ethansmom Posted November 9, 2004 Report Share Posted November 9, 2004 I have been MIA for a while as we have been so sick around here..the pregnancy is tough enough, but now we've got this wonderful respiratory infection passing through our house. Ethan brought it home from daycare, gave it to Daddy, I chuckled because I was free and clear this time, then BAM Anyhow, the baby ended up on an antibiotic, and now I am struggling through the worst of this. I am not taking any medications at all, so I was looking for some suggestions on things I might do to releive the congestion (nasal and in my chest). My biggest problem is the unrelenting sneezing..the boys had that too and it is tough! I am drinking lots of hot tea and applying warm compresses to my sore, chafed sinuses...plus drinking orange juice. Anything else I can do? I'd like to stave away the antibiotics this time!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoGiuliana Posted November 9, 2004 Report Share Posted November 9, 2004 Sounds like you are doing all the right things. Plenty of warm, clear fluids seem to help me. Have you ever tried warm lemonade or limeade? I don't consume much sugar, but last time I had a cold I tried this--mixing fresh lemon juice with water and a bit of maple syrup and heating it in the microwave. It is soothing anyway.Some people use saline nasal sprays. I don't know how helpful that is. Maybe worth a try.Katherine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMouse Posted November 9, 2004 Report Share Posted November 9, 2004 I can only think of a few things--one is to consider drinking some warm beverages that don't have caffeine in them--helps loosen stuff up. Also, I use a nasal rinse system from NeilMed. If you google that, you'll come up with http://www.natlallergy.com/cgi-bin/MySQLdb...t&spreadid=1519which is where I purchase mine from. One note, if you're seriously clogged up or if you're also having ear pain, go to the doctor and don't use the rinse--stuff can get trapped in those sinuses. However, if it's just minor nasal discharge, sinus drip, irritation, etc., then rinsing might help.Lastly, in order to sleep, I use breathright strips. I sometimes also suck on peppermints which helps me feel like I'm breathing better.Hope that you're feeling better very soon! Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yogini Posted November 9, 2004 Report Share Posted November 9, 2004 You could try saline nasal spray for the congestion. It's not as good as the real nasal spray, but still helps a bit. I think the real nasal spray is contraindicated for POTS meds (beta blockers etc.).Another idea is to boil some water and put a towel over your head and breathe in the steam. (Although I am not sure whether the heat would trigger your POTS symptoms) Vicks Vapo Rub is great too, although again, I'm not sure if it is OK for POTS and/or pregnancy. And make sure to keep up on the Vitamin C. Can you tell I had a ton of colds as a little kid?Feel better,Rita Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merrill Posted November 9, 2004 Report Share Posted November 9, 2004 Your note is timely Jess--I was just thinking of posting this anyway...I staved off a head cold last week by using Zicam right after the very first sneeze. (Other body signs were telling me that I was coming down with something...) It only lasted about 1 day (weird, I know, but it's happened before ... this stuff really works--for me, anyway-- to shorten the duration of a cold. It helps to start using it right at the beginning). I also started downing multivitamins in the morning, antioxidant formula in the evening, chicken noodle soup for lunch, tons of vitamin C all day, and of course, lots of water.OK, lemme read the box: Zicam no-drip liquid nasal gel. (Sounds lovely, no?) Cold remedy swabs (like a q-tip dunked in goo). Active ingredient: zincum gluconicum. Uses: reduces duration of the common cold; reduces severity of cold symptoms--sore throat, stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, congestion. (It definitely helped my runny nose as well!)On the back it says for adults and children 3 years of age and older (shoot, Ethan's too young...) And shoot again--it says If pregnant or breast feeding, ask a health professional before use. So OK, Jessica, sorry! But maybe it's OK? Might be worth a phone call--or asking at your next doctor's appointment, since the cold season is just starting.I hope you and your family feel better soon! Colds are the WORST. (They really can exacerbate all kinds of other potsy symptoms...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackwolf Posted November 10, 2004 Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 Dear Jessica,Sorry you have to go through all this. I can't take antihistamines or decongestants. My favorite home remadies are Vicks vapor rub or menthal caphor rub, under and on my nose as well as on my chest. If you have a cool air vaporizer, try that too. Drink lots of warm liquids and rest as much as possible. Vitamins and minerals are good too.I hope you all feel better soon.Blackwolf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole's Mom Posted November 10, 2004 Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 Jessica,If ginger is okay for the baby, I would suggest ginger tea. I use 1/4 tsp ground (the powdery type) ginger in a cup of hot water. Sweeten. It has a kick to it so that you blow your nose and clean stuff out. Also if you can do spicy foods make a cup of regular tea (decaf) and add about 1/8 tsp. cayenne powder. Sweeten. That will really make you blow your nose. Cleans you out pretty good. I hope you begin to feel better really soon.Beverly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geneva Posted November 10, 2004 Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 Jessica, I find that adding eucalyptus oil (several drops) to hot steaming water and inhaling helps. At nite I add a few drops to a tissue and leave where I can inhale...just keep away from eyes. hope you feel better soon. The upper respiratory stuff is going around here too. that time of year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DancingLight Posted November 10, 2004 Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 jess,i think everyone covered everything already...but i forgot until nina mentioned it how much i LOVE those breathe right strips! i like the ones with the menthol...and you scratch them (like a scratch and sniff sticker!) to get a whiff of menthol. they really worked for me last time i was clogged up. gosh, i sure hope you all feel better soon.emily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merrill Posted November 10, 2004 Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 You're gonna love this article on colds ... It's both informative and hilarious.http://encarta.msn.com/column_sicklyseason..._be_Sickly.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.