mindygz Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 So the subject says it all, pretty much. I'm 11 weeks along and just when I feel like some OTC medication might be okay, I read up some more and scare myself out of my mind since I'm in the first trimester which is a vulnerable time. It started on Sunday and has gotten worse. This afternoon I lost all sense of smell/taste. Wondering if I just need to go into a doctor and get something prescribed or if this might still run its course and clear up on its own. I have taken a bit of generic Afrin (3 times since Monday) and that helped a TON, but I know it can be a bad idea to overuse those nasal sprays as you get "backlog" congestion or whatever they call it, and I guess pregnant people are a bit more susceptible to congestion issues anyways, so I am hesitant to use it much more. (Maybe that's why it is SO bad right now.) Saline nasal spray/drops doesn't seem to make a dent in it at this point. I also tried steam and Vicks and they didn't do a thing. First time in my life that I remember not being able to smell Vicks. I'm so miserable and uncomfortable (though aside from the whole congestion thing, I don't feel achy or anything, so I guess that's good). Any recommendations? Mindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennsmile Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 I would try a neti pot and lots of warm tea. Smelling the steam. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 (edited) I would try a neti pot and lots of warm tea. Smelling the steam. :grouphug: This is what I would do, too. I had really bad congestion a month or so ago. I literally could smell nothing, even when my nose was clear. I'm nursing, so I didn't want to take any medication, so I did the above things, and they did help a little. The neti pot doesn't really work if you're exceptionally congested, but if you have a time when it feels you could get the water through, use the neti pot. My favorite things is to bring some water to a boil, turn it off, wait for it to cool down a bit, then go breathe in the steam for a bit. I found that helped the most. I think time is really the only thing that will help much, however. :grouphug: Edited March 8, 2012 by Annie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Long hot showers. Stay in there (no fan) til your sinuses clear (30-45 minutes depending on how congested you are.) Much more pleasant than a neti pot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaKinVA Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 (edited) You might be able to add something like Vick's to the mixture...(I also vote for long hot showers, netti pots, etc.). A doctor is not likely to prescribe anything for a cold when you are pregnant...they will however treat you 14 days later once your really, really bad cold becomes pneumonia (I went to the doctor after being sick for 7 days, and was told to just tough it out...7 days later, I was being treated for double pneumonia). Edited March 8, 2012 by LisaK in VA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissad2 Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 I can sympathize greatly! I have horrible sinus allergies when I am pregnant. I take Zyrtec nightly and chlortrimeton as needed. I also use afrin because I cannot stand mouth breathing. My nasal congestion literally goes away the day the baby is born. I've tried it all, nothing else helps. It's miserable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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