Sinus Infection - and Miserable - Are Antibiotics okay in Pregnancy?

[Anonymous]

I'm 99% sure I have a sinus infection. My nose is THROBBING and it turns into my upper teeth and next to my nose AND across to my ears. I'm seeing my PCP this afternoon, but was up from midnight to 4 am in a lot of pain. Nothing helped - Tylenol, hot shower with water aimed at my face, moist warm washcloth, cold washcloth. Uugghh. I'm at work and am miserable. Of course, being pregnant, I can't take advil, etc. Has anyone dealt with a sinus infection while pregnant and taken antibiotics? How on earth did you feel better? I guess I'm used to doping myself on meds and getting through it, but when all you can take is Tylenol - not fun...

[Anonymous]

Yes, you can take antibiotics.
Also, try a Neti pot. I know it seems weird, but it's the best thing for your sinuses when you're pregnant.

[Anonymous]

I believe some antibiotics are safer than others. Just make sure your doctor knows you're pregnant, so s/he can make the appropriate antibiotic choice. I hope you feel better soon!

[Anonymous]

Agree with the PPs. I had to take antibiotics for a UTI in the first trimester. I think it was ampicillin? Anyway, I googled it to death and there are some antibiotics that are considered safe in pregnancy. Also, second the neti pot suggestion. I use it every day and it helps tremedously. Good luck - hope you feel better soon!

[Anonymous]

Get a Neti pot - this was how I survived through my pregnancy. I got a lot more sinus congestion during my pregnancies and the Neti Pot saved me.

You can get one at CVS or Rite Aid. For me it was on the bottom shelf at my CVS.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the Neti-Pot-- on Monday, I had the exact same symptoms- I felt like I had been punched in the face and my teeth were just THROBBING... the thing that helped me was a Neti-Pot and 1 dose of Sudafed (I'm 20w by the way, not sure I would have been willing to take it in the 1st tri). I was pretty sure mine wasn't a sinus infection, because my snot was clear and runny, so I didn't want to try and get any antibiotics if I didn't need them. The 1 dose of Sudafed and the Neti-Pot made a world of difference, and although I am still blowing my nose, it's nothing worse than your average cold.
That being said, sinus infections ARE common during pregnancy and there are safe antibiotics to take, so it's best to let the doctor decide!

[Anonymous]

This is the OP. THANK YOU so much. I will hunt for a neti pot but not to be gross - when I blow it is NOT clear so definitely think it's a sinus infection. Again, thank you!

[Anonymous]

I had a sinus infection at 16 wks & have a netipot but definitely needed antibiotics. I took a zpac (safe in pregnancy) for 5 days & felt like a new person.

[Anonymous]

You should ask your doctor.

[Anonymous]

I had a raging cold last week that was centered in my sinuses and I got a neti pot and felt much better. It definitely doesn't fix it but you will feel relief. Just a word of caution though--it's an odd sensation if you've never done the neti pot before. I kindof felt like I was drowning (same feeling of water going up your nose because....water is going up your nose!). It was not pleasant. Plus, I was all clogged up so it took a while. Anyway, try to persist and you'll get through it and you will feel better.

[Anonymous]

Another Zpac user here. Totally saved me.

[Anonymous]

Funny, I just read this after coming back from the doctor. I had a cold that turned in into a sinus infection. I was trying not to use any meds so I got a Neti-pot and thought things were getting better but woke up today at 2:00 am and felt like someone hit me in the face with a hammer. Even standing up or moving my head hurt. I got an appointment with my doctor and they gave me Amoxicillin. I called my OBGNY as well to ensure it was okay and she said it was. I'm hoping I get relief fast!

[Anonymous]

OP, I had a horrible sinus infection while 7 months pregnant. It was misery! I'm sure your dr will tell you, though, that not all sinus infections can be treated with antibiotics, pregnant or not. In fact, the minority are successfully treated with antibiotics because most sinus infections are viral, like a cold. So yes it's an infection but no, antibiotics are not effective. Your dr can help you determine whether it's viral (not by testing, but by symptoms, etc). I had green congestion, terrible sinus pain and several teeth hurt because of it. Chances are that you're just going to have to tough it out--they go away on their own. My dr ok'd the use of Afrin once a day for two days and it saved me, I used it before bed so that I could try to get a little sleep. Take warm (not super hot) showers, do steam treatment for your nose by standing over a pot of boiling water, that kind of thing to break up congestion. No antibiotics and it went away on its own, as most of them do. It sucks, though, while you're going through it.

[Anonymous]

Thanks again to all the responses (this is OP). My PCP gave me amoxicillin and it is helping somewhat - but not a ton. So it might very well be viral! Hope everyone stays warm and healthy!