Sick - acts like allergies, but doesn't respond to meds

[JennK13]

This is the second time this year I've gotten sick with allergy like symptoms and can't find relief. This time, it started on Saturday, totally like an allergy - my eyes started to itch and I was sneezing with a runny nose. Came on suddenly. Yesterday and today I am just miserable and nothing is helping!! The pressure in my head is incredible causing ear and face pain, and some dizziness, I can't breath (through my nose), my throat is sore from this postnasal drip, and I've taken Day Quil, allergy and sinud medications to no avail whatsoever.
I saw something on line about nonallergic rhinitis, and it sounds like that. Though, the site had little info about getting relief. I have an appointment with my doctor this afternoon, but all he'll do is a give me an antibiotic - these things have a tendency of going straight to my lungs and then I'm really sick.
Just wondering if any of you have experienced this and if you've found something to help with ease it. I NetiPot, too.
Thanks

[bmccasland]

Hope you get to feeling better. I find Sudafed (buy the name brand) has worked for me. Although it's OTC, it's now behind the pharmacy counter.

[indysteel]

When I get a sinus infection, it sounds a lot like what you have. They almost always come on really quickly. I can usually tell the difference from a cold in terms of the degree of my symptoms. Plus, I sometimes (but not always) run a fever. I've had some SERIOUS nasal congestion and a sinus headache the last few days. Nothing but mentholatum (think Vick's Vapo-rub) has helped, including decongestants and my netipot. I keep excepting this to turn into a full blown sinus infections, but so far it hasn't.

[OakLeaf]

+1 on the sinus infection. Going to your lungs (or bronchi) is a dead giveaway IMO. They're still usually viral, so your doc probably won't give you antibiotics unless it's gone on for a week with no improvement. A heating pad on my head usually helps me drain.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Crankin]

I've had this my whole adult life. Can't count how many sinus x rays I've had, bouts of bronchitis, and pneumonia (once). I never get a regular cold. It either stays at an annoying allergy level, or I get really sick. I have been much better since 1) I left Arizona, 2) since I started using the saline sinus rinse (i use the Neil Med one), and 3) exercising outside in the winter.
I also know that if I pass a certain point, it will always go into my sinuses and/or chest.

[malkin]

+1 on heating pad to head, also washcloth over my face in a hot bath. Thermotech moist heat is my favorite heating pad ever!

[Kathi]

I had that a couple of weeks ago, my allergist recommended Mucinex d for the congestion, Afrin nasal spray and Nasonex (prescription) nasal spray used together and Meclizine for the dizziness. No antibiotics. Also, lots of water and hot tea.

I'm also using my nasal rinse 2x a day and stay well hydrated.

Hope this helps.

[JennK13]

Thanks ladies. After a visit with the doctor, he's sure it's viral and antibiotics won't help and I basically have to ride it out. However, my ears have him concerned so I get the antibiotic for that. Because these almost always go to my lungs, he gave me prednisone to help with my sinus congestion, and some cough syrup with codine to help with sleep.
Still doing my nasal rinses and antihistamines. I'll give the heating pad/wash clothe a shot.
Off to my "haze".....

[Kathi]

Humidifying the house helps too. BTW, indoor dust here is extremely high. http://www.accuweather.com/us/co/den...-allergies.asp

[JennK13]

Kathi, I've never seen such a chart! How do they figure that out? The air both indoors and out is probably better up the mountain, huh? I should have stayed up there!

[Kathi]

Don't know how they came up with this but I plan to ask my allergist when I see him next week. I found it one day a couple of weeks ago when I was feeling especially miserable.

When I had mine I wasn't sure if the mtns was better or home. I'm sure Katy's place is a lot cleaner than ours. I started recovering and we came back home to have solar panels installed on our house. All the walking on our roof, in and out of the attic, really stirred up the dust and made me feel worse. I think it prolonged my symptoms. It took about 10 days to recover.

BTW, I do have dust allergies and non allergic rhinutis. It is very difficult to treat because there are a number of things you react to. Since they are not proteins you can't be tested for them. Right now my main line of defense is lots of dusting, air clearners, humidifiers and nasal rinses.