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Pregnancy

Hyperemesis and Cyclizine

31 replies

mia22221 · 06/07/2020 16:48

Hi lovelies

I am currently 6 weeks pregnant and have just been prescribed cyclizine due to hyperemesis

Constant sickness and unable to keep anything down

Has this work for any ladies going through similar situation to me??

I have been unable to hold down my vitamins

Are you able to eat these whilst taking this tablet ?

Let me know
Thanks so much
Xx

OP posts:
Duckchick · 06/07/2020 16:54

Cyclizine helped me a bit but not enough, the hospital ended up prescribing me different drugs as well. You do need to take it regularly and let it build up in your system for it to be effective. It is enough for many people and there is lots and lots of evidence it is safe in pregnancy which is why it's normally the first thing they prescribe.

For the vitamins, are you taking a multivitamin or just folic acid? The iron in a multivitamin can make nausea worse, I couldn't take them even with lots of antinausea drugs - but I could manage folic acid by itself. They are also tiny tablets which I found physically easier to swallow.

AAkim · 06/07/2020 17:17

Cyclizine helped me, have to remember to take regularly. I used to try and dry swallow or minimum water and rest for half an hour until they'd kicked in a bit more and then take it slowly until feeling a bit better. I still had lots of nausea and food aversions but it took the edge off.

Cobbsgirl92 · 06/07/2020 17:19

Cyclizine worked for me but I had to take it then rest/wait for half an hour for it to kick in.
It didn’t get rid of it completely but it helped enough to eat something.
Good luck

Fredsgirl19 · 06/07/2020 17:28

I had no relief from cyclizine but I have heard lots of women who have. In the end ondansetron was the only thing that helped - it stopped the vomit but not the nausea. Good to get on top of it early though - good luck

Superscientist · 06/07/2020 17:40

I didn't quite meet the hyperemesis level of sickness but wasn't far off, at its worse the cyclizine only helped if I took it even before lifting my head from my pillow and then waited about 15-20 minutes for it to take effect before moving.

Give it a few days, if it doesn't help you do go back and ask for something else.

SunSparkle · 06/07/2020 17:55

I was given cyclizine and it did nothing and gave me more side effects on my digestion.

I've now been prescribed Stemetil/prochlorperazine and it works much better for me. I was only on the Cyclizine for 24 hours, and my doctor said if it hadn't worked by then, it wouldn't so they wrote me the new prescription.

Definitely ask for something else if it's not helping, and also change your vitamins to a straight folic acid supplement as the iron in the big ones makes you feel so sick.

NerrSnerr · 06/07/2020 17:57

I had hyperemesis during both my pregnancies and cyclazine was the only medication that made any difference. It didn't take away the awful nausea but it meant that I wasn't sick all day every day (just overnight).

Really hope it works for you and you feel better soon.

Christie08 · 06/07/2020 18:20

Cyclizine also worked for me but I gad to take buccastem with them! Took almost an hour to take any effect and I had to take 3 a day! Poor thing, it's so horrible but it really does pass x

FizzingWhizzbee123 · 06/07/2020 18:35

Cyclizine just turned me into a zombie without helping the sickness. Ondansteron was the only thing which helped me.

Letmegetthisrightasawoman · 06/07/2020 18:38

I didn't take it for HG, I was prescribed it for ongoing nausea and vomiting at 22 weeks. It really did take the edge of for me though it didn't stop it completely. Sympathy to those suffering with HG!

MrsJamieLWeir · 06/07/2020 19:07

I was prescribed cyclizine but wasn’t enough (worked for 5 day’s) so I’m taking it alongside another drug too (all safe for baby luckily) and now my days are normal ish (apart from being exhausted) I can eat! Hopefully they work for you, but if they don’t contact your GP, they were who prescribed me the other medication too! Fingers crossed you’ve got on top of it early, it was a horrible experience! Xxx

crazychemist · 06/07/2020 22:59

Cyclizine helped me for a while. I took it half a tablet at a time, as otherwise I’d fall asleep! Enabled me to keep some food down, but didn’t take any vits between 6 weeks and 18 weeks.... not ideal, but at least I stopped losing weight!

333mumtobe · 07/07/2020 00:54

Try ginger tea and peppermint tea. Also, try and take your vitamins at times where you’re less likely to throw them up (if that’s possible). My sickness was horrendous and to be honest I’m traumatised by it. It eventually subsided at about 15 weeks. I can’t believe I actually managed to put up with it for so long. I found that fresh air really helped (which is not always so easy in this weird humid weather) and if I suddenly craved something I would just go for it and eat it even though I knew I would not be able to hold it down (at least I got a bit of the nutrients).

I didn’t take meds in the end just constantly had teas and gin gins (ginger sweets - great for sickness and the chewing distracts your mind).

Also, try homeopathic remedies - there’s lots out there for HG.

I also read on one of the threads here that a woman who cures her severe sickness by taking pregnacare - apparently that is the only brand of prenatal vitamins that helps with the nausea.

Anyway, there’s a lot of random bits of info! Just trying to give you all the info I can think of because I know how debilitating and bleak it can get. No one seems to understand unless they’ve experienced it.

