topic Re: sinus infection in Wellness

sinus infection

bookss — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 01:29:33 GMT

Yesterday i went to the doctor for sinus infection. I had a headache and congestion. No fever or chills. She gave me a prescription for azithromycin -6 tablets to take 2 right away ,then 1 a day until finished. Today i am half way through my medicine and I have the chills and I am sicker than when I started them. Has anyone have this experience? TIa

Re: sinus infection

TasMss — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 01:39:08 GMT

I have not had your exact experience, but, I have heard many people say that they "get worse before they get better."

I'm always baffled about how some medical providers only prescribe the antibiotic and not the other meds to help with your symptoms (ie.-something for the congestion).

Without being a licensed medical provider or knowing if you are new to the area you live in, I would recommend in the future: Lots and lots of Vitamin C and probiotics to boost your immune system. I have been taking these for years and have not gotten sick. I can remember when I moved here in 1997 and got the worst sinus infection of my life! But, not anymore!!

Good luck to you. And feel better.

Re: sinus infection

VaBelle35 — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 01:47:02 GMT

My doctor (ENT) always tells me that if I am not feeling better in a few days to call him and he will prescribe something else. Sometimes, the antibiotic they give you doens't work on the particular bacteria you have.

For me, if it doesn't go away with the second type, I go in for a culture and a CT scan and then get steroids + antibiotics.

I would call your doctor and try to get a message to him through his service to see if he can give you a different prescription.

I hope you get better soon.

Re: sinus infection

ritasNo1Fan — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 01:51:42 GMT

I too get those symptons too when I take Antibiotics for sinus infections.

Re: sinus infection

Hooty — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 01:56:20 GMT

My husband just had a sinus infection about 2 weeks ago, he gets nose bleeds with his, and the antibiotics they gave him made him sick and he had to go back to get medicine to combat the antibiotics!

Re: sinus infection

RedTop — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 01:58:00 GMT

I do not find this odd at all. I think you saw the doctor early, before experiencing the worst of your symptoms. It is also possible that you could have exposed yourself to another viral infection in the doctors office, or that your sinus infection is bacterial and may require additional follow up. I would finish the medication and then follow up with the doctor again if you are still sick.

Re: sinus infection

lucylover64 — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 04:26:59 GMT

I have experienced similar symptoms when diagnosed with a sinus infection and given antibiotics....it has always been frustrating and miserable. I never waited too long to give my doctor another call. Best wishes to you and hope you feel better soon!

Re: sinus infection

Reba055 — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 06:34:22 GMT

I usually get a z pak because it's easier on my stomach than most antibiotics. The last two times I've taken it I've felt really bad while on it. And the z pak lasts about a week after you finish and I still felt awful then too. It might be the generic brand but I was so dizzy and out if it feeling I almost thought I was going to have to stop taking it. Of course if you don't get better give your doctor a call as I'm sure you will.

Re: sinus infection

adelle38 — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 06:58:27 GMT

On 2/6/2015 Reba055 said: I usually get a z pak because it's easier on my stomach than most antibiotics. The last two times I've taken it I've felt really bad while on it. And the z pak lasts about a week after you finish and I still felt awful then too. It might be the generic brand but I was so dizzy and out if it feeling I almost thought I was going to have to stop taking it. Of course if you don't get better give your doctor a call as I'm sure you will.

That's what happened the last time I had a ZPAK. It was one of the view antibiotics I could tolerate and all of a sudden I was dizzy and totally out of it . I had to stop taking it after 3 days. The nurse said the same thing happened to her with the generic.

Re: sinus infection

lizzief — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 07:28:59 GMT

It usually takes three days or more until you start feeling better after you have started any antibiotic, it takes time for the medicine to work. I'd call the doctor if you still aren't feeling better - not totally well but better - by the time the pack is finished, and maybe they'll give you something else that's stronger, or ask you to come in again. The Z-pack is usually the first line of defense from many doctors, but I won't take it anymore, it doesn't help me. But there's always the chance you have a virus and it's not a sinus infection, so it may have to run its course. I hate when doctors say that, but it's true, and that's why they don't like to over prescribe antibiotics. Sorry you're feeling lousy, hope you feel better soon!

