I also have sinus issues and am getting some relief from using a small room size cool mist humidifier. I also drink the Airborne that you mix in the bottle of water (some say this doesn't work, but for me, it gives a few hours relief, I can get some rest or a few hours at work)
My grandfather used to take a bottle of bengay type stuff and inhale the minty fumes, it would help him (rather like the vicks vapor inhalers, which were unavailable to him.
Hope he gets relief soon, I know how miserable hes feeling.

Ellie

Sounds like he may also have sleeep apnea. That's nothing to mess around with. He should tell his dr. about his symptoms.
Have you tried a nettie pot? I personally have not, but I have heard that they work pretty well as far as helping with congestion.

Are you sure he doesnt have sleep apnea? "Bopping him so he starts to breathe again", sounds like more than sinus issues. Being tired all day, is another sign of sleep apnea. Perhaps he should get that checked out. It could be a combination of both. BTW, sleep apnea is very serious. It damages your heart if left unchecked. I'm surprised the ENT hasnt mentioned it. Maybe your husband should mention that he stops breathing when he snores and is tired during the day. Maybe they are treating the wrong thing.

Yes, the ENT knows about the sleep apnea possibility. My DH has asked me to watch and see if he snores and how and if he breathes. Sleep apnea IS another problem, too. I have a neti pot but it has not helped.

Ditto the nettie pot. I don't use one because I don't have a sinus problem. But my sister does, and she uses one. Breath Right strips helps me when I have a stuffy nose with a cold.
Maybe some hot mustard (oriental food) or Wasabi.
Leslie

It's funny you mentioned spicy food! We love indian food/curries. When he eats it (very spicy), he clears up for hrs. but then it gets worse... We've had no luck w/ most things... Getting desperate.

Orie, I also suffer from severe sinus issues. I have several polyps that cause horrible pain and pressure. Surgery has been advised, but I have been told the polyps will most likely return, as well as the other sinus issues, so I don't want to attempt it. It sounds like part of your husband's problem are dry and irritated nasal/sinus tissue.

I use a Netti Pot which can be purchased at any drug store. It looks like a little tea pot, a mix of water and salt, then flush each nostril. It keeps the nasal passages moist and reduces/eliminates inflammation and irritation. No side effects from drugs and most people use it as part of their morning routine along with brushing teeth, etc.. I use saline sprays throughout the day as well and since using both have noticed a dramatic improvement, escpecially during the winter.

Perhaps he can mention the Netti pot to his doctor and see what he thinks.

I've been dealing with a sinus infection for almost 2 months now. Antibiotics didn't work, so I went to a naturopathic dr. She put me on Vitamin D drops, I take extra C, took echinachia..3 capsules three times a day for three days. It really helped. Then there's the quercetone. It's an herbal suppliment. Plus I use a humidifier at night, saline spray duriing the day. A neti pot is of no use to me because the water won't come out the other nostril except in a drip or a tiny trickle. I got a sample bottle of a nasal wash with xylitol just yesterday.
I had no sense of smell or taste for over a week! That is sooooooo frustrating! It's coming back a little at a time now. I'm on another strong antibiotic hoping it will help. At least with me, I was able to blow the gunk out my nose!

Chlortripillon (I'm sure I spelled it wrong, but it's close) comes in a blue box. It's in pill form and has 3 forumulas. All are for people with colds who have high blood pressure. It's the only thing my husband can use. I use it too, because I can't handle medications with psuedophededron (sp) ni it. Makes me higher than a kite. LOL

Best bet though, is to talk to your pharmacist before buying anything. Also, for me when I had a severe sinus headache years ago, and was pregnant, I couldn't take a thing. My mother suggested rubbing Vick's vapo-rub on my forehead and cheekbones, then going to bed with a vaporizer on. I suffered with this headache that was so bad, I couldn't sit up for days. Doctors didn't know what to do for me. My mother gave the perfect advice. I used the Vicks and the vaporizer one night and woke up clear headed and pain free.

I didn't read the last 2 sentences! YES, I agree that it could be sleep apnea. My oldest son has that and it can be very dangerous if he's not diagnosed. The snoring and having to 'bop' him to get him to inhale are two very big symptoms of sleep apnea. A lot of adults have it and don't know it, but can't figure out why they're so sleepy all of the time. It's because they think they're having a good sleep, but they're not because their breathing is in distress at night. It can be helped.

Try the saline washes. They have them at the drug stores, usually on the top shelf with the cold meds. You can make your own saline by boiling water and then adding salt. Just be sure to let the water cool enough before using it!

I have used it and it helps, best to use it in the shower because you will make a mess the first couple of times.

I find standing in a hot shower with the water pouring directly onto my forehead helps a lot to clear my sinuses. I wake up with headaches so bad I could split my head open with an axe if I thought it would help, and the only thing that really helps is the hot shower. Also sleep propped up with lots of pillows so you are practically sitting up; this will help keep the sinuses draining.
The other thing that's helped, which will sound wierd, is neck massages from a remedial massage therapist. For some reason with me neck tension refers all the way around my head and causes sinus congestion. I have suffered with my sinuses for more than ten years but since I started with the neck work I have had hardly any problems. I did this after I went to a new doctor who said, "I had that same problem! See a physiotherapist." I'm glad she did.

Sinuses! UGH! I've been fighting with them for 2 years now. had the surgery last October, still not all right with the world. I had a cyst that would not empty.
Have been using my Neti Pot for many months. ENT put me on an antibiotic that I pour directly into my Neti Pot. So far it seems to be helping.'
In my Neti Pot I use 8 ounces distilled water, one packet of NeilMed sinus rinse (equals 1/4 tsp uniodized salt-1/2 tsp baking soda) and one thing of antibiotic. The antibiotic once a day, but use the Neti Pot twice a day total.
Kathy G in MI

You've gotten lots of good advice.

I would like to add that the regular formula of 12 hour Mucinex (guaifenesin) in the blue package will thin out the mucus, be it sinus or chest congestion. (I'm not talking about the other formulas in red or green packaging, as those contain added ingredients.)

This was recommended to me by a doctor at my HMO and I swear by it now. It has helped my colds from turning into sinus infections or bronchitis as they had in the past.