can't get rid of cold - yikes! anyone else?

[leurMaman]

I just posted my story about my M/C in December. That was due to a 103 degree fever for three days during a bout of viral meningitis. I know that a cold isn't nearly as serious, but I'm nervous starting out this pregnancy with one. I have had it for nearly two weeks! I sneeze, cough, weeze all day long. I'm trying to be optimistic and not let it depress me or worry me about the pregnancy. I'm drinking ginger tea and taking my vitamins and naps during the day. That's about it. Does anyone else have serious congestion or a cold this pregnancy? I heard that colds and congestion can often show up with pregnancies. I'd love some advice on how you all are curing yourselves

[Tori Gollihugh]

I feel for ya. Good job on taking the vitamins and resting.

I'm also newly preggo and had a cold already! Actually, I think it was a flu based on some news bits... but anyway... it sounds like you have what I had. I started the Ester-C and echinacea rounds... my cold/flu was gone by the 5th day. YEAY!!! So, here's what ya do (if you want to try it):

Take 1000mg Ester-C on the first day. Increase it by 1000 each day until you reach 10000 (make sure you take each dose about an hour apart from the last one). Once you reach 10,000 you can stay at this for 5 days and then reduce it the same way you increased it. Also, take up to 6 echinacea each day (throughout the day!) while taking the Ester-C. Try to increase your water intake as well (like every time you take pills drink 8 ounces or more).

If you have major flem in your chest I would recommend using castor oil compresses as close to the spot where the you feel the congestion. Basically, for this, just put lots of castor oil on a rag you'll later toss and put either cling wrap or a plastic bag over it to help it stay in place. I had a horrible cold with mucous last pregnancy and when I was doing this steadily it helped loosen the gorss stuff up so I could get it out!

Hope this helps ya.

[leurMaman]

Wow - Tori, I had never heard of the castor oil cure - or the exact amounts of echinacea and ester-c safe to take during pregnancy. I'll definitely try this - thanks!