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Pregnancy

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

Anyone else been prescribed medication for nausea without vomiting?

156 replies

KateTheShrew · 20/07/2016 11:48

Haven't posted on MN since I had my DS a couple of years ago. I'm now 7 weeks pregnant with no. 2 and have been having severe nausea (pretty much all day, every day without any let-up) since 5 weeks, but no vomiting as yet.

It's been so much worse than anything I had when pregnant with my DS that I saw my GP to ask if he could suggest anything in addition to the usual (ginger, eating little and often, blah blah blah) and he said if I'd tried all the lifestyle/dietary changes and they weren't helping, he would prescribe me cyclizine. I was pretty surprised as I've only heard of women with HG who can't keep anything down being prescribed medication, and that's definitely not the position I'm in. I filled the prescription and took a tablet to help me get through a work meeting, but I'm torn as to whether to take it more regularly.

On the one hand, it definitely worked and allowed me to function, whereas lately I've been feeling so sick that I can barely get off the sofa and DH has been doing basically all childcare and housework etc. On the other hand, I'm not dehydrated and I can keep food down if I force myself to eat, although I feel miserably nauseous and quite depressed about the thought of feeling like this for another month (it's so bad that I'm finding it very hard to leave the house).

Has anyone else been prescribed anti-sickness drugs in pregnancy for nausea alone? I have literally never heard of this before, and was a bit shocked at how easily the GP suggested it. Should I take them, since they've been prescribed and would help me function more normally or just grit my teeth and try to ride it out?

Disclaimer: I realise how lucky I am not to be vomiting (yet), but the nausea is like nothing I've ever experienced before, and I've been pregnant twice (one successful, one miscarriage).

OP posts:
iwillbemrsminty · 25/07/2016 14:33

I agree, it is nice to talk to people who are not only going through the same as you but so close in dates too Smile although as you say, the scan can change your dates even if you think your dates are spot on! That's what the midwife has dated me anyway so we'll see! I haven't had an early scan, though I have been so tempted. I'm sorry about your mc Lynsey. I had a mc too in April so I understand how scary it is and yes I agree that through all the grimness that has been the last 6 or so weeks, it is a reassurance that everything is as it should be. I just want to speed through this week and have my scan on Monday, it's actually my birthday on Wednesday and I have that day and the day after off work so hoping that might speed the week up a bit!

Kate that is a good position to be in whilst your DH is home. Make the most of it and rest up. As I think it says up-thread somewhere, being tired (and, god forbid, combined with being hungry) makes everything a whole lot worse!

LynseyH5 · 25/07/2016 16:12

mrsminty I was trying to resist an early scan but got to 8 wks and wanted to know if all the suffering was definitely worth it. Everything was perfect which it wasn't in the 2 before. It hasn't really settled my nerves and I've had some really strange anxieties crop up but I'm ploughing through as best I can. I've got to say, not taking a cyclizine tablet today hasn't made me feel any worse so hoping for the best now! Although I've just been laying on sofa and my stomach feels strange, tight and twingy. Grrr!

It's definitely lovely to have found you! I'm terrible memory wise so will say Happy Birthday now lol. I hope you have a lovely day and enjoy your time off work, will hopefully speed the week up as you say. Flowers

LynseyH5 · 25/07/2016 16:18

I just realised I put my original EDD above as the 18th, it's ment to be the 12th! The 18th is my youngests birthday. Doh! Confused

Mumchatting · 25/07/2016 20:54

Hi, I was prescribed the same medicine as you for nausea only. That was at around 7 weeks when I couldn't take the 'all day long' nausea anymore. No vomiting though.
I took 1 tablet only and made me very tired and sleepy that I couldn't carry on the day. I never took that tablet again. I decided to wait it out.
So I'm now 15 weeks and nausea has almost stopped around week 13. Although I am having it again today the whole afternoon and it makes me so angry!!! Angry if the tablets make you feel better, take them! I see it's very common now to prescribe these for nausea without vomiting.

KateTheShrew · 26/07/2016 09:30

Thanks Mumchatting. Yes the cyclizine does make me a bit sleepy, but that's nowhere near as bad as the nausea. It sounds like you had a more severe reaction to it. I guess the side effects vary from person to person.

Sorry to hear you're still feeling sick sometime; I, hope you have a better day today.

OP posts:
bumbleclat · 26/07/2016 09:48

Yes and take it promethazine worked for me every day from week 6-17

iwillbemrsminty · 26/07/2016 11:17

Thank you Lynsey Smile. Would be strange if your due date actually fell on your youngest's birthday!

Do come back and post your scan pic wont you Smile.

Ladies, those of you struggling with the tablets making you sleepy, most of them are actually antihistamines which is why you're supposed to take them at night, I always took mine just as I got into bed. They worked through the following day until the next one is due the following night.

Laura05 · 26/07/2016 12:29

Hi ladies, I've just been prescribed cyclizine. Is there a best time to take them? E.g first thing, after lunch, before bed etc. Doc told me I can take up to 3 a day but was hoping to manage on 1. I've got severe nausea from the minute I wake to the minute I go to bed Sad I work part time and am running about after 2dc so don't often get a chance for an afternoon snooze

Laura05 · 26/07/2016 12:34

Also how long before they start taking effect?

KateTheShrew · 26/07/2016 12:49

Hi Laura05! I think it's up to you when you take them. I know I tend to feel worse afternoon/evening, so I tend to take mine at 1 or 2pm, but if you're worse in the morning you might want to take it as soon as you wake up, like Lynsey suggests. They seem to work fairly quickly - within about 30 minutes. They do make some people sleepy, but it varies. I don't find that one per day has made me too tired can't tell the difference from generally pregnancy exhaustion.

