Pregnancy Rhinitis?

[Adhafera]

Anyone else have it? My head is so congested, and I've got such awful post-nasal drip, that at times I literally can't go more than two minutes without coughing. I'm thankful that at least my morning sickness has been very mild though. But I don't know how I'm going to be able to function like this, and since its not a cold or allergies, no medicines will help. From what I've read it can go away at any time, or it could stick around til delivery; which is a long ways away, since I'm only 8 weeks. I have my first appointment tomorrow and will definitely be discussing it with the doctor then. Does anyone have any tips or tricks for dealing with this? Thanks.

[daynasrose]

Sorry you are feeling so congested. :hugs:

I had major problems with stuffy nose, head and post-nasal drip with both pregnancies. With the last one it started really early, like 6 weeks. I used OTC nasal spray to help with the nose congestion and post-nasal drip. Benadryl didn't help with the congestion. Moving and light exercise did help with the congestion but once I stopped the movement it would come back. My congestion got so bad at one point that my Dr. prescribed Flonase, a steroid spray. It got rid of the post nasal drip and nasal congestion completely and when those were gone so was the stuffy head feeling.

[Mamarazzi]

It totally sucks! I didn't have it with my first child, but this time around I've been blessed.
It was really bad in the first trimester, but by 16 weeks it started to ease up. Now I only really notice it at night time (when I end up sleeping with my mouth open, yuck!) and in the mornings first thing after I get up.
Hot showers with lots of steam, and sometimes vicks vapor rub or eucalyptus oil rubbed on my chest helped a bit.

[tmbg1022]

I'll second the use of Flonase. It's safe and works really well, though it can take about a week for you to feel a difference. Your health care provider should tell you that though, should you get a prescription.

[Woogelaide]

I had it with my daughter. It was awful. I got some relief with a neti pot, but then I started blowing water bubbles into my ears so I had to stop using it. Thankfully it went away shortly after I delivered. Good luck!

[Adhafera]

Thanks for the tips ladies! My appointment got cancelled on me (again) so I don't know when I'll get to see a doctor, but when I do I'll definitely ask about the Flonase.

[cheeksy]

I have it. I didn't have it with my first child. I thought I was having seasonal allergies but when it went over 2 months I understood that it was more. My doctor said there isn't much they can offer and the only thing he gave me for when the sneezing and the cough is really bad is chlorepheniramine (which is drug category B and is safe in pregnancy and lactation) because you can take it every 4 hours if needed. And he suggested I use saline to wash my nose (sniff small amount of saline so it goes deep into your sinuses). And tylenol/paracetamol/panadol for headache.
I feel your pain, mama. It's been nearly 6 months for me!!! I would keep using saline to avoid inflammation and infection. Hugs

[Rae_1478]

I've had it since just before 8 weeks. It eased up a little on its own when I got into 2nd tri but post-nasal drip can still get bad enough in the mornings to make me gaggy.

Neti pot (with filtered water only) helped minimally for me, but a humidifier and steamy showers really helped clear things for a little while anyway. The problem I ran into is that I would blow my nose so often, my nasal passages would swell up making it worse. To help the swelling, (this is gross, I know, and I ONLY do this at home by myself), I will create plugs with pieces of kleenex and breathe through my mouth for awhile. It usually only takes 30-45 minutes of my nose getting a rest for the swelling to go down and blowing my nose is a lot more productive then.

Hope it goes down for you at least when you get into your 2nd tri!

[Artgirl]

With my DD, I used my neti pot every morning as soon as I got up. It really helped.

[Adhafera]

Thanks ladies for all of your responses and tips. I've had it since right around 6 weeks. Honestly, its not so much the congestion that bothers me because its really not too bad and just in my sinuses, its the fact that the post-nasal drip makes me cough constantly. Like I seriously can't go more than 2 or 3 minutes with out coughing, from the moment I wake up in the morning, til the moment I finally fall asleep at night. My throat is so raw, its awful. I got my appointment rescheduled for tomorrow, so I'm going to mention it then. Thanks again ladies!