Sicker than I've been in years-help please!

Knottie42051437 · February 2016

I woke up yesterday with an upper respiratory problem of some sort and my doctor won't see me unless I am sick at least 48 hours (she said call Friday if I don't improve) I've had a fever on and off which I am controlling with tylenol but i have a persistent cough that starts and nothing helps, I'm coughing so hard I'm dry heaving, my throat is raw, I've been taking benedryl and hot showers but I'm absolutely miserable, and decongestants tear up my stomach. Any suggestions on what could help are appreciated, I'm desperate for relief!

finnybooboo · February 2016

Go to an Urgent Care? That's pretty crazy to me that a doc won't see you unless you've been sick for a certain amount of time. If you want to see a doc, you should be able to see a doc!! Feel better!

asummerbride · February 2016

I agree with above poster, I would go to an Urgent Care. It seems crazy to me that the doctor won't see you, especially being pregnant with those symptoms, including a fever! I have never heard of such a thing as waiting 48 hours. I hope you feel better!

Knottie42051437 · February 2016

That's what I thought too! We don't have an urgent care close by but I'm getting closer to going to the ER, i just dont understand my docs logic there!

kp90 · February 2016

I would call your OB back and speak to someone else and make them realize how miserable and sick you are feeling. If they still deny you care I would consider putting in some kind of complaints. In the mean time, if they turn you down again and you don't have a close urgent care then definitely the ER. They aren't the best for pregnancy related issues but they should know well enough what you are able and not able to take to feel better while pregnant so atleast they may be able to give you some relief. Other than that, I know it sucks but LOTS of rest and fluids. If you're working, call off as many days as needed and keep your butt in bed. Feel better.

Knottie42051437 · February 2016

Thank you ladies! It's reassuring to know I'm not overreacting!

JessicaB0627 · February 2016

Fevers can be dangerous during pregnancy. Did you try to see your Ob or your PCP?? It sounds like what you have could potentially be the flu and if you see someone early enough you could maybe take tamiflu. I would be pretty irate if my doctor wouldn't see me with me a fever during pregnancy..

Knottie42051437 · February 2016

I called my OB first thing this morning, I don't think I will be using them past this pregnancy! I am def not happy with her answer and just felt like i was being put off. LO has been a kicking machine through the last two days but the fever still scares me.

doozer1345 · February 2016

DD is on week 3 of this and I'm on week 2. I've found that sleeping with a humidifier and rubbing Vicks on my chest, throat and nose have helped a whole lot. I've also been taking hot showers to alleviate my symptoms. Gross but I blow my nose a lot in the shower and it helps loosen everything up too. Try eating something spicy. I ate some spicy tortellini soup I made and felt instant relief.

Knottie42051437 · February 2016

I will definitely give it a try, thank you!

lbachran · February 2016

Go to the ER immediately. The sooner it is caught and accurately assessed, the better you will end up. My OB wouldn't see me either and just called in Cheratussin which did absolutely nothing. I ended up with acute bronchitis for almost 3 months, sustained excruciating rib injuries from the coughing, and all for something that could've been stopped in a few days. A zpack, an oral steroid, and a nebulizer (all of which can be safely prescribed during pregnancy) could have saved me months of misery. Go to the ER, don't be like me.

proudparent2b · February 2016

My OB's nurse totally freaked out when I went in to an appt a few months ago with a really bad cold. She didn't want to get anywhere near me for fear of catching and passing the cold onto other pregnant patients. My OB was fine with it and prescribed a Z pac.

Maybe your OB is like the nurse at mine and wants to wait until your less contageous? Not necessarily fair or right, but it's the first thing that came to mind when I read this.

Knottie42051437 · February 2016

My husbands on his way home and he's going to take me to the ER, better safe than sorry! I hope you sick ladies find some relief too! This is no fun at all, I can't remember the last time I felt this bad!

That1didntcount · February 2016

lbachran said:

Go to the ER immediately. The sooner it is caught and accurately assessed, the better you will end up. My OB wouldn't see me either and just called in Cheratussin which did absolutely nothing. I ended up with acute bronchitis for almost 3 months, sustained excruciating rib injuries from the coughing, and all for something that could've been stopped in a few days. A zpack, an oral steroid, and a nebulizer (all of which can be safely prescribed during pregnancy) could have saved me months of misery. Go to the ER, don't be like me.

This was my first half of February. The z pack did nothing but the steroid inhaler changed my life. This year has been awful. The doctors are saying this viral respiratory bug is lasting weeks. My ribs were so sore!!!! Get yourself care wherever you can. I agree with @doozer1345 soup is your best friend - even if you can't taste it!

