Cold and flu season

AnastasiyaDrach

I've had a cold for over a week now (congestion, sore throat, malaise), and it doesn't look like it will let up soon. I feel like there's not much to do other than home remedies (gargling, tea, nasal ocean spray, humidifier, etc.) and regular night-time Robitussin. Saw my family practitioner, she checked me over, told me to continue with the home remedies, and write out a script for augmentin. But it's up to me to fill it or not, because there's a risk with taking antibiotics. Seeing my midwife tomorrow for a routine monthly check-up. And I still need to get a flue shot.
I am just so worn out from this cold. Help?

wolowizard

I have no help. I'm in the same boat. This is my second cold this season and usually I get sick once for three days. I get into a NyQuil coma and it's gone. My first cold lasted three weeks and this ones honing in on a week. I eat a lot of cough drops and use Tylenol cold sparingly (only at night when I'm too congested to sleep). My OB cleared both of these things.

AnastasiyaDrach

Yea it's my 2nd cold too. First one was in September and was gone in a week. I did everything I'm doing now. This one is just bad. I'm wondering now if it's new indoor allergies. I had bad seasonal allergies that cleared up once I got pregnant (idk why, a miracle?).

kbehelr

My sister in law sent my sick niece to my house for the weekend without telling me she was sick. I was not happy! Hoping to avoid your missery. Long hot showers and glue yourself to a humidifier in hope the congestion lets up.

redneckmomma25

When I was pg with dd I had a cold for 3 months with a sinus infection in between. I did have to take antibiotics for the infection. I would not take antibiotics for a cold. So if you haven't been diagnosed with anything other than a cold I'm not sure why they would even prescribe them to you.

It sucks being sick and pg. There is just so little you can do. I'm not sure if they will give you the flu shot when you are sick. Discuss it with your midwife tomorrow.

kjones115

I'm in the same boat. Going on day 9. I've been eating a lot of soup and drinking tea but that's really just to keep taking in fluids. I took mucinex because my doctor oked it but I really don't want to take that daily. It sucks and I totally sympathize with you. Hang in there!

RIngReady

OI'm so sorry you're sick. You can add my sniffly nose and coughing name to the list of 'miserable mommies' right now. I am so congested and feel horrid. My Dr. recommended Robitussin Plain for a cold, but we have been to every pharmacy in our area ad no one carries it. 

I did get a Neti pot and have been using that twice a day, I won't say it is a miracle worker, but it clears me up for a little while. 

Hope you all feel better soon. 

MudLover

Hope you start feeling better. I had a sinus infection last month and my doctor gave me antiobiotics and told me to take robitussin or mucinex. I'm also allowed claritin, zyrtec, sudafed, tylenol sinus. 

scaggsed

I don't have any advice, I've had two colds and the stomach flu in the past two months. If I get sick again I'm going to murder someone

bebe43

Long time lurker but don't normally post much.  I've had the same cold symptoms and went to my dr on Friday. She suggested the Wet Sock Treatment.  Sounded pretty out there to me, but I was willing to try anything.  She told me to do it for at least 3 nights in a row.  Last night was my third night, and I have to say I am feeling MUCH better.  I have felt noticeably better each morning when waking up.  It may well just be everything else (neti-pot, lots of fluids, rest, etc) and the passing of time, but I plan on continuing this.  Here is a link to the directions for anybody interested:

https://www.naturalhealthadvisory.com/daily/natural-health-101/wet-sock-treatment-a-novel-cold-and-flu-treatment-at-home/

    

Capella99

The cdc actually released a statement that the flu shot isn't going to be effective this year because it's not targeting the right strain of flu, so I would definitely avoid that while pregnant if you haven't gotten it yet. I also was in the same boat with you and was prescribed a zpack. I chose not to take it and was fine in a few days with some home remedies I was trying. I used colloidal silver and some essential oils with a neti pot to get rid of mine. It worked. I also asked the same question you asked and was told
that antibiotics should only be used for a sinus infection if it's very serious... Not just a possible sinus infection that may be a bad cold. Antibiotics are serious business so I would skip unless 100 percent postive you have an infection in your body and you need them.

I also have not even Introd yet. I've been lurking for awhile. I'm about to go intro now. Lol. But I hope my advice helps at least a little.

Smash1215

Capella99 said:

The cdc actually released a statement that the flu shot isn't going to be effective this year because it's not targeting the right strain of flu, so I would definitely avoid that while pregnant if you haven't gotten it yet. I also was in the same boat with you and was prescribed a zpack. I chose not to take it and was fine in a few days with some home remedies I was trying. I used colloidal silver and some essential oils with a neti pot to get rid of mine. It worked. I also asked the same question you asked and was told
that antibiotics should only be used for a sinus infection if it's very serious... Not just a possible sinus infection that may be a bad cold. Antibiotics are serious business so I would skip unless 100 percent postive you have an infection in your body and you need them.

I also have not even Introd yet. I've been lurking for awhile. I'm about to go intro now. Lol. But I hope my advice helps at least a little.

No no no no no. Not as effective does not mean not effective. Please get the flu shot. Some protection is better than none.

And colloidal silver?! Fuuuuuuuuck. No, just no. Please don't give out medical advice when you clearly have no idea what you're talking about.

Shadeauxe

The flu shot may not be as effective this year, but it's still better than no shot, in my opinion.

I had a two month cold/cough with my daughter that was maddeningly infuriating because I coughed all the time and it wouldn't go away. I believe that ultimately the coughing helped push the baby out because I couldn't move any muscles below my waist after the epidural.  That doesn't really help you now, obviously. I just know how much it sucks. I hope it ends soon.

taahira

It sucks having a cold and pregnant. I hope you feel better soon.

