Ow ow ow ow ow

[lumineaux]

I'm now on Day 4 of the sinus/tension/wtf headache that will not die. It starts somewhere around my eyebrows, branches out around both sides of my face (right side is the worst) and eventually comes to rest in the back of my neck. It alternates between throbbing and not, depending on the position of my head. Bending over is agony.

I'm taking suggestions for how to get rid of it in a way that will allow me to work. Sleeping all day gets rid of it for about 2-3 hours, but is not exactly optimal for working. My usual caffeine/Ibu/Sudafed cocktail is not working at all.

Comments

[caitlindancer.livejournal.com]

Warm bath?

[fencerm2.livejournal.com]

Go get a massage?

[lissa510.livejournal.com]

I would second the massage or chiropractor idea. It wont help the sinus, but it should reduce the tention so sinus drugs will work.

[rlg.livejournal.com]

a good masso-therapist should be able to do a sinus massage as well. It shouldn't hurt, and may help,

[tracytris.livejournal.com]

find a good chiropractor. or accupuncturist.

[spinpsychology.livejournal.com]

You beat me to what I was going to suggest.

[lumineaux.livejournal.com]

I am so afraid of needles that I have panic attacks when I get blood drawn. Accupuncutre is *right out*

[ownedbytwins.livejournal.com]

I am all for the Chiropractor idea, too.
Also, Annyswolf suggested something for my migraine that might help - a cold washcloth over your eyes and forehead, and something warm at the back of your neck. It redirects the blood flow; maybe it would work for you, too!

I hope you feel better soon!

[katherine-barr.livejournal.com]

Could you possibly have a sinus infection? If so, time for antibiotics?

[lumineaux.livejournal.com]

Oh I so hope not. But I begin to fear you are right.

[delabarre.livejournal.com]

GO 2 HLR PLZ

[lumineaux.livejournal.com]

If the doctor could promise that my sinuses would have little swirly blue dots around them for several rounds afterwards, I would so go. :-)

[little-rowan.livejournal.com]

: ( Id go for what everything everyone is saying...

get a message, relax, go home take hot bath and try the washcloth idea. And if it doesnt get any better book an apt with your doctor

No explodey brains, feel better

[farmhouse-ghost.livejournal.com]

I get sinus infections often -- and by the time I get an appt to meet the doctor, they're gone (lingering, but mostly gone).

I find that alternating hot and cold compresses on my face helps immensely. I heat up a damp washcloth in the microwave and drape in on my face (as I relax in a recliner or something. Then for cold I use a bag of frozen peas. Don't laugh. They work.

hope you feel better soon :)

[lumineaux.livejournal.com]

Hmm. No frozen peas. I do have a couple of small bags of frozen pierogies, however.

[alethea-eastrid.livejournal.com]

I've had some pretty good luck with accupressure points--the long version of finding and using them takes *books*, the short is poke around your nose and eye sockets for tender points, and put 30 seconds or so of gentle pressure on them. Bridge of the nose, either ends of the eyebrows, and a couple of spots along the sides of the nose and cheekbones tend to work for me.

[artisticphoenix.livejournal.com]

Okay, here we go, first sounds like you may have allergies from the description, and maybe a sinus infection is building up.

To cut it off at the pass:

First - go get a ayr saline sinus rinse kit at the pharmacy. Includes bottle and salt. You irrigate your sinuses first (I take a HOT shower first, that gets things going), then blow, blow, blow your nose. Repeat this every day for a week to get the sinus pressure off and clear off what may be ailing you. This will also ward off a sinus infection if you don't have one yet.

Take an over the counter allergy med to get your sinuses under control (you may need something different from sudafed, if your body has gotten used to that drug)I recommend Actifed, but I have also had some luck with Claritin and Zyrtec. But you have to rotate them because your body does get used to them.

Use a hot compress on your sinuses and the back of your neck will also help.

Also, drink plenty of fluids. You may also be dehydrating which may explain the headaches.

Hope this helps.

[lumineaux.livejournal.com]

Hydrating is definitely making a difference. I'm going to do the incredibly disgusting saline rinse thing shortly, along with a hot bath.

[artisticphoenix.livejournal.com]

Incredibly disgusting yes, however, very effective. Good luck.

[tracytris.livejournal.com]

hrm, you almost hit all of the things your daughters said you used to tell them.

You didn't mention aspirin or a nap though. :)

Ailis - sure hope you feel better. would love to get to sit down with you even for 5 minutes saturday!

[lumineaux.livejournal.com]

I'm 99% sure I'll be at Mudthaw.

[artisticphoenix.livejournal.com]

Actually, it was always, take an asprin, take a shower, drink water and put your feet up. Really, this took care of about 90 percent of childhood malaises. :-)

[(Anonymous)]

I agree with the massage ideas, also Lavender oil has a proven effect helping with the either opening or restricting of blood vesels that help headaches.
I have a wonderful lavender pack that can be heated or frozen and it make a world of difference when i get migranes. A friend has a diffuser of lavender and eucolyptus oil that she swears by for sinus headaches. She sets it on her desk. It has a sharp medicinal smell, but if it works, who cares.

Hope you feel better soon.