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Original poster

Sorry its me again bleating on about my cough/sinuses...

25 replies

Enid · 09/02/2006 13:14

Ok now my face pain has gone but now I cant bear to cough as it causes a massive pain in my head.

sinuses? or muscle pulled by too much coughing?

I am really really sick of this.

oh, and I can't hear anything either as both ears are blocked.

OP posts:
chapsmum · 09/02/2006 13:18

sinuses pet!
Carry on with the steam inhale, am off to check the bnf about drugs for you....
As for the earsz You could get some cerumol fro chemist to unblock ears but if your trying to stay drug free, put some almon/olive oil (couple of drops) and lye on your side with the ear you've filled faceing up for 15 mins then massage behind your ear gently for another 10 mins

tortoiseshell · 09/02/2006 13:20

Did you get some antibiotics? The doctor gave me some yesterday because it's been going on so long. Are you taking paracetamol? Don't forget you can have ibuprofen at the same time....

I dont' know if yo ufeel the same, but I feel very bitter that weeks 24-30 (i.e. the not so bad ones) of this pregnancy have been taken by this b**y bug!!!

Really really hoep you feel better soon!

Original poster
Enid · 09/02/2006 13:20

off to health food shop to get iron tonic and elderberry extract (good for viruses apparently)

will do that with the oil tonight ta very much

OP posts:
Original poster
Enid · 09/02/2006 13:21

no ibuprofen when pg tortoiseshell!! its a no no. He gave me codeine but its too strong unless at night.

he gave me anti bs and havvent taken them - no infection I think as mucus creamy coloured rather than green or brown.

OP posts:
tortoiseshell · 09/02/2006 13:24

I didn't know that enid!!!!! Haven't had any, but thanks for the warning!!!!

chapsmum · 09/02/2006 13:25

Enid dont see why you cant use a mild psudoephidrine nasal spray. I would askk your dr rather than a pharamist as if the bottle says consult a dr they dont feel they can tell you anything other wise
Paediatric otravine very mild..
Alo what abou a rub for your face, perhaps arnica would help to reduce the swelling.
A warmed eye mask?
What satge of preg are you at??

nitfreecod · 09/02/2006 13:26

how wer eht emthol crystals

Original poster
Enid · 09/02/2006 13:29

mental

blew my head off

very fab though have been doing it twice a day and have lovely skin now

OP posts:
tortoiseshell · 09/02/2006 13:30

Have you been having lots of very hot showers? That helps with the sinuses I think, and you could also prop your bed up - we've done that (felt like was regressing to toddler hood as we do that for the kids).

Original poster
Enid · 09/02/2006 13:31

right

I am SSssssssssssssssso tempted to take one of these lemsip cold and flu sachets

do you think it will really really harm the baby?

has paracetamol (fine) and phenylephrine hci in it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Enid · 09/02/2006 13:32

yes hot showers and the menthol steaming cured my agonising face sinus pain

OP posts:
tortoiseshell · 09/02/2006 13:32

I think the problem with lemsip is the decongestant component as far as I remember

Original poster
Enid · 09/02/2006 13:34

is it really bad?

god I am so tempted just to take it

OP posts:
tortoiseshell · 09/02/2006 13:34

It's probably fine isn't it.

Original poster
Enid · 09/02/2006 13:35

says no evidence as to whether it is harmful or not

but then if baby has terrible defect I will totally hate myself

OP posts:
tortoiseshell · 09/02/2006 13:36

Could you ask your pharmacist to look it up in MIMS? (The book that says whether everything is safe or not), and if it's not safe to suggest an alternative - you could probably do that over the phone.

chapsmum · 09/02/2006 13:42

Just being doing some research and apparenly ephindrine will just make your problem worse as when the medication wears off the prob just comes back except worse.
ephidrine will cause a rise in the babys heart rate, and isnt reccomened for long perios of use
apparanly you can buy
cromoglycate (rynacrom)
which helps to reduce swelling in the nasal passages and is suitable for pregnancy.
failing this you may have to go back to your gp and conseder a steroid spray..... but try the other stuff first

Original poster
Enid · 09/02/2006 13:54

have not taken it

am seeing midwife this afternoon so will throw myself on her mercy

OP posts:
chapsmum · 09/02/2006 14:03

bless, you poor wee soul hope you get some relief soon!

nitfreecod · 09/02/2006 15:34

lol it does blow your head off doesnt it

northerner · 09/02/2006 15:36

Enid I suffer from sinusitis and did so when preg. I used Sudafed nasal spray which brough great releif and is safe as it's local.

expatinscotland · 09/02/2006 15:40

K, all you 'no, you can't touch decongestants! They're poison!' I was prescribed one by my consultant. Not even a GP, a consultant. I had an awful sinus infection that left me with two black eyes. I was reluctant to take ABs - was well past 30 weeks pregnant. Until he warned me that I could develop an absess if the infection was not checked.

And prescribed me some decongestants. I had a full term, healthy baby via spontaneous vaginal delivery. She's still strong and healthy. No perm damage done by a few doses of decongestants and I was able to get RID of the mucus build up.

Sometimes, the body just can't decongest and needs some help. Being well rested is a must that late in pregnancy and in winter w/all the bugs that are going round.

Talk to your doctor. You've struggled long enough.

chapsmum · 09/02/2006 16:08

I'm pretty sure I wasnt trying to say they were poisen.
I think people are just advising caution about otc remidies. And quite rightly so. There are certain decongestants suitable for pregnancy, but like you did these should be taken under the supervision of someone with expetr knowledge.
Definately agree that enid has suffered enough poor might.

expatinscotland · 09/02/2006 16:09

Exactly, chaps! My consultant did prescribe me one that was safe for use in pregnancy. I was truly desperate, like Enid. But he's right, there comes a point when the danger to your health is greater than any potential - and minimal - risk to the fetus.

Chest infections and absesses are NOT good during pregnancy.

Mercy · 09/02/2006 16:17

When I was 20 weeks pregnant with dd I had a really bad chest infection and ended up in hospital. Like expat. the consultant prescribed the medication - in my case anti-biotics and steroids! Plus load of oxygen of course. tbh, it was me vs dd at that stage.

I would say always see your GP and not buy otc stuff if you're ill

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