To ask for your help for decongestant medication you can take when pregnant?

[Abneyandteal19]

So I'm 7 weeks pregnant and have a stinking cold! Always get such bad sinus pain blocked up nose and streaming eyes. Also have a hacking cough but can mainly cope with that- it's the congestion that's bothering me so much! Can't sleep, breathe, eat nothing!!
Tried Vicks and Olbas Oil and they are useless!

I would normally use Sudafed blocked nose spray which really seems to work for me but the label says the standard 'ask a doctor before taking when pregnant'

Anyone been recommended anything by a doctor for this?? Don't really want to make an appointment as it really is a cold and nothing else, just that I can't take my usual go to remedies!

Any advice??

I'd go to the pharmacy and ask the pharmacist. They're qualified to be able to tell you what's ok to take.

I don't think there's anything you can have sorry!

You can inhale Friar's Balsam I should think? I used to put it in a basin with hot water and put a towel over my head.

I wasn't allowed anything like sinex or even a Vicks inhaler from the pharmacy so you might have to settle for saline nose spray which is better than nowt but obviously not terribly effective. Get well soon!

You won't be able to get a positive recommendation for anything pharmaceutical as drugs aren't tested on pregnant women, for obvious reasons.

Nothing... if hayfever related can take some antihistamines... on Drs advice only...

Lemon and ginger infusions helped me a bit.

Steam and if you can stand it a teaspoon of horseradish might help relieve your sinuses a bit. I find lots of fresh air and sinus massages help too. Lots of instructions on sinus massages on the net.

You can steam your face over a bowl of water. Also the saline sprays are safe to use. I think Otrivine also do a natural menthol decongestant spray that's safe in pregnancy (do check the packaging though in case I'm wrong!)

I do remember using the decongestant spray while pregnant when truly desperate, i figured it was at least localised but know it isn't recommended (though nothing is really due to lack of drug testing on pregnant women, funny that!!).
Other than that, try a neti pot with salt water.

Saline nasal spray

I can't use decongestants at all, just because they affect me like street speed. So olbas oil - constantly - and saline washes is all I can do - but I did clear up Sinusitis before it got to doctor stage through doing that, so be persistent?

I have ongoing sinus problems and used sinus sprays throughout all 4 pregnancies. The doctor told me the amount that actually reaches your system is almost nothing.

I would take some decongestant spray before bed as although it’s not recommended for pregnant women, that’s down to a lack of research on pregnant women taking it. Obviously you might prefer not to do that, in which case saline is your friend.

I have severe sinus issues due to a botched septoplasty. I took Sudafed blocked nose spray throughout my pregnancy and my DS, now 3, is fine and has no issues. I had no complications in pregnancy either

People may judge but my nose gets 100% blocked that I get splitting migraines from it and can’t sleep.

Thanks everyone,
The saline spray seems to do nothing for me!!

I will use the Sudafed once before bed I think just to try to sleep and if it's still this bad tomorrow I guess I'll ring doctors and see.

Thanks all x

Other thing I've remembered is the sinus rinse stuff. The issue with Sudafed et al is that they reduce blood flow by constricting veins...

Olbas oil on the front of your nightie helps while you sleep. Doesn't stain either.