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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Congestion - any home remedies for the desperately sleep deprived?!

25 replies

tiggy2610 · 23/10/2014 06:04

I think I might be hoping for a cure that doesn't exist - but does anyone have any tested home remedies for congestion?

At 24 weeks I still have a long way to go but am loosing the will to live due to severe lack of sleep because of my bloody nose. During the day I seem to be fine, but as soon as I lay down to sleep my nose tightens up and my nostrils are as much good as a porcupine in a balloon factory. I have to breath out of my mouth, which I hate, but then my mouth dries up quickly which makes me feel ill, so I drink, the more I drink the more I have to get up to wee and the vicious cycle continues Sad

So now I'm about to set off for another 10hr day at work on 3hrs sleep due to this on-going breathing/drinking/peeing saga which is simply exhausting! I can't remember the last time I had over 4hrs a night.

Please help me and my bunged up nose Blush

OP posts:
m33r · 23/10/2014 06:18

tiggy I feel your pain (though am getting a good bit more than 3hours). I feel you will probably already tried hot water, honey and lemon? I drink it all day and before bed. Good luck

Original poster
tiggy2610 · 23/10/2014 06:28

Thanks m33r, I actuallly haven't! I did try hot honey and lemon when I came down with a cold but not for just my nose. I've tried saline sprays and vapour rub but these have failed me miserably! I will pick up some honey on my way home Grin

OP posts:
juneavrile · 23/10/2014 07:22

I'm guessing you've tried olbas oil on a handkerchief to help with the congestion. Might be worth asking the pharmacist if they have any ideas as the same dry mouth / thirst / weeing cycle happened to me when I had a cold recently, so can't be that unusual.
As for sleep - warm milk works for some people, almost like it works on babies! The heat activates something in the milk that makes you tired. You could try taking a flask to bed if you don't want to get up and make it. Put cocoa in it if you don't like the plain flavour.
And sex / orgasm is one of the best natural ways to get to sleep.

RetroHippy · 23/10/2014 07:22

Have you tried Happinose in and around your nostrils? It's Vaseline with menthol in it. And it stops the crustiness if you're blowing it a lot.

Also Carmex does a good job of keeping your lips moist at least, so you need to drink less.

I've just got my first pregnancy cold at 27 weeks, sleeping like a goldfish is no fun. :-O

RetroHippy · 23/10/2014 07:25

And sex / orgasm is one of the best natural ways to get to sleep

Haha

Can you tell my thrush-ridden vagina that please?!

Original poster
tiggy2610 · 23/10/2014 07:41

I have tried olbas oil to no avail. But will try some hot milk before bed tonight Smile

I've not heard of happinose before, will see what I can find on Boots during my lunch hour.

Oh as much as I would love a good sex session before bed I think DH finds it difficult to be arosed by the hairy round woman with her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth that he used to call his wife Grin bump is now too big to get away with lazy missionary sex, at this point everything else is too much effort - maybe I'll get DH to buy me some batteries and have an evening to myself instead. Smile

OP posts:
Pifflingcodswollop · 23/10/2014 08:20

Raising my head as much as possible while I sleep is what helps me.Is it a cold (or sneezing blowing nose) or is it more like general stuffiness at night without other cold symptoms? If it's the latter it is more likely rhinitis which is to do with the swelling of blood vessels and so often traditional cold remedies don't work anyway unfortunately-I had this in my first pregnancy,very annoying! Head raising was the best I could do for it-practically slept sitting up I had so many pillows!Which then continued into later pregnancy as it also helped with heartburn!
Hope you find something that works!!Birth is the only sure solution to most pregnancy problems I'm afraid!
x

VeryPunny · 23/10/2014 08:32

You can get oblas oil pastilles - I find sucking on them helps with the dry mouth. They don't do much for congestion but at least you can feel like you are doing something....

Would give my right arm for some Sudafed!

ZumZee · 23/10/2014 08:45

I had horrible sinusitis during PG, the only thing that helped was putting my head over a steaming bowl.
I also had a lot of nosebleeds. Nose-related symptoms are not something they tell you about are they :)

GlaceCherries · 23/10/2014 08:52

Have you tried Tiger Balm? It stinks to high heaven but a small amount rubbed on above the lips will definitely clear the airways. And sleep with an extra pillow maybe? You have my sympathies, Thanks

PoppyAmex · 23/10/2014 09:03

I had this throughout both my pregnancies. My Consultant was super sympathetic but couldn't help because no spray would help with the swollen nose.

