decongestant

[em1]

I take Allegra antihistamine which aggravates my IC at times. Idon't understand it sometimes it bothers me & sometimes it doesn't. I need a decongestant & haven't found one I can tolerate for one reason or another. Has anyone found a decongestant that doesn't bother them. Thanks.

[kadi]

The closest I've found is Mucinex, not a decongestant, but will keep congestion from clogging up my chest.

Other than that, I use saline to rinse nose when I have a cold, lots of hot showers with Shower Soothers (tablet that makes menthol steam), humidifier with special menthol liquid to make steam at night.

Hope that helps---

[Claredale]

Kadi, that's what I do as well. Every time I take a decongestant, it bothers my bladder. I have also discovered gargling with salt water helps with my throat. One of my grandmother's old cures.

[em1]

Thanks for reply. I don't think I will ever find a decongestant that does not bother IC. Sometimes I add a drop or oregano oil to the salt water for rinse & gargle. It's pretty strong & burns if you get too much but it works ok.

[karbear]

Hi I was using Allegra -D and I have been feeling off this whole time. I asked my Uro if I should keep using it and he said yes. When I went to my PMC and happened to mention it he said it has pseudoephedrine in it which is a no-no for IC people. He gave me regular allegra but now I don't no? Has anyone had problems with it. Also has anyone used Aloe vera pills by Desert Harvest, I just started them and they seem to be working
Karbear

[michelew003]

My nutritional counselor told me this trick and it really works!

Go to the health food store and get a bottle of Thyme oil (made from the same herb used for cooking.) She said Thyme not only opens your sinuses and helps them drain, but also has a mild anti-bacterial quality.

Get a big bowl of steaming hot water, but not boiling hot. Drop one or two drops of Thyme oil into the water, wait a few seconds, then put a towel over your head and bowl (to keep the steam in like a mini-sauna) and put your head over the bowl and inhale gently at first - it might be a bit strong the first couple of breaths so go easy!

It really worked for me when I had a cold - I did it 3 times a day and got instant relief.

Hope you find relief!

[lauraads]

I'm sick right now which has left me with congestion and a plugged nose. Here's what I do:

1. Better than Vicks VapoRub -- I sniff pure tea tree oil. I als do use vapor rub.
2. Use Vaporub nose strips.
3. Afrin No-Drip Gel Spray for severe congestion. Does not bother the bladder and really keeps your nose unplugged.
4. Walgreens Mucus Relief -- like Mucinex but can be split in half (unlike Mucinex) and doesn't cause me the reaction that Mucinex does.
5. Saline rinse in the nostrils (I do this every day anyway).
6. Humidifier.

Since I can't use decongestants, that's the closest I can get!! :-)

[lisabar36]

Hi, always read the labels on cold medicine, Mucinex is very good, they make several different kids, always ask your doctor first if its ok, but make sure it doesn't have pseudoephedrine in it cause that can cause increased flares for IC. Since I have had IC, the only thing I can take it mucinex, but I always buy the one that doesn't have pseudoephedrine in it. :)

[ICNDonna]

I take the generic for Chlor Trimeton, benadryl, or phenergan for congestion when needed. It's tough for me to have a cold because I'm allergic to Vicks vaporub, menthol, eucalyptus --- I can never find cold medicines over the counter that don't have some of those. Oh, yes, I can't use Afrin nasal spray --- it causes me to sneeze uncontrollably until I get a nose bleed. The only nasal spray I've found that I can use is saline sprays with no medications added.

I've already had one cold this year and sincerely hope I don't get another!

Donna

[formom]

Hi
I started taking New Zealand's Colostrum awhile back because I read it was good for IC and hear found out that it is also good for colds and flus. I don't know if it would help but i have not (knock on wood) gotten a cold yet and my family has had them. I'm thinking maybe this stuff really helps. Good luck.