Was anyone VERY sick (upper respiratory) while PG?

I was diagnosed with bronchitis on wed and given 3 antibiotic pills and told to take sudafed every 4 hrs. Since Wed, I've gotten worse. Like, so bad that my throat is swollen and raw that I can't even swallow my own saliva - I'm drooling it out into a cup.

I didn't sleep AT ALL last night - in fact, we were out at 2/3am finding a 24 hr drugstore so i could get some chloraseptic, honey, and lemon juice. I have 15 minutes unaccounted for that was probably sleep, but I'm not sure.

My major issues right now are a raw, red throat, a dry cough, and ear pain that feels like stabbing in BOTH ears. My strep test and flu test were both negative on Wed.

I've:
-mixed honey and lemon in hot water and drank it, letting it sit in my throat to "coat it"
-gargled with salt water
-gargled with apple cider vinegar
-sprayed Chloraseptic (which is amazing for all of 5 minutes, then it's back to burning)
-i've been running a warm air humidifier with vicks in it since noon yesterday
-cough drops

I can't breathe normal breaths - only shallow baby breaths. When I actually DO get a normal deep breath in, I vomit and there's blood in it because my throat is all ripped up.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO - I'm at my wits end. I can't even speak. I'm thinking of having DH call the OB's service line, but I've seriously bothered them every single week. I really hate being THAT GIRL.

Please help me

eta: my fever is STILL up at 102.9, even with tylenol. I tend to run high fevers when not PG, so that isn't really too high for me.

Message edited 2/20/2009 7:00:18 AM.

Re: Was anyone VERY sick (upper respiratory) while PG?

oh my gosh Nicole....you have been through SO MUCH.

Hon, you have to be THAT girl at this time, and that's okay. I'm sure there are women that are bigger PITAS for lesser reasons. You have good reason to call them!!

My doc told me I could use regular afrin nasal spray- that can help you breathe. Also, vick's vapor rub....

Feel better!

Re: Was anyone VERY sick (upper respiratory) while PG?

To be honest, I had an upper respiratory infection for about 3 weeks. I definitely didn't have it as bad as you though. I was coughing a lot and my nose was bad. I took an antibiotic finally and it went away. My doctor didn't give me one at first because it wasn't that bad.

I would call your OB and tell them how you are feeling. Also, because you have a fever as well. It may be something else.

Feel better! Try to rest when you can!

Re: Was anyone VERY sick (upper respiratory) while PG?

I feel so bad for you and would def call your OB or get a second opinion. I was in the same boat as you with my 2nd preganancy. It was non stop bronchitis, sinus infections etc. The dr's gave me every prescription bc they said I just had to get better and I ended up going out on maternity leave earlier than I wanted to bc I was sick for months with upper respitory problems.

Anyway, what finally worked was my OB gave me a prescription for a heavy duty cough syrup and the drs had me on some many diff medications but they gave me a prescription nasal gel that helped me to breathe. I also used a neti pot for my sinus, humididfier etc and finally got better

I hope you feel better soon and take it easy !!!

Re: Was anyone VERY sick (upper respiratory) while PG?

So sorry you're very sick. I had a bad cold/upper respiratory almost two weeks ago. I'm still going through boxes of tissues. I was given a Rx for amoxicillin but to only get it filled if I could not get rid of it on my own.

Until I read about the fever, I was going to suggest warm steamy showers to loosen up the phlegm but I don't know with a fever. I'd definitely call your dr. If not your OB, then your regular doctor.

Hopefully the antibiotics kick in and you feel better soon!

Lots of rest and clear liquids.

Re: Was anyone VERY sick (upper respiratory) while PG?

No advice, just

Re: Was anyone VERY sick (upper respiratory) while PG?

I would skip the OB and call the regular doctor. You are really sick and a fever that high could be dangerous when you are pregnant. Please call and stress to them how sick you are!

This could really negatively affect your pregnancy and I don't think being insistant that they help you is wrong. I had a friend tear a whole in her uterus because she was coughing so bad. Sometimes they will give you more meds because the risk of being this sick is far worse than the meds. I don't want to scare you but, you really need to call.

Message edited 2/20/2009 9:16:17 AM.

Re: Was anyone VERY sick (upper respiratory) while PG?

I went to the primary care doc on Wed - and DH called the OB this morning. They're bringing me in for a sono to make sure everything is OK (especially with the previa issue) and told me to follow up with my primary care this afternoon.

I don't even want to move.

Re: Was anyone VERY sick (upper respiratory) while PG?

i really dont know what to say except i'm thinking about you and hope you feel better fast.. You have to get better soon- this just cant last..

Re: Was anyone VERY sick (upper respiratory) while PG?

Re: Was anyone VERY sick (upper respiratory) while PG?

i had a very sore throat, stuffed/runny nose in october when i was under 12 weeks.. there was one night i kept waking up tossing every hour..
- i tried- humidifier, hot water with honey......... the BEST thing that helped me was "Ayr nasal rinse" - it helps sore throats and nasal issues...

Re: Was anyone VERY sick (upper respiratory) while PG?

When I was in my first trimester, I had not only horrible morning sickness, but bronchitis TWICE, so I feel your pain!!

My advice is never ever be afraid to "be that girl"...call your doctor and let him/her know how you are feeling. Thats what they are theyre for, they get it all the time, dont worry.

Re: Was anyone VERY sick (upper respiratory) while PG?

YES - i was so sick this week that i ended up in the emergency room. turns out i have a few things, one of which is a horrendous sinus infection.

i don't really have cold/upper respiratory symptoms because all the bad stuff is still all stuck inside... so i'm just fighting a horrific headache and trying to get the stuff out.

i am on antibiotics, sudafed, and using a neti pot religiously. have you tried one? you may get some relief from it.

i'm SO sorry that you're so sick, i feel your pain

Re: Was anyone VERY sick (upper respiratory) while PG?

I have no advice just many I got sick at the end of my pregnancy and thought I would go out of my mind- but you are SO sick, poor baby. You feel better soon.

Re: Was anyone VERY sick (upper respiratory) while PG?

first off, you sound like you have way more than just a bad cold and i would absolutely call the OB. in the meantime, i would try a cold mist humidifier and afrin. afrin can be addicting and my OB told me to use it sparingly----either twice a day for 3 days or once a day for 5 days. feel better....

Re: Was anyone VERY sick (upper respiratory) while PG?

I had bronchitis last month and was really sick -- I totally feel your pain. I am now ready to deliver whenever and I woke up this morning with a sore throat, as did DH, so we are going to the doc to get throat cultures! I hope you feel better-- get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids!

Re: Was anyone VERY sick (upper respiratory) while PG?

I went to the OB yesterday and she had me come in for a sono this morning just to check on things...

All looks GREAT with baby, and it seems like bronchitis may be a good thing for my body right now. The violent coughing is causing my uterus to jostle TwinB's empty sac - and it's now 1/2 the size it was 10 days ago. (after no change for weeks)

That's GREAT NEWS!!!!

Thanks everyone
I got some stronger antibiotics, and while I'm still coughing and dealing with major congestion and post-nasal drip, I feel so much better knowing that all is well with baby.

Message edited 2/21/2009 10:45:03 AM.

Re: Was anyone VERY sick (upper respiratory) while PG?

Nic- Glad to hear that the OB said that all is well with the baby and the coughing is helping Baby B's sac.

I am sure you will start feeling better in a couple of days as soon as the antiobiotic runs its course.