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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Cyclizine - how best to use it

9 replies

cathyearnshaw · 16/11/2011 12:32

Just wondering how best to use it as I've used buccastem in previous pregnancies.

I'm about 7 weeks and the vomming hasn't really started properly just feeling sick alot - usually kicks in big time at 8 weeks (this is pg no 4 so I know what to expect).

So do I use it like Buccastem and take a tablet when the nausea hits or do I use it prophylactically and take it at regular intervals. ANd do I start now before it kicks in or wait til it's bad? The pharmacist was pretty useless so thought I'd call on the pros!

OP posts:

sharond101 · 16/11/2011 12:56

It works within 30minutes although maximum benefit is felt between 1-2 hours after administration. I took it for a short time and it took the edge off slightly then stopped working for me. It made me a little groggy so I only took it when I felt worst. It's not like the kind of buccastem which disolves in the mouth so if you can't keep anything down when the sickness starts it might be a good idea to start it now as waiting until you begin to vomit might mean you just bring it back up.

BeattieBow · 16/11/2011 13:08

I take it 2 or 3 times a day as I do find that it builds up in your system. I recently stopped taking it, thinking I was getting better - that was a big mistake!

i felt groggy to start with, but that wears off after a couple of days.

Original poster

cathyearnshaw · 16/11/2011 16:20

thanks - i suppose i'll just end up taking it constantly in a week or so. Bit worried that it can stop working! That's what happens to me with buccastem - it's ok for a week or so but then I can happily puke while it's in place. Or not that happily.

OP posts:

ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts · 16/11/2011 18:12

With cyclizine, it can take between 30 minutes to an hour to kick in. Don't wait until you feel nauseous to take it.

I found it was best to take it an hour before I was due to get up (set the alarm, and take them to bed with you with a drink) then try and sleep for the next hour until you are meant to actually get up and it helped me to avoid that first bile run in the morning. I was on 3 a day so I took them at 6 hourly intervals.

Take them even if you don't feel sick, as the nausea may well be masked.

There is a Hyperemesis Gravidarum support thread on the pregnancy section here on MN. It is fabulous.

One of the posters on the thread set up her own website to help with HG and with NVP - Pregnancy Sickness SOS. It contains lots of helpful information, FAQs and coping strategies and information on medication available.

If the cyclizine doesn't work, you can ask for an alternative, as many times as you need to.

HTH :)

ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts · 16/11/2011 18:13

Oh and for me the cyclizine didn't stop working. I took it til week 25 and it still worked well for me.

BeattieBow · 17/11/2011 11:08

it hasn't stopped working for me either - I'm at around 15 weeks now. I tried another tablet first which didn't work at all.

It's wonderful! and allows me just to function (I still feel nauseous at times, but nothing near as bad as it was).

Original poster

cathyearnshaw · 17/11/2011 11:25

That's all I need - to be able to function and not to feel anxious about leaving the house or to have to preplan places to be sick when I do. I'm an emetophobe too which is so annoying as it really makes it all alot harder work. I don't normally let anything come out but it's the constant dry heaves which are so wearing.

I'm trying to hang on til week 8 when it really kicks in - not sure why mind you as I've already had alot of rather grim moments...

OP posts:

Original poster

cathyearnshaw · 19/11/2011 11:14

Ok so started taking it day before yesterday and it doesn't seem to make much difference apart from I'm no longer heaving. Still feel nauseous 80% of the time but now when I rush to the toilet I just hang over it hopefully whiole nothing happens. IT was better when I could retch - at least I then felt better for about 15 mins or so....

Is it too early to see an effect? I've only been taking 2 a day.

I think I'm looking for a miracle.

OP posts:

ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts · 19/11/2011 13:34

up it to three a day. it will not harm your baby if thats what youre worried about, but it may make you feel drowsy for a few days so be careful driving etc.

you should probably expect to still feel a little nauseous but you'll need to learn what foods and drinks help your nausea. have a look at that webite I liked you to ^^^ up there, it has loads of great ideas. fizzy water and lemonade were great for me but everyone is different. eat little and often and try to stay hydrated.

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