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TracyFD
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| Posted: Sept 28 2009 at 1:44pm | IP Logged
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Has anyone experienced side effects with Zofran during pregnancy? I've been soooo constipated and assumed it was due to iron in my prenatal or just the progesterone slowing everything down - until a nurse told me on the phone that constipation can be a side effect of Zofran.
I'm 13 weeks now and this is my third day without Zofran. I feel pretty sick and am losing my first breakfast and some dinners. I feel terrible and I'm still stopped up  .
This is my husband's busiest week of the year at work and we plan to make a 12 hour drive to attend my mother's 80th birthday this weekend.
Any advice or just prayer? Feel free to move this to the prayer request thread 
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Tracy
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1 absent-minded professor, and one adorable toddling terrorist.
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TracyFD
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| Posted: Sept 28 2009 at 1:53pm | IP Logged
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P.S. I've tried almost everything OTC: Colace, senna, Miralax, Metamucil, Milk of Magnesia, prunes, prune juice, fiber cereal, etc. Correctol left me with severe abdominal pain for three hours in the middle of the night.
My husband is bringing home FiberCon and SeaBands tonight!
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Tracy
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Pinewood Castle
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wifemommy
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| Posted: Sept 28 2009 at 2:22pm | IP Logged
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Warm drinks might help like coffee, tea or apple cider/juice. Not sure what you can tolerate. Praying you feel better. Annie
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TracyFD
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| Posted: Sept 28 2009 at 2:45pm | IP Logged
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I can't stomach coffee anymore (though I have been trying!) but the apple cider sounds like a possibility. Thanks!
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Tracy
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Pinewood Castle
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Maddie
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Tracy,
I don't know anything about Zofran but I was very constipated last week after the birth of my baby. My midwife suggested a child's suppository and it worked within an hour. I've heard you can also use a bit of Ivory soap (must be the glycerin?) to get the same effect.
Hope you're feeling better soon.
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~Maddie~
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Maddie
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Oh, ands if you can get Alkaline water (healthfood stores) it's non acidic and is also hydrating. I could not have made it through the morning sickness nearly as well as I did this last time without it. It goes down so smooth, keep it cold.
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Sept 28 2009 at 6:38pm | IP Logged
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Tracy,
I take Zofran for about 12 weeks during every pregnancy, some orally and some through IV. Yes, the constipation thing is pretty common...uncomfortable, but common.
I'm really busy right now, but I hope to be back later tonight to share some ideas with you...
be back...
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Sept 28 2009 at 9:43pm | IP Logged
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Ok, Tracy....I'm back and the kiddos are in bed. Let's talk Zofran!
First -- From the poster child for Zofran...big  to you and lots and lots of prayers!
Now, are you taking the "dissolve on your tongue" Zofran? It is a huge help for a mommy struggling to hold anything down when the gag reflex goes off if you just think about it. If you're not taking this version of Zofran, ask for it!!!!!
Ok...so the challenge is that any fiber that would be beneficial is likely going to come back up before it does any good. Same with drinking plenty of liquids. It's a tough spot to be in. Now, my case was pretty severe, and I'll be honest, I needed to hold down nutrition pretty badly, so constipation was not an enjoyable side issue, but it was one I was willing to tolerate. I wish I had a perfect solution for you, but I don't. I tried all the things you did - they either came back up or didn't work. All the stool softeners hurt my tummy so much I couldn't do that. Maddie's idea for a child's suppository is one I never tried, and I'm definitely filing that away. I'd ask about that, Tracy!
Have you tried any of the other anti-nausea meds? None of them work for me, but I think they do work for other ladies. Phenergan? Reglan? Tigan? Benadryl? (Do be aware that ALL of these are going to make you feel like a zombie - you WILL be asleep if you use them). If you haven't tried them, alternating with Zofran might give you some relief. Chances are, if you're on Zofran, you've already been through these with no success.
I'm sorry to say that I just had to live with it for a few weeks. Once I was off Zofran, relief was not far away without any assistance from suppositories or other medication. If you're at 13 weeks, you're likely not too far from relief. Hang in there for 2-3 more weeks and I bet you'll be able to see great improvement.
Know that I am praying for you with such empathy. I've been down this road 6 times and it is the hardest thing I've ever done!!! So, I know what a monumental and heroic act it is going to be for you to make that trip and tend to your family during this busy week for your husband. Absolutely strip ALL of your expectations down to the barest of bare minimums. Ask your husband to help you by packing the littles lunches before he leaves for work in the morning. This is the time for all of your DVD's to assist you - cue up Little Bear and loop it all day! Set a small basket of books next to your spot on the couch for reading to the littles when you're able. Ask your husband to set up a bag of diaper changing goodies near you so you don't have to move far from your couch or bed during the day.
As far as food and drink - if it doesn't sound good...it isn't staying down. Teas with lemon, or slightly tart flavors did best for me...I think because they weren't syrupy and came up as easily as they went down. Gross, I know, but it's survival. Absolutely nothing sweet stayed down. This is going to be gross, but vinegar actually calmed the acid in my stomach for a bit. Anything liquid that sounds good will assist you with the constipation and be good for hydrating you. Chewing gum helped sometimes, especially when I had to be in a car for trips to the doctor. You might consider some chewing gum for the drive this weekend if you're able to make it...and lots of ummm...ziploc bags.
If you start to get dehydrated, it is a rapid ride downhill. Please get to your doctor quickly, and don't be afraid of IV hydration. You'll be amazed how fast you bounce back after IV hydration, and it might just be enough to get you around a corner and off Zofran.
Praying for you, Tracy!
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Jen Mackintosh
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Wildflowers and Marbles
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Mimip
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Tracy,
I have no advice but I'll be praying for you!
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In Christ,
Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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TracyFD
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| Posted: Sept 29 2009 at 2:40pm | IP Logged
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Oh, such good advice from moms who have been there and back!
Jenn- you have had an especially rough time! You are a hero to have gone through this six times! Sweets are totally yucky to me too right now - but vinegar? I will have to work up my courage for that!
I don't know if it's the SeaBands or the prayers or both, but I am not feeling nearly as nauseous today and have kept everything down. Now, if I can just get unplugged. I stopped by the chiropractor/nutritionist today and he recommended a digestive enzyme, a high quality B-6 and some multi-vitamins without the iron. And olive oil - a tablespoon or two before bedtime. Hmmm, I forgot to ask if dipping bread in it would negate the effectiveness!
Please keep praying - I would feel just awful if I missed my mother's 80th!
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Tracy
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Mackfam
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Just wanted to encourage you again, Tracy. You may be about to turn the corner with this. If you can be faithful to/hold down the chiropractor/nutritionists advice I think you might see some relief...if you can keep it down. And, the B-6, if it stays down and once your hormones are at a manageable level, will assist with the nausea. So will ginger once you get to that point. Just gotta get there! to you and prayers that you make the birthday.
Btw, same rules apply with vinegar as with everything else...if it doesn't sound good...it ain't stayin' down.  If you like pickles, then vinegar or another acid might help calm the stomach. Did I mention my lemon remedy? Nope. I didn't...well, get a quarter of a lemon and salt it and eat it if you can...and only if the idea of it doesn't turn your stomach. I guarantee you it will buy you a few minutes of ease with your tummy.
Again, it's all about staying hydrated so you can turn the corner with the extreme hormones and nausea so that you can manage this without Zofran.
I'm praying for sure! For the nausea and the relief!
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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4Real Forums : Our Lady of Good Remedy and Care
Topic: Zofran
