7 weeks pg and full of cold... what can I take?

[HullBird]

Just that really! I know I can't have ibuprofen, lemsip or any decongestant and the stupid paracetamol package says 'speak to your doctor before taking' - I'm sure nhs direct would appreciate that call on a Sunday night! I can't even have whiskey in my honey and lemon! (Please don't tell me I shouldn't be having honey!) I'm a big grumpy snot box and I want drugs! TIA!

You can take paracetamol and home made lemon and honey drink. Hope you feel better soon!

I had the same issue. Nothing you can take. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Paracetamol and honey and lemon drink

Nice long shower to help ease the congestion.

Thanks ladies, honey and lemon and a hot shower it is. And just to prove you should never Google: www.theguardian.com/society/2014/feb/26/adhd-linked-paracetamol-during-pregnancy-study
Will speak to the midwife when I see her though.

I took soluble paracetamol in a honey and lemon drink, if I imagined hard enough it was like a lemsip :)

According to the pharmacist I spoke to they don't even recommend you use throat sweets! So stock up on honey and lemon or honey and blackcurrant or honey in lemon and ginger tea for something different. Hope you get better soon.

I am in the same boat! I work in a pharmacy and my boss (the pharmacist) is the only one who knows that I'm pregnant. The only thing you can do is take paracetamol, inhale steam, and sip home-made honey and lemon drink. Drink plenty of water too. No throat sweets!
It helps to sleep propped up with lots of pillows and keep the window slightly open for fresh air.
I'm pretty much at the stage where I'm coughing so much that I don't know if I'm going to accidentally pee, or vomit! My colleagues are looking a bit suspicious about my lack of taking anything for it, eep!

Thanks again, thankfully no cough (at the moment! ) just that awful combination of bunged up but having actual dripping snot (apologies for TMI!) I have ginger tea as well so will be adding honey and lemon to that and having a bath before bed. What's frustrating is that these things may be fine, but of course who could get ethical approval to do final stage clinical trials on pregnant women.
Hope you feel better soon Britnay!

milk and honey is sooo much nicer

I have discovered an amazing drink for sore throats recently! I mix hot water with 5-10mls of buttercup syrup, add some honey and a bit of black currant juice.
It is soo soothing.

You can take Paracetamol only Lemsip. The box will tell you whether or not it contains a decongestant (usually psedoephedrine).

Obviously not as effective for relieving the symptoms of a cold, but I think there is some psychological benefit in having a hot lemony drink!

I also use Olbas Oil nasal inhaler.

Not much else you can take, I'm afraid.

Olbas oil is ok and works really well.
I found that a bath also helped ease congestion and clear my chest (must have been the steam)
Paracetamol is ok too if you are running a feaver.

Keep topped up on Vit C
Strawberries and oranges are packed with it and it can help give you a much needed boost.
And of course, keep drinking plenty of water. (Avoid sugary drinks and milk, these can increase mucus production rather than thin the mucus thats already there)

Feel better soon xx

Getting through today on satsumas, kiwi fruit and ginger tea - and lots of water!

I am in exactly the same position. Been taking honey and lemon hot drinks and staying cosy. Good to see all of the advice on here.
Here's to a swift recovery for both of us!

Hope you feel better soon

Im in the same boat, 7 weeks pregnant and have the most horrific cough, I ended up at the out of hours dr yesterday who said I have the start of a chest infection, im know on amoxicillin and drinking lots of hot lemon and honey. Im trying not to take too much paracetamol but ive barely slept since friday and feel terrible.

I thought I had a bad chest but it turned out to be bronchitis! I've been given amoxicillin and have been having hot ginger and lemon tea which sort of helps, and the odd paracetemol now and again. Hot Ribena always makes me feel better when I've got a cold too.

I was told no olbas oil...

My boss whos a doctor told me to get some olbass oil, unfortunately the smell of it makes me nauseous.

Hmmmm, do you know why (re the olbas oil)? I've been lathering myself in Vicks (well, cheap knock off Asda version of Vicks) to mitigate the Darth Vader impression I'm perfecting on a night (lucky, lucky husband!) Should I be avoiding that as well?

olbas oil should be avoided as it contains some essential oils that aren't good when you expose yourself to them when pregnant.

Vicks is great! also, rub it on the soles of your feet liberally and pop on a pair of socks. It helps to unblock your sinuses. poor dh had to put up with me like you, doing a great darts vader impresion :( hope you feel better soon op