Really Sick, Zofran, Please Help.

Hang in there. I am also pregnant with my second and it is so much harder with a toddler underfoot. I am 7 months now... the beginning (months 2-4) was hard but it got better in the second trimester. Now it's getting difficult in a different way with the last trimester being big and tired a lot. But it will pass. Good luck.

K.,
I haven't anything about Zofran here, just a couple of tips I picked up in the last 6 years:

www.flylady.com

She'll help you keep up on what's most important - laundry dishes, cleaning, etc.

For the basket next to the bed, couch wherever: put kitty litter in the bottom - the clumping kind. It makes life easier on you for clean up - and smells a bit better too.

Good luck!
M.

Hi K.-
Congratulations!
I know the feeling of vomiting. When I was pregnant with my son I was working in Manhattan. I had to bring a vomit bag with me on the train everyday(and I still didn't get a seat.)
What I found helped a great deal was Ginger pills and Gatorade. I didn't want to take anything with horrible side effects, which is why I tried this remedy.
I hope this helps.
K.

I feel for you, and yes I too have been there!!!! I had to take zofran with both of my totally healthy daughters (ages 7 and 4). I was throwing up constantly (and wetting myself when I did get sick). I even started vomitting in the shower it was easier, because I was such a mess! Zofran helped a lot! I still did get sick but not nearly as much. Instead of throwing up 25+ times a day it was about 10 or so, and the nausa decreased imensley!! I did not experience any side effects, and both of my girls were perfectly healthy at birth and still are. Take care of your self, see what works for you, everyone is different - I liked lemonaid w/ my second and clemontines w/ my first. But that was pretty much it. I did get hydrated reg. at my high risk dr (I had other issues, pre-term labor) but, try to keep hydrated, sometimes water is a big offender, so find something that works. Good luck and congratulations!

Oh, K., I feel your pain! I had HORRIBLE nausea and vomiting with my pregnancy, and I did take Zofran. I started at about 10 or 11 weeks I think because I just couldn't function, go to work, or anything with all the vomiting. Like you, I also tried everything else. Let me tell you, Zofran worked WONDERS for me! I really didn't have any side effects with it, other than maybe a little tiredness, although really that was hard to tell if that was just pregnancy related or zofran! (Just note it did start to wear off towards the 8 hour mark...I would try to only take it once or twice a day rather than every 8 hrs regularly, but I guess it just depends on the individual!) I spoke to several people who took it and the most common side effect was constipation. Luckily I didnt have that, but I easily would have accepted that as an alternative to how I had been feeling and all the vomiting! Anyway, from how it sounds, you could always try it a couple times, and if you have any side effects you don't like, just stop it and try something else. From personal experience though, I really highly recommend trying it because it made a big difference.

Have you tried acupuncture? It is amazing for pregnancy-related problems. There are also homeopathic remedies if your are worried about drug side effects - but you also need to be careful about taking herbs when pregnant. See an alternative doc. or homeopath and they might be able to help you. When i was pregnant with my last I saw my OB but also an alternative dr. whom I trust and combined their care - it turned out wonderfully. Good luck.

I don't know what to tell you about taking it or not. I did take Zofran when in the hosp recently, but I was NOT pregnant and while there I did the pump and dump thing with my breastmilk so as not to affect the baby. I had no side effects other than it took most of the nausea away. I did start getting the nausea back before it was time to take it again, and I had to deal with the sickness for about an hour or two before it was time for the next dose, but other than that I was glad to have it. I do not know anyone who has experience with it during pregnancy, though, sorry.

Hi K.,

I took Zofran and Phenagran with my pregnancy with my son. I was sick for the first 5 months, good thing he was a cutie...
I only had one side effect from Zofran, which was headaches, but that was better than throwing up. Phenagren was better for me at night (it makes you sleepy and I had terrible insomnia/restless leg syndrome as well, good times!). My understanding is that Zofran has been around quite a while and is regularly prescribed now during pregnancy. It was very helpful. I still felt sick but could function- best of luck-

A.

a friend of mine constantly threw up similarly to you throughout her first pregnance. it's a syndrome and it won't hurt the baby...you just need to rest more.
as soon as the baby is born, you should feel fine.

Hi K....I was the same way with my 2nd. I actually lost 7 lbs from getting sick 24/7 for about 2 months. I took the Zofran, but only limited myself to 1 a day. I was in a wedding too, so I needed to be sick-free for at least 12 hours! Don't worry...this too will pass! And I experienced no side effects. Good luck!