What mrsminty says upthread about taking it before bed sounds like good advice if you find it makes you to tired, but I think the effects of cyclizine last about 6 hours max, so if you took it before bed you might find you're asleep when it's at its most effective.

I'm no expert, though, and have only been taking these a few days. Try it out and see what works best for you. My GP said you don't have to take it everyday for it to be effective, you can just take it as and when you need it, but then my midwife told me most women find it does help more if you take it regularly, and that's certainly what I've heard on here...

I really hope you feel better soon!

OP posts:
Laura05 · 26/07/2016 14:28

Thanks kate I'm pretty much tired all the time anyway so it'll make no difference there lol

thecatsarecrazy · 26/07/2016 15:01

I just spoke to a doctor on the phone but they don't really want to give me anything. I can't keep anything down.

KateTheShrew · 26/07/2016 16:08

Oh, thecats, that sounds awful Sad

Are you even managing to keep any water down? I'm surprised the doctor didn't want to see you in person to check if you're dehydrated! Did they at least give you advice on warning signs of dehydration to watch out for? If this continues and you can't eat or. more importantly drink anything, then you'll need to call back and ask to be re-assessed.

There's also a Hyperemesis thread on this board, where you might get more useful advice.

OP posts:
LynseyH5 · 26/07/2016 16:15

Speak to another doctor cats It's ridiculous that this one is hesitating. Some are funny but if your struggling with keeping things down, it's better you have help.

I've now not taken my cyclizine for 2 days and I still feel really tired! So now I'm thinking it's just simply me instead of the meds that was doing it. The cyclizine definitely helped with the nausea though and I managed on just the one so hopefully anyone else giving it ago will find the same.

I agree with the midwife kate, I felt better after a week and didn't dare miss a day. I felt sick last night before bed but otherwise coping without it so far...I even took my 3 boys to the park today...by myself!

mrsminty I will be showing my scan off to the world if all is well so no worries there! Grin

laura I personally took mine (only dose I took) a good half hour before I needed to get out of bed. I would take the tablet then eat a couple of ginger biscuits. It definitely helped me cope with the first couple of hours when I needed to sort the kids out. Now the school holidays are here, and I feel a bit better, I'm trying without as there's no rush in a morning. I hope you feel better soon. The outcome maybe amazing but it doesn't mean the nausea isn't s**t!!

thecatsarecrazy · 27/07/2016 14:31

Thanks, I saw a doc today. He checked my urine and there's no ketones in it. He's prescribed me promethazine 25mg are these any good? And I'm to see him again Friday with another wee sample. I'm not keeping anything down. I have to take one before bed because it can cause drowsiness I think

iwillbemrsminty · 27/07/2016 14:51

That is what I'm taking thecats, it definitely makes you drowsy so you do right to take it at bedtime. It takes the edge off and allows me to eat and drink.

KateTheShrew · 27/07/2016 16:08

Glad to hear you've been given something, cats. I hope it works quickly for you.

Lynsey well done on managing without the cyclizine and taking the kids to the park!!

I'm feeling particularly sorry for myself today. I think this is the worst day I've had Sad I just feel completely wiped out, and though I think the cyclizine stops me from feeling like I'm going to be sick all the time, it seems to make my stomach feel really weird (not sure if that's just the ms though) and I'm finding it really hard to eat and drink today, although I know I have to or I'll feel even worse. I just don't feel like 'me' today - I hope that doesn't sound stupid! - and I can barely keep my eyes open.

OP posts:
LynseyH5 · 27/07/2016 23:47

Aw kate I really do sympathise.
I've found the same over the last few weeks. Literally nothing seems appealing does it? I found it hard with the drinking aswel. I usually drink more than eat but was trying to eat to prevent nausea and every drink I decided I liked, I couldn't stand after another day or so.
The only thing I can suggest is (if you can manage it) literally walk around the shop and pick up anything at all that may seem appealing. You may well end up with a trolley full of absolute rubbish but needs must! Also, jelly is a lifesaver!

LynseyH5 · 27/07/2016 23:50

Sorry cats not to forget you! I've not tried those ones, the others I tried also began with a 'p' but can't think of the name off the top of my head. From what I have read from lots of ladies, cyclizine seems to be about the best... keep at the doctor. It's your body and you know how bad your feeling. If your not keeping anything down, you could end up dehydrated and in hospital on a drop...the doctor knows this and therefore should be supporting you properly. Well lame it on the fact he's a man and got no idea just how miserable it is Confused

LynseyH5 · 27/07/2016 23:51

We'll blame it on*

thecatsarecrazy · 28/07/2016 09:30

I woke at 1 with restless legs Sad I don't know if that's a side effect

LynseyH5 · 28/07/2016 11:01

No idea, sorry. My friend had that in later pregnancy and my mum suffers with it now and she's definitely not pregnant lol.
If unsure, ask your GP and the pharmacist x

KateTheShrew · 28/07/2016 14:44

Sorry, cats, I don't know if restless legs would be a side effect. Are you feeling any better today?

Thanks, Lynsey. I'm trying to be more positive today. I've got myself into a real slump and it's not doing me any good, so I'm trying to get up and about more today and take my mind off it...

OP posts:
LynseyH5 · 28/07/2016 15:30

Keep going kate. It will get easier I promise.
I now seem to be coming out the other end at only between 11 and 12 wks so it won't be much longer for you either.
I've just been panicking that it's too soon to lose my symptoms and now I'm worrying about my scan next week. The worry never ends but the feeling crappy does. Just keep on resting and get fresh air where possible. I found it got me going a bit more if I got my blood pumping abit x

thecatsarecrazy · 28/07/2016 15:31

I've been sick twice not as bad as usual but I'm so tired.

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