Cyclizine for morning sickness - help!!

[sickandsleepy]

Hi all, I hope somebody will be able to shed some light on this for me!

I went to my GP yesterday after suffering from awful and relentless nausea since week 7 (I am now 10 weeks), I couldn't function as a normal human at all so I decided to seek help. The Doctor prescribed me Cyclizine and advised I can take it up to 3 times a day "as needed".

My question is, how often can these doses be? I've taken one last night at around 8pm and one this morning at around 8:45am, but it hasn't touched the nausea at all. I am wondering if A) The meds need time to 'build up' or B) I need to switch to something different.

Any advice would be hugely appreciated, I'm really struggling over here!

Hey, sorry you are suffering from nausea hell. It really is the worst symptom in my opinion!! Cyclizine is the first line drug they will give you and recommended to take 1 tablet up to 3 x a day 6-8 hours apart. They say it can take a few days to build up into your system but if like me your nausea is really severe it likely will not touch the sides and you’ll probably have to go back to the GP for the next line meds. So give it a few days and if no change in symptoms then go back to the GP. Cyclizine will make you sleepy so be prepared for lots of naps! I only really found Ondansetron the most helpful (ever so slightly) but in reality still at 38 weeks, nothing has taken away my nausea completely (sorry this is probably the last thing you want to hear but I do have HG so you likely won’t have it as bad as me). Stay hydrated and if you crave something.. eat it before you become repulsed by it!
Hope it eases up soon for you, it does make life miserable but there is an end to it! Keep in contact with your GP if meds don’t help. Don’t be like me and give up and suffer 😫 x

I’ve got hyperemisis too so totally feel for you, it’s the worst!! Hope you start to feel better soon.

My GP advised one tablet every 6 hours, maximum of 3 a day. If you are still being sick ring your GP again and they’ll give you something else that can dissolve in your mouth rather than having to swallow.

Try to stay hydrated, I’ve found ice poles are an absolute life saver!

@Yarnle Thank you so much - I feel so sorry for myself and I know I could have it worse in that i'm actually being sick, but i'm at the point now where I almost just wish I was being sick to feel some relief! The feeling of having no near end in sight is just soooo hard. I'm just reminding myself of the end result which i'm sure i'll feel i'd do it all again for!

I'll stick with it for another few days, and call for the mercy of my GP if i'm still struggling! Best of luck with you and yours 😊

@SarahBowie

Ice poles are one thing i'm yet to try (aside from black magic at this point!) so i'll stock up and hope for the best. Thank you!

@sickandsleepy Hope you get on ok with the ice poles. I really struggle to drink water just now but the ice poles have been a good way to stay hydrated so far.

Don’t leave it too long to get on to your doctor if the tablets aren’t working for you. I was told you should feel almost instant relief and if things don’t improve in a few days to call back and they’ll look at other options. It’s a horrible feeling but there are things the doctors can give you and if you need to get a fit note so that you can be signed off work to rest up and let the medicine work.

I found cyclizine stopped me from being sick (HG here) but not actually any less nauseous. I just got used to feeling rubbish. I was on cyclizine plus metaclopramide plus ondasetronthingy (can never pronounce it!) all together. I would recommend asking for metaclopramide if in a couple of days you still feel rubbish - it is much more effective in my view.

If you don’t find cyclizine effective ask for stematil (prochlorperazine) I was started off on this IV before orally but found it effective

@stealthbanana Yes, I do think it'd probably be more effective for people who are actively being sick. Though not being sick, the nausea I have is just debilitating, I can't do anything including work and drive. Another call to the GP is needed if this doesn't let up by Thursday I think!

@CostaDelPatio Thanks, i'll keep this in mind 😊

Urgh, If it’s really bad (I had full blown HG twice) then cyclizine is like taking Calpol for a broken leg.

They'll give you prochalperazine next. It ‘might’ help it’s better but still not great.

ONDANSATRON!!! Is the dream…but there’s a tiny chance it might cause cleft lip. Also probably make you constipated.

(probably spelling this wrong but who cares)

If it helps, research shows that weeks 9 & 10 are when it peaks. So hopefully it shouldn't get any worse than it is now, and should start to decline soon.

I ended up taking cyclizine right until both my DDs were born so I absolutely know it can last a long time, but both times I was over the absolute worst by 12 weeks.

@Thehonestbadger It is feeling a lot like Calpol for a broken leg right now! Sounds like I need to climb the medicine rank pretty quick to find any relief!

@CrispsandCheeseSandwich Oh this makes me feel at least a little bit hopeful, my GP did say something to that affect too, but you never know if they're just saying it haha

@sickandsleepy i still take the odd left over metaclopramide for the occasional bad hangover don’t judge me so they def work much better 😂

@stealthbanana iconic behaviour! No judgement over here!