Can't cope with blocked nose anymore

[MumbleLumble]

For about 3 weeks now I've had a blocked nose and it's driving me insane. I'll get about 2 hours sleep then I'm awake for 4 hours trying to get my nose unblocked so I can go back to sleep. Two nights ago I had 1.5 hours sleep the whole night. I'm off work this week but I'm back Monday and honestly don't know how I'll cope. I've been to the chemist and they've said I can't take anything apart from vicks vapour rub which doesn't do anything. I've tried and tried to sleep breathing through my mouth but I can't.

I don't know what to do as I'm so exhausted my whole body hurts, I've got constant headache and getting heart palpitations from lack of sleep.

It’s rubbish, isn’t it. I found the nose strips that you stick on the outside of your nose really effective, although they became uncomfortable after using them a few nights in a row.
I’m also taking antihistamines daily, I personally am comfortable using loratadine or cetirizine.
Similarly I have been using a steroid nasal spray on and off during the third trimester, again I feel comfortable that this is safe for me, but you would have to look into it for yourself and see how you feel.

You can take sterimar saline nasal spray. It's horrible, I won't lie, but it does help to clear things. I was given it by the pharmacist and was told it was fine in pregnancy.

I am only 12 weeks and I can't cope with having this until I give birth.

Are the nose strips for snoring? I will give those a go thank you. I'm not sure how I feel about taking antihistamines but I will look into it.

The pharmacy didn't mention saline nose spray but I remember using it on one of the DC when they were baby so I will try that too.

Thabk you both.

Second the nose strips! They really help open your nostrils so you can breathe better. They're marketed for snoring but they defo help with the preggo blocked nose!

That Sterimar stuff is brilliant and safe for use in pregnancy. It works straight away - not entirely pleasant but a means to an end. Maybe try steam as well? Face over some hot water with a towel over your head.

Don't have any advice for how to stop but placemarking here because I have the same problem. I'm 38 weeks now and I'm fucking sick of it. As if there aren't already enough things stopping you sleeping when you're pregnant...

Another vote for the nose strips from me! If your nasal passages are actually blocked with mucous, would also recommend Neilmed nasal rinse (cheaper than sterimar - you make it up yourself with boiled water).

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. I can't wait to get to the pharmacy tomorrow. I can't get to sleep at my nose is blocked right now. So frustrating as I'm just so tired. I'm so sorry for anyone else suffering too. It really is awful.

Defo try antihistamines - I suffered with constant colds and blocked nose for over a year - they were only symptoms and after camera up nose etc etc I finally took antihistamine and it cleared! I had no idea it could be allergy based as no itchy eyes or throat etc

Should mention I have to take almost daily long term now

I get a hot wet flannel, place it under my nose, and snort the water up (sometimes closing one nostril to do the other). Then I try and wait a few minutes before blowing my nose. This usually gets a load of snotty/bloody water out of my nose and unblocks it.

I used otravine when I was pregnant. I wasn't supposed to but it was the only thing that gave me relief.

Yeesh I came in here to have a moan about the exact same thing!!

Will get nose strips. Thanks for advice.

I am worse at home where it is stuffy. At work where we have air conditioning (so much it is often freezing) I'm ok. Pity I can't just sleep at work though.

I think atm the humid weather has made it worse for me. I was ok a week or so ago. My nose was still blocked and I was sniffy but it didn't bother me as much. Or maybe it has just got worse and is nothing to do with weather. I've spent about half an hour sneezing repetitively.

It’s potentially pregnancy rhinitis.. I’m suffering again this time. It’s really annoying! I also have HG, I could quite do without it!

I used the salt water spray quite a lot last pregnancy, it was a big help! But the best thing I’ve ever bought is a cool mist humidifier, about £45 from Argos. Fantastic for colds, heyfever & this! We use it for our toddler & ourselves!

I had this, a combination of sinusitis and crazy inflammation. Was intolerable. Used one of those special kits where you flush out your nose and sinuses with lots of saline. It's pretty disgusting but I was prepared to try anything out. And it worked! Got mine online, perfectly safe to use just feels like you're getting seawater up your nose

Didn't manage to get to the chemist yesterday but I've brought some of those nose strips. I've got one on and in bed ready for work tomorrow. Wish me luck, I don't think it's going to stay stuck on all night...

If you really can't deal with it, buy a NeilMed sinus rinse kit. It's a saline nasal wash - sounds gross but honestly it's the absolute best thing for a really blocked nose and 100% fine for pregnancy. I had to use one after pituitary surgery and after the first go or two you do get used to it. I've had a really blocked nose in pregnancy too and it gives me bad headaches (my sinuses have never really recovered from the surgery) and after rinsing once in the morning with the NeilMed I'm fine for the rest of the day. Failing that, Sterimar is good, but it doesn't clear your nose out as well as a proper rinse. Most pharmacies stock them.

I hate water up my nose and Im not sure I could bring myself to do it! I will get some and give it a go. Sorry it hear you've suffered too. I'm not that bothered about my nose being bloxked during the day, it's just at night it's driving me mad. The nose strips seemed to have helped though. I managed to sleep from 10.30 - 2. Then 3-5 which is the most sleep I've had in weeks. Back to work today, I'm dreading it.

Not au fait with what you can use in pregnancy but what about menthol crystals. Get them from chemist. A couple of flakes in hot water and steam/sniff. Gives temporary relief but you only use a few as it is strong stuff.

Not pregnant but I suffered with this, gp have medication for nasal polyps. Try your GP rather than pharmacist.

@mumblelumble I totally get what you mean about disliking water up your nose - it stings like hell usually! However, I can can confirm that saline nasal rinse really doesn't - it's because the solution has the right concentration of electrolytes 👍

Those nose strips really help. But I've been really suffering with this nose it is driving me crazy. That saline wash is only partially helpful.

There are certain plants still producing very high levels of pollen. Loratadine is supposed to be a safe antihistamine to take in pregnancy (I took it the entire time I was pregnant and breastfeeding) and it's really cheap in Aldi too!

I suffer badly too and use otrivine sinusitis nose spray, works a treat!

Thanks for all the tips. I've been using the nose strips which, although aren't perfect, do seem to keep me asleep longer. I managed 6 hours sleep last night!