Hi K.,
I'm so sorry that you are feeling so crummy. I want to say this too shall pass, but the question is when??? One of my best friends took medication for sickness, not sure if it was Zofran, and it worked wonders. Just like any medication you can't read all of the side effects or they'll drive you buggy. The best you can do is try it for a day and see what results you get. My friend never had any problems with the side effects, and usually she is pretty sensitive to them. There was also no harm to baby. I don't think the doctors would prescribe something that would be harmful either. Besides, this medicine may be just what you need to lift you out of anemia which is better for both you and baby!

Hello, I just wanted to share with you that I too was really sick while I was pregnant. I did take zofran and it really helped and I didn't have any of those side effects. I only took one pill a day even though I could take more. For some reason just the one would help. I was sick up until my 7 or 8th month and taking that helped. I was sick all day though I couldn't keep anything down. Not even teaspoons of water. :( And I also didn't see any side effects with my daughter. It was a really good thing that I took it because I was finally able to start gaining weight for her and myself instead of losing weight. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Hi K.. I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time. Are you open to alternatives (that have no side effects)? If so, for iron, I'd look into Floradix. It's expensive but it works. I took it during my last pregnancy as I tend to become anemic during pregnancy. It is non-constipating and the body absorbs it much like food with iron. You can find it on amazon or here: http://www.healthsuperstore.com/p-flora-floradix-iron-her...

For the nausea, have you tried hard ginger candy from an Asian market? That usually works well. Also, if you are familiar with using theraputic grade (very important that it's theraputic grade) essential oils, peppermint oil on the bottoms of the feet works well for nausea. I get my oils from Young Living as they have high quality theraputic grade oils. If the oils aren't theraputic grade, it's just the same as putting perfume on your feet, nothing will happen.

Otherwise I'd say try to chew some gum in the evening when you are more prone to nausea as that may help as well.

Also, how is your water intake? If you know it's lacking, try drinking more water, that can help as well.

At about 14-15 weeks or so, the placenta is usually able to begin fully supportting the baby so unless you have hyperemesis gravidarum, you should experience relief in a few weeks.

I hope some of this helps you.

P.
Christian Unschooling Mom, Author, Birth Doula, Coloratura Soprano

I wanted to add something. The iron pills might be making you feel this bad. I used to take iron pills (I am anemic) and when I got pregnant with my first baby the sickness I got was horrible, until I figured out it was partly my iron pill doing it. If you cut out the iron pill and start taking your prenatal vitamins your iron should be ok. I would have the Dr. run numbers to be sure, but I am willing to bet this is part of your problem. I too had to be given IV fluids, I once went 36 hrs without holding anything down, it was awful! Good luck!

Hi K.
i feel your pain. i was nauseas until 16 weeks. but i didnt vomit much because i used mind over matter honestly. i wanted to keep the food down since i knew having food in my stomach was key in making me less nauseas. and i just snacked all day, little carb things, apples really helped. cold crunchy and wet food and pizza. And cold water with lemon still is my drink of choice. tea with lemon at nite.
As for the Zofran. my doc gave it to me and at first i thought it was a miracle. the only side effect it has is constipation. But if you let yourself come down from it, the nausea withdrawal is AWFUL. i didnt like that feeling and i didn t want to take it around the clock as suggested. Also i hate being constipated. So i stopped taking it and used my own remedies. But if you do, dont worry about the blindness,depression etc... doesnt happen.
Good luck

I took Zofran through both of my pregnancies and still to this day for nausea. It's great - it really worked for me and my kids had no adverse reaction, and I experienced no side affects then or now. Try it - what's your alternative? Being sick as a dog and not able to take care of your family, or being dehydrated and hospitalized and not able to take care of your family? Try the Zofran - if it wasn't safe for use during pregnancies, they wouldn't prescribe it! Feel better soon!!!

K.,
With both of my pregnancies I had to take Zofran for most of the 9 months. My second pregnancy was much worse than the 1st. I ended up in the hospital both times with severe dehyrdation. It came to the point I had to be hooked up to the IV pump as well. I was on the pump for 4 months. Both my daughter and my son were born healthy and had no problems. The only thing that happened and it wasn't really a problem was my daughter was born at 5lbs 15oz and my son weighed 6lbs 6oz. I thought I was done have children after I had my daughter and being so sick. BUT I said to myself no way can it happen again. How was I so wrong! Well I am now done having children!!! I don't want to ever be that sick again.

