I also take zyrtec & singulair on a daily basis.

I have similar problems and sinusitis hurts like hell, so your wife has my sympathy. I've tried Vicks, Sudafed and numerous other remedies, but I've found that Otrivine is a godsend. Get the spray, not the drips and it will completely relieve the pressure, headaches and pain and dry up any catarrh. It's available at Boots, Supdrug and most major chemists and I can't recommend it highly enough

Go to the pharmacy and ask for the kit for flushing you sinuses, the kit comes with a bulb you fill it up and you put it in one of your nostrils and let it run threw the other nostril it really helps with sinusitis and it relieves the pressure.

SinuTab works extremely well for me.
Mucron works almost as well

I have always found inhaling Friar's Balsam diluted in boiling water effective. Always used it as a child, and as a young teenager I asked Doctor what I could do, and he gave me some, too!
It's not that expensive, a couple of pounds perhaps. I don't think Boots stock it any more, I last got some at a Lloyds.
When inhaling, use an old tin can or something disposable to contain. Whatever you use will not be fit for anything else afterwards. Although a strong smell, it is not unpleasant.
Inhale morning and night. Will take two or three days to ease.