I've got a sore throat. Can I take...

[CilantroLarry]

... Boots lozenges. They contain amylmetacresol apparently, which I assume is an antiseptic. Nothing else bar some flavourings.

I've got tonsillitis and sinusitis and I need some kind of relief from the razor blade in throat feeling.

warm milk with honey is very soothing.
my gp said that strepsils are ok as well, don't know if the boots things are similar.

Warm milk and honey has just come straight back up. Morning sickness is NOT helping the sore throat.

See, when I was pg last time I was told by a pharmacist that I couldn't have strepsils and google isn't very forthcoming tbh.

Might try milk and honey again in a bit. Warm lemon had the same effect.

"The safety of this product has not been established during pregnancy and lactation, but is not expected to constitute a hazard. As with all drugs try to avoid taking them during pregnancy or lactation"

That's a no really isn't it?

Thats a 'we can't say yes because we haven't tested it, but it doesn't cause anything terrible we know of' really.

Paracetamol is ok at normal doses, have you tried that?

I have been having paracetamol but my throat is just so sore that swallowing/eating is difficult. I'm trying to resist taking anything but am so miserable.

I had a cold with a really bad sore throat a few weeks ago, I was in agony. Both midwife and pharmacist said 'no' to Strepsils.

I survived on paracetamol, tea/hot water with lemon (lots of them) and Manuka honey. Expensive, but it did bring (albeit short-lived) relief. Went through a whole jar in a weekend, sometimes didn't even bother putting it into the tea and ate it straight out of the jar .

Still, nowhere near as effective as Strepsils...

I just bought some old fashioned cough candy for my throat. I'm assuming thats ok, there's nothing on the packet to indicate otherwise.

It's tough isn't it?

Have you tried adding ground Ginger to the milk and honey?

merocaine are great as they numb your throat - quote from netdoctor about them says:

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
There is no safety information available on the use of this medicine in human pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, it has been widely used for many years without ill consequence. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

I'm sucking on one as I type!

If you don't have to breathe on anyone then try a raw garlic sandwich. It sounds revolting but garlic is a brilliant anti-septic and can really help sore throats (and bad coughs). Also gargling with salty water - but you might want to give that a swerve if you can't keep down milk and honey!

Hope you're feeling better soon.

I honestly don't think I could eat a raw garlic sandwich. I'm struggling to keep anything down today.

Have got some fresh ginger, might grate some of that into my milk and honey and see how I get on. I failed to keep water down earlier so it might be an interesting experiment.

Merocaine lozenges from behind the pharmacy counter work a treat. They numb everything and have antiseptic super powers, perfectly safe in preg. I've had to resort to them a few times. Also supplemented with Manuka honey (highest strength) and lemon in hot water. Def get some of these if you are feeling poorly, I think they stop it getting any worse!

I'm so sorry. Sorry you feel awful xx

Gargling with salt water is the only thing that helped me (although moaning jealously at DP as he complained about feeling 'much much worse' than me despite being able to take super strength cold remedies was also pretty therapeutic!)

the best thing i found are Olbas lozens from Holland & Barret

How pregnant are you? If in 2nd trimester I found those nurofen Meltlet things worked (horrifically expensive though). They melt in your mouth and have a topical effect (or possibly a psychological one - either way...).

First trimester so most things a no no really.

I've been up half the night again. Coughing mainly. Crying otherwise. It's because getting pregnant has coincided with dd starting preschool and they're not just an early years educational setting, they've got recognised Breeder of Germs status.

Please tell me Vicks is alright. Because if it isn't, it's too fricking late.