I know EXACTLY what you're talking about. I have one building right now. I seem to get mine when I'm exposed to extreme temperature changes (cold). Sometimes I can't even sleep with a fan on unless I have my head wrapped in something warm. It's a real *****.

The horrible headache that beats in your head with your heartbeat and in the back of your neck and sometimes your shoulders, ugh. I'm trying to knock mine out by keeping my head warm and drinking lots of warm water- but going out at 3am in freezing weather to let the dogs out probably didn't help at all.

I hate them because they can last for 2-3 weeks, sometimes 4, and I can't bend over or exercise or even lay down to sleep at night. It's a really crappy feeling and I can't tell you how many people I've known have said I'm faking.

I usually take Sudafed but am trying to get rid of this one before it starts without Sudafed this time. It's not that bad, but it has potential to be, soon...

Anyway, just wanted to say I know what you mean, and it sucks so bad.

Sinus
 

Hey you.I can feel your pain because I also suffer from sinus infections but it is still not serious. I feel really miserable in winter, my nasal cavity is always dry and my nose is runny when I sleep. My doctor said that surgery is not necessary if our disease is not really serious so I think that so do you. We only keep our body warm in winter and we can protect us from this disease.

It looks like you got some good responses. I was glad to read this thread since I suffer from chronic sinus problems and am always learning from others. I did have surgery but at this point, I can't say I notice any difference.

I did go to an allergist and found out I am highly allergic to dust mites which would explain why I would go to bed healthy and wake up miserable. It is an on going battle. My sinuses don't drain very well and I work to keep them clear in my own way. I take singular which does seem to help and I get weekly allergy shots. I have a prescription nose spray which I sometimes use but not recently. I hate the rinse too but have found using the aerosol saline spray, just a few squirts, is easier on me. My nose is so sensitive and I would find using the rinse would irritate my nose and eventually lead to a migraine. I do that each night, just enough to clear but that is it. I also use nose strips which helps me to keep breathing at night and I sleep semi upright. I have a wedge pillow and then pile more pillows on top of that. And I often sleep with a humidifier. I have also figured out that certain foods can aggravate my sinuses. Milk especially and diet sodas. I have avoided them for so long that when I have a glass of milk or soda I can notice the difference immediately.