She recommended Breathe Right strips and it was THE ONLY THING that helped. Saline solutions didn't make the slightest bit of difference.

foxyfemke · 23/10/2014 16:45

Slice open an onion and put it next to your bed. It's smelly but it works.

Stay clear from milk before bed as dairy products will stimulate muchus production.

Be careful with olbas oil as it has eucalyptus oil in it, which is recommended to avoid when pregnant.

Original poster
tiggy2610 · 23/10/2014 17:51

It not a cold, just an instant bunged up nose as soon as I lay my head on the pillow Sad in fact right now, sat in the car coming home from work both nostrils are functioning perfectly!

My plan of action for tonight is an extra pillow, breath right strips and an onion by the bed Halloween Grin

I was going to mention it to the midwife actually but forgot during my appointment, although I'm starting to think my nose is past saving!
Thanks ladies! I'll report results in the morning Flowers

OP posts:
SilverStars · 23/10/2014 18:12

I found using steam with a liquid menthol I bought from chemist - v cheap, no idea of name - helped the most.

britnay · 23/10/2014 20:03

get some menthol crystals from your chemist, this may be something that isn't out on display (its in a drawer behind the counter at ours). Pop a few into just boiled water and breathe it in through your nose. Its good stuff.

thinkfast · 23/10/2014 20:16

Breathe right strips? They worked marvels for me during a 6m battle with sinusitis

ELA88 · 23/10/2014 21:50

Im suffering really badly with that too right now! I've been sleeping with Vicks vapour rub on my nose and smothered on a tissue under my pillow. Was talking to someone at work today who highly recommended this saline wash thing that you squeeze up one nostril and it clears all your sinuses and comes out the other side. Haven't tried it personally but I will be investing at the weekend as I'm exhausted! She said after about 15 minutes you do get a second "gush" of the solution coming out from right up on the sinuses but it really works! Will google the name of it now xx

Jaffakake · 23/10/2014 23:11

Head over a steaming bowl of water with either menthol/olbas/karvol in & a towel over you & the bowl is the best way IMHO. Really helps kick it into touch & means you can breathe for the first bit of the night at least.

WorkingBling · 24/10/2014 07:29

Yes, inhalation before bed with olbas. Even if you think you are fine, clearly sinuses are blocked so that might gets not flowing before sleep. Also a cup of hot water with lemon and go her before bed. Add a small spoon of honey.

Also, with inhalation, do it at least twice a day until it starts clearing up. I was losing faith on on the third day suddenly I had the most streaming nose and things improved immensely immediately.

Original poster
tiggy2610 · 24/10/2014 07:35

Thanks so much for all the tips ladies Thanks

Last night was better, but I think this was down to exhaustion rather than my nose! I tried hot honey and lemon and I did get one partially functioning nostril! Onion by the bed wasn't possible as we used the last one for tea....DH did suggest I try a picked onion Hmm

On today's shopping list are breath right strips and menthol steam things. Grin

OP posts:
ThisBitchIsResting · 24/10/2014 15:22

Another tip -keep the heating off overnight, it makes congestion much worse when radiators dry out the air.

Gudgyx · 24/10/2014 15:40

Thanks for this thread tiggy! I've been suffering as well right from the beginning and am 21 weeks now. Tried nasal inhalers, inhaling steam with vicks etc nothing has worked! I get it all day as well though, not just night time. Can suddenly burst into 10 random sneezes at any time.

I'll be getting the breathe right strips, tiger balm and sterimar!

Thanks ladies

PoppyAmex · 24/10/2014 17:31

I was always fine during the day, it was just as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Like I said, get the strips. Instant relief.

skyra13 · 25/10/2014 11:15

I have been like this with my nose, but they i stared to get a constant headache ended up in the put of hours gp last night at 2am with the pain seems i have sinusitis and needed antibiotics so maybe a visit to the doctor might be a good idea! x

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