sinus infections

[mommie1962]

I had a cough and congestion for about 3 weeks before the doctor was able to diagnose me with a sinus infection.  He gave me 875mg of Amoxicillin-twice a day for 10 days along with ZyrtecD and Mucinex.  I finished the antibiotic and one of the others at the same time.  Two days later, I was still coughing--post nasal drip.  I had finished all the meds so I bought some more Mucinex and started that again. In another 2 days I was still had post nasal drep so I started Claritin.  I have been taking the Mucinex and Claritin for a week now and still can't get rid of the post nasal drip.  I sleep with a humidifier on and do the "steam breathing" about 1-2 times a day.  I am worse in the morning and evening, but I still have the post nasal drip. I live in a very hot, dry area.  I am so tired of the coughing from the post nasal drip.  I have spent so much money on doctor visits and medication!!! I wonder if I just stop all medication will I get better in a couple of days? Am I just building up a dependency on these meds?

[aldunn72023]

If you do not have any chest congestion, I would recommend discontinuing the Mucines.  Claritin is not as good as it once was when it was prescription form. You may try using benadryl or another antihistamine such as OTC Zyrtec.  You also might be able to find a cough suppressant OTC that is aimed directly at coughing due to post nasal drip.  The allergies are so bad this year, I would bet that is what is causing your problems.  I was told that doctors  have seen more cases of seasonal allergies and sinus infections this year alone than they have in the last 5 years.  that should tell you something.  Well I hope you get better soon, and as much as Im sure you dont want to, if you do not get better soon, I would suggest you visit your doctor again, or at least call him/her and tell them that you are not any better.  Good luck.

[di1966]

I too have pretty much tried the same cycle of meds and have the same symtoms.  The amox. for me did little.  The Mucinex works pretty good at least it loosens up the phlem in chest.  Claritin does nothing for me.  I have tried these combos over and over and over.   The humidifier made me worse and so did the steam breathing-big time.
I have been to a pulmonogist (I am 43) and he suggested that humidifier/steam thing and whooo it made me worse.  I do  the sinus irritation  thing-not the neti pot but a tube.  The CVS pharm. recommended it to me.  I had a CAT scan on my sinus which revealed nothing but I know I do cough from  bronchtis and asthma and what has worked for me is a bronchiodialator "Combivent".  That was also reccomended by my pulmonolgist.  Dry hot weather spikes all of this it stinks, too cold and too dry, we can't win.  Keep pursuing other allergy meds-nasonex works good for me-i get samples from my Dr.  No your not building up dependency--allergies are terrible to fix!!!!!!