Best of luck xxx

Painterpatty · 07/07/2020 01:58

Don’t be afraid to go back and ask for stronger medication if you don’t feel benefit with cyclizine in a day or so 💐 Don’t feel like you should put up with this x

There are a number of safe medications and it’s better to have those than to end up in hospital on a drip xxx

mia22221 · 07/07/2020 16:06

Hey lovelies


Thank you so much for your replies sorry I've barely been on my phone as I've felt the worst!

Luckily I haven't thrown up last night and this morning with the tablets and managed to eat a little even though the nausea is still here 24/7

How long roughly did this last for you all?

I just feel like it's never going to end and I feel so drained and non human like just now 😞

Xxx

OP posts:
mais · 07/07/2020 16:14

Hi OP, glad to hear you had a better night & morning. HG can be different for everyone - my 1st pregnancy it lasted till approx 20 weeks, this pregnancy although the medication is keeping the worst at bay if I do any activity I pay for it - I’m 34 weeks now. There is great support on the HG thread, you’ll get lots of good advice. I’ve been taking Cariban but I’m not in the UK so different here - I have cyclizine to take as well on the very bad days. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/3908440-Hyperemesis-Support

mia22221 · 07/07/2020 20:01

@mais

Hi
Thanks so much for your reply ❤️
And thanks for the link
I hope we all can get though this

Just now it feels like il never be able to get through this 😞

How did you cope with ur first pregnancy?

I currently am battling x

R

OP posts:
mais · 08/07/2020 11:30

Hi Mia,
Keep taking the tablets and if they don’t work (they may take a few days to build up) don’t be afraid to ask to change, there are options available.
If you are any way dehydrated get IV fluids - I think I managed this pregnancy better as I really worked at keeping hydrated - if you don’t you very quickly go downhill - it’s easier said than done though, if you can’t keep fluids down it’s hospital time for IV fluids. Fluids & food of any kind are fine - Coca Cola has been a life saver (it is recommended by dieticians here as can reduce nausea). Do not worry about eating/drinking healthy - any nutrition is a bonus until you feel a bit better. I went from a size 14 to size 6 first pregnancy and my dd was a very healthy 3.5kg.

Be kind to yourself - do not feel guilty about not being able to cook/clean or do anything! Just rest.

Timing was fortunate for me - my 1st pregnancy most of the worst sickness coincided with summer holidays (I’m a primary school teacher & where I am we get 8 weeks holidays). This time I just had to take sick leave.
Find support online - I found a Facebook page (I’m in Ireland) and it is lovely to have the support of people who are going through the same - it is a very lonely illness and it is really important to connect with others who understand.
Wishing you all the very best

xx

mia22221 · 09/07/2020 15:57

Hi mais


I've been taking them and they have actually been helping! I've managed to keep some food down but feeling like it's to good to be true and that's it's going to get worse again don't know

It's reassuring to hear your story and hear that you got through it and also delivered a healthy baby good on you ❤️

I hope that happens to me to xx

I am a child nursing student and luckily I don't go back until September so I really hope things calm down for me before I go back x

Thanks so much for your reply and support it means so much to me as I feel alone in this battle

OP posts:
mia22221 · 16/07/2020 17:45

Unfortunately cyclizine didn't help for very long and I'm back to square 1 of throwing everything up constantly :(

I've been prescribed something else, my husbands gone to collect it.

But the doctors gave me this big talk on how all these tablets can have a bad effect on baby which has left me feeling more miserable :(

OP posts:
mais · 19/07/2020 21:22

Oh no @mia22221 I’m so sorry to hear that - many of us have taken medication to help with HG with no impact on baby. I understand that some doctors are still reluctant because of the thalidomide tragedies but the tablets prescribed now are safe. Here are the guidelines for treatment of HG www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/green-top-guidelines/gtg69-hyperemesis.pdf sometimes you can feel in more control when you have more information. Do not be afraid to go to hospital either if you are struggling - especially if you are having difficulty keeping fluids down, IV fluids can really help and give great relief and usually the consultants are much more comfortable in prescribing for HG than a GP.
Hoping you get some relief x

BuffaloMozzerella · 19/07/2020 22:05

@mais I've been prescribed Cariban too - one in the morning and one in the evening. I'm not finding it's doing much so far. Do you take yours with or without food? I can't read the leaflet as it's all in Spanish.

BuffaloMozzerella · 19/07/2020 22:05

@mais I've been prescribed Cariban too - one in the morning and one in the evening. I'm not finding it's doing much so far. Do you take yours with or without food? I can't read the leaflet as it's all in Spanish.

HGwarrior · 19/07/2020 22:15

I had no help with cyclazine it came
Straight back up again and Made dozy and dizzy , the one thing that worked for me was ondansetron I was still sick but more controlled and kept me
Out of hospital, I can see yours came bAck up too OP stay strong the right medication can make a difference.

I found I had loads of saliva make
Sure if you do spit it up in the morning filled my stomach and made me sick I think it’s called pitulisiam but that’s didn’t help me and I felt I had a better day when I did this.

Try not to eat and drink at same time cx

CabernetSoWhat · 19/07/2020 22:22

I had 3 HG pregnancies and 3 healthy babies, so don't worry about it affecting the baby. I found cyclizine tablets stopped the vomiting but not the debilitating nausea. What kicked the sickness totally was cyclizine injections. That was a miracle! I was given it because I managed to pick up a D&V bug on top of the HG, and I asked if I could keep coming down to the surgery to have the injections, which was agreed.

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