bronchitis--what can I take that will help??

[tngirl11]

Hi everyone!
I'm 14 weeks pregnant and have come down with a horrible cough, probably bronchitis. I definitely have congestion deep down in my chest. I really try to avoid any over the counter medicine, but I don't know what natural remedies are safe. I've been sticking with honey and lemon and hot tea, except the only teas I have are for morning sickness and anxiety . My mom has some breathe easy tea, but it says pg women shouldn't drink it. I will actually be at Whole Foods tomorrow (rare, because it's 2 hours away from where I live), so if anyone can suggest something I might get there, that would be awesome!

[skeeter30]

Hey there! Seems no one has any real answers for you yet and I am not sure what I have to say will help either. I am also sick right now with a terrible cough and cold. It has been really hard on me. I have even been spotting and I believe it is from all the coughing. Are you running a fever? My suggestion is that you should call your doctor if you really think it is bronchitis. I have never really heard of anything besides antibiotics helping someone get over bronchitis. Maybe I am naive, IDK but, I do know that as a pregnant woman, your immune system is already compromised or less than what it would normally be. I just wouldn't want this to get too out of control for you and cause other problems that could be avoided. I myself have an upper respiratory infection and I am taking antibiotics for that. I think our pregnant bodies might need the extra help to fight these things off. Good luck what ever you decide and I hope you feel better soon.

[3plus2isme]

I just went through this for 2 weeks... It was brutal. My only advice is rest, rest and more rest. Lot's and lot's of water. I didn't take any OTC but I was oh so very tempted... now I think it's turned into a sinus infection and I feel like screaming. I go see my OB tomorrow anyways so hopefully he has some insight on what's going on... enough is enough already! Give a 9 month preggo mama a break!

I hope you feel better sooner then I did/do!

[tngirl11]

Thanks so much for the replies. I did actually call my ob's office today and left a message for the nurse, and she never called me back, which was a little annoying. Oh well. In the meantime, I will definitely keep drinking lots of water. Going to bed now with hot lemon and honey.

[crocus]

I'm going through this right now and did with my first pregnancy, too.

With my first, it was confirmed that it was bronchitis. Since it's a viral infection and antibiotics aren't helpful in these cases, there was nothing that could be done about it. Unfortunately, it lasted about 6 weeks. But, fortunately, it was at the beginning of my pregnancy and baby wasn't pushing on my lungs as much.

This time, (31 weeks) I waited to see the doctor and only went in because I needed a note to be off work. He told me that there is the potential for bronchitis to change in severity and effects. Mine had progressed into an ear infection and strep throat. So, this time I'm taking antibiotics for the secondary complications. The cough is still strong, though and it really does suck!

Here's what has helped me, albeit temporarily.

Cough: I've been told that you have to get the phlegm out of your lungs so it doesn't lead to infections such as pneumonia. If you're already coughing, make it productive. Take in a deep breath, hold it for a few seconds and let it out. This will help you cough out the gunk.

Humidifier: Also helps relieve some of the congestion.

Steam Bowl: I've been doing this a few times a day. I get a big pot or stainless steel bowl, fill it with boiling water and a few drops of eucalyptus oil, cover with a towel and put my head under. Breathe deeply.

Tea: Lately, I'm into warm red raspberry leaf with a few iced tea crystals. Yum!

Good luck!

[skeeter30]

I didn't realize that bronchitis was viral? Are there some forms that aren't? I don't have bronchitis as far as I know. I am actually going to see my midwife today so she can really asses my situation and also for a regular check up. The only medicine I have taken at this point is some tylenol for sore throat and ear aches. But, like I said in my last post I am taking antibiotics and I feel that is safe. So since we are all coughing and coughing up junk, what do we all think about that? Is everyone else gagging like me? What have any of you done to combat that, anything? I think that is one of the worst parts of all of this along with the cough! I think I have peed my pants like 10 times from it! LOL Anyone else? Anyway, I hope all of you girls can find some relief in some way and that you all get better soon! Good luck girls!

[tngirl11]

Yes Michelle, I get to gagging a couple of times a day when I get into a major coughing fit, and yes, I've peed a little bit a couple of times too (yuck!) My dr's office called me back today, but I was out of town. If I get any good advice from them tomorrow, I'll let you know. Hope we all feel better soon!

[skeeter30]

I went to see my midwife yesterday. They did a rapid strep test on me and it came back negative. I have fluid on my left ear but, she said my lungs are perfectly clear. I am happy for that! At least I know it is not in my lungs and that makes me feel a bit safer. She said all the coughing and whatnot that I have been doing is from post nasal drip. I did have a sinus infection so the antibiotics were needed. They have seemed to help at least make my nasal secretions clear again. I am still having some issues in the morning with the gagging thing and the coughing and peeing myself more at night. I hope I get better soon! I was told I could take zyrtec, benadryl (sp?) claritin or tylenol sinus to dry up the stuff in my sinuses. I am not sure this would be helpful for you though. I am not taking anything right now and just hoping that the antibiotics, taking my vitamins and staying well rested and hydrated will take care of it so I don't have to keep taking all these crazy meds. I am sorry you missed the phone call from your doc yesterday. It's hard playing phone tag. I hope that you can get some answers today so you can get yourself on the mend soon! Good luck and feel better!

[jsh7809]

I'm sorry you're so sick! I've had lots of bronchitis problems in the past, no fun at all. My recommendations are definitely steam, and to sleep kind of sitting up if you can (my coughing was always worse lying fully down). There are some lung-strengthening herbs that are safe to take when pregnant but I would check with an herbalist if you can... I think mine had me taking mullein and some other immune boosters.
Good luck! I think anything you can do for your overall health (great nutrition, lots of rest, tons of fluids) will help but it is also a big matter of patience... so frustrating!

[naturegirl419]

I have used homeopathy during this pregnancy for various ailments and it has been really helpful. Homeopathy is very safe in pregnancy so I feel very comfortable taking it. I have used it for colds or upper respiratory issues, but you could either google it, or make an appt with a homeopath, or do what I did and pay $15 to ask 1 question online to a homeopath. http://askahomeopath.net/

You just give alot of info about your symptoms and yourself to help her diagnose and prescribe. I emailed asking about constipation and the remedy she told me to get (knock on wood) has not failed me since.

Hope you feel better and good luck!

[neonalee]

Truly this is one of my big fears. I get colds that turn into bronchitis regularly (2 or more times a year) and they last a minimum of 3 weeks with all that brutal coughing and gagging. In the past I've taken max amounts of mucinex dm (and then some more) and I have an inhaler for when it gets really bad. I sleep sitting up, take zyrtec, drink loads of hot tea, and use a humidifier. It sucks. Anyway, thanks to all posting tips here, hopefully I won't need them!

ETA - skeeter30 - yes, I think there are 2 forms of bronchitis, viral and ... whatever the other would be. I faintly remember reading that somewhere, but don't quote me on it.

[sanguine_speed]

Yes, bronchitis can be bacterial. I'm a chronic bronchitis sufferer, formerly asthmatic. I get bronchitis regularly. I had it this pregnancy after having the flu, and took antibiotics. Bronchitis sucks.