Hi K.,
I was there myself, but bedridden on top of that, for both my pregnancies. I just stuck it out.... That was 20 plus years ago.
I really feel bad for you, but today I have something that might help you.
I am with a company that has a great tonic that is helping people with all kinds of health issues.
I am on it and love it, and I know women that took it during their whole pregnancy and loved it.
It is safe for pregnant women since it is all fruit, and besides that you would get equivalent to 5 fruits and vegetables a day with each oz. ,it will give you more energy and it is great for the baby too. I am not sure if your nausea will go away, you would have to try it for yourself. Take a look at the websites and let me know if I can help you.
www.gotvia.com/now and www.viabenefits.com

Wishing you a healthy and easy rest of your pregnancy.
Warmly,
D.

Hi K.-
I completely sympathize w/ you. I am due any day now, I have a 17 mo old girl and for the first 2 1/2 mos of this pg I was deathly sick. I was on zofran the whole time and it is the only reason I could even get out of bed. They list all possible side effects as a caution and very rarely do people have them. Even tylenol has side effects listed. Don't worry, you will be fine. If you are too concerned about them, then your only choice is to suffer. Nothing else worked for me either. Good luck!

I was given zofran when I got sick with my second. I was not as sick as you, but had some sort of flu/stomach bug that lasted 4 days. The zofran worked and I had no side effects.

I hope you start feeling better. Try Ginger. It's supposed to help with the nausea. They make ginger herbal tea, even ginger altoids...these worked for a friend of mine who had bad morning sickness.

Don't be afraid of the Zofran! I am an RN and I've given Zofran literally hundreds of times and have never seen the side effects you have mentioned. I recently had my 2 1/2 yr old in the ER for persistent vomiting, and they gave it to him. It's a good drug and it works. You can't let yourself get dehydrated. I agree with taking as little medication as possible during pregnancy, but in some cases like yours, it's necessary. What's important is that you take care of yourself, your house doesn't matter right now. Good luck

I am type 1 diabetic and also had terrible nausea issues. I had to eat and keep my blood sugar stabilized, so I took the anti-nausea meds. It made my world rightside up again. I do not know if it was Zofran or not.... but I had no side effects - think of the side effects you are suffering from right now!!! It may only be temporary. And my baby was fine. the only thing is you have to take it as soon as you open your eyes in the AM before you start feeling sick so you don't throw it up again!
good luck, this too shall pass.

please take the zofran, guilt free... your baby will be just fine. i tried everything, e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. listed here, everything recommended to me and NOTHING worked to ease my nausea. i ended up taking a dug called diclectin (which is likely similar to zofran). it didn't take my nausea away, but it took the edge off. the only thing that i can say is at about 20 weeks, i was feeling well enough to go off the drug. pregnancy was not a fun ride for me. i never really basked in the delight of the lovely life growing within me. i mostly felt sick and just tried to get by. i wish my experience would have been different, but i guess we get what we get for a reason. i hope you can take the zofran, get some relief and not feel badly about it because you baby is going to be perfectly fine!

I too was sick - what made a world of difference was taking the prenatal vitamin before bed - not first thing in the morning! Also, sips of water before I get out of bed...

I wish you the best!! Hang in there!

Never had a problem taking zofran its my nausea med of choice
Feel good

im sorry your going through this. i myself was sick till about 22 weeks. i took zofran with both my pregnancies and it worked wonders and i have 2 healthy baby boys. it will be worse for the baby if you stay sick and cannot eat. they list side affects as warnings and to cover their asses. side affects are usually rare . if it wasnt safe then your doc wouldnt prescribe it. take it, you will feel better. good luck

K., I hear for you. I am so sorry you are still so sick. I tired everything myself. As i was sick for the whole timeperiod. I tired Cola Surup. I got it rom our RITE AIDE.. it worked wonders. drink it on ice. therent shouldn't be any side effecs. I always drank it sat for 10-15 min and started to feel better. Best of Luck

Wow - you sound just like me when I was pregnant. It was not fun - I did decide to take Zofran and can tell you it was wonderful! Definitely take it. I have taken it, my sister-in-law took it and a cousin of mine took it. No one had a problem. I was concerned just like you. At the time of my pregnancy I was seeing a perinatologist associated with NYU Medical in the city (for other reasons due to me being high risk) and she thought Zofran was so safe that she herself was taking it (she was pregnant at the time) and had taken it with all other three of her pregnancies. She in fact had to take it all nine months - her children are all perfectly normal and healthy. My son is also perfectly fine. I only had to take Zofran until about 17 weeks and then I weaned off of it and took it just occasionally - then stopped all together by 20 weeks. Good luck and definitely take it - it is a miracle worker for nasuea.

