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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

When did you stop taking anti sickness meds

23 replies

ChinChilly · 10/01/2022 12:29

Hi

I'm 13+2 and had my 12 week scan last week where everything looked good. I've been consistently taking cyclizine twice a day for about 5 weeks for sickness. Sometimes I feel like it's getting better so I try to cut back on them, I was 100x times better yesterday, able to function and didn't need to take any cyclizine but today I feel horrendous and can't keep anything down. I've taken a tablet but I'm not sure it is staying down long enough for it to absorb.

If you have to take medication to control your sickness when were you able to stop them?

OP posts:
PigeonPigPie · 10/01/2022 12:37

I was taking cyclizine 3x a day until about 26 weeks - sorry!!

Change123today · 10/01/2022 12:43

Hate to say it but once I’d given birth I no longer needed them…. Could also finally brush my teeth without gagging/throwing up.

Sorry!

Sammilouwho · 10/01/2022 13:02

Hate to say it but with this pregnancy, I'm 38 weeks and still on ondansatron 3x a day.
First pregnancy I was on until 22 weeks.
Some people are able to come off earlier though!

Alfixn · 10/01/2022 13:03

About 18 weeks for me.

Danikm151 · 10/01/2022 13:04

20 weeks for me. Dr was reluctant to prescribe after that date but luckily the symptoms subsided

alpinia · 10/01/2022 13:07

26 weeks for the daily antiemetics but still with omeprazole but I hear this might just be a temporary reprieve. Think I'm down to what I assume is a 'normal' pregnancy first trimester level of nausea now.

chocolover88 · 10/01/2022 13:07

I tried all sorts of anti emetics on my pregnancy but they made me feel worst and would make me extremely drowsy. I even tried taking half tablets. But generally speaking my extreme nausea (vomiting everything 8-9 times a day, everything making me sick, all smells making me sick) gradually got better after around after 20 weeks (vomitted twice) and much better after after 30 weeks (no vomiting)

Mae2020 · 10/01/2022 13:35

I've been taking ondansetron melts since I was 8 weeks pregnant.. currently 35 weeks and still rely on them unfortunately!

Original poster
ChinChilly · 10/01/2022 13:36

Thanks for all your replies.

And there was me thinking I might start to feel better after 12 weeks like everyone kept saying I would 🙄

They do make me drowsy occasionally but my GP won't give me anything other than the cyclizine. This is a very much wanted pregnancy after a MC but the sickness and the constant feeling sick is starting to make me miserable

OP posts:
Alfixn · 10/01/2022 20:09

FWIW, there is a non drowsy option called stemetil. Can be taken in first and second trimester

Alfixn · 10/01/2022 20:10

In case that helps!

Original poster
ChinChilly · 10/01/2022 20:43

@Alfixn Thank you, I'll remember that for the next time I'm badgering my GP for something else

OP posts:
iloveayankeecandle · 10/01/2022 21:02

Whole pregnancy for both.

insancerre · 10/01/2022 21:13

About 24 weeks both times
I cut down to half a tablet for a few weeks before stopping them altogether

LydiaAW · 10/01/2022 21:23

I was on Ondanstron until about 19 weeks. I was still being sick 2/3 times a day prior to then but I had had a week of no vomiting.

We were meeting with the consultant that week and I mentioned I wasn't being sick but still got the sick burps etc. then was told it was probably heart burn (hadn't even thought...) so I eased off Ondanstron and moved to gaviscon and omperazole.

Just on your GP not prescribing you anything else, I would call pregnancy sickness support and get their fact sheet on anti-emetics. You should absolutely be able to try different combinations and PSS has them all written down. I was very lucky my gp was understanding and happy to try different meds but it makes me so mad that so many pregnant women have to fight to feel better!

I hope the sickness eases up soon - it's not easy x

Elle234 · 11/01/2022 07:01

Just googled and side effects are :

Common side effects may include:

drowsiness, weakness, loss of coordination;
nausea, dry mouth, constipation; or
blurred vision.

So you get nauseous if you take them a long time . Maybe the women that take them throughout pregnancy are eventually experiencing the side effects of the meds and not hormones …..

I personally would try to stop once in the second trimester

Alfixn · 11/01/2022 08:01

@Elle234

Just googled and side effects are :

Common side effects may include:

drowsiness, weakness, loss of coordination;
nausea, dry mouth, constipation; or
blurred vision.

So you get nauseous if you take them a long time . Maybe the women that take them throughout pregnancy are eventually experiencing the side effects of the meds and not hormones …..

I personally would try to stop once in the second trimester

That's not quite how it works. Generally side effects, if they're going to appear, appear very quickly, not "because you've taken them for a long time".

These medications are known to be safe for pregnancy so I hope we've moved past the day of trying to guilt pregnant women into suffering when they don't need to.

RunningInTheWind · 11/01/2022 08:05

Stopped taking them the day he was born… was still spewing in labour. As soon as he was out the sickness stopped.

He was premature - so at least it stopped at 35 weeks. 😂

Elle234 · 11/01/2022 08:40

@Alfixn. No need to get defensive 😉. I’ve taken plenty of medications that have given reverse side effects . For example rebound congestion when taking decongestant for blocked sinus for a long period of time . Eczema when taking an anti inflammatory cream that helped at first but then made my skin worse after a period of time .

Since I saw that nausea can be a side effect and it is common to come out of nausea in the second trimester, I thought it’s worth a check since op is in her second trimester .

When my doctor told me I had rebound congestion I didn’t feel guilty at all. Sorry I made you feel guilty from my comment !

Derbee · 11/01/2022 09:06

I’d ignore ignorant advice, like @Elle234 even if it’s well intentioned.

I managed to stop taking cyclizine at 20 weeks. My GP recommended keeping some available in case the sickness came back at around 33 weeks, as it can do for some unlucky people.

ninadust · 11/01/2022 10:43

Around 18 weeks! X

Alfixn · 11/01/2022 12:09

@Elle234 No worries, you haven't made me feel guilty.

I happily took antiemetics for as long as I needed during my pregnancy and will do so again in the future if needed. Without them I would have been bed bound and almost certainly hospitalised due to the severity of my pregnancy sickness.

Luckily because I work in an area that requires knowledge of medicines and drug safety, I felt reassured that it was safe to do so.

However, I'm acutely aware that many women are not in the same position and may feel scared to take medications that really are safe for them. I also feel pretty strongly passionate about the issue of women being denied treatment for treatable conditions in pregnancy, which is sadly still common, but that's a slight aside.

I'm genuinely not trying to make these points as a dig towards you. I just want to help spread the word that pregnant women need not suffer this and need not feel guilty about seeking help.

Alfixn · 11/01/2022 12:10

Anyway, apologies for the derail OP! Hope your sickness passes soon. It will be all worth it when you have your lovely baby in your arms!

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