Cold cures- what can I take?? Help please!

[whizzyrocket]

I've recently had a midwife appointment and have picked up a bug in the gp waiting room. Typical. Feeling rotten. My throat especially is raw and swollen- I feel as if I've swallowed a gritty tennis-ball!

I have been to the only shop within walking distance for me, read all the leaflets in the cold-cures and they all say to consult your midwife or doctor before taking them if you are pregnant. So, what have you done when you've been ill? Is there anything you've been told to take? Do you have any natural remedies I should know about?

I can't help but feel sorry for young babe today. If he's sharing my moods through the chemicals in my blood, he must be pretty down today! I just hope he's not feeling rough with this bug too. I don't know if that's possible but I hope not.

[nethunsreject]

Yo can take paracetamol.

Your baby is fine!

[whizzyrocket]

I haven't felt him move today though, which I find mildly concerning. We're supposed to be going abroad tomorrow, so I'd quite like to know all is ok before we leave the country!

[JenniL1977]

You can have as many Strepsils or Lockets as you want for your sore throat :) no issue there.
I'm the same way, got some crappy bug that just won't come out - sore throat, feel flu-ey, bunged up head (but no sneezing or proper cold, annoyingly) - I'm having a lemsip tablet every 4 hours (not the two you're supposed to take) and that's keeping me above feeling like I want to die.

[MsChanandlerBong]

Careful with the lemsip tablets... are they the ones with phenylephrine in them? I think you're supposed to 'consult a doctor' before taking that when pregnant as I think paracetamol is the only 'safe' thing to take without supervision.

I really feel for you. I had a terrible cold a month or so ago, and had to battle on with paracetamol and hot lemon & honey and I was a miserable cow fairly unpleasant to be around during that time.

[ShowOfHands]

You can't cure a cold anyway, merely ease the symptoms. The pills and potions in the shops are often just packaged versions of home remedies. Warm lemon, steam, hot water bottles, sleep, fluids, blankets, vicks etc along with paracetamol for fever/aches and you're achieving the same effects.

[Pastabee]

As the others have said there isn't much you can take but just wanted to second steam inhalation with a few drops of olbas. Was surprised how much this helped when I had a cold as pre pregnancy I always favoured a few sudafed and was therefore sceptical about the benefit of steam.

[whizzyrocket]

Thanks. I've got myself some Halls Soothers now (yuck) and have done some poking around online. Apparently you're supposed to be careful how much menthol you ingest.

I might have a hot bath and try the steam thing.

How long would you leave it though before really worrying if you hadn't felt your baby move? He's normally a very lively little chap.

[whizzyrocket]

...and good luck JenniL, I hope you feel better soon.

[JenniL1977]

MsChanandlerBong Oh bollocks, really? (Love your nn, btw :))
I've only taken 4 over the last 3 days, is it that bad? Arse. It's the acheyness and pain in my neck and throat that's getting me, I can cope with proper colds and snot no worries!
I've been secretly hoping that this feeling crappy was a sign of labour, or that labour might happen in a week (I'm 36 weeks)
Thanks whizzyrocket, you too

[Cattleprod]

If you've got blocked, painful sinuses, you can use saline spray or drops. The same sort you use for newborns. Clears it straight away.

[ShowOfHands]

Any change in movements, a decrease or otherwise should be checked out. How far along are you?

[mumnosbest]

half a lemon, loads of honey and hot water (to drink)

[MsChanandlerBong]

Jenni - I have just heard you're not supposed to take anything other than paracetamol... did a quick google and it seems Phenylephrine isn't necessarily bad for you, it is just unconfirmed. www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100004971.html
I'm sure you won't have done any damage, but you might be best to stick to the 'traditional' remedies as recommended by the others

I ate lots of chocolate biscuits when I had my cold. Not sure they helped the symptoms but they certainly made me feel a whole lot more human

[banana87]

You can take plain Sudafed and paracetemol. I had a nasty cold and looked it up on WebMD. Sudafed saved me!

[whizzyrocket]

I phoned my midwife, who told me to phone the hospital, who said that if I was worried I could come along to the labour ward at any point to have them listen to his heart and check me out. However my dh was at work and unreachable (since he arrived home I have asked whether he can give me a number I will promise only to call when really worried) so I panicked quietly for a bit and then babe decided to kick! Hurrah! So we've been told to keep an eye on things (not really the right phrase) and come in if we think there is cause for concern.

[MsChanandlerBong]

So glad you've felt some movement! Isn't it always the way that they kick when you're practically in the car on the way to have things checked out?!

Pop a paracetamol, have a hot bath and hopefully a good nights sleep, then fingers crossed you should feel a bit better in the morning.

[glitternanny]

I hope you're feeling better.

I've been struck down with a cold/cough too and just started a 12day at work! Yipppeeeee!!

I gave in last night after trying to get to sleep for 3 hours and took paracetamol!

[goodnightmoon]

i recommend the Boots cold and flu relief sachets that only have paracetemol in them but somehow always make me feel better than just popping a couple of tablets. I'm pretty sure Strepsils are a no-no but any of the sugar cough and throat drops are fine.

[starfishmummy]

whizzy - many years ago an old family doctor said that chewing toffees was just as good for sore throats as the menthol sweets, and they taste nicer!

[Oeisha]

Due to menthol making me puke (always has, always will), and limiting citrus intake due to migraines, I survived with paracetamol, hot tea (decaf - migraines again) and honey/honey suckers (manuka honeysuckers, got them in waitrose), kept my general fludis up too.

You can have 'bounce back congestion' with phenylepherin so beware. Never take the stuff personally as I find it highly ineffective (when not pregnant I take the OTC sudafed)*. Steamy showers and not blowing your nose too much (just wiping) helps. As does being propped up in bed so the goo is running down your throat, not into your nose... :S

Took me about 2.5wks to get through it mind you.

*the reason why sudafed/generics work is due to vasoconstriction. It has this effect allover your body - which is why I personally didn't touch the stuff, as it will be influencing blood flow in your abdomen. But, well, personal decision. I'm sure many a baby has been born with no effect from sudafed.

[cakeoholic]

Berocca is amazing, I take it at the first niggle of a sore throat/cold etc or whenever the kids are sick and it really seems to stop me getting ill or means it only lasts a short time. I recommend it to everyone who all seem to report the same results. Website says safe when preg as long as you take it instead of any other pregnancy vitamins and my friend got told it was fine to take too by her gp and mw.

How do you know you caught it at gp office though? Google 'fomite'. You can catch these things anywhere! Someone who has a cold opens a door/touches a banister then you touch it later and voila you caught what they had despite never meeting them or being in the same place