Re: sinus infection

Toppers — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 07:46:23 GMT

I usually feel unwell due to the infection itself, where I will get a sinus headache from it until the infection starts to clear up.

I am sure that you know that if you continue to feel unwell, that you should contact your doctor.

Re: sinus infection

Bird — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 14:00:11 GMT

DH used to get these a lot. He would get the steroid pack and a regular antibiotic. (sorryI don't know about the Z pack)

Have you considered using a neti pot? DH uses it at the first sign of sinus unhappiness now, and he rarely has to go to the doc. There is a travel model available which is plastic. Nice to keep in the bathroom. - Bird

Re: sinus infection

Shelbelle — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 16:46:20 GMT

My DH usually does well with a Z pack, but his last time was so severe it did not work, he had to go on Augmentin.

Re: sinus infection

joannecha — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 03:45:44 GMT

This won't help you now, but look into using a Neti pot. I used to get sinus infections all the time until I started using mine. Haven't had an infection now in 2 years.

Re: sinus infection

FLGators — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 17:24:01 GMT

I had chronic sinus infections every winter(sometimes year round); extended for weeks, ear infection in both ears, etc. No antibiotics really helped, had to ride it out. Some antibiotics didn't agree with me, milder ones like z-pack didn't do a thing. The night time Allegra they prescribed made me too drowsy, so I couldn't take it on week days. The daytime Allegra worked but still took long.

I came upon an article that mentioned the only way to prevent sinus infections was to not catch a cold. Tall order for most of us with school going kids. My mother gave me a simple tip, take warm water with lemon every morning. I also am regular with my daily vitamin & an orange a day. I don't add lemon to my water any more but still drink only warm water year round. No more sinus infections(touch wood!). Do not expect an overnight miracle, home remedies take time. Hope this helps.

Re: sinus infection

ChynnaBlue — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 19:41:20 GMT

On 2/6/2015 VaBelle35 said:
My doctor (ENT) always tells me that if I am not feeling better in a few days to call him and he will prescribe something else. Sometimes, the antibiotic they give you doens't work on the particular bacteria you have.

For me, if it doesn't go away with the second type, I go in for a culture and a CT scan and then get steroids + antibiotics.

I would call your doctor and try to get a message to him through his service to see if he can give you a different prescription.

I hope you get better soon.

This. It's also possible that you now have a viral cold on top of the sinus infection, which can happen. Antibiotics won't help with that.

I get sinus infections at least twice a year, either because my allergies get so bad they trigger one or as the result of any cold I get becoming a sinus infection. The Z-pack is standard treatment for me and how soon after starting the pack I start to feel better is not consistent because I may or may not also have chest congestion and bronchial infection and/or steroids along with the Z-pack.

Re: sinus infection

Fifi1 — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 21:51:47 GMT

Many sinus infections are viral and not bacterial, so the antibiotics would do nothing to help. My doctor will take a swab and culture prior to prescribing so you are not receiving something you do not need. A sinus infection can take three weeks to run it's course and OTC items can help you cope. Of course, if you're running a fever, get checked out soon! Feel better!

Re: sinus infection

evisione — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 22:02:09 GMT

There are several strains between sinus infections, strep, etc that have been resistant to ZPacks this year. 2 in my family has to go back to the old 10 day course.

Re: sinus infection

Alexa6352 — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 22:06:39 GMT

I am reading this post and I am shaking my head about the amount of Antibiotics that are being given out. I suffer from Sinus problems. I've had a Headache and congestion more times than I can count. I rarely have a fever with any of it. I can't take decongestants because they make my heart race and I get jittery...I take advil for the headache and I use liquid Vicks in boiling water and put a towel over my head and inhale it. Granted it takes time to go away..BUT..come on..most times you don't need a Doctor & a Prescription...let your body do the work..I am positive that many people run to a doctor for every thing and the Doctor's feel they have to give you something..Too many Antibiotics are NO GOOD..We become IMMUNE to them and someday when you REALLY NEED THEM..you will be out of luck!

Re: sinus infection

FastDogWalker2 — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 22:11:24 GMT

I seem prone to sinus infections and I have discovered the Z Pack doesn't work for me. I now am prescribed an alternative med and have had better luck. Sorry to hear you are not well - that is unpleasant. Hope you see some improvement soon.