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Bleh. I've been sick since Friday. It began with a sore throat, which is better now, progressed to extreme inner ear pain, and is now visiting my body in the form of a massive headache and an alternating runny and stuffed-up nose. Any suggestions? My OB took a look yesterday and said I can take Benedryl (which makes me tired, so I can't take it for another few hours). I got 4 1/2 hours of sleep last night due to the headache/nose thing and am willing to try anything that's pregnancy safe.
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If your stomach can handle it, I've found that spicy mexican food (Specifically green chile stew or chile rellenos, but a zippy salsa works too) clears out chest congestion better than any pharmaceutical.
Posts: 2069 | Registered: May 2001
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Personally, I take this: Cold & Flu Support but it is basically geared toward building up your immune system to better help your body fight off getting sick, not as much to help you getting better once you ARE sick. It has Echinacea, which is commonly used in health food circles to help fight off colds.
However, as with anything -- the label says that if you are pregnant, consult your doctor and get their approval before taking it.
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Oh, if he gets nasal saline spray, make sure it's the kind that's safe for pregnant women. Some have a chemical in it that can cause pre-term labor. I'm leaving a message asking my dad about what it's called because my brain is fried and I can't remember. I'll let you know when I find out, unless someone else can fill in my faulty memory here.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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Have you tried taking pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) with an antihistamine? Everyone's brain chemistry is different, but I find pseudoephedrine to combat antihistamine drowsiness and most headaches as well as the obvious decongestant use. dpr's thread said Sudafed was ok for pregnancy, but Pfizer's product info says to ask a health professional before use. Not as "natural" as ephedra but the doses are more uniform.
For the headache, you might try caffeine if you do not use it regularly. If you take it from tea it is pretty natural.
Nothing wrong with natural products; they work as well as OTC or prescription remedies, but keep in mind that if it works it has the potential to be dangerous, either alone or in combination with any other medication you may be taking. Natural does not mean safe.
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kq, I have no idea if it can induce labor or not, but some nasal sprays (Afrin) contain oxymetazoline. Ring a bell?
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Just got a call back from my dad. It's benzoate or benzoic acid. Some brands have it, some don't; read the ingredients before using if you're pregnant.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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Have you tried brewing several slices of ginger in some water with honey? If you hate ginger, obviously not good, but I find it really soothes a sore throat, clears my head and generally makes me feel better. Not sure if it's got anything that'll actually help you get better - Isn't ginger meant to be really good for your immune system or something?
Posts: 77 | Registered: Mar 2005
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I finally took some benedryl after picking up the kiddos from school. It's helped the headache recede a tiny bit, but of course now I'm dead on my feet. Interesting note - the teeny tiny grocery in my town no longer carries Sudafed and will be pulling other meds from the shelf due to potential problems with them being used as meth ingredients.
kq, thanks for asking about the nasal spray. And Danzig, excellant point about needing to be careful of herbal remedies.
Mr. Opera is on his way home. I'm going to have a cup of tea and retire to the bedroom, where I'll watch the 2nd season of ER till I fall into the normal benedryl-induced coma.
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Some. I'm still gonna pamper it with easy-to-eat foods tonight: onion soup, poached salmon, steamed peas, and rice (possibly bread, but rice requires less chewing). Just so I don't aggravate it.
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My personal favorite remedy is Hot and Sour Soup, especially if it's really hot and really sour. Mmmm. It makes my nose run, it tastes lovely, and it makes me at least FEEL like it's doing something.. Posts: 3141 | Registered: Apr 2000
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The sore throat is back and now I have a cough.
