I take the last of the Z-Pak tomorrow. The doctor gave me an injection of antibiotic and steroid on Monday. Still can strongly smell the infection. It is making me extremely nauseated. The sinus headache is horrible. Also using the normal saline nose spray. I can't decide if it is too soon to call doctor or if I should finish the antibiotics and wait a couple of days. I'm also doing my Hizentra infusion today. Maybe the boost for my immune system will help. Any thoughts?
How long should it take for a Z-Pak to work on a sinus infection?
Question posted by kathyhanson on 3 April 2013
Last updated on 8 February 2018
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Answers
endlessPred
18 April 2013
Hello. Am behind in reading emails and saw yours. I also get sinus problems and am on prednisone for eight years. I no longer bother with the Z pak. It doesn't help. I doubt it is less strong. We think it no longer targets the right bacteria. Also, They have found that those nasty stinky fluids are caused by a virus and must run their course. Nasal wash helps, not just a spray. Take Mucinex Expectorant which is guiafinasen and usually works with all meds. You can get it as a prescription or over the counter. It helps relieve the pressure.
kathyhanson
18 April 2013
Thanks Karen, I had to get a round of Levaquin when I finished the Z-Pak. Doing great now. I wish a few days of medication would cure all of our other ails!! All of the antibiotics/steroids gave me thrush. Yuk! Finally have everything cleared up. Take care,
Kathy
endlessPred
20 April 2013
Ahhh, thrush! So ubiquitous. People think they have strep and it is that nasty fungus. Do you use lozenges or the swish? Both are gross tasting to me, taken often and I stay clear about three or four weeks, at times. Yuck times two!
kathyhanson
20 April 2013
Hey Karen,
I used the swish. Disgusting! Not sure which was worse, the fungus or the swish! hehe
I have to take antibiotics frequently because I have very little immune system. Haven't had thrush from it in years though! I guess with the good comes the bad. I'm just glad it is all done and taken care of. Haven't had an infection like that in a long time.
I appreciate your concern and comments, Karen. You are always there when someone needs you. You are a breath of fresh air and a gem of a lady!
Your friend,
Kathy
endlessPred
20 April 2013
Aw, shucks! You are so kind.
Oh, I forgot to say only guiafinasen because the dextromethorphan interferes with many immunosuppressants and meds in general. Oh, well we are still here to complain about it and share a few words with others (unless me who goes on and on). Keep strong. Karen
kathyhanson
20 April 2013
Hahaha!
I can't take any of the OTC meds except for Coricidin HBP. Don't have high b/p, but they all raise my b/p by 20 points or more. Have a pacemaker for carotid hypersensitivity and arrhythmia, so cardio says no way! I wish I could take a good decongestant sometimes. Coricidin, although good for what it is, is sometimes like piddling up a rope! Not very effective! hehe
Warm hugs,
Kathy
mariro
8 Feb 2018
Hello I'm taking zpack but I'm so congested , what can I take with this medicine?
even my tooth hurt sometimes, went to dentist say all ok. its just the sinus infection.
I stared using sudafed when all this started and then mucinex but I dont know now if I just keep taking since this being like a month, the doc didn't tell me. Right now just the nasal spray.
Have to go back next week.
I have so much mucus yellow-brownish it's being long already< used nasal spray and I finish my zpack yesterday.
If I have take mucinex again for how long and how may times at day ?
Thanks.
meyati
3 April 2013
sounds horrible-I think that Z paks are getting weaker. Are you having any nasal discharge, and if you are what color is it- If it's sort of dark or greenish, you're still with a bad infection. Z-Paks usually work for about a week after you take the last one. Considering the smell. I'd go back to the doctor anyway, but he might tell you it is too soon. Be sure to tell him about nasal discharge and smell. I had one, where everything smelled and tasted sort of like fish. It took several doses of antibiotics to get rid of that.
kathyhanson
4 April 2013
Thanks, meyati. I know that you are VERY familiar with sinus infections from your other posts. I feel like a baby complaining about it considering all you have been through. I definitely still have some infection so I'll call the doctor tomorrow. I have hypogammaglobulinemia, so when I get an infection it is hard to get rid of it. I'm hoping the IgG infusion I did today will kick in tonight and help the Z-Pak work better. Take care of yourself, meyati.
Kathy
meyati
4 April 2013
A sinus infection is very horrible. Did you know they can turn one or both eyes yellow from the spreading infection ? I had my nose broken several times from breaking horses. Once I had a spell, where one eye saw part yellow and part normal-like a white truck would be yellow and white. When they tap your forehead to see if you flinch- it feels like a mediaeval torture. OMG-if they had done that to me, I would have confessed to anything-I mean anything. No, a sinus infection can be extremely painful- and it spreads infections to your ears, eyes, your throat, your lungs, that can keep spreading and spreading-and it's painful before it spreads.
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