Treatment
Date: 2003-03-10

Question:
I am 9 weeks pregnant and have been suffering from severe nausea for the past 2 weeks. Even though I am not vomiting I feel immensely queasy and my stomach feels like it is wrenching. My doctor prescribed 3 diclectin tabs per day. The problem is that the diclectin makes me sleep half the day away and very groggy when I am awake. It is only making a subtle difference in terms of improving my nausea. Because of this, I have decided to stop taking the diclectin as of today. My questions are: 1) Will stopping the diclectin abrubtly be detrimental in any way? 2) Is there any alternatives to diclectin? and 3)Is experiencing a gnawing stomach ache normally associated with nausea? (A recent abdominal ultrasound confirmed my stomach pain is not pathological at all). I need help! I have missed nearly 2 weeks of work and need desperately to get back on my feet. Thanks for your reply and for your wonderful service.

Answer:
1) Stopping the Diclectin will not be detrimental, other than the fact that your NVP symptoms might immediately return (we usually suggest that women wean themselves off, one pill at a time).

2) There are other treatments used for NVP. A treatment algorithm is posted on this website in our February 2002 Update.

3) NVP symptoms are hard to define and differ for everyone. Sometimes, severe stomach problems/pain have been reported as being caused by the H. Pylori stomach bacteria which if diagnosed, is treated differently. Generally the most common side effect of the treatment for NVP is sleepiness, caused by the antihistamine. Most women become less sensitive to it after a while. For more information, please call our NVP Helpline at 1-800-436-8477.