Sinusitis - OTC medication choices?

[NanLaew]

A friend of mine is visiting and is having a hard time with sinusitis. He usually packs allergy medications from the US when he travels as he has found no over the counter medications here that work. He hasn't brought any meds this time so asking if there's anything available here that does a decent job on sinusitis relief.

 

Thanks!

NL

[tonray]

He should go to the pharmacy and see if the meds he normally takes or generic equivalents are available.

[timkeen08]

Can get sudafed from a hospital or clinic. Not available from pharmacy.

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[KhunBENQ]

40 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

He usually packs allergy medications from the US when he travels

It would be helpful to know what medication (brand name/substance) he uses.

For sinusitis there is wide range of causes/medications not necessarily allergic.

Anti allergic stuff is available in Thailand.

But really names would help.

 

[Sheryl]

As above. In terms of antihistamines, loraditine (Claritin), Zyrtec etc are all available here - find out what it is he usually takes.

 

For a decent decongestant (as opposed to antihistamine), would have to get at a hospital.

[NanLaew]

Buddy had a history of allergy issues... who in Houston doesn't!

 

The sinusitis isn't a regular thing. I guess the change in the weather triggered something? Started like a bad cold, moved from one side to the other and eventually became sinusitis.

 

I recall he mentioned Flonase, wasn't available the last time he visited. He said the local Claritin wasn't as efficacious as the US one but that was for his allergies. This is sinusitis this time.

[timkeen08]

Flonase = Flixonase in Thailand.

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[mommysboy]

No. Unfortunately nothing does work too well, because symptoms tend to be of a magnitude far higher than back home.  Meds. tend to be only good for mild symptoms

[lemonjelly]

Amoxicillin Clavulanate and Tiffy

[mommysboy]

1 hour ago, lemonjelly said:

Amoxicillin Clavulanate and Tiffy

Thats an antibiotic, which should not be self prescribed really, though it is for infection.  Tiffy is ok for mild symptoms.  It's not what it used to be and won't offer much relief for hard core symptoms.

Edited June 7, 2017 by mommysboy

[bbi1]

Nothing works for sinisitus, the meds are all rubbish. Nasal sprays, corticosteriods, antihistamines, Zyrtec, Telfast, etc. all are garbage, nothing but a waste of money. If you want some temporary relief you need to do nasal irrigation twice a day to wash out of your sinuses to get rid of the junk inside them.

Edited June 7, 2017 by bbi1

[Rob13]

8 hours ago, NanLaew said:

but that was for his allergies. This is sinusitis this time.

 

I think if it's sinusitis he needs to be on antibiotics to clear up the infection.  

[steven100]

5 hours ago, mommysboy said:

Amoxicillin

Take Amoxicillin capsule 2 times a day for a week and he'll be fine.

[NanLaew]

11 hours ago, timkeen08 said:

Flonase = Flixonase in Thailand.

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Noted, thanks.

 

I thiink that's the one another American buddy with buggered up sinuses recommended as just about the only Thai OTC nasal spray that worked for him. I ended up buying it for Mrs NL who was having some struggles with nasal congestion last year, she reckoned it was great. Thanks for the reminder. I didn't link it with Flonase.

 

4 hours ago, Rob13 said:

 

I think if it's sinusitis he needs to be on antibiotics to clear up the infection.  

That's what I advised but we all know what blokes are like when it comes to asking a doctor. Self-medicate at your peril is my mantra, especially as you get older and are no longer bullet proof and invincible... like we ever were.

[timkeen08]

That's what I advised but we all know what blokes are like when it comes to asking a doctor. Self-medicate at your peril is my mantra, especially as you get older and are no longer bullet proof and invincible... like we ever were.

I think self medication after proper research will give you the same chance of getting it right as a Thai doctor's guess or following excepted protocol. We just do not have access to non-pharmacy medications so we have no choice than to be tough with Thai doctors when we need one. So far I have found two that do not fit the norm. One in a local clinic and one at a private hospital. Both had degrees from Australia and did internship in Australia.

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[puck2]

Did he already try the plainest and cheapest thing:

 

saline nasal washes ???  (google)

 

[Sheryl]

12 hours ago, lemonjelly said:

Amoxicillin Clavulanate and Tiffy

 

Amox Clav is an antibiotic and indicated onoy if it is bacterual sinusitis, which cannot be self-diagnosed.

 

Tiffy not likely to help much.

 

If Flonase usually works for him he should get the equivalent, brand names here are:

 

Avamys

Flixonase

 

If it does nto help, and/or if he develops severe pain or fever, should see an ENT to rule out bacteral infection.

[bbi1]

7 hours ago, Rob13 said:

 

I think if it's sinusitis he needs to be on antibiotics to clear up the infection.  

You gotta be kidding. Where did the OP say that he has an infection? Sinusitis is NOT an infection or does it have to cause an infection. If it creates yellowish/green mucus (and normally the mucus is totally clear) the mucus will turn back to a clear colour within a day or less without antibiotics.

