Sinus Headache WHAT CAN I TAKE?!

[Seekrit]

I have a headache. I've had it for over 24 hours. It's a sinus headache. The only way that I know how to get rid of these things is to take some cold & flu tablets, but I know that you can't take them while breastfeeding (but why not?)

My 12 month old son has Cows Milk at daycare but today isn't a daycare day. What is the big problem with cold & flu medication (contains paracetamol and pseudoephedrine)? Is it that it can be bad if it comes through my milk?
If that's the case, can I take a couple now, so I can function, and feed him Cows Milk for his next feed (which probably won't be for another 5 hours) then back to the boob for his feed after that (about 8 - 9 hours)

Cheers.

[bekkyboo]

Whats the time between tablets? (6-8hours or whatever)...That should give you an indication of how long it takes to go through your system... maybe express at the time you give Cobes the cows milk too...

[Seekrit]

Wait, not pseudo... but Phenylephrine....

Says 4-6 hours....

[melfunction]

it'll make his heart rate increase..(feeding baby, sorry), but if you don't feed him til tonight, it'll be fine.

[Seekrit]

Aah, I think that's all I needed to hear.. so I'll give him cows milk for his next feed at about 2pm.. then for the one after I'll feed him again :)

thanks Mel!

[viperpt]

I asked the chemist this question and they said that it will still come through my breast milk even if I waited. There is a lower dose chemist own one but personally I wouldnt be risking it. All I did was take febridol (paracetamol) and then massaged my face have a hot shower for the steam and I felt heaps better

[GeorgiaAnne]

I just had the same thing and found that nasl sprays help to ease the congestion, which eases the pain and pressure and some panadol.
Hope you feel better soon:)

[Roxy]

The pseudoephedrine is the drug that dries up the fluid that causes the headaches - why it's not recommended to take whilst feeding as well, is because it can also have the same effect on your milk (it is a bodily fluid, after all)....

But, if you think that its only going to take one dose to get rid of the headache then I'd probably take it. The small amount that will pass through your milk into Cobey probably won't have a great effect on him (it's a once off, not a regular event!), and his system is old enough to handle the very small amount that he might get....

Hope that it goes away fast!

[Grizabella]

I had recurring sinus headaches during my first trimester - I was given a nasal spray called Azep - it cleared it right up (tastes horrible though!) I assume if it is safe during pregnancy then it should be fine during BF

[Seekrit]

Thanks for that guys :)

I took two tabs and.. blergh.. didn't help at all, starting to get better now but it's still there :( Mustn't be sinus afterall.

[stellarella]

I am currently sick and I am taking cold & flu tablets.

[Reidymac]

I was going to agree with ROXY, the sinus tabs clear up the mucus but also dry up other fluids like breast milk (the rise in BP and drug passing across the placenta is mostly the issue for preggy women).

Just for your reference............. a lot of women use Fenugreek as a health food supplement to increase milk supply when Bfing, but it's main use for the general community is to dry up nasal congestion and relieve sinus pain (with a couple of panadol) this could help with future headaches and is BF safe! :)

Hope you feel better soon, seek :wave: