Morning Sickness Intervention

[Sihayx]

Hello,

UK mam to be here. Just wondering what’s the current best first line medication for sickness/ all day nausea that works before contacting the GP tomorrow please?

My last pregnancy I had HG all day/night from 5weeks right until labour, several admissions, anti sickness tablets/injections etc.
Currently at 8 weeks, it’s not as severe as last time, as I can at least eat minimal amounts. But just want to know if Cyclizine/Metaclopromide would actually have an effect when it’s fairly mild compared to last time?

I wear accupressure bands daily, rarely move out of bed as it just makes me dizzy/vomit. Eating little and often. And trying not to be consumed by guilt as I can’t give my all to my 2 year old right now. So even any non medical advice would be great right now.

thanks!

I would try Xonvea. It’s new and specific for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.

@Blissfulignorance Unfortunately it’s not routinely offered here in Wales currently unless severe HG.

I don’t know whether cost is a major concern, I think Xonvea are £30 for 20 tablets if bought privately. Alternatively I have read online they are effectively half sleeping pill and half b6, it’s possible to buy it separately and have it yourself.

I found cyclizine to be good for me - medium level nausea is what I guess I have.
xonvea is really supposed to be very good for worse cases, or when cyclizine is ineffective so worth paying for if you’re struggling xx

Cyclizine made me so poorly - pretty much knocked me out and although helped sickness I basically couldn’t move and had to nap for 4 hours in the day! Xonvea totally changed things for me so i really would recommend trying to get that if at all possible

Another vote for xonvea. Cyclizine did nothing to help and the metoclopramide gave me terrible side effects. My GP originally refused to prescribe xonvea as it wasn't on their list of approved drugs. By the time I saw a third GP at the practice (who was younger), he was shocked they hadn't prescribed it already so got it sorted for me! It was a game changer.

Will definitely push for xonvea then and see what they can do. Hoping the MH of HG will help. thank you all for your input!

The drowsiness from cyclizine was terrible for me last time too @Duejuly26 so completely sympathise with you!

Also had a horrific last pregnancy with HG and newly pregnant again. Last time I tried so many different combinations but eventually I was given ondansetron from about 16w after yet another admission for dehydration and it really helped.
They don’t prescribe it in first trimester so I’m gonna be gritting my teeth til then.

Metaclopromide isn’t a base line drug it’s a second line and shouldn’t be used for prolonged periods of time due to the possible risks. It’s generally not advised to use for more then 5 days.

I have had HG 4 times (currently in my 4th now) and different meds have worked at different times. You can combine baseline drugs (obviously under the supervision and suggestion of your doctor) but that’s the only thing that’s worked for me. Only once have I gone above a baseline drug and wouldn’t do it again

feel better op it’s really shitty

@NotThatSerious absolute hero doing it for a 4th time with HG too. Look after yourself

Haha thank you! The things we do! All the best to you ❤️

It’s so tough OP.

Cyclizine didn’t do much for me, I found prochlorperazine marginally better but still didn’t really touch the sides during first trimester. I had ondansetron, xonvea, prochlorperazine and cyclizine from about 8 weeks in my second pregnancy and that kept me from having to have any admissions, though I did have fluids as a day case one time. Also omeprazole, which is an antacid, can reduce nausea.

There are risks associated with ondansetron- specifically a small increase in risk of cleft palate in the first trimester - but the study was not very high quality, and it’s not clear that ondansetron was the cause. @fourtunate1 if you’re really struggling I’d encourage you to get a second opinion about an ondansetron prescription. Pregnancy Sickness Support has more info about this.

I found my feelings so complicated in my second HG pregnancy, but I got a peer supporter from Pregnancy Sickness Support who was an absolute lifeline through the ups and downs of it. The best bit of advice she gave me was not to feel bad about my 2 year old watching TV all day when I had her alone - to a toddler a tv and snack day is great, and it’s only temporary while you get through this horrendous patch.

I've been on cyclizine since week 7, now on week 13 and it has helped my nausea a lot

I don't have HG but was throwing up between 1-4 x a day and had constant severe nausea everytime I moved. But now I'm down to low level nausea and the odd vomit (normally when I haven't eaten), I would say 80% of days are fine. The drowsiness has been manageable but I am getting really fucking fed up of it now and wish I'd push my GP for xonvea

I think it's just area dependent. I would push for xonvea if you can because even if cyclizine works its just exhausting long term, hopefully based on your history they will give it to you. I actually am in awe of people that managed pregnancies with HG throughout, I genuinely didn't realise how shit I would feel with morning sickness!

The 80% good days is so positive to hear @Giraffemug30. Exactly same as you vomiting/nausea wise. I’ve been prescribed buccal Stematil which didn’t work for HG but hoping it does work as it’s milder this time in comparison. It’s also first line so managed to avoid cyclizine. Sorry you are still struggling, it’s annoying when you’re constantly chasing the goal post of when people say it all settles and it doesn’t, so really feel for you. I take vit B6 daily and was told by a consultant colleague xonvea is essentially vit B6 and cyclizine so might be worth a try.

thank you @Nomnomnew. Really needed to hear that about the TV and toddler because that is the only thing helping at the moment other than relying on husband/family help continuously.

Xonvea is b6 and a sleeping tablet/anti hystamine called doxylamine succinate. I tried combining it myself and it did zero.
I took cyclizine again pretty useless but helped my sleep.

Odansetron was the best but they’ll make you try something else first. I tried Phenargen and it did help for about 2 weeks. Then went onto odansetron at 8 weeks.

Yes don’t worry about it, my baby is 6 months old now and my toddler is just fine, none the worse for a few months of me being bedbound and unable to do stuff with her. I don’t think she even remembers it really to be honest. She never mentions it. Do what you need to.

I also used to take her to my parents house and I’d nap for a few hours while they entertained her. Take all the help you can get and rest as much as possible.

Also, I know it’s not much consolation at all at the moment, but when I was ill with HG my toddler had to rely on her dad a lot more whereas I had been the favourite for everything. That brought them closer together and set us in good stead when the baby arrived and she needed to do stuff with her dad a bit more. It hurts when they want you and you can’t be there like you want to be, but it was good to see her and her dad get an even stronger bond.

Cyclizine made me so sleepy that I couldn’t look after my toddler safely. It didn’t do much for the sickness either.

@Sihayx how are you getting on?

@anxiousme1 rough couple of days and vomiting has amplified so have now been given IM stemetil. Luckily my mother’s a nurse so she can administer it whenever.

I also got in touch with HG support group and the current guidelines were an interesting read.

thank you for checking in lovely x

@Sihayxhave you tired it yet? Has it worked for you?

OP I feel for you and have been there. It’s really sucks.

The wrist bands didnt do anything for me either and others have had great suggestions. Ginger ale worked a tiny bit as did plain crackers (even 5% is better).

Hospital gave me anti sickness and thy seemed to do to . My advise is to do what you are doing and get some medication as it’s really hard and it might help. Good luck!

@anxiousme1 yes thankfully. They helped in the last pregnancy so I knew what worked for me.

acupuncture. they can put in needles in plasters thingies that stay in. stronger than acupressure.