Congratulations on your pregnancy. As a mom who had similiar problems, I feel your pain. Stop taking all vitamins and iron for a few days and see how you feel.Many times its the supplements that cause more nausea & vomiting, and that isn't any good for you. The folic acid is for neurological development that is complete by your stage in pregnancy. Yes, vitamins & iron are important, but if you can't keep food down, they aren't doing you any good. You'll have plenty of time to build yourself up when you feel better- and you will feel better!
Try small quantities of a liquid that works for you, such as water (I needed flavored water), juice, gatorade, etc. Ginger tea, ale, or ginger snaps help some women. Eat before getting up in the am. That means having pretzels or crackers by your bedside. Try to eat all day long, in little amounts, whatever you can handle. Having an empty belly makes more nausea. It should pass soon, hang in there...L.

Zofran was great and saved my life. The only side effects I had was headaches and trouble going to the bathroom..which is normal for pregnancy anyway.

Try it. I wouldn't have gotten through my last pregnancy without it.

Nanc

K.,

Have you tried crystallized ginger? You can get it at Trader Joe's. Good luck and feel better.

I feel your pain! I was very sick with my daughter for the firt six and a half months of my pregnancy. I could barely keep down saltines. I ended up in the hospital for dehydration. My obgyn put me on reglan (sp?) and told me to follow the brat diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast). It made me only marginally better. Nothing really seemed to do the trick (even tried fresh ginger root). I ended up in the hospital a second time for dehydration (and yes, like you, i was also anemic). This is when the doctors put me on zofran. I did not experience any terrible side effects. I did not feel 100% better, but atleast it helped me eat a few things here and there. I honestly don't think I would have gotten through my pregnancy without it. No, it did not harm my daughter in any way. I certainly wouldn't take zofran if I didn't really need it, but good golly, if you need the stuff then, by all means, take it. At least some semblence of your normal life will return and spending a day not hung over the toilet will do you some good. I wish you all the best. Hang in there!

K. my wife went thru this not as bad but pretty severe. She went to Dr. Lee an accupuncturist in Wayne ###-###-####. It took one vistit to fell better it took 2 visits a week and the rest of the pregnancy was GREAT.
Thanks
P.

I would try the anti nausea medication. The adverse affects listed on most medications are rare. You can always stop taking them at the first sign of any problem. It sounds like the benefits outweigh the risks.

Remember, this WILL come to an end!!

So sorry to hear about how sick you have been! What helped me was eating ginger snaps A LOT and eating even when I did not feel like it. I would set an alarm in the morning and make a cheese toast before getting out of the bed...yes the toaster oven was RIGHT next to the bed though. The ginger snaps were a big help though. I hope this little tip helps in some way! Best wishes!

Yes, I took zofran. I took half a pill for a few days to ease myself into it. Then the full pill after about 3 days. I had no negative side effects on my children. I took it with two pregnancies. Trust your Obgyn. The do not want a malpractice lawsuit. They have to much at stake. Take it and feel good.

A little about me:
Stay at home mom of 7.
Ages range from 15yrs to 5months

I am so sorry that you are so sick! When I was pregnant with my boys (age 4 and 15 months), the only two things that helped me while I was pregnant was fresh lemons and peppermint candy. I was really surprised that the lemon smell helped with nausea. Hang in there!

Take the Zofran! I was in the same condition only I got to the point where it was a choice of hospitalization for a constant IV, or the Zofran... I chose the Zofran, and I am so grateful. Being a very natural, take no drugs type of person (even when I am not pregnant or breastfeeding) this was really hard, but when it gets to the point where you can't function and do normal tasks, it's time to try something. I took the lowest amount possible, and didn't take the recommended dosage. (which my dr. said was fine to do) I took one pill a day, or every other day... finding what the bare minimum to take until I could function properly.

Zofran reacts to differently to everyone, though I have never heard of people having any extreme side effects. Just simple things. For instance, I still puked occasionally with it, I just didn't have the constant nausea. Others I've heard it didn't take away the morning nausea, but the rest of their days were totally normal.

Some insurances don't cover it, or require a high copay. I've heard that Costco as the best place to get it if that is the case for you. Also, there is a generic form of it.. Ondansetron- I found it to work just as well, but some I know that Zofran didn't work for them for some reason the Ondansetron worked.

Good luck, let us know what you decide to do. I pray it goes quickly!

