cold after cold after cold

[Madigan]

I am absolutely fed up with getting colds. I have had colds for 4 weeks solidly now -just as I am getting over one, I catch another one. It is so draining.
A couple of weeks ago I was prescribed antibiotics as I had been so unwell for so long. They seemed to help, but then I got ill again.
Has anyone else has this when pregnant (I am nearly 26 weeks), and what on earth can I do about it???
I have a 1 y.o. who is also suffering with all these colds. Any advice would be v v welcome. I am now desparate.
Also - I have a completely blocked nose all the time, and I do not normally have that when I get colds when not pregnant - have blocked sinuses something to do with pregnancy?

I was the same when pg - it was a nightmare.
ALos, yes, during pg you are more bunged up, even in a non-cold state.
Have you some Olbas Oil?

Poor you htough - it is crap.

Olbas oil does not work at all unfortunately... really, nothing seems to work !! Paracetamol makes no difference. I take 1000mg vitamin C - useless. Every morning I wake up and feel worse than the day before. Sorry to moan on, but I am absolutely fed up with it.

Be careful with the vit C though - it can run throught you like the clappers!
Is your iron level okay?

Agree about iron level I am 23 weeks pregnant and constantly ill until they checked iron

Yeah had an iron level test recently and it was ok. and I take an iron supplement.
Seeing my consultant tomorrow for routine checkup - and will ask him for advice. But have raised this before and have never had any sympathy or advice that works!! Think I probably just have to put up with it, but am so fed up with feeling like crap every day. and no energy to look after DD.

They may have said its okay but may still be very much at lower end dont be fobbed off.I have been taing pregaday twice a day and can now function.I was hardly able to look after ds who is two(thank god she likes creche)You need to take iron with glass of orange.

I had pregnancy rhinitis (constant stuffy nose) with ds2 and it was very annoying!

Oh you are like me. One minute you see a blue line on a stick next thing you know it's 7mo of colds and sore throats. No advice but atleast it's not just you!

Have you tried saline drops up your nose they may give you a bit of a break from the bunged up nose.
My sympathies are with with as i'm suffering as well.I'm 34 weeks pg and got a bloody awful chest infection.
Hope you feel better soon.

I feel your pain. I have had 5-6 weeks of colds and 2 rounds of anti-biotics for sinus and chest infections. In my first pregnancy I don't think I took so much as one paracetamol. I blame DD 2 yrs. She is a germ magnet, but gets over it faster than me.

I've found inhaling steam helped a bit with the congestion, but it is still very annoying when I lie down at night. Spend all night tossing and turning struggling to breathe or/and get comfortable. The irony is a few good nights of sleep would probably help me feel better too.

Gah - anyway, not much help but you aren't alone.

I was about to start a thread on this! I am 22 weeks pg and currently enjoying my third cold in as many weeks. My sinuses have been blocked for about a month and I can't sleep properly because my nose is totally bunged up. It sucks

well, i can see i am not alone ..... just been to see consultant, who has advised that paracetamol or lemsip and strepsils are all ok, and to have iron level checked again. It was at the lower end of the scale last time. I have been taking an iron supplement, but maybe I need more??? Will check what I am taking, and maybe can compare with some of you iron-takers?
Feeling absolutely awful as per usual today. Sneezing and coughing, and stuffed nose as usual. nightmare. plus little sleep as DD decided not to settle last night. AAAAGGGHHH. Fed up!!!!

had the same. All I can say is it seems so easy to catch things, immune system is low when preg. I've had loads of colds plus horrendous food poisoning. Now I wash my hands when I come in off the street and before eating/touching my mouth etc. If you can get in a bit of exercise it might help to boost immune system.. I also have constantly snuffly nose, must be hormone related or whatever.. Hope you feel better soon!

Take pregaday with a glass of orange.

ok
already take Zita West multivitamins and DHA capsules - reckon that should be equivalent of pregaday?
Will start drinking OJ .... as well as my 1000mg vit c?
sneezing like a maniac today - feel awful as usual. when will this end?

Hats off to Beeny ...

Just heard from my consultant that my iron level is now low (10.5) and I am to take .... PREGADAY!! I am also to eat lots of red meat and spinach, and drink a little guinness . Please let this make things better ....

any other tips to increase iron levels?

Mine was similar to yours i thought i had M.E.I suggest you take two pregaday for at least a week morning and evening.My Gp only said one a day but consultant said 2 a day would be better.No caffeine near time of taking tablets.You will start to feel better in about 10 days.Good luck.

Thanks Beeny!!