Chest cold/sinus infection - Help!

[Cricket]

About two weeks ago, I got a bad sore throat and stuffy head. This developed into a very painful chest cough and stuffy head with lots of sinus pressure and pain. It is now a chest cold (without pain, thank goodness!) and continued sinus pressure and pain. My nose drips all the time. My head aches like crazy. I was running a low fever, but that has stopped now. I am totally exhausted. Poor DH has been running the house, and I've been flat on my back for the last 4 or 5 days. I went to Emerg on Friday to rule out pneumonia. (My family doctor is on vacation.) My lungs are clear, and the doctor figured its a virus, so he didn't want to prescribe anything, also because I am pregnant, of course. That's fine. I prefer to save those for when they are really needed anyways. But I am still feeling like CRAP! I need some help here ladies! I can't keep going like this - I've got four little ladies to run after. Please give me some hints or advice as to what to try to get over this. I am resting, and trying to drink more. I read a website that said "Eat a raw onion with every meal." I'm not that desperate yet. If you have any more reasonable suggestions to offer, I would be very glad to hear them!
Thanks!

[Dr. Tal]

In the book I'm reading (Up the Duff) one of the first chapters recommends inhalations you can put in hot water that are safe for when you are pregnant and are suppose to help with congestion. I can't for the life of me remember what they are, but I will look back through the earlier chapters for you when I get home and let you know.

[black_rose]

If you have a sinus infection you can have peniclin (sp) no problems, with DD2 I ended up throwing up and extremely dizzy from my sinus infection I couldn't get out of bed so I was on antibiotics for two weeks. Go back and see the Dr if it gets too bad as you can get some relief, saline sprays are safe to use and make sure you are taking a multi vitamin to give your body extra support.

[Cricket]

Thanks ladies!
Unfortunately I am allergic to penicillin. I am doing a saline rinse for my nose twice a day or so. It does seem to make some improvement. And I hear you on the dizziness thing - standing up for more than five minutes makes me dizzy and nauseated.
On the plus side, I've had a decent sleep for two nights in a row now, and I feel alright this morning. Tired, yes, but not as bad as before. DH has shipped the kids off to his mum's, and cleaned the house for me, and so I will have a totally quiet day. Hopefully with one more day in bed, and lots of herbal tea (don't worry - it's a safe one) I'll be on the way up.
If you have any advice to help speed this up though, I would really appreciate it. Since I got morning sickness, the flu, and this thing, it seems like I haven't been healthy since January.

[Willow]

I had a severe sinus infection when I was prg with DS1. We did the whole 'we won't give you anything, it will pass and you're pregnant' thing for about a week but after being awake for 3 days straight because I couldn't sleep with the pain, they finally gave me some antibiotics and within 3 days I was fine. I really recommend you go back and see your doctor. There has to be something they can give you.

[Dr. Tal]

Hey Cricket,
Sorry I didn't get back to you last night. I had a rough go with my MS and spent the whole night with my friend the porcelain

I found the bit in my book about pregnancy congestion. It says just steam inhalations. So basically boil some water on the stove, once it's boiling take it off the heat and then breath in the steam (be careful not to burn yourself). It should help loosen all the stuff in your nose and make it easier to get it out.

[Cricket]

Thanks Dr. Tal. I am starting to improve over the last day or so. Nice to be up and about a little bit, although I'm still pretty tired. I've been having a warm shower morning and night, and I think that has the same effect as the steam treatment. I always feel less congested after that.
Hoping to keep on getting better steadily now! I'm SO sick of being sick! I imagine you are too - 28 weeks and still getting bad morning sickness?! That's really lousy. Hope it eases for you so you can enjoy your pregnancy a little more!