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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

folic acid side effects

10 replies

EmmyCJ · 20/12/2018 14:27

Hi all. I've been taking folic acid for about 2 weeks but it seems to be giving me some unpleasentness. Feel very queasy, gassy and stomach achey. Did this happen to anyone and what did you do? I've been taking it at lunch time but I do eat quite light (soups/toast).
I was deficient so important I take it but really struggling. I must say I skipped it yesterday and felt better.
Struggling to get advice from doctors due to it being christmas!

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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lifechanginglemoncake · 20/12/2018 14:29

My recommendation is to take it with whichever is your main meal. The more food you take it with the better in my experience. Never take it on an empty stomach if you can avoid it.

Original poster

EmmyCJ · 20/12/2018 14:39

Thanks. Just spoke to a pharmacist and he actually said try moving it to dinner and it's important I carry on. Given me gaviscon as well just in case but said to be careful and take it away from other meds.

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Jummynbean · 20/12/2018 15:44

I had suspicions about my folic acid / pregnancy vits, but with all the changes my body was going through, it was hard to know the reason for it. At one point I thought it was milk, but fine with it now!

EverythingNow · 20/12/2018 16:07

Yep. I'm on the high dose for high bmi and I'm getting cramps and nausea.

tinygirlsmum · 20/12/2018 16:09

I'm so glad I found this!!!! I've been taking it first thing (with no breakfast) and I'm so sick!!!! But not being sick! Will try it with dinner tomorrow

MrsH497 · 20/12/2018 16:23

I'll make sure I take them with dinner after reading this!

Original poster

EmmyCJ · 21/12/2018 05:21

Do you get the cramps and nausea all day long? I’m on the high dose also. Took with dinner last night and my stomachs woke me up.

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Spargle · 21/12/2018 07:18

No idea whether or not this might help, but have you considered taking methylated folic acid instead? Folic acid is the synthetic form, and some people find it harder to absorb and process in a way their bodies can use it. Methylated folic acid (or methyl folate) is the natural form, and, I think, doesn’t need to be processed before it is useful to the body.

I’ve got a few pre-existing conditions which, anecdotally at least, seem to be linked to an increased probability of being unable to process folic acid, so I started avoiding it a couple of months before I became pregnant. The stuff I use is Solgar Folate (as metafolin), 400μg. I think I got my first one from Dolphin something, as it was the cheapest I could find; second from eBay. There’s also a 1000μg one that I know of.

As I say, I have no idea if it will help the nausea, but it is a nice way for your body to get its folic acid requirement...

Original poster

EmmyCJ · 21/12/2018 08:33

I was wondering about dropping it down to build it up but know I need the full amount so it seems a bit impossible! I may have to give the folate a whirl perhaps it would be better.

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EverythingNow · 21/12/2018 09:15

@EmmyCJ yes pretty much though it has improved now I take it with my evening meal rather than breakfast. Although I often wake with cramps in the night.

The nausea is still here. Not sure if it's the folic acid or just morning sickness.

I was taking pregnacare on top (my GP said ok to) but I've stopped that now and Am getting vitamin d tablets.

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