Prenatal vitamin overdose = really scary day!!

MarinsMom

So im officially 12 weeks today! Everyone knows now and ive luckily been feeling really great for my entire  first trimester. This morning i stupidly took 2 prenatal vitamins (with DHA), and on an empty stomach. My body let me know within abiut 20 minutes that this was not a good idea. I got very faint, light headed, cold sweat and metallic taste in my mouth. A bout an hour later i threw up (4 times) at work and then felt a little better. Made the mistake of going outside where the heat was just too much to handle. I got dizzy again, went back inside and threw up again, a couple times. Until now i havent had ANY vomitting, nausea or morning sickness, so this is definitelymjust from the pills, and even today i never felt nauseas just like i wanted those pills out of my system! My work sent me home and was very nice about it, luckily. But my stomach has been and still is killing me. I get a very severe twinging pain in my stomach every couple minutes. The doctor said it will pass and its just the vitamins way of passing through my system. She said to just stay hydrated and rest and that it will not harm the baby but all the stomach pain still worries me. Anyone every been through this before??

PrimRoseMama

Sounds more like food poisoning combined with slight morning sickness. You would have to take way more than two PNV to produce those symptoms. For what it's worth, I didn't get morning sickness until 16 weeks with DD. You can get it anytime, by the way. 

No matter what it is I hope you feel better soon. 

jdm7

LoisLane23:

You didn't OD on 2 vitamins.

 

 

mamaregan

LoisLane23:

You didn't OD on 2 vitamins.

Word. I do hope you feel better though.

Ivana_Stolichnaya

Yeah, never take any vitamin on an empty stomach unless you want to feel like crap.  I did that even when I wasn't pregnant and had a horrible upset stomach and couldn't stop burping.  It only takes it to happen once to learn from your mistake.  I did this 10 years ago and it's burned in my memory.

JBos82

Did you take them with food? Maybe taking them with breakfast, or later in the day when you've had lunch, will help them settle in your stomach a little bit better.

Megroons

LoisLane23:

You didn't OD on 2 vitamins.

uh..this. I have accidently taken more than one before and it did absolutely nothing to me. If you could infact OD on vitamins (lol..I'm still laughing at this post) then there would be really strict guidlines on taking them. I agree with PP...had to have been something you ate. Tell me it wasn't unheated sandwich meat or anything?!?!

Unknown

This content has been removed.

smurf605

I wouldn't call it an overdose, but people have different reactions to vitamins.  I will get sick to my stomach if I don't take them with food.  I actually do much better if I take them at night with something to eat.  For me, I think it is the iron in the vitamin.

sheffieldbeccca

My doctor told me the best way to take them is with a light meal or just a snack. that way you are more able to absorb all the vitamins have to offer

IncogNeato

While it may not technically be an overdose, 2 vitamins on an empty stomach would do the same thing to me.

On a full stomach they made me majorly nauseous and often give me stomach cramps unless I drink a lot of water with them

2 with no food would have me making sweet love to the toilet and I don't usually throw up even during 1st tri.

 Sorry you feel so awful, OP! I'm SURE there's no damage done, but they can definitely make your stomach feel awful. Vitamins are hard to digest. Drink, drink, drink!

 

sararn2004

Megroons:

LoisLane23:

You didn't OD on 2 vitamins.

uh..this. I have accidently taken more than one before and it did absolutely nothing to me. If you could infact OD on vitamins (lol..I'm still laughing at this post) then there would be really strict guidlines on taking them. I agree with PP...had to have been something you ate. Tell me it wasn't unheated sandwich meat or anything?!?!

You can overdose on vitamins...just not two of them. Taking an overdose of iron is very dangerous. But again, that would be many, not 2.

BrittanyDoesDerby

You didn't overdose, but most vitamins are meant to be taken with food. I know I've taken a multi-vitamin without food pre-pregnancy and gotten really sick from it.

shandawinkler

Well you didn't overdose that's for sure. If you take your Prenatal on a empty stomach it will cause you to throw up, well for me it did. I took one on a empty stomach even though it says you do not have to take with food and i threw up like 3 times until i ate a banana. 

RobinSparkles214

That sucks that you had such a bad reaction from taking two vitamins. Definitely not an "overdose" though.

Icecream4me

I have had pretty bad reactions to taking just 1 prenatal - so I can't even imagine taking 2.  I totally believe it could make you that sick.  I got really sick when I took 1 after eating a large bowl of potato and vegetable soup ( I thought that would be enough to coat my stomach but I was wrong).  Now I only take the prenatal vitamin if I have had a real meal and I am at home (I don't want to get that sick at work or while I'm commuting.)

Given that there are some nights when I am so sick with m/s I can't eat dinner, my OB told me it was okay to take a regular multi-vitamin + folic acid on those days when I can't eat enough to be able to handle the prenatal

[Deleted User]

I once saw a lady walking through Walmart EATING vitamins like candy...I wanted to snap a picture and put it on "people of Walmart".

Yes, I know this was unrelated to the OP's thread. 

mchalpin

If you guys read, she spoke to her Dr about it I think he/she knows what happened. There actually are strict guidelines for the exact reason and symptoms she's stated she experienced. I have myself experienced this same thing.

prenatal vitamins almost always contain iron, and taking too much iron can be very dangerous (especially for young children) and may result in iron poisoning. Symptoms of iron poisoning may include:
 
Blue lips and fingernails
Pale skin
Dehydration
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Low blood pressure (hypotension)
A rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
Fluid in the lungs
Nausea and vomiting
Metallic taste
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Headaches
Fever and chills
Flushing
Diarrhea
Black and, possibly, bloody stools
Seizures
Coma.

Do your research and expand your knowledge before you judge others.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

PrimRoseMama

Bliss+Berry said:

@mchalpin - LOL at you scolding anyone for not reading well.  That is fucking priceless.  This post is over 2 years old.  Nitwit. 

I LOL'd, hard. )

Jenspin73

I was worried about taking two prenatal vitamins so I got one of those old people pill boxes by day...now I don't need to worry

merc5411

Bliss+Berry said:

@mchalpin - LOL at you scolding anyone for not reading well.  That is fucking priceless.  This post is over 2 years old.  Nitwit. 

I just snorted Diet Dr Pepper out my nose. Thank you Bliss.