Diagnosis finally!

[neotoma]

So, my doctor has decided I have sinusitis. She came to that conclusion after putting her thumbs on my cheekbones (right over my maxillary sinuses) and watching me recoil *three* times.

As a result, I have a ridiculously strong antibiotic to take for the next ten days (875 milligram dose, the things look like horse-pills) as well as an anti-inflammatory nasal spray. If I'm not noticeably improved by Friday, I have to go back.

This is not the first time I've had sinusitis, though it's one of the worst -- I spent a good hour last night trying to sleep while only succeeding in feeling nauseous and coughing every third breath. Piling up the pillows and sleeping half-sitting up was the only solution.

Walking to the pharmacy made me think -- I've gotten sinusitis every three to five years since I was a teenager. If I lived before antibiotics and modern medicine, I'd probably dead already.

Lois McMasters Bujold really is right -- modern technology really is a woman's best friend.

Comments

[strangemuses.livejournal.com]

Yikes! That definitely would explain the dizziness.

I hope the antibiotics work quickly for you.

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

Heh. The codeine in the cheratussin probably explains the dizziness -- and the nausea. Thank god for chocholate covered ginger.

[ausmac.livejournal.com]

Antibiotics for sinus? I don't think I've ever been prescribed that, and I've suffered from Sinus/hay fever all my life. I am very allergic to dust mite, and most pollens, so at various times of the year I have a lot of problems sleeping. I have various things I do to help myself - I change my bedding regularly, spray the mattress, pillows and covers with a eucalptus spray (which kills dust mites and also helps clear the nose), I keep the windows closed when there is any wind during the pollen season, and I will sometimes take antihistimine tablets at night. I try and avoid antib's where possible (pauses to sneeze - windy day)so I don't build up a resistance to them. If you are a regular sufferer, you should probably try a few alternate methods as well to make life a bit easier for yourself.

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

Since it's not hayfever -- the Claritin and Mucinex didn't help -- I have probably have a bacterial infection irritating my sinuses and antibiotics are the correct response.

Regular sufferer is a bit much to describe something I get on an average of twice a decade.

[ausmac.livejournal.com]

Ah, well if its an infection then I guess you need to attack it, yes. Hope you are feeling better soon.

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

At the moment, I'm feeling better, but the real test will be if I can get to sleep tonight without an hour of coughing and feeling like I am about to spit up. Last night was exhausting.

[imadra-blue.livejournal.com]

At least you have a diagnosis now. That means the antiobiotics will probably work. I've only had it once or twice, but man, to get it so often as you... *ouches*

Yeah, I think a lot of us would be dead if we lived a couple hundred years ago. My appendicitis would probably have killed me years ago. Skeery.

[sanj.livejournal.com]

Ewww. I hate sinusitis. And yeah, if not for antibiotics I'd be deader than dead.

Drink lots of liquids and feel better soon.

[murasaki99.livejournal.com]

You've just reminded me to take my zyrtec for allergies. :)

Hope you feel better soon. True sinus infections are nasty and so painful. Can you tolerate hot tea? Or a hot shower? Might help things drain. Also inhaling the steam off a hot bowl of water laced with rosemary is nice. If nothing else, it's good aromatherapy.