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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

SO embarrassed. Threadworms and pregnant :(

53 replies

Emmastone123 · 21/08/2017 13:52

Im so, so embarrassed, even writing this.

I'm a teacher on school holidays. About three weeks ago I realised I had threadworms - saw one. Sorry tmi. Obviously got them from school as I teach little ones. I pride myself on being super hygienic etc so am pretty annoyed! Don't know what to do to avoid them?!

Anyway - I'm 12.5 weeks preggers and they haven't gone away despite me cleaning EVERYTHING. Clean pyjamas, tight undies, everything I've read up on.

The bad thing is - I've had cystitis symptoms (no infection despite three cultures) for a couple of weeks (and thrush) which I now think could be caused by the blighters??

I'm at the end of my tether. Feel utterly disgusting and hopeless. Would take ovex but apparently you can't?!

Do I go to my GP? I'm SO embarrassed.

PLEASE help me!!!

XxX

OP posts:
GaryNumanIsOlderThanGaryOldman · 23/08/2017 19:47

Oh Emma lovey, have a hug. I know you're feeling grim and probably tearful but when you are dealing with this in a few years' time with your little one or dealing with nits or God Forbid the Double Whammy of threadworms and headlice AT THE SAME TIME ShockAngryGrin I promise you you will become EmmaStoneWormWhispererâ„¢
I did the changing sheets every day as I was dealing with a very wriggly toddler, in both senses of the word. And I was freaking out more than I would
because of not being able to medicate. If it was just me, I'd maybe change bedding twice a week, depending on how paranoid I was feeling. Wink
It sounds impossible but bed sheets, one in machine then new one on was doable: got used to morning routine. That could be DH's job.
I know you are feeling repulsed but it will be okay and it is doable. I had Ovex in my Amazon recommendations the other day! Can you imagine that on FB ?
Status: wormy! Grin
Please don't get depressed, easier said than done, your immune system will be better and do be aware, especially as a teacher, that it is no reflection on you when 20% of the cherubs you teach can have them at any time. Not sure why it is such a taboo theme.
BrewFlowers

LesPins · 23/08/2017 20:54

You have an overly cautious GP. Mebendazole is fine past the first tri.

GaryNumanIsOlderThanGaryOldman · 23/08/2017 21:02

^ is that from personal experience, anecdote or a professional opinion? I'm not saying you are wrong but you need to give sources or back it up with something (see link before, it's category C and not proven to be safe but nor have harmful effects been reported).

Cherrytart6 · 23/08/2017 21:02

Garlic solved mine. Eaten raw

GaryNumanIsOlderThanGaryOldman · 23/08/2017 21:03

^ and you were vampire-free too Wink

Original poster
Emmastone123 · 23/08/2017 21:04

Thanks guys for cheering me up. I've just slathered myself in coconut oil as heard that can help as they don't like coconut. I will also try garlic.

Has anyone tried diatomaceous earth food grade? I heard that's ok in pregnancy and can get rid of them?

OP posts:
Original poster
Emmastone123 · 23/08/2017 21:05

Lespins - the hospital GP will prescribe but only when I'm around 14 weeks. Hoping to clear it myself but haven't been so lucky so far...

OP posts:
Original poster
Emmastone123 · 23/08/2017 21:06

I've also got big tight underwear on (sorry tmi!) and sleeping in a fitted sheet wrapped around me which I will wash and change tomorrow.

OP posts:
CuppaTeaAndAJammieDodger · 23/08/2017 21:18

You poor thing. I'm afraid to say that you have to be absolutely meticulous with your cleaning and changing the sheets. Short nails, soap and nail brush next to each sink and thoroughly scrub your nails before you eat, change bedding every day (sorry, I know it's a pain) and wash and tumble dry as hot as possible (ideally), everyone has their own hand and bath towel which are changed and cleaned on a hot wash regularly. I wet dusted the whole house every few days which included pulling furniture away from the walls in the bedrooms and doing the skirtings, hoover each day if you can. You're already doing the underwear at night thing but DP needs to as well as he is most likely infected too (and will need Ovex).

Sounds like a gargantuan task, especially when you're pregnant, but you kinda get into the habit after a couple of days.

GaryNumanIsOlderThanGaryOldman · 23/08/2017 21:37

Never heard of d.earth Emma although two sources say it is safe as long as you only start off with a teaspoon as you don't want to over detox...I had only heard of it to eliminate bugs around skirting boards. I would check with midwife/GP.

