flare up and 8 weeks pregnant

[jillyb]

Hi,
I'm 8 weeks pregnant and am having the worse flare up in a long time. This past week I have been waking up at least once an hour, sometimes twice, which amounts to about 10-12 times per night. Lets just say I need serious sleep after 6 days of this. I can't take my over the counter meds at all while I'm pregnant, and I'm not suppose to take benedryl until my 2 trimester. Does anyone have some advice here? I'm not going to make another 4 weeks of this.
Thanks!
Jill

[ICNDonna]

I hope you get past this soon. I know it's not fun.

Sending gentle hugs,
Donna

[dancemomof2]

I was the same way, no real good advice, but sending hugs to you.

[hoping4acure]

No real advise. How about a heating pad and a nice cup of HONEY tea?

I hope you feel better soon.

:grouphug:

[jillyb]

Thanks everyone,
I might be able to take benedryl which helps a little, my docs getting back to me on that one. If anyone has advice or experience with this I'm willing to take any and all!

I appreciate the kind thoughts!
:) jill

[Melanie]

Jill - CONGRATULATIONS!!!

My Dr okays pregnant women to take Benadryl during any trimester.

Also, I got the okay to take Ambien. So I took one or the other (not both together). Currently, I'm taking Ambien (5, 7.5 or 10mg per night).

Pls discuss with your OB (and Uro).

My freq is 30x per day. 2-10 x per night. I'm lucky to get 2 hours sleep in a row. IC + pregnancy is exhausting. But you can make it through it!

Also, ask your Dr about lidocaine bladder instills. It's one of the only treatments my Uro offers for preg Icers.

[jillyb]

Thanks Melanie,
I was actually wondering about Ambien (I've seen the commercials), before I was pregnant!

The Dr. called back and said it was OK to take Bendryl occasionally during my 1 trimester, so I can't wait to hopefully get at least 2 hours of sleep in a row tonight!

I'm printing off your doses of ambien and will bring it in during my next visit. That would great if that works as once I take a Bendryl 2 nights in a row, it doesn't help me out anyway unless I stop taking it for a week or so. It seems my body gets use to it and the regular dose is no help.

Thanks for the advice!!!
Jill

[Melanie]

Jill,

Ambien is Category B for pregnancy and considered safe. Benadryl is considered even safer (by most drs). It's nice to have both options, but I don't recommend mixing together (in the same night).

Sometimes, Benadryl and/or Ambien can become less effective over time. That's why it's nice to sometimes alternate. Plus Benadryl can make you groggy in the AM. Ambien usually doesn't have morning after effects.

Whatever you take, start with the smallest dosage possible. Then increase only IF and WHEN necessary with your Dr's approval.

If you ask for Ambien, ask for 5 mg tablets. You could even start by breaking them in half. I just recently had to up my Ambien to 10mgs. And I can't take Benadryl anymore because it makes my "restless leg syndrome" worse.

Hope that helps..... And please don't hesitate to ask more ?'s.

[rachelm]

Jill,
My dr. said if I had to take something, that Attarax would be safe. I'm 5 weeks and trying to wait as long as possible before taking anything. I don't know if you ever took attarax prepregnancy or not but when I did it helped my bladder burning some but mostly helped me sleep. I'm so sorry you're having trouble sleeping. I worry about that too because I'm working and taking a graduate class so I know I won't be able to function without sleep.

Keep us posted on how the benedryl works.

Rachel

[dyno]

I just wanted to say I hope you find something that helps you get through this, I know how hard it can be.

[Melanie]

Atarax is Category C. Many Drs advise NOT taking Category C drugs during pregnancy.

"Pregnancy category
A system of classifying drugs according to their established risks for use during pregnancy. Category A: Controlled human studies have demonstrated no fetal risk. Category B: Animal studies indicate no fetal risk, but no human studies; or adverse effects in animals, but not in well-controlled human studies. Category C: No adequate human or animal studies; or adverse fetal effects in animal studies, but no available human data. Category D: Evidence of fetal risk, but benefits outweigh risks. Category X: Evidence of fetal risk. Risks outweigh any benefits."

[jillyb]

Thanks for the info on Atarax. Even if my Doctor OK'd it, I think I would stay away from it as I personally wouldn't feel safe taking it while pregnant as it's a Category C as Melenie explained.

I was told I could take Bendryl occasionally, and took a tablet last night, which let me get some sleep. I was only up about 6-7 times instead of 10-12. Better anyway!

Thanks again to everyone for the helpful advice on this! I really appreciate it.
Jilly

[poohboots]

Hi I am 23 weeks preg and i am haveing a bad flar up myself my doc are no help when it come to my IC I have already had 4 UTI this preg. have you found anything that has worked for you yet if so i would love the advice I hope you are feeling better good luck with your preg.

[jillyb]

Hi,
During my first trimester I took benedryl as a last resort twice. I really tried my hardest not to take anything for the first 12 weeks or so. I also took lots of baths and used a hot (warm) water bottle. I just went in for my 12 week check-up and my doc gave me a subscription for 5g of ambien to take if I need for my 2nd and 3rd tri. Good luck!

[Cali girl]

:grouphug: :pray: :kissing:

[poohboots]

what dose benedryl do for iC?

[kylie]

i'm less than 5 weeks, i think(i only just took a home test a couple days ago as i was about a week late with my period)
i'm struggling with my ic lately too, like for about the last week. mine has always( well since i was diagnosed in april) been managed with watching my diet, so meds were never really discussed and i definitely want to stay away from them if i can, especially for the first trimester,
so i have no advice to offer as i am in search of some myself.
i just registered today so i am new to all this but if anyone can help me too i would be greatful. thanks