Killer Cold... Please help!!!!!

[Sunshine511]

Hi ladies! I'm currently 19 weeks and have the worlds worst viral cold! I went to the doctors yesterday as the dry, scratchy throat is so sore at nighttime, I'm lucky to get any sleep at all and I'm feeling completely drained. I've got a terrible cough, earache, sore head! I was told there's nothing they could do since its viral, so I've just been drinking honey & lemon in boiled water, which reduces the pain for 10 mins or so. Same goes for steaming up the bathroom! Only provides very short term relief! Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm at my wits end! :( thanks in advance ladies! This lack of sleep is making me an emotional wreck!x

[princesspineapple]

I had this over Christmas, so I feel your pain!
I steamed my head over a bowl of boiling water and vicks (I'm not sure how frowned upon vicks is during pregnancy but it didn't say anything on the box!)... And had a mug of hot ribena before bed, then was propped half sitting up on pillows to stop the coughing. The relief doesn't last long like you say, but because I was so sleepy it was just enough to fall asleep. This all had to be repeated 3 times a night every time I woke up for a wee though
Get well soon!

[Sunshine511]

Awwww thank you so much for your reply!! It's really awful isn't it? I've had the flu before and it's not quite on that level, but it's by far the worst cold I've ever had! I'm not sure if it's worse because I'm pregnant? I'm also anaemic so that's probably making it worse too! Just hoping and praying that tonight isn't as bad as last night! Thanks for your advice, I really appreciate it! I'll give that a try and hopefully things will improve soon x

[TheGoldenApplesOfTheSun]

I had a horrible cold like this recently and can recommend Friar's Balsam (you can get it at the chemist) - add a few drops to a bowl of steaming hot water and bend over it with a towel over your head to trap the steam. Really helps to clear out the sinuses. Also chicken soup is great especially if you are struggling with anaemia. The easiest way to make it is to use the leftovers from a roast chicken, including scrapings from the roasting pan, and boil it in a large pot or slow cooker for a couple of hours. The juices are very nourishing. You could also try a nasal douche if your nose is blocked and it's making it hard to sleep - use salty freshly boiled water to rinse out your nose by sniffing it into each nostril or using a little syringe you can buy at the chemist's. It's really tough when you can't sleep due to an illness like this. Hope you feel better soon!

[Augustina123]

Sorry to hear you're feeling so poorly.

I've had a cold over Christmas, too (though doesn't sound as if it was quite as bad as yours). What helped best to clear the nose/sinuses a bit was to inhale steam from boiling water with a few drops of mint oil in it. Plus the usual: drinks of hot lemon and honey, and gargling with warm salt water. If you can stand it, you could also try sucking in some warm salt water through your nose (easiest to do from a teaspoon) - do it over the bathroom sink as it's pretty disgusting, but it flushes out the mucus.

Get well soon!

[Potkettleblack2]

Nothing to add-just to say that I have it too. I've had an indulgent day in bed today so hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow. It's horrid!