Can I take anything for congestion?

My nose and ears are SOOOOOOO congested. I used to take a claritin-d everyday for my horrible allergies and I haven't taken anything since I've been pregnant, but I am just too congested now. I'm only 11wks, does that make a difference?

Re: Can I take anything for congestion?

I would ask the doctor anyway, but my obgyn told me I could take Tylenol Cold when I was sick and I am only 10 weeks.

Re: Can I take anything for congestion?

I am having this problem I called the Dr, they said I could take sudafed, tavist D.

Re: Can I take anything for congestion?

Sudafed. Just plain old sudifed. Feel better!

Re: Can I take anything for congestion?

I was told Sudafed by my dr. MY friends dr. told her Afrin was OK - I used Afrin once in a while but not Sudafed.

Re: Can I take anything for congestion?

So I called my doctor and they said sudafed, actifed or robitussin. I took one of the small sudafeds and I feel a million times better!!!!!!!

Re: Can I take anything for congestion?

Did you ask your doctor if you can take the Claritin-D? It contains Claritin (which is pregnancy category B), and Sudafed. The Claritin is an antihistamine (so it dries you out -- best for allergies, not a cold) and the Sudafed is a decongestant (so it opens everything up). Claritin is a non-sedating antihistamine so it doesn't really work well to dry you out if you have a cold. For a cold, you really need one of the "sedating" antihistamines, like Chlor-Trimeton, or the antihistamine in Actifed.

The doctor might be concerned about the amount of sudafed in the Claritin-D. The 24 hour pill has 240mg, and the 12 hour pill has 120mg (240mg total if you take it every 12 hours, as recommended). This is the maximum daily dose of Sudafed. The little over-the-counter pills only have 30mg.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend Chlor-Trimeton as the antihistamine of choice for pregnant women. Claritin can be used (preferably after the first trimester) in women who can't tolerate or don't respond to Chlor-Trimeton.

Re: Can I take anything for congestion?

Well, I don't have a cold, just really bad allergies. I took the sudafed last night, the 30mg one, and it really helped. That's all I've taken since I've gotten pregnant, and last night was the only time I ever took it. I'm not going to take it all the time, but last night I couldn't take it anymore!
Thanks for all the info!

Re: Can I take anything for congestion?

Glad to hear you are feeling better!!

Re: Can I take anything for congestion?

glad your feeling better.

Re: Can I take anything for congestion?

Thanks girls

Re: Can I take anything for congestion?

For a congested nose - if you want to breathe easier - you can use eucalyptus oil.