How are you managing your cold/cough symptoms?

[KittyKK]

Heavily pregnant and full of cold and cough. I’ve also managed to pull 2 muscles in my back through coughing, which is painful... I know there’s no miracle cure, but wondering what others are doing to ease their symptoms??

So far, I’ve got:

• ridiculous amounts of lemons & honey
• dehumidifier with baby olbas oil
• cough suppressant (apparently fine in pregnancy)
• vicks to inhale over steaming water
• lockets to soothe sore throat
• dissolvable vitamin c tablets
• sterimar nasal decongestant spray
• heated wheat bag for pulled muscles

Is there anything missing? Feeling very big and very miserable. Thanks!!

I'm in hospital!!

Very annoying and relentless, especially given that they aren't really doing anything with me!

How many weeks pregnant are you? Hope you feel better soon!

A saline rinse is great for congestion and sinuses. Pharmacies sell them either as tiny bottles where you use one or two little spats, which can be helpful. Or for hardcore relief, you can get kits with a 250 ml bottle and pump that you fill with saline and pump up one nostril so the liquid and all the mucus runs down the other. It sounds way worse than it is, it looks and sounds utterly disgusting but the relief it brings is immense. There's no drugs involved in it so entirely safe in pregnancy and you can do it several times a day if needed.

Also I've found salt water gargles for a sore throat to be helpful.

If it's very bad, talk to your doctor or pharmacy. As you say you are heavily pregnant, the real danger period for drug risk to the foetus has long passed - the biggest concern is around the first semester in particular as the organs are forming. There may be something you can be prescribed or take under medical supervision.

Thanks both. I need to go back to the doctor tomorrow. This cold/cough is debilitating. If I eat, I throw up after coughing fits and bladder control is dreadful. Sleep is impossible.

@NickMyLipple - sorry to hear that you’re in hospital. I’m sure that’s even more miserable than being ill at home. Hope you don’t have to stay in too much longer 💐

Before going to sleep tonight rub Vicks on the soles of your feet tonight then put socks on. Hope you feel better xx

Also avoid dairy as it's mucus forming. Xx

I've had cold and cough for over a month now, was worse after I ate and at night and in the morning. Wasn’t getting better. Was prescribed antibiotics. One day of antibiotics to go, feeling slightly better. Hope you sort it out soon.