I would see a naturopath. I'd also take tissue salts. Without testing first to see what you're depleted of, using Hylands BIOXII would be a good one to start with. It will rebalance your minerals. Ancient Minerals magnesium oil would likely benefit you too. I think you'd need to get that online. Other magnesium will likely make you vomit. You're probably quite deficient of this and it's pretty important when your pregnant.

Hope you feel better soon!

Hi K.,
My name is A. Craig and I am a licensed health care practitioner specializing in therapeutic bodywork and nutritional counseling (please see my Mamasource ad). I'm so sorry to hear you are so sick! I often work with pregnant women and my observation is that every pregnancy is so different, therefore, the fact that you are feeling more ill as your pregnancy progresses is not necessarily a sign of something wrong.

Since you are having such trouble keeping anything down including your vitamins, which are crucual for you and your child, I'd like to recommend my drinkable pre-natal vitamin. These have been formulated to be taken on an empty stomach (first thing in the morning is best) and should leave your stomach and be absorbed in your small intestine within 5-10 minutes. Because of how rapidly they leave your stomach, you should be able to readily utilize their nutrients. This delivery system is as close to receiving intravenous vitamins as you get. You can check them out at www.alisonlairdcraig.nutrametrix.com under 'Women's Health." I offer a complimentary nutritional counseling session (phone) to Mamasource members so please feel free to call me at ###-###-#### if you'd like to discuss your condition or the vitamins.

I hope you find this useful and that you feel better very soon!

Sincerely,
A. Craig, LMT

Hi K.,

I feel your pain. When I was pregnant with my now 22 month old twin girls I was sick as a dog. Instead of gaining weight I was losing. I took Zofran and it was the only thing that helped. I tried the sea bands and it didn't do anything. Zofran doesn't make you feel completely normal or like doing cartwheels but it's completely safe (lots of testing done on its safety) and enabled me to manage through until I felt better - around 18 weeks. No side effects - I have 2 very happy and healthy baby girls! I, too, was afraid of taking anything for fear of adverse affects on my babies but I have an incredible OBGYN and trusted him implicitly when he recommended it. Best of luck.

R.

Hi K.,
I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND your situation, been there, done that. I was really sick with both my kids, the second one landed me in the hospital for 6 days for dehydration. With both pregnancy I took Zofran which in my opionion was a miracle drug. IT REALLY WORKED for me with no side affects. I took wanted to feel happy about being pregnant but like you it was hard with always feeling so bad all the time.

Good luck and let me know how you do.

A little about me:

Happy wife and mom of one daughter (almost 2 1/2) and one son (almost 6 months)

hi K.,
I was sick the entire pregnancy with my twins. I found the nausea reduced it stages: the addition of ginger, seabands, reduced stress/work, and milk products! The milk products made the biggest difference of all of them. I learned that some women develop a lactose intolerance during pregnancy. AFter I eliminated milk products I was functional throughout the day. I stopped drinking milk, eating yogurt, etc. I relied heavily on Soy milk, almond milk and rice milk. All of which I still drink today because I enjoy them. Hope this helps. By the way I can now drink milk again as the intolerance usually goes away after birth.

I never took this medicine, but a friend of mine took a similar one. Her only side effects were being tired and constipated, and you're probably already dealing with all that!

I'm so sorry you're going through this. Let your house be messy! I spent the first 15 weeks of my pregnancy laying on the couch, sipping Sprite and occasionally calling for my husband to bring me a saltine. Any time I moved, I threw up! But by 16 weeks, I was so much better. I couldn't believe how abruptly it changed.

Good luck! Is your son is preschool sometimes at least???

Hi K.,
I was in your shoes just a few weeks ago...(I am 16 weeks pregnant) and I had to use Zofran to get me through the day. I did not experience any negative side affects but I understand your concerns. Thankfully when I hit 14 weeks the nausea went away (almost completely) and I can eat a little bit better now. I would at least give the medication a try. Maybe have someone over to watch your son for a while and see how you react to the medication. Hang in there,
D.

Get the Zofran melt aways, half a tablet twice a day. They are a god sent i had em with my first, used it with the flu and even used it with this pregnancy when I couldn't get out of bed without feeling like I was going to throw up and pass out. It's definately worth trying, especially since you have a family to take care of.

Hi K.. I just read your request and then update. I felt so bad reading that. I was sick with my kids, but NOT to that extent. But all the same, that helpless feeling of not being able to care for your child, or clean the house, just do everyday things is just horrible. Do you have anyone that can come and help you clean or something?? Well, I'm glad that you're feeling a little bit better. Hang in there. Hopefully in a few weeks you'll be even better. Take it a day at a time.

God bless.