another zofran question

[lillymonster]

Last time I was on it was 3 years ago, but I remember I had to wean myself because if I just stopped taking it I felt sick. Did anyone else have to do that?

And I find myself needing to take two doses a day instead of one - if I head off with a zofran at say 3AM, I am okay the rest of the day, only maybe vomiting once after it wore off, but now I find myself needing 2 a day. Not sure if it's because my m/s is hitting it's peak (I am almost 10 weeks) or if I just need more to get by because I am building a tolerance. Last pregnancy I could get by with just one a day for all 26 weeks. Right now because of insurance and limited pill refills, I am splitting 8mg in half and only taking 4 mg a day to last me longer

Any thoughts?

[Galatea]

Originally Posted by lillymonster

Last time I was on it was 3 years ago, but I remember I had to wean myself because if I just stopped taking it I felt sick. Did anyone else have to do that?

And I find myself needing to take two doses a day instead of one - if I head off with a zofran at say 3AM, I am okay the rest of the day, only maybe vomiting once after it wore off, but now I find myself needing 2 a day. Not sure if it's because my m/s is hitting it's peak (I am almost 10 weeks) or if I just need more to get by because I am building a tolerance. Last pregnancy I could get by with just one a day for all 26 weeks. Right now because of insurance and limited pill refills, I am splitting 8mg in half and only taking 4 mg a day to last me longer

Any thoughts?

It is definitely habit-forming. I had to take 3 a day, exactly 8 hrs apart, and by hour 7, I'd be nauseous again. Finally at about 14 weeks, I decided to go cold-turkey, and I just stopped suddenly. I was super-sick for 2 days, and then fine.

[luv-my-boys]

zofran is definately very dependent on having a constant steady stream thats why its so good at working. I have found that at my peak of hyperemesis I had to do 8mg every 8 hrs exactly on time to keep my blood levels constant. For me that was the key to it working. as I have gotten better I have had to taper to every 12 hrs and slowly move my dosage down to 4 and now I only take it for my *waking* hrs. But yeah I feel different almost within 30 min of taking the pill, I think it is somewhat habit forming in a way.

[Galatea]

Originally Posted by luv-my-boys

But yeah I feel different almost within 30 min of taking the pill, I think it is somewhat habit forming in a way.

It is definitely habit-forming. It is given to opiate addicts to ease withdrawal. Many medicines that slow down intestinal motility/peristalsis (diarrhea and nausea medicines) are verrrrrrrry mild opiates themselves.

[lillymonster]

Wonderful

I am actually on my 3rd dose today and I have never had to take 3 doses. Instead of being able to tolerate throwing up a few times like before, as soon as I feel my stomach churning, around the 8 hour mark, I need to take it.

I am little worried because I afraid I won't know when to taper down - I still feel sick while on it but I am trying to keep at the smallest dosage so it won't be as hard to wean myself off.

[Galatea]

I waited till well into the 2nd trimester and it was fine then. I think it is too soon for you.

[lillymonster]

Originally Posted by Galatea

I waited till well into the 2nd trimester and it was fine then. I think it is too soon for you.

Thanks - last time I stopped at 26 weeks. The problem is the amount of pills I get (12 pill to last 2 weeks??) I am on my last refill and I don't know how this insurance is going to be with approving it. Last time it was a big fight after the first trimester. I guess I will just relax and keep taking when needed. I really wanted to not have to take it as long this time, but wishful thinking I guess.

[crittersmom]

This pregnancy is the first one that the sickness has lingered the longest so I've needed the zofran longer.In the begining I needed the maximum dose but have found that as I get farther the less I'm needing.I am not needing it right at hour five and I've dropped a couple of dosing times just because I don't feel the need.I did think I was fine and the Dr kinda forced me to go off and even though it was a taper I ended up in L and D last week after 4 days of hell.Not good.
All of the meds work best if you are well hydrated so make sure you are getting fluids in.I didn't realize that and my Drs were/are unobservant and it also was a trip to the hospital.Good Luck and hopefully you'll well soon.