Safe Medications during (early) first trimester. .

[slparker]

I am SOOO confused. My doctor gave me a list of safe medicines at my appointment last week (didn't read it until we left so didn't get to ask these questions) and I was shocked at what was listed.

It said that Benadryl and Plain Sudafed were safe to take. However everything I have read online has said otherwise it seems. . PLUS I went to a regular family doctor Friday and she also told me to stay away from those.

I am seriously suffering from allergies right now and have no idea what to do! I haven't slept in 3 nights and I am exhausted. I am completely congested, sore throat and cough. I have tried the saline spray and it does literally nothing. .the only "semi" relief is steam.....it helps my throat a bit.

I am desperate, does anyone know anything about this and what is recommended?

I am 4 weeks 3 days pregnant btw. (and this is my first time posting on the pregnancy side. . .YIPPEEE!!)

[~Demeter~]

Get a neti pot.... then you won't have to take meds and it will give you some relief. That's what my doctor recommended my last pregnancy when I thought I was going to die from allergies. It really did help and I didn't get that groggy feeling that I would from a med.

[slparker]

I saw that, but the pharmacist couldn't tell me how to use and only said he doesn't know how people do it without drowning?? so it scared me a bit. . LOL

How exactly does it work?

[Oztok5]

Originally Posted by slparker

I saw that, but the pharmacist couldn't tell me how to use and only said he doesn't know how people do it without drowning?? so it scared me a bit. . LOL

How exactly does it work?

Just search for "how to use a neti pot" on YouTube. There are a ton of videos. I've used one with a fair amount of success, but if you're very congested, it can sometimes be difficult to get them to work. Honestly though, it's the only thing I've been comfortable using while pregnant.

[millefleur]

If you have questions about the safety of a medication during pregnancy you can always call the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS).

http://www.otispregnancy.org/
[phone]

They are super helpful and can answer any questions on any medication!

[megan sacha]

My midwife said claritin (not claritin d) and allegra are ok to take for allergies.

[~Demeter~]

Like Annie said, there's tons of videos on how to use them. You don't drown because it doesn't go into your lungs, just your nasal passages. It can take awhile if you're very congested but I've found when it's allergies I'm bothered by usually the congestion I have going on is very watery. I love my neti pot, it's a great sense of immediate relief and it's soothing. I know many people that use theirs daily, though I'm not that organized.

[rparker]

Both Claritin and Benadryl are safe for pregnancy. They are pregnancy category B ("A" is the safest and almost *nothing* gets an "A"). I have taken both medications during both my last pregnancy and this one. Rhinocort is a prescription nasal spray that is also category B and works pretty well. Tylenol is category B too and I've found that it helps with bad sinus pain.

Zyrtec is another one that I'm 90% certain is a category B, but you'd want to check with a doctor or pharmacist.

I don't know for sure offhand, but I think Sudafed and Allegra are both "C." Whether or not you want to take C category drugs depends on your personal comfort level and/or how severe your medical issues are. (D or X are the only categories that I'd 100% avoid completely, but I have friends who aren't comfortable taking category A drugs.)

If you have really bad eye issues caused by allergies, there is a prescription eye drop called Pataday that works really, really well. I didn't use it during the first trimester because it's category C (which seems like it may be overkill for this medication when you actually look at the studies that were done), but I feel better taking it now than taking Benadryl all the time since it isn't ingested and is non-sedating.

Unisom is also technically an antihistamine and might work for you. I'm only mentioning it because it's one of the very, very few drugs that is category A. It also helps with morning sickness when taken with B6.

Neti pots are pretty easy to use once you practice once or twice. Using a neti pot is no more difficult than swimming without swallowing a ton of water My neti pot provides me with some relief, but it isn't total. It may be enough for someone with mild allergies.

[sheriwx]

Every OB I've ever had has recommended Sudafed (NOT the new "Sudafed PE" kind, but the regular kind you have to ask for behind the counter now.) Sudafed PE doesn't even work anyway, even when I'm not pregnant.

This is my third pregnancy, and Sudafed has always been deemed safe. Good luck!

[artemis33]

Nettle is helpful - tea, tincture or capsules. I usually make strong tea and sip throughout the day. I sometimes mix it with RRL and mint, and sometimes other nourishing herbs (alfalfa, oatstraw).

Unfortunately it isn't enough to help me through the night when my allergies bother me the most (trying to sleep!) so I have taken Benadryl off and on throughout this pregnancy. I just take one 25mg pill before bed if I really need it.

[gradstudentmommy]

I used to use a neti pot but now I prefer the Neil Med Sinus Cleanse. It's a squeeze bottle so you don't have to tilt your head. I never end up with water going done my throat. I love it! And it comes with pre-measured packets which I find are much gentler on my nose than regular table salt.

[is it puppies?]

Originally Posted by gradstudentmommy

I used to use a neti pot but now I prefer the Neil Med Sinus Cleanse. It's a squeeze bottle so you don't have to tilt your head. I never end up with water going done my throat. I love it! And it comes with pre-measured packets which I find are much gentler on my nose than regular table salt.

I haven't tried the sinus squeeze bottle but I hear it's great, but I mix my own mixture 50% baking soda and 50% himalayan salt or sea salt and it doesn't burn at all that way. I also have read that pulling the liquid down into your throat is good- and spitting it out of course. Some people gargle salt water to fight things off and I think the theory of sucking the water down the back of your throat is the same as that and even more helpful than just doing the sinuses.

And the neti pot DEFINITELY helps both me and my husband with mild-moderate allergies, and we haven't had colds for years (but that could also be the vit D).

I think vitamin C and lots of water is also really good for allergies.

[~Demeter~]

You should never ever use regular table salt with a neti pot. Never. You should use only sea salt and you need to be sure that it has NO iodine or preservatives in it, either. It's really not hard to find, most grocery stores sell it. I have never had any burning with my neti pot unless I added too much salt or the water wasn't the right temperature.