Sudafed for stuffy nose - every night??

[Nimme]

I am hoping there's someone out there who has some advice.

I am nearly 30 weeks pg and finding it very difficult to sleep at night. Turning over and visiting the loo regularly - but worst is the stuffy nose. I do not have a cold but find myself unable to breathe properly. Tried 2 pillows last night and finally at 4am I took a Sudafed. Would it be okay to take Sudafed every night?? Someone please say yes as my Olbas inhaler is proving useless.

Do you mean plain ordinary Sudafed (active ingredient pseudoephedrine hydrochloride)? If so, it is not recommended for use in pregnancy (see here , section 4.6, for information of a generic version of Sudafed). Sorry. Have you tried steaming? (not just over a jug of hot water but taking a hot shower before bed can work wonders for a stuffy nose).

Seriously, try acupuncture for it. It cleared up my lifetime sinusitis - the sort that steaming made NO difference to!

reflexology or acupressure might help too. massage with recommended dosage of eucalyptus or niaouli... these oils can also be put in a bath, so you get the benefit of the steam also.

motherinferior - more info please! Sounds interesting.

I've had lifeong sinusitis, which I could only tackle with popping the decongestants regularly. After years of bullying from my best mate, I found a decent practitioner (a five elements one), who cleared it up. I go once a month now, to a different but equally good practitioner. AND she dealt with my heartburn when I was pg!

It may not be for you. But if you think you want to give it a go, the British Acupuncture Council will send you a list of registered practitioners in your area and you can ring round to find one you like. I wrote a piece a while back on the sort of things you should ask when you're investigating them, so CAT me if you want to. HTH!

motherinferior - another thing to add to my list of pampering. I am already having monthly massages, pedicures and waxes - all of which are pregnancy necessities, don't you know!