Safe Pain Relief During Pregnancy

[April L.]

Please help.  I am 32 weeks pregnant and am experiencing an excruciating and debilitating maxillary sinus infection.  My OBGYN put me on Zithromax and I am also taking Tylenol Sinus.  I have never had a problem like this before.  The pain is unbearable, radiating from my cheek to the top of my head and down into my mouth and teech on the left side of my face.  Is there any other pain relief safe for pregnant women in the third trimester?    

[DutchessGolden]

yesh, sorry about that the c on my laptop had something under it and wasn't working very well. Vicodin is safe short term in healthy pregnamt women. Motrin and other NSAID's are not recommended b/c they thin the blood. I took motrin a few times when I was pregnant b/c acetaminophen(tylenol) which is what they put in vicodin wit the hydrocodone, has never been effective for me, not even for a very mild headache, I could take a bottle of tylenol and might be sick but i would still be in pain. Luckily for most people tylenol is effective but it is not an anti inflammatory like motrin and naproxen(NSAID's). Just hang in there with the steam (LOTS of steam-lifesaver during sinus infections. I have a personal steamer you can get at any local drug store) and the guifenessen until you see your doctor tmrw.
xoxo- Dutchess

[DutchessGolden]

The two above posts are correct mucinex is a prescription strength dose of guienessen that you an buy over the counter. It will clear all o the mucous causing pain in you sinuses and lungs. However, be prepared for a constant drainage o the mucous. If it's okay to take sudafed you should take sudafed with it to dry up the mucous as it drains. I have chronic sinus and respiratory infections and i take a prescription with 600mg guifenessen(which is what is in muinex) and 200mg sudafed. It is unfortunate that when it comes to many drugs the research in pregnant women is just too inconlusive. Viodin is also usually safe pain relief in pregnant women short term and low dose.

xoxo- D.

[vicaddict]

I agree with the above post...they are horrible. I too had one while pregnant years ago, and I was put on an antibiotic as well. Also, an expectorant to losen up all that glob. Was called Guiafesin.

I also did the hot steaming water. I would boil a pot and put my face over it with a towel over my head. Let the steam in...also I would apply hot compresses to my face.
I then would try holding one nostril and blowing...but BE CAREFUL doing this...make sure you are sitting down, it can make you really dizzy. At least it did for me, I would just spin. But felt so good once everything loosened up.

Also, do you have a vaporizer? Use that nonstop....I did that as well. Them ore moisture and steam in the air the better. But again like I said hot as you can stand compresses to your face will give you some relief.

If not better in another day or 2, I would go back to Dr, as they are so uncomfortable and painful. Very aggravating I definitely know..I get one every winter.
Hope some of this helps!

Let us know how you are doing.

Huggs
Tracy

[April L.]

Thank you for your help!  You've all given great advice.  I've done the shower today, and the vaporizer, put my head over a pot of steaming water with peppermint.  All great advice.  When you wrote Viodin did you mean Vicodin?  I've been wondering about this.  My Aunt and Mother-in'Law both have prescriptions, I was considering taking one from them but was unsure of the effects on the baby.  And, I'm going back to the doctor tomorrow because though I'm usually tough, I can't take this pain in my head and face.  Thanks so much for replying- at least I know this is somewhat normal.  Cheers!

April

[dakmba]

Ugh I have had a two of those nasty infections and that pain can drive you insane.  It may sound really gross but all that pressure and pain you feel in there is a glob of infected mucus.  I got mine out by standing in the hottest shower I could tolerate and directed the water directly on the side of my face that was infected.  The hot water and the steam will loosen that mucus plug. I let that water hit my face for about 15-20 minutes  Then I held the "good" nostril closed with one finger and started blowing as hard as I could out of the infected side.  I could feel that "glob" wiggling and loosening up.  You'll get little bits out as it starts to break up (thanks to the heat and steam).  Don't quit blowing until you get that mass out.  The first time I did it I was shocked at what came out of my nasal cavity.  No wonder my whole face hurt.  I felt immediate relief after that.  I have only had to do that twice in my life but I swear it works!  I know it is gross but when your face hurts you'll do just about anything get relief.

Sorry, I don't know what painkillers are safe during pregnancy but if you get that mucus plug out of your sinus cavity you'll be pain free immediately!  

dak