To use or not use prescribed antibiotics? (sinus, allergies, pain)
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In the recent three months, I've been prescribed Augmentin (for general yet unknown UR infection) and then amoxicillin 500mg/2x day (root canal on bottom tooth #29).
In the last few weeks, I've had a lingering pain in right maxillary quad of my mouth, which I thought was from some recent fillings in that area. However, it's been concluded that it's more sinus related. I went to my family doctor today and he just said it's bad ragweed season here in south Texas and to give it time (possibly till Thanksgiving) before it gets better. He didn't think it was a sinus infection despite the symptoms (pressure in my head, around my eyes, pressure on right quad maxillary molars that feels like toothaches, intermittent clear excess mucus from nasal passages, headaches) and he didn't prescribe an antibiotic at first. He then prescribed Bactrim DS, but he's unsure if it's a sinus infection or just bad seasonal allergies.
The funny thing is, now the opposite molars kind of have that same pain (albeit less severe). It almost switches back and forth. Or I'm going nuts and imagining things.
I had been using a sinus rinse (NeilMed) for the last week, but now my right ear canal has become a little swollen. My doc asked if I had a lot of ear infections growing up, and no, not that I know of. Maybe it was from the nose blowing after rinsing - I did experience a little "pop" after most of the rinses. Yet I don't seem to have the common ear infection symptoms (vertigo, loss of balance, drainage from ear, impaired hearing). I think I want to cut back on the sinus rinsing as it feels like it's overdrying.
I guess my question is: should I take the Bactrim DS?
The side effects don't sound that great (are they ever?). Also scared if I have an allergic reaction to it - I've used sulfur soap before on my face with no harmful effects, but topical sulfur cream for acne made my skin a bit irritated. And it doesn't seem like Bactrim DS is commonly prescribed for sinusitis - more like ear infections. I guess it's more of a "if there's an infection, this general antibiotic might resolve it" situation. Not looking into a glorified placebo effect in case the sinus/ear stuff heals on its own, and then I get short-term side effects on top of more antibiotic resistant bugs down the road.
I just got the prescription today and am still debating using it. It's 2x a day so I plan on taking it at midnight and noon, if I decide to start.
Ask REAL medical professionals , not amateurs here on C.D.!
I asked my doctor today. He asked me to pay first, cut me off a few seconds into my explanation of symptoms, and then excused me after two minutes. He didn't even look in my nose and only looked in my ear when I asked him to. He was in a hurry (maybe patients were backed up) and seemed unsure if it's sinusitis or just seasonal allergies. His response to my asking if the antibiotic would help: "It's all just a guessing game!" I get that it's hard to narrow down, but I'm still weary when his first instinct was it's simply allergies.
I asked my doctor today. He asked me to pay first, cut me off a few seconds into my explanation of symptoms, and then excused me after two minutes. He didn't even look in my nose and only looked in my ear when I asked him to. He was in a hurry (maybe patients were backed up) and seemed unsure if it's sinusitis or just seasonal allergies. His response to my asking if the antibiotic would help: "It's all just a guessing game!" I get that it's hard to narrow down, but I'm still weary when his first instinct was it's simply allergies.
Get a NEW doctor who actually cares! Even if you have to travel a ways it will be worth it for your health in the long run.
Might be allergies, might be a virus. Antibiotics won't help against either- but they will lead to more resistance. I wouldn't take them. I'd wait and only take them if it got worse and I needed them. NEEDED them. Emphasis on NEEDED. They won't help if it's not bacterial, and if it is bacterial it's probably self-limiting.
Fire your doctor and get a new one.
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