LadyR Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 My 16yo dd has been sick for 2 weeks straight. She started with a head cold which led to congestion and pain in her head, ears, eyes, face. I took her to her pediatrician who is treating her for a sinus infection (antibiotics and told her to take Sudafed and Advil.) It is NOT working. In fact, the Sudafed made it worse. She cannot breathe out of her nose at all. She's been on antibiotics for 4 days now. She tried the Neti pot a couple times a day - not helping. We have tried home remedies including hot tomato tea with garlic and hot pepper. That cleared her nose for a minute. She is suffering terribly and is not able to sleep. She's been putting an ice pack on her face for the pain. I would run the humidifier but it's raining outside so the air already moist. I just sent my husband to get a medicated nasal spray because I don't know what else to do. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marylou Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 Mucinex!!!!!!!!!!! I wish I had tried it sooner! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Governess Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 When that has happened to me my Dr. has prescribed me a steroid nasal spray. It takes a week or two to really kick in all the way (although after a couple days I can already feel a difference), and I take it for a month. It shrinks everything down to normal size, and then my sinuses are able to clear out. I think it is called Flonase? :grouphug: I hope your dd finds some relief soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 NAC!!!!! (N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine) It's an amino acid that makes the mucus flow. We got it at our health food store. I don't know how it works. But, we've been sick since October. My asthma-ridden child has had the brunt of it. Well, we started the NAC in Feb. We've been healthy ever since. Within a day, it broke up the mucus and let us cough up the mucus or blow our noses. I swear by this stuff now. For us, it took 24 hours to notice the difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2cents Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 Normally I avoid nasal sprays (addicting) but in a severe case I will use it to clear the sinus and immediately use the Neti Pot. Once you do it a couple of times, the saline in the Neti will shrink the swollen passages and you can stop with the spray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 Steam inhalation (preferably with a few drops of eucalyptus or oregano essential oil) to loosen everything up; a neti pot to flush it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 NAC!!!!! (N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine) It's an amino acid that makes the mucus flow. We got it at our health food store. I don't know how it works. But, we've been sick since October. My asthma-ridden child has had the brunt of it. Well, we started the NAC in Feb. We've been healthy ever since. Within a day, it broke up the mucus and let us cough up the mucus or blow our noses. I swear by this stuff now. For us, it took 24 hours to notice the difference. Steam inhalation (preferably with a few drops of eucalyptus or oregano essential oil) to loosen everything up; a neti pot to flush it out. These two suggestions should give you relief -- the NAC is great and will give you great results. The steam inhalation with the oils suggested will help greatly. I would also suggest warm compresses as opposed to ice packs for the pain -- you want things to open up and relax not contract. Please let us know how she is doing. And, fresh lemons squeezed in a cup of hot water -- 'hot lemonade' -- lemons have a natural decongestant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 Go get a steroid shot. Works fast and really reduces the inflammation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 NAC!!!!! (N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine) It's an amino acid that makes the mucus flow. We got it at our health food store. I don't know how it works. But, we've been sick since October. My asthma-ridden child has had the brunt of it. Well, we started the NAC in Feb. We've been healthy ever since. Within a day, it broke up the mucus and let us cough up the mucus or blow our noses. I swear by this stuff now. For us, it took 24 hours to notice the difference. is this what you are referring to??? Natural Factors N-Acetyl-L Cysteine -- 500 mg - 90 Capsules - Vitacost Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 is this what you are referring to??? Natural Factors N-Acetyl-L Cysteine -- 500 mg - 90 Capsules - Vitacost Yes! This is exactly what we have been taking. I swear, we have NEVER had my asthmatic child get over a cold without asthma meds/antibiotics. This year has been especially bad for him. I had an awful cold and started this stuff (and it worked!!) and gave it to d.s. on a whim. It worked!!! He is currently fighting a cold, but it's nowhere nearly as bad as it was before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 NeilMed sinus rinse (or generic). Most pharmacies carry it or something like it. I like this better than a nettie pot. As long as she can breathe out of one nostril, it'll help immensely. Hope she feels better soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muffinmom Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 Yes! This is exactly what we have been taking. I swear, we have NEVER had my asthmatic child get over a cold without asthma meds/antibiotics. This year has been especially bad for him. I had an awful cold and started this stuff (and it worked!!) and gave it to d.s. on a whim. It worked!!! He is currently fighting a cold, but it's nowhere nearly as bad as it was before. How much and how often do you take it? what dosage for kids (and what age)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 This sounds silly but when I am extremely congested, I watch a movie that will make me cry. The extra mucous and tears seems to clear the passages faster than any medication. :lurk5::crying: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyR Posted March 14, 2010 Author Share Posted March 14, 2010 Thanks for all the great suggestions! She tried the nasal spray decongestant yesterday and that didn't work. This morning (3am!) she tried the neti pot again, used the nasal spray, and ate a Halls mentholated drop. That helped enough to allow her to sleep for 5 hours! I'm going to re-read this thread and write down the suggestions. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osmosis Mom Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 I am going through the cold form you-know-where. I get great relief when eating warm ramen (sorry, ladies!). Of ocurse soup is good also, but the ramen was different was I was holding the bowl close to my face whilst eating and then drank the liquid (it was actually chicken-based). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 Is she taking actual Sudafed, the one you have to request and sign for? If not, I would have her take that one. Also guafenesin and drink a lot of liquids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marylou Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 NAC!!!!! (N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine) It's an amino acid that makes the mucus flow. We got it at our health food store. I don't know how it works. But, we've been sick since October. My asthma-ridden child has had the brunt of it. Well, we started the NAC in Feb. We've been healthy ever since. Within a day, it broke up the mucus and let us cough up the mucus or blow our noses. I swear by this stuff now. For us, it took 24 hours to notice the difference. Thank you for this post! I am going to look into this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra in FL Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 I also recommend n-acetyl cysteine for mucus/congestion. I think that the n-acetyl cysteine works through the body in 1 1/2 hours so this time-released one is better (according to the reviews). My ds can't swallow pills so I give him 100 mg every 1 1/2 hours. http://www.iherb.com/Jarrow-Formulas-N-A-C-Sustain-600-mg-100-Tablets/135?at=0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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