I have a miserable case of head congestion....please help?

Question

I have had this miserable head congestion for about 3 weeks. I have no chest congestion, no cought, no sore throat, and it really does not feel like a cold. I am just congested in my sinuses and I sneeze about 50 times a day. When I sneeze, my eyes water and the flood gates open with the mucus. That part is anooying but I can live with it. The problem is that the congrestion is causing me to have these terrible pressure congestion headaches. I took 2 Tylenol yesterday and it made it bearable but the headache is still there today. I am 12 1/2 weeks along. Is there anything that I can take for the congestion? Please help.

When I blow my nose, its clear. I dont know that much about infections but I always thought clear wasa good thing and that yellow/green meant infection. I am going to call my doctor tomorrow but just looking forsome relief today. Thanks!

Can I use Vicks Vapor Rub?

Do I go to my OB for sinusitis or my regular doctor?

Answer 1

I doubt it is a sinus infection. You were told right about the color of mucus. DO NOT take any medication unless you talk with your doctor first. What ever you take, the baby ingests also. You can take some hot showers to open your sinus up and then clear your nose to get it out. You can also place a bowl of hot salt water in front of you and place a towel over your head to breath in the salt water, that will help open your sinus also.For in between you can buy a saline solution to squirt in your nose, that will help also.. This should help till you can talk to your doctor about it.
and congrats mom...

Answer 2

I am getting over a cold. My nose is congested alot and ever since the beginning of this pregnancy - like you, I sneeze like 1234042845394857 times a day. So especially now with this cold I sneeze even more.
I just spoke with my OBGYN yesterday - and she said I can take sudafed or tylenol or both. I don't get headaches so I've only taken tylenol once because my throat hurt so bad. But my nose just pours out mucus - more like water though - at random times its annoying.
I don't know what sudafed does but maybe it'll help with that. I'm going to look into that today~ =)



Oh yeah, and the tylenol I have is for severe congestion - they have daytime and nighttime and its a big help

Answer 3

Stand in the shower with the water as hot as you can stand COMFORTABLY. Face the show head and let the water spray on your face for several minutes until your sinuses open. It may feel a bit uncomfortable after a bit, but just let the water work its magic. While you are doing this try to still breathe through your nose.

Afterward, spray buffered, salt water in each nostril, breathing very gently with each application. This probably going to hurt a little, but keep doing it until you get a good application. The best product is 'Ocean' it can be found at your local Wal Mart or a drug store.

Repeat until your congestion is gone.

A little uncomfortable, yes. But it works very well and its better than using a lot of medication.

P.S. Learned this from an allergy specialist.

Answer 4

I think your best bet is going to the chemist and asking them. In the meantime you could try vicks vapour rub on your chest to inhale the smell and the old towel over head over bowl of boiling water or sit in a steamy bathroom. Sometimes inhaling the steam can clear the sinus' and congestion.
Don't take anything without reading the box first, if its doesn't specifically state safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women don't take it. Usually any cold & flu medicines cannot be taken when pregnant.
There are natural remedies through "Braun" brand that can work.

Best of luck! and congrats!

Answer 5

i had the same problem when i was about 4 months along...it ended up being a horrible sinus infection...i was visiting my parents out of town @5 hours away from home. I ended up going to the ER it was so bad and they prescribed me a Z-pack and told me i couldnt take any decongestants...i could take my claritin as normal as long as it wasnt claritin D (which has decongestant) It took a couple of days but those high dose antibiotics kicked it. But its been almost 2 months now since then and I still have the congestion and drainage unfortunately because of my allergies being in high gear. I just keep taking my claritin and blow my nose alot lol...It's kinda crappy but oh well...hope ya find somthing that works :)

Answer 6

I had this problem too. Pregnancy can cause nasal congestion because your passages swell from increased blood flow. It was giving me terrible pressure and headaches a couple weeks ago so my doctor perscribed a steroid nasal spray and it did the trick! The spray is called rhinocort--you should see your doctor and ask for it.

Oh, and if you ever have questions about a medication go to www.safefetus.com....they provide no b.s. FDA studies.

Answer 7

Cold and cough medicines:
A number of nonprescription cold and cough medicines are safe during pregnancy. These include Tylenol (the FDA puts this in Class B), antihistamines such as Claritin (Class B) and saline nasal sprays (Class A). Other medications can be used short term, including cough medicines such as Robitussin, or decongestants with the active ingredient of pseudoephedrine or phyenylephrine (all Class C). If your symptoms last more than a week, see your medical provider for an exam and reassessment of the medicines you are taking.

**** I used Robitussin while pregnant, check with your doctor or pharmacist to be certain......DO NOT TAKE "SUDAFED PE" WHILE PREGNANT!!*****
vicks vapor rub should be fine to use, but check with the doctor or pharmacist first. also, see your OBGYN for mostly all illnesses when pregnant, she/he will refer you to a specialist if they have to for anything else.
please read links below for more info

Answer 8

Many times when a woman is pregnant she can become more susceptible to allergies, that's what this sounds like...

Try some hot tea, (the non caffeine kind)
you can also try taking a hot shower or bath, lots of times the steam and hot water can help break up the congestion.

you might also want to see a doctor just in case, catch it early if you are getting sick...

God luck!

Answer 9

Sounds like a sinus infection or severe allergies. Try OTC allergy medication, they usually work within a few hours, if you still feel lousy, visit a doctor, after all a sinus infection requires antibiotics.

Answer 10

Yup. Sounds like a true case of sinusitis to me. (I've been there.) Go to your doctor. He/she will probably prescribe an antibiotic or offer some safe advice for relief. DO NOT TAKE ANYTHING that is over-the-counter until you are certain it won't harm your baby!