“Sinus infection?”
I just got diagnosed on Saturday with a sinus infection. I was prescribed an antibiotic and decongestant. I was feeling so sick. My throat was sore, I was sneezing so much and my nose was running none stop. The antibiotics are just for 4 days. The decongestant is for 16 days 1xdaily. My question is that I finally stopped sneezing and having a runny nose tonight. The pressure in my sinuses has also subsided. Now my voice is very hoarse.
My question is do I have to continue the decongestant? It makes me feel tired and a bit nauseous. I need to go back to work and I can’t do it taking the decongestant. I only have one more antibiotic to take and I’m done. If I stop the decongestant will the symptoms return? I don’t even feel comfortable driving taking them.
My question is do I have to continue the decongestant? It makes me feel tired and a bit nauseous. I need to go back to work and I can’t do it taking the decongestant. I only have one more antibiotic to take and I’m done. If I stop the decongestant will the symptoms return? I don’t even feel comfortable driving taking them.
6 Answers
You should till you are totally symptoms free and your ENT has cleared you
Sinusitis is much over treated. Bacterial sinusitis is diagnosed by symptoms that last for greater than 7 days without improvement (fever, colored nasal drainage, facial pressure, congestion...) or with a sinus CT scan, or by an ENT with nasal endoscopy. Viral sinusitis is much more common and if your symptoms improve after 7 days, this is likely what you had. It is treated only with supportive care.
Bacterial sinusitis uncomplicated needs to be treated with minimum of 14 days antibiotics, if that is the diagnosis. Nasal steroid spray, flonase, for 2 weeks, plus a nasal decongestant spray for 3 days, are the most helpful.
oral decongestants for 16 days is way overkill. Hoarseness is not uncommon if you had a lot of nasal drainage. But this is more characteristic of a viral sinusitis, or in general a common cold. Your antibiotics were likely useless. You probably had a virus.
Bacterial sinusitis uncomplicated needs to be treated with minimum of 14 days antibiotics, if that is the diagnosis. Nasal steroid spray, flonase, for 2 weeks, plus a nasal decongestant spray for 3 days, are the most helpful.
oral decongestants for 16 days is way overkill. Hoarseness is not uncommon if you had a lot of nasal drainage. But this is more characteristic of a viral sinusitis, or in general a common cold. Your antibiotics were likely useless. You probably had a virus.
I am happy to hear the sinus infection is improving. A nasal decongestant (like Afrin) should actually only be used for a a few days in a row to avoid rebound congestion. You certainly do not need to continue using a decongestant. Regarding the hoarseness, that may be due to a viral infection or post-nasal drip. If it continues for more than a few weeks you should see an ENT in office for further evaluation.
Decongestant therapy is usually for the nasal and sinus congestion. It does not necessarily improve hoarseness and yes you may discontinue the decongestant therapy.
"Decongestants" are decongestants in name only. Clinical trials were never
done on them. There is no evidence whatever that they "decongest"
anything. But they can cause side effects, such as feeling like a zomby,
drowsiness, rapid heartbeat, and others. I do NOT prescribe them at
all, much less for long periods of time. A multi-billion dollar industry
built on desperation! Your description of the illness is a textbook
description of a VIRAL upper respiratory infection (URI), which is fancy
nomenclature for a simple cold. The antibiotics were most likely
unnecessary, but many caregivers prescribe them to impress the patient that
they care and to encourage their return for the next cold that you get.
That said, I did not do a history and physical exam on you at the time of
your illness, so that's why I say "most likely."
done on them. There is no evidence whatever that they "decongest"
anything. But they can cause side effects, such as feeling like a zomby,
drowsiness, rapid heartbeat, and others. I do NOT prescribe them at
all, much less for long periods of time. A multi-billion dollar industry
built on desperation! Your description of the illness is a textbook
description of a VIRAL upper respiratory infection (URI), which is fancy
nomenclature for a simple cold. The antibiotics were most likely
unnecessary, but many caregivers prescribe them to impress the patient that
they care and to encourage their return for the next cold that you get.
That said, I did not do a history and physical exam on you at the time of
your illness, so that's why I say "most likely."
Should inform your treating physician. Could switch to topical oxymetazoline nasal spray. However use it off label every 2-3 hours for one week as needed. Important to shrink the nasal tissue and to open the sinus openings. (if do not have high BP) Should not have problem with rebound nasal congestion. Complete the antibiotics course. Hoarseness is not usually associated with sinus infections. Could have started as a viral infection. of course no smoking or exposure to airway irritants. Best to DC all alcohol intake for a week. Can cause nasal tissue swelling. If hoarseness does not subside in one to three, have ENT look at your vocal cords.