Capella99

That's just my opinion and the conclusion I came to. I'm not the final say in this woman's decision... I just told her what worked for me and the info my doctor gave me about the flu shot. I had not had mine yet and he told me not to worry about getting it... But everyone is different with different experiences. My whole family swears by colloidal silver lol it's just a home remedy to at least look in to.

theinvadermothership

Any coverage from ANY strands of the flu are better than putting yourself and your baby at risk for landing in the hospital with a high fever and other complications. Not a risk i was willing to take. I got my shot.

Shadeauxe

Flu shots are like seat belts. You may not need your seat belt 99% of the time and may have never been in an accident before but they are still important. A seat belt will not protect you from all harm but sure does make it a lot better to be in an accident than not wearing one at all.

I and my whole family get a flu shot every year.

jc_twomamas

Capella99 said:

The cdc actually released a statement that the flu shot isn't going to be effective this year because it's not targeting the right strain of flu, so I would definitely avoid that while pregnant if you haven't gotten it yet. I also was in the same boat with you and was prescribed a zpack. I chose not to take it and was fine in a few days with some home remedies I was trying. I used colloidal silver and some essential oils with a neti pot to get rid of mine. It worked. I also asked the same question you asked and was told that antibiotics should only be used for a sinus infection if it's very serious... Not just a possible sinus infection that may be a bad cold. Antibiotics are serious business so I would skip unless 100 percent postive you have an infection in your body and you need them. I also have not even Introd yet. I've been lurking for awhile. I'm about to go intro now. Lol. But I hope my advice helps at least a little.

Please PLEASE make informed, educated, research backed decisions before you decide to do your shot or not (I'm absolutely one FOR the shot) but you can't force everyone..OP make your decision after research and speaking with your midwife or OB. Every year there is a mutated strain that you can get that the shot didn't cover...I like the seat belt example.  

My very holistic midwife told me to take my antibiotics if my sinus/cold got too bad two weeks ago..I filled them on a Monday not intending to take them and continued my steam showers with essential oils, neti-pot, teas, ect. but by Thanksgiving day (Thursday) I was miserable and ended up beginning the dosage.  By Saturday morning I was a new person.  Sinus and ear infection gone.  FTW, I have a long history of sinus/ear infections so I'm weathered when it comes to knowing when it's time to throw in the towel (tubes in my ears until 19, yup 19, and sinus surgery that year too). 

OP I hope you're feeling better!!

dana1047

I'm also in the snot boat!! Going on day 5 of a cold here. I've been eating oranges like crazy & trying not to pee myself with the hard coughs & sneezes.

The only medicine I have felt comfortable taking was Tylenol when my stomach hurt from all the coughing and cough drops/peppermint. I warmed a damp wash cloth in the microwave and laid it over my face last night. I was desperate and boy was it ahhhmazing.

Cold medicine generally just shortens the viral time. Usually I guess it has to run its course if it is a true cold.

I've already had my flu shot and no other symptoms. Just one big snot over here!!

dana1047

I'm pretty sure if I keep coughing my LO will come out with a 6 pack of abs.

justyouraveragemama

I say people should get the flu shot. I can't get it because it makes me really sick so it really helps if people around would get the flu shot to lessen my chances of getting it. However the kids I work with don't get it and people at school don't get it, and my sister and her son have the flu now too so it won't be long til I get it if you can get the flu shot, do it. I'd give anything to be able to get it if it means protecting my baby.

AnastasiyaDrach

AnastasiyaDrach said:

I've had a cold for over a week now (congestion, sore throat, malaise), and it doesn't look like it will let up soon. I feel like there's not much to do other than home remedies (gargling, tea, nasal ocean spray, humidifier, etc.) and regular night-time Robitussin. Saw my family practitioner, she checked me over, told me to continue with the home remedies, and write out a script for augmentin. But it's up to me to fill it or not, because there's a risk with taking antibiotics. Seeing my midwife tomorrow for a routine monthly check-up. And I still need to get a flue shot.
I am just so worn out from this cold. Help?

Thanks everyone! Cold has cleared up; had a lingering sore throat after the cold (I know, odd) but that went away about 2 weeks ago. Just got my flu shot on Friday. Everything's good so far, in that department.
I am now at high risk for premature labor. See my other discussion for the whole story, if yore interested. It's been really stressful and scary for us lately.

yellowdaisies84

Happy to hear that your cold cleared up and you're feeling better as far as that goes. Sorry to hear about the stress you're under with the risk of premature labour. I can definitely understand that must be scary. Hope you're doing okay.

ejz98ric02

I'm currently on Day 18 of this plague!!! I went to the Dr. on Monday (day 16) and they gave me a Z-Pack for antibiotics and an inhaler. They also said I have Bronchitis now and that I could try Children's Dimetap for the cough in addition to what they gave me. I'm sleeping with a humidifier and dealing with it. 

On the positive side, I'd rather be the one who is sick. DH has what I like to call "Man Colds", where he calls out of work with the freaking sniffles and proceeds to blow his nose and nothing comes out. LAME! 

ihatetomatoes

I just got this off of Doc Google - Vicks vapo rub on the soles of your feet followed by a thick pair of socks. I'm propped up in the pillow fort and hacking up treats constantly so I'm desperate enough to give this a try tonight. Has anyone heard of this actually working? I'll write my success or failure story tomorrow!