Pregnancy related rhinitis - please help. I'm desperate!

[shinyblackgrape]

I'm 23 weeks pregnant and up in the middle of the night with the most awful blocked nose. I sneeze a bit during the day but it's manageable. However, post 1-2 am, I usually wake up sneezing terribly and with an awful blocked nose. I'm then up for about two hours until I can get back to sleep. I'm absolutely shattered and DH is not too impressed with the elephantine nose blowing in the middle of the night!

I havent has an unbroken night of sleep now for at least 10 weeks but I've been particularly bad the last two weeks.

I haven't taken anything as I understand that decongestants etc are banned during pregnancy.

I'm going to see the midwife on Wednesday but am wondering if she can prescribe anything? I might make a doctor's appointment for this week too just to be on the safe side as I'm absolutely desperate! Does anyone have any hints or tips I could use at all or know if anything I could ask for over the counter?

Sinex?

I've been getting this on and off. I have a bottle of eucalyptus oil that I either sniff or burn in an oil burner; and I have a migraine roll-on thingy that contains menthol and lavender essential oils, which I roll over my upper sinuses to help relieve the blocks and prevent the headaches.

It's a bloody nightmare, I totally agree. You could also try a saline nasal spray, steam inhalation, and the hardest one - try to force yourself to breathe through your nose at all times. Sounds mad but actually, your nose will unblock itself to allow you to breathe - you just have to get through the difficult bit of feeling like you can't breathe to force it to do it.

I'm 28w pg and now have a frigging proper cold that has just gone onto my chest as well - off to the doc in an hour to see if I need antibiotics. :(

I had this for a month around 33-37 weeks. It's hell and I sympathise.

My Obstetrician actually sanctioned using topical over-the-counter decongestant spray (Otrivin) as i was so blocked I could only mouth breathe for much of the day and in air con that's impossible. However, I was much further along than you so definitely ask a doctor- dont just go and buy it as it's a vasal constrictor. Also, a side effect of these sprays if you use them too long (more than a week) is rebound congestion where you basically can get dependent on it so if your rhinitis is going to be chronic then it's probably not the best idea.

Second saline spray as a safe alternative. Also, I found it helped to sleep on my back, propped up on pillows (almost semi-sitting)

Calpol make a saline nasal spray for babies that's widely available - try that. It works pretty well. Not as amazing as the sprays we can't use, but at least it's allowed...

There's a French brand called Sterimar (tres chic) which does an adult strength one, but Boots probably do an own brand I'd think.

If you think it's allergy related rhinitis then Prevalin might help and is safe to use in pregnancy. I have used it quite a bit.

To help with any congestion the pharmacist recommended a saline nasal spray and Snufflebabe (terrible name!) vapour rub.

All available in Boots. I hope your symptoms ease soon, I found it made me really miserable. Although it seems to have eased off now at 15 weeks having had it nearly since I became pregnant so I think it can come and go.

Could it be hayfever? I started having hay fever with my first DD 7 years ago and have had it every year since pg or not!

This pg has been particularly bad as I have had a sinus infection for months (4 courses of anti-biotics, beclamethasone spray [steroid] - also with ear infection and bonchitis) but it's now merged with hay fever season so I have been prescribed phenergan which is also used for hyperemesis during pg so is compatible with pg.

Unfortunately it's contraindicated with some of my other meds so I can only take 1 tablet not 3 a day. I have also been given co-codamol to cope with the pain when it gets really bad but luckily I haven't had to take any for a week or so.

I found when the pain was really, really bad (before I was prescribed the co-codamols ) I could only sleep sitting up as then the pain was less than flat on my back/side.

It's difficult to get anything in pg over the counter unless it's paracetamol as pharmacists have to take responsibility for you taking it. The GP should be able to prescribe something suitable (MW can't prescribe much beyond simple painkillers and dressings unless they are a midwife prescriber but then they are limited in scope).

Hi All - thanks so much for all the tips and sympathy for fellow sufferers!

I am off to see the midwife tomorrow and have a doc appointment for the afternoon. Ironically, I was slightly better last night and only had to wake up for nose blowing rather than full on sneezing etc. Feel a bit of a hypochondriac now but still going to the docs.

To overshare further, I also seem to have terrible trapped wind. Yesterday I was really frightened that I might be going in to premature labour as it felt just like the horrible heavy feeling before AF starts.

Fortunately, I feel a bit better today and baby seems to be moving. I might just go to the vet's and get some charcoal biscuits at this rate!

Just to update the latest about my so called life re the rhinitis.

Went to the doc today and she was extremely sympathetic. Mostly about the sleep interruption. I now have a nasal spray and antihistamines. I'm to take one before bed and, even better, they make you drowsy so hopefully should get a good sleep.

Glad to hear the doctor was helpful, I had this in first trimester and found it hideous and that was without the waking up in the night. Made me feel really sick too.

I found sniffing olbas helped a bit, neti pots and saline sprays offered a tiny bit of relief and can make it easier to blow your nose.

Drinking loads of water and eat lots of watery fruit & veg seemed to thin out the mucus for me (barf) too.

Ooo - neti pots - I wouldn't have known what those were apart from having watched House last night. Apparently you shouldn't do it with water straight from the tap, just in case it has dodgy bugs in it - so if you do use one, make sure you use either boiled (cooled) or distilled water. :)

Hi I'm was 18 weeks 3 days when mine started and I'm now 19 weeks, did yours stop after 15 weeks? Picking up some nasal saline spray form my gp today,he said that will help,I'm hoping as it's not helping my anxiety 😟 also picking up some nasal strips too

Did those items help? Thanks

Did those items help? My partner is picking up my nasal saline spray from my gp's pharmacy and he's also getting some nasal strips, hope these help me sleep at night 😴😞 it isn't helping my anxiety at all 😥