Brief Answer:
Treatment for viral symptoms

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I'm sorry you are feeling so poorly. It sounds like you have a viral infection. Here are some things that can help you feel better:

1. Pain management:

I see that in addition to the headache and body aches that you have some nausea. Advil/ibuprofen can be irritating to the stomach, and I wonder if that might be contributing to your nausea. If you think this might be possible, switch to acetaminophen (Tylenol).

2. Sinus pressure:

A decongestant might help. The most potent decongestant sold without prescription is pseudo ephedrine. You won't find this on the shelves in the store as it is regulated, but you can get it by asking the pharmacist for it - it's kept behind the pharmacy counter. Pseudo ephedrine can be stimulating, so you might want to use it just during the day. I think the 6-8 hour is best (rather than 12 hour) as you don't know how you will like it. For bedtime, phenylephrine is a less stimulating decongestant and you can get this in any drug store.

Also consider a steroid nasal spray such as Flonase. This is non-prescription, and decreases the swelling of the mucus membranes. It does not work immediately - can take a couple of days.

Saline rinses (nettipot) or saline sprays (such as Simply Saline or XXXXXXX Med) can help open things up too. Don't use these within an hour or so of the Flonase as it will just cause the Flonase to drip down to your stomach.

One more thing that might help if you have thick secretions - Guaifenesin (what's sold in Mucinex) combined with lots of water, can thin out the secretions so they aren't stuck in your sinuses.

Fatigue:
The fatigue should resolve when you recover from the infection. Get extra rest now to help your immune system do it's job.

I hope this information helps.

If in addition to the headache, you have an abnormally stiff neck and pain when flexing your neck/head down, then do go in to be seen. But given your other symptoms, I don't think this is your situation.

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