[bbi1]

7 hours ago, steven100 said:

Take Amoxicillin capsule 2 times a day for a week and he'll be fine.

Geez, all these peeps here just telling him to take an antibiotic and he'll miraculously cure his sinusitus!  I wish when I had antibiotics before I was miraculously cured too! Too bad it has never been the case...

Edited June 8, 2017 by bbi1

[bbi1]

2 hours ago, puck2 said:

Did he already try the plainest and cheapest thing:

 

saline nasal washes ???  (google)

 

That's the thing that works best for temporary relief. Doing it twice a day is best.

[Rob13]

10 minutes ago, bbi1 said:

Sinusitis is NOT an infection

 

That's what sinusitis means. An infection of the sinuses. KInda like tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils. 

[bbi1]

4 minutes ago, Rob13 said:

 

That's what sinusitis means. An infection of the sinuses. KInda like tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils. 

So the ENT specialist has diagnosed me with sinusitis & confirmed by a CT scan. None of those garbage meds prescribed do anything at all (and I've tried a lot of them). I always have sinusitis every day and have never been cured of it with symptoms every day. That means I have an infection every day for a few years and can't get rid of that infection? Even though the mucus is usually clear coloured? So how do I cure my everyday "infection"?

Edited June 8, 2017 by bbi1

[Rob13]

1 minute ago, bbi1 said:

That means I have an infection every day for a few years and can't get rid of that infection? Even though the mucus is usually clear coloured?

 

I dunno, i'm just telling you what the word means. Maybe you need a second opinion on your condition. I've had sinus problems off and on my whole life and know that a sinus infection is a miserable thing. Alot worst than a congested nose and hay fever and the antibiotics the doc gave me helped clear it up.

[bbi1]

12 minutes ago, Rob13 said:

 

I dunno, i'm just telling you what the word means. Maybe you need a second opinion on your condition. I've had sinus problems off and on my whole life and know that a sinus infection is a miserable thing. Alot worst than a congested nose and hay fever and the antibiotics the doc gave me helped clear it up.

It was one of the "head" ENT surgeons of a well-known hospital who is highly respected in my home country. Only option is surgery and there are no guarantees it will get better. In fact it could get worse and there are a lot of risks when surgery is done near the eyes and brain.

Edited June 8, 2017 by bbi1

[Rob13]

Just now, bbi1 said:

It was one of the "head" ENT surgeons of a well-known hospital who is highly respected. Only option is surgery and there are no guarantees it will get better. In fact it could get worse and there are a lot of risks when surgery is done near the eyes and brain.

Sounds like something more than just an infection. Second opinion couldn't hurt, maybe the ENT missed something; even Einstein made a few mistakes.

[bbi1]

1 hour ago, Rob13 said:

 

That's what sinusitis means. An infection of the sinuses. KInda like tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils. 

Actually, tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonsillitis

 

"Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, typically of rapid onset."

 

Same as sinusitis, an inflammation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinusitis

 

"is inflammation of the sinuses resulting in symptoms" & "Sinusitis can be caused by infection, allergies, air pollution, or structural problems in the nose."

Edited June 8, 2017 by bbi1

[mommysboy]

35 minutes ago, bbi1 said:

Actually, tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonsillitis

 

"Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, typically of rapid onset."

 

Same as sinusitis, an inflammation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinusitis

 

"is inflammation of the sinuses resulting in symptoms" & "Sinusitis can be caused by infection, allergies, air pollution, or structural problems in the nose."

One can only guess, but I would imagine from my own personal experience and your symptoms that the major problem is sinus pressure.  This can only be tackled by reducing or eliminating exposure to the allergen that is causing your nasal passages to inflame.

 

Apart from the usual suspects, one has to consider air pollution, and overuse of computer in producing symptoms.

[mommysboy]

1 hour ago, bbi1 said:

So the ENT specialist has diagnosed me with sinusitis & confirmed by a CT scan. None of those garbage meds prescribed do anything at all (and I've tried a lot of them). I always have sinusitis every day and have never been cured of it with symptoms every day. That means I have an infection every day for a few years and can't get rid of that infection? Even though the mucus is usually clear coloured? So how do I cure my everyday "infection"?

An infection trhat causes clear coloured mucous!  That doesnt sound right. It sounds more like general irritation.  Of course there will be some low level microbial activity, but not enough to be classed as infection.  It sounds like you need to be a little less accepting and treat for whatever is causing your problems.  Where do you currently live? If it is a major city then moving might be the only solution.

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, Rob13 said:

 

That's what sinusitis means. An infection of the sinuses. KInda like tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils. 

 

No, it is not what it means. It means an inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinus. The suffix  -itis means inflammation. It does not mean infection. Sometimes an infection is present and the source of the inflammation and sometimes not. And when it is present, it may be viral or bacterial.