What to do for flu congestion: ear, head, and sinus pain

[IfIOnly]

I'm taking ibuprofen, sudafed, and oil of oregano under the tongue. I'm avoiding congesting foods (dairy, banana, gluten foods, etc.) and actually eating mucous *reducing* foods. I've downed two quarts of liquids each day. Lots of bed rest and sleeping with head elevated. I'm starting to put the oregano oil on (not up) my sinuses and ear lobes. I really don't want this to turn bacterial; the person who gave us this cold (she warned me, it was my choice to show up to the last few weeks of a year long volunteer position) has been sick for months with secondary infections. It's a really nasty virus.

 

ETA: I'm on day three and feeling much better than yesterday with the fever and fatigue gone and could get out of bed some. My throat is still painful but bettwe. I still have massive congestion head, ear, and sinus pain though.

Edited May 16, 2016 by ifIonlyhadabrain

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Edited May 16, 2016 by _ ?^..

[Alessandra]

Sounds awful! Everyone will react differently to medication, but I can tell you what works for me. I take Benadryl, which helps dry up mucus ane combine it with guaifenesin which is an expectorant. That probably sounds counterintuitive, but I take the guaifenesin in the morning, because it keeps me awake, and the Benadryl at night, because it makes me sleepy.

 

Btw, guafenesin is the active ingredient in some of the Robitussin types. I make sure I get the one with only guaifenesin and no extra ingredients and drink plenty of water with it.

Edited May 16, 2016 by Alessandra

[TammyS]

I know it seems backwards but drop the sudafed.  That drying up just makes it drag out longer.  The drying tends to thicken the mucus and make it harder to drain and get out.  Also consider mucinex if it gets in your lungs at all. 

 

I would def add 1000mg Vit C every 1-2 hours until tolerance.

 

Puffs plus with lotion is your friend.

[momacacia]

Mullein tea (sp?) has been wonderful for us for loosening congestion.

[SparklyUnicorn]

The Dayquil liquid stuff works pretty well (not the gel tab stuff though). 

 

 

[Seasider]

Mucinex has a decongestant formula that is pretty effective.

[ScoutTN]

Thirding the mucinex.

Acupuncture is the fastest way to help my body over a respiratory infection, hands down.

Edited May 16, 2016 by ScoutTN

[IfIOnly]

Thank you everyone. I tried but after an hour or so of being up and about this morning had to crawl back in bed. I slept for most of the day and let the kids have a fun movies day. I felt so much better about 5pm and feel normalish again. Head and ears are better although I do have some ear and throat pain when I swallow. My glands are swollen and sore though today. I think rubbing the OoO on my ears and sinuses really helped. Will buy some of suggestions to have on hand. I was just too sick to get out and get stuff today.