medical advice

[flea]

Okay, folks, it's been 7 days now. I still have the throbby head of sinus badness (makes shelving books really fun - bend down and the head goes "mwohng") and the associated cough of throat drippiness. I gave in and took some pseudoephedrine last night (I had been resisting because it has a negative effect on breast milk production and I have been having a bit of a low supply anyway) and it helped some. No fever, none at any point.

Is this just a really long cold? Could it be allergies (which I have never had)? Is there any point in seeing a doctor? Is there a magic sinus vaccum out there?

In other household illness news, mr. flea has a raging case of pinkeye. We are being very careful to try and keep it to him.

Comments

[loligo.livejournal.com]

You could always try snorting warm salt water. I found it pretty helpful during my last sinus infection, and I didn't bother with all the paraphernalia, just pinched one nostril shut and inhaled the water from a teacup with the other nostril.

[vwbug.livejournal.com]

I would call the doctor. It could be a sinus infection, or have moved to be a sinus infection. I think it was Anne W. who recently finally went to the doctor after similar symptoms, and it turned out she had a sinus infection and ear infection. With symptoms going on this long, I'd definitely check in.

And it could be allergies. If you want to wait another day or so, try taking some Claritin or Benadryl and see if that helps at all (although, if you do the Benadryl, prepare to be sleepy).

[casperflea.livejournal.com]

Oops, I don't have a doctor. I think I will soldier on for a bit, maybe inhale some saline, and consider *getting* a doctor.

[gchick.livejournal.com]

I usually have mild seasonal allergies and S has whomping ones, and we've both been much worse this year than most. So, yes, it could be -- but you've been feeling nasty for a long time now with no prior history, so let your doc be the one to you it's just allergies (and then the next time you'll know, and you can join the vast armies of people who kvetch about their snot-faucets all spring and summer.)

[casperflea.livejournal.com]

Um, this would be the part where I admit I don't have a doctor, except the baby-delivering kind. Yes, I have lived her 5 years. Maybe I should get on that.

[ste-noni.livejournal.com]

I am so glad I'm not the only person like this. As of yesterday, I have a doctor, but it took a lot to get me there. I actually got an OB and a general practitioner all in one day!

So, I hate going and try to avoid it, but after Ellie's RSV hospitalization, I've been taking her if she's been sick for too long (in my opinion. I spent the first year of her life worrying about the overperscription of antibiotics, but I've given that up until she's been healthy for a while.) Anyway, the doctor did give her antibiotics saying that since her cold had lasted longer than 7-10 days, she could benefit from ABs.

Since you don't have a doctor, I know it's not that easy. However, the doctor did tell me that future knowledge, taking decongestants, which always seem worthless to me, can actually help prevent developing a sinus/ear infection since they keep everything dripping out of you and it doesn't have a chance to develop into congestion.

Can you use your uni's clinic?

[forodwaith.livejournal.com]

Could be either. IIRC the rule of thumb for a cold is 7-10 days, so if it doesn't improve in the next couple days I think it's worth finding a doctor.