How to help a cough?

[Sonya]

I have a horrible cold and cough. I can't sleep! Dh was kind enough not to kick me out of bed last night but I know he didn't get any sleep, I didn't either. Robitussin doesn't seem to help for very long. Drinking warm jello helped only for as long as I drank it. My stomache, throat and head are so sore I don't want to do this any more! It seems like I have a constant tickle in my throat and can't stop! Help! I feel like I'm going to throw up form coughing! I can't take anything strong b/c I'm pregnant. Would hot tea and honey help? What will last long enough for me to drop off to sleep?

 

[BWVDenise]

if you can take Delsym. I had a terrible tickle the other night and it helped. It doesn't contain alcohol and is safe for children so you might be able to take it! Good luck!

 

[becka]

Try the Vicks Vapo-Rub. I used lots of it when I was pregnant because I didn't want to or could not take the cold/cough meds. Really slather it on and then cover it with a damp warm washcloth.

 

[justjulie]

If your doctor OK's Delsym, that's the ONLY thing that worked for me - and you only need to take it once a day!

 

[ahutton]

I would guess you can take Delsym, the doctor had me give it to my daughter at 6 months old... I always took Robitussin DM, it worked for me.

I also had great success with drinking Bigelow Sleepytime tea, it is chamomile, so unless you have an allergy to it or ragweed it should be okay to drink. My doctor also told me I could take 1 Benedryl to help with congestion when I was pregnant.

Also, you need to drink a lot of water to stay hydrated especially taking any type of decongestant it will dry you out.

 

[bumcat]

Have you looked at your throat? My dd had a real bad cough that wouldn't go away. Took her to the dr. and she had a white growth on the back of her throat. He said it would have gotten worse had she not rec. medication for it. We never thought to look at the back of the throat.
Strong cough drops and lots of ice water usually works for me.

 

[jel0511]

Sonya -

I'd DEFINATELY call your Dr. There were many times I was sick during my first pregnancy and never did anything because I was afraid. During my second pregnancy (different doctor) I was told to call if I felt awful. They could tell me what I could and couldn't take. Believe it or not, you can usually take a LOT more than you think you can. Just call over there and they'll let you know what will work.

 

[jfulcer]

When DW was pregnant with DD#1 6 years ago, they didn't want you to take anything at all as it could effect the baby.

Now, they have a list of approved medicines that you can take that are not harmful to the baby. I would call your OB and see what they say.

You *may* even already have that information - DW received a packet explaining about pregnancy that the Dr put together. In the back there was a list of medicines they could take.

Good luck! I had this same cough and it lasted 2+ weeks.

 

[Sonya]

oh jeff, please don't say that, I can handle it!

I am taking the meds my Dr said were OK, but they really don't work. Now I'm on to home remedies that are safe. (like the warm jello) Unfortunately it's too late to call the Dr today for a non-emergency, so if it's still a problem tonight I'll call tomorrow.

I'm so sick of cough drops and you can;t sleep with them!

 

[damo]

Put a warm vaporizer in your room and use the Vicks vapo-rub as well. You can even put some of the Vicks into the resevoir on some vaporizers and it will create a moist, menthol environment to help.

I know how you feel, I had hayfever while I was pregnant and was coughing constantly. It's an awful, awful feeling. Hope it goes away soon.