Knottie42051437 · February 2016

Just got home from the hospital and they said bronchitis possibly pneumonia and that it's good I came when I did! They did a breathing treatment and an antibiotic shot and a z pack, so glad i went! Thank you guys for all the suggestions! soup will be my best friend for a few days!

lbachran · February 2016

@Knottie42051437, I'm so glad you went! My bronchitis finally cleared up after Christmas, but I've reinjured my rib several times (the coughing and relaxin are a terrible combination). If you're not seeing any improvement in the cough within a few days, ask your ob for an inhaler or nebulizer with albuterol (this will work like the breathing treatment from the ER). Brace your ribs whenever you cough or sneeze, once you weaken the muscles, it takes very little to reinjure them. I had horrible rib pain for 8 weeks after only sneezing once. To echo a pp, if you're coughing a lot at night, get a humidifier (it will take some of the tightness out of the cough). Feel better!

JessicaB0627 · February 2016

@Knottie42051437 I'm glad you decided to go! Now you can tell your doctor to shove it. That bothers me so much that they wouldn't see you.

nerdymama15 · February 2016

Something that will also help ease some of the symptoms. Get a pot of water and shake some salt into it and bring it to a boil. Turn the heat off. Drape a towel over your head and inhale the steam. It will loosen a lot of that gunk up so have some tissues nearby.
Sometimes I will also put a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil on the back of my pillow case. That way I'm not touching the oil, but I can get the benefits of smelling it.

Charissadeats · February 2016

I am so happy you went and that you got something to help you. And your DH sounds like he is supportive which is awesome. Wishing you a speedy recovery! Take care x

Soontobejones33 · February 2016

I had a similar issue with my OB early on. I felt horrible and called in to see about care. The nurse brushed me off without even trying to see me, offered to call in meds, that's all. It wasn't long before I contacted my PCP. He made a point of making room for me. Worst sinus infection I'd ever had. Took Two days out of work and the weekend to recover enough to go back. I like my OB alot but i don't think my concerns always make it to her. Glad my PCP is awesome. All that to say if you feel bad don't let the doctor tell you you dont. Yeah they're the "experts" but you are an expert on you and know when you need help.

Knottie42051437 · February 2016

Thank you again everyone for the great suggestions! You guys are awesome, thank you for being so supportive! I don't feel like my chest has loosened up much yet but the unbearable cough has for sure let up some.

kp90 · February 2016

@knottie42051437 Now your next step should be to call and speak to the same idiot from your OB's office who blew you off and tell her what you have been diagnosed with and the risk she put you and your baby in. She should be your next twatwaffle for sure. But seriously.. I would be calling and complaining to someone. That's unacceptable. Glad you got taken care of though!

erikalee1876 · February 2016

@doozer1345 i was told.once when i got sick by my ob to absolutely not use vicks or anything with menthol on the skin or like cough drops...its not safe!! I would check first before using a ton!!

katxattack1212 · February 2016

I have a nasty cold myself. On night 3 of this. I finally caved and took a Sudafed.( It was on the ok list from my doctor...of course if you Google that, there's mixed reviews. I took it with my other pregnancies though.)Finally some relife! I did not sleep at all last night. Hoping I can tonight.

doozer1345 · February 2016

@erikalee1876 I have. I use cough drops and Tylenol too. My daughter has no issues (I used them with her too). It's the only thing that will open me up and allow me to function. I've never heard Vicks is bad. I would imagine high doses of cough drops would be.

Bltbear82 · February 2016

@doozer1345 have you ever tried the Honest vapor rub? It's chemical free and I use it whenever DS is sick. It smells similar to Vicks but not as strong.

doozer1345 · February 2016

@Bltbear82 No I don't care for the Honest brand but I use Little Remedies for DD which is awesome!

JessicaB0627 · February 2016

doozer1345 said:

@Bltbear82 No I don't care for the Honest brand but I use Little Remedies for DD which is awesome!

Vicks has one for babies too. I think it has eucalyptus, lavender, and rosemary. It never worked for her though.

kbrands7 · February 2016

JessicaB0627 said:

doozer1345 said:

@Bltbear82 No I don't care for the Honest brand but I use Little Remedies for DD which is awesome!

Vicks has one for babies too. I think it has eucalyptus, lavender, and rosemary. It never worked for her though.

Both DS and I have had success with the vicks baby rub.

Want a personalized experience?

Sicker than I've been in years-help please!

Re: Sicker than I've been in years-help please!

Choose Another Board

Search Boards