Nausea - Can anything be done about it?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-17-2003
Nausea - Can anything be done about it?
5
Sun, 02-29-2004 - 5:46pm
My DH is in the process of changing meds from Effexor EX to Lexapro. Over the past year he has been experiencing nausea every now & then but this week it has gotten worst. Nausea, Diarrhea, churning stomach & sometimes actually throws up.

I am going to call the Dr. tomorrow but wanted to know from personal experience if anyone experience these symptoms & did something or took something that actually helped.

I think for sure that this is being caused from anxiety. And most probably taking meds.

If this is the case - any body had a solution to their case?

He switched the meds two weeks ago.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 02-29-2004 - 7:27pm
Hi, I'm sorry your husband is going through such a tough time. I've also experienced nausea often, not from anti-depressants, but from migraines...and the consistent treatment I've received for it has been a medication called Phenergan. Once, when I was unable even to swallow a pill because of my vomiting (sorry if too much information!), I went to a clinic and got a shot of the same medication...I also once had it in an IV.

At first, this med did make me very sleepy...one time in the emergency room, I fell asleep in a very uncomfortable position, with an IV in my arm, after I'd received a dose of it! But after a while of taking it, my body seems to have adapted to it, and it doesn't make me very sleepy anymore...fortunately, though, I also don't get migraines like I used to, thanks to some preventative meds.

Anyway, sorry to tell so much of my own story...I hope your husband finds a solution to his nausea. As far as I could tell, there isn't anything over-the-counter that helps much with nausea...the one medicine a pharmacist recommended seemed to be just water and sugar when I read the ingredients list! But Phenergan is a pretty standard prescription treatment for it, I think...so maybe that will be an option when your DH can get to the doctor.

Hope he feels better,

Rose

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2004
Sun, 02-29-2004 - 7:32pm
Is he taking his meds on an empty stomach?
AcornLeaves
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-25-2004
Mon, 03-01-2004 - 10:18am
I also get nausea when I am not on the right med doasage. I never know if it is from the meds. or anxiety. I take a 150 mg dose of Zantac each night when I take my pills. I do well through the night . I can't eat much in the mornings but as the day goes on it gets better. It definetly helps me with the nausea though. I eat rice pudding and english muffins with cheese and maybe a little applesauce when I can't eat much else. It goes down pretty easy. HOpe I helped a little. Someone else just said eat yogurt when you take your pills. I seem to do well with taking my pills at night. I can eat better then too for some reason. I sleep pretty well when I take pills at night. Although I do have some crazy dreams. I take 40 mg of Paxil and 37.5mg was just started 4 weeks ago of Effexor. Life is crazy isn't it? Who would have ever thought we would be dealing with this. I guess it is better than a lot of other things though. Stick with your husband he really needs you. It is wonderful to know that someone cares about you. Not much else feels as good. God Bless
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2003
Mon, 03-01-2004 - 7:35pm
i have a REALLY bad stomach and i often have trouble with new meds. i have to take my prozac with bread (multiple pieces) and a full meal- even if i eat alot but don't eat the bread, my stomach hurts and i have been taking it for 8 years! also, i take meclazine Hcl which you can get at a drugstore under that name or under dramamine NON DROWSY (the regular one is a different med)- it is great for nausea. hope he feels better!
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-17-2003
Mon, 03-01-2004 - 11:33pm
I talked to the nurse (who talked to the Dr. twice) and the Pharmacist today.

They both suggested a few things of what might be causing it: Probably the withdrawals from getting off the Effexor, Maybe the Lexapro try taking 1/2 the dosage to see if it changes over the next couple of days.

I knew the reason had to be something like that and I told them that he has been having alot of anxiety, lately, along with changing his meds.

And of course the answer to "was their anything he can take to ease the symptoms, in the mean time?"

Only bad news:

No magic remedy to help his symptoms.

He will just have to wait it out another week and see if it gets better.

And if it persist try changing meds again.

The nurse actually said there was something he can perscibe but it makes you VERY VERY sleepy - so that is out of the question since he gets nausea in the morning. No other suggestion from Dr..

The Pharmicist suggested Prilosec, which is over the counter to sooth the stomach.

But nothing definate. Pepto or any of those products are not reccomended for everyday use.

So does that mean that everyone that is going through withdrawls (or from the meds) are told they just have to live like that for 2 to 4 weeks and maybe up to 6 weeks????

It's bad enough switching meds and the changes with that ALONG with feeling like crap for weeks!!!