SoPassRemarkable · 23/08/2017 21:44

The reason ovex is class C is because like many, many meds it is not ethical to do trials with pregnant women.....so there is no research/gold standard trial. However women have taken ovex with no reported side effects for many years.

www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/Medicine--pregnancy/Piperazine/

awrightmylover · 23/08/2017 21:50

As a last ditch attempt, you could also try eating loads of garlic, apparently threadworms don't like it. I've done it before as an adjunct to the worming tablets.

They can absolutely cause thrush-type symptoms so keep pushing for proper treatment!

They tend to lurk under fingernails too, so cut your nails short/ nailbrush with gusto.

It's horrible though, you have my sympathy!

Original poster
Emmastone123 · 23/08/2017 21:51

Hey Gary I googled it along with threadworms and it seems pretty popular. I've ordered some but will probably be too scared to take it... ugh

OP posts:
Believeitornot · 23/08/2017 21:54

My dd had worms. What we did was smear Vaseline all over her bits and bottom - stops the itching. Then every morning wiping her clean. Rinse and repeat every single day plus washing bed linen and using the tumble dryer. Also wiping all surfaces with a damp cloth then binning. It went eventually.

Part of it is mental though - as in as soon as you think of worms you start itching 😬😕

GaryNumanIsOlderThanGaryOldman · 23/08/2017 21:56

It sounds a bit...gritty.
Maybe like when I had a Brew with limescale in.
Oh and I don't know if you've talked to DH yet but he will probably be far less bothered than you are. Mine was decidedly

GaryNumanIsOlderThanGaryOldman · 23/08/2017 21:57

It sounds a bit...gritty.
Maybe like when I had a Brew with limescale in.
Oh and I don't know if you've talked to DH yet but he will probably be far less bothered than you are. Mine was decidedly

SoPassRemarkable · 23/08/2017 22:00

You could try garlic from the other end as well.

NotAgainYoda · 24/08/2017 09:49

Don't be embarrassed. I'm a TA and I've had them a fair few times. They are persistent little fuckers

You poor thing though. They can make you feel rotten

Lostmymarbles1985 · 24/08/2017 10:15

Don't be embarrassed. I've had them. Be extra conscious of not touching your mouth at all. Washing hands under nails before eating. They are so easy to pick up and the eggs survive for a couple of weeks on surfaces and bedding etc.

sophiejayne96 · 24/08/2017 13:25

So I took ovex.. 2 doses as it says on the pack.. I was in week 23ish when I took them because I was desperate and didn't know at the time that they shouldn't be taken in pregnancy.. however I'm due next Friday. My little boy is all good and ready to come out :) xxx

Original poster
Emmastone123 · 24/08/2017 15:50

Hey Sophie.

I think I'm getting to the point where I will take something in a couple of weeks if things don't calm down!
I'm hoovering, changing sheets, scrubbing nails and hands all.the.time(!!) I also ate three cloves of garlic this morning and then nearly vomited Sad
Is there anything else you did hygiene wise?
Congrats on your little boy. Flowers

Gary, I don't think my husband even knows what they are. I'm going to give him an ovex tonight but yes he doesn't seem to care. Maybe because he's not got the bloody symptoms Angry

Believe it , how long did it take to go not using the medication?

OP posts:
Baby1and2 · 17/02/2018 12:16

Hi,
Was your little boy fine? I'm 29 weeks and about to crack and take ovex! I can't deal with them anymore! Would just be nice to know someone has took it and all has been well x

doesthatmakesense · 17/02/2018 12:31

It is a horrid feeling. I am quite susceptible to the little feckers and also had them while pg. carrot juice first thing in an empty stomach for two weeks is reputed to work, but could not face this. A crushed garlic and Vaseline applied nightly directly to the bumhole area as a sort of cordon sanitaire apparently did work for me... might pop over and share that on the "anal bleaching" thread too...

cindersrella · 17/02/2018 12:37

Oh my please go to you GP. My little one has them and we only found out through a colonoscopy she had. I was mortified too. The doc told me they are as common and nits now and not to be embarrassed. They can get under your finger nails etc if the children do not wash there hands properly.

Thrush.. horrible when pregnant. Could be hormones. Doc prescribed me with pessary and cream.

UTI I drank lots of lemon barley which helped me but o think doc will prescribe antibiotics and cranberry is supposed to be good (never worked for me though 🙂

ShowOfHands · 17/02/2018 12:49

Baby1and2, it may be easier to start your own thread as people - as you've seen - reply to the original poster without reading the whole thread.