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Pepto Bismol @ 34 weeks.....

gksmommygksmommy
in 3rd Trimester

So this is my second pregnancy and everything has been completely different this time around from the last.  I did have heartburn and reflux with my first but this one has been far worse and has lasted pretty much the majority of the pregnany thus far.

When I reached 25 weeks it became a serious issue.. I couldn't sleep much at all (still have those nights) because my reflux was THAT bad.  I talked to my ob and they suggested some different otc medications to try.  I did the prilosec first because that was my "magic pill" with my first pregnancy... It didn't work after a month i came to the conclusion it wasn't working - so i tried prevacid.. It did work, but only for a week, so I stopped using it and asked for more suggestions..  Unfortunately when I called the last time I had to talk to a nurse at the OB office - she talked to the doctor and called me back to let me know I could take mylanta, pepto bismol and a few other things... I attempted mylanta but couldn't stomach it so I just gave up until I reached 32 weeks.... I couldn't stand being in pain from the reflux and not being able to sleep at least a hour or so at night (we have a 3 year old who just started sleeping through the night a month ago!)   so I had my husband run to the pharmacy and pick up some pepto for me.  He bought me the caplets instead of the liquid... I ended up taking at least one pill every night to ease the pain - but sometimes I would wake and take one more overnight.. Ocasionally I will take one during the day but that is only if I know we will be eating out at some point that day.  Generally I take one a night (no more unless as mentioned above i wake up in pain from the reflux)

Tonight I decided to play detective and see what others thoughts were on Pepto and if it could be the cause of why I have had darkened stools over the past few weeks. I found out that it probably is the cause for the later - and the thoughts are NOT good. infact I probably shouldn't have looked up pepto and pregnancy because now I feel like an idiot for taking it. I have been beating myself up over this since i started reading posts on how bad it is while in third triemester & I am hoping I haven't caused any damage to my baby.  She is a busybody as usual and has been moving the same as before I started taking the pepto. I haven't had any side effects or anything unusual going on.  I do feel like after reading posts and articles about pepto I need t just trash the bottle I have now and attempt taking the prevacid again. I just don't know what to do and am honestly worried now.. Like i said i should have never looked up the info tonight - but its like my husband said - if the doctor said it was OK then it should be.   

Has anyone ever had any issues from taking pepto in the third trimester?  As I mentioned above I will stop taking it as of tonight (i took two pills earlier and i downed a glass of milk in hopes it'd ease the reflux and heartburn - it hasn't... yet.)

 

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Re: Pepto Bismol @ 34 weeks.....

  • dodo1202dodo1202
    i have tried a lot of things like you.  Unfortunately, none helps totally plus they add side effects to me as an individual.  Finally, I'm trying pasteurized apple cider vinegar.  i am taking it 1 tbsp mix with 4 oz of warm water twice a day.  one takes before any meal in the morning and the other one takes before bed. I have GI tract issues including GERD and constipation.  My GERD problem seems like under control.  Before, I could not swallow nor breathe smoothly.  Now, the vinegar has saved my life so far.  it won't hurt to give it a try.
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  • ahollo02ahollo02 member
    I have GERDS and am on Nexium 20 mg daily.. has always worked Smile
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  • aliciachantillealiciachantille

    Pepto is part of the salicyte family, "aspirin like" compounds and it is not safe in pregnancy because of this. It can cause a defect in one of the valves in your babies heart. I would highly suggest discontinuing its use. PPI's, H2 blockers and neutralizers/aliginic acid have long since proven safe, they are your better options to go with. 

    From a concerned pharmacist.  

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  • gksmommygksmommy
    my sister inlaw told me when she was pregnant with her first that they prescribed her nexium.  I had asked about it prior to starting prevacid and the doctors said to just try the prevacid first and go from there. i honestly had no clue that pepto contained ingredients simiilar to aspirin or i would have never taken it to begin with. after the two pills i took last night - i told my husband today i would no longer be taking pepto until after birth.
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  • DecklinkadeDecklinkade
    I have had some serious reflux during my pregnancy and I was prescribed Nexium. It is my life saver! My reflux kept me up and woke me up in the middle of the night. it was making me throw up constantly to the point I had to be admitted for tests when I didn't hold down any food for 5 strait days. Nexium has kicked it in the butt for me. Every now and then if it's going crazy I take some gaviscon and drink some water. But it hasn't been to bad since starting the Nexium. I defiantly reccomend it over Pepcid and prilosec. O and before if It was killing me I would suck on gaviscon. Just let it dissolve very slowly in your mouth. I would suck on it for like an hour. This helped because Everytime I would swallow it would put a little more in my esophagus. I reccomend gaviscon over tums as well. I don't know why but it seems to work a lot better for me. 
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  • rnbeth477rnbeth477 member
    Have you tried adjusting your diet? Sitting upright for an hour after eating?

    I would also discuss any new over the counter medications you are adding with the pharmacist first, even if the OB suggested them. They can give you a second opinion and the most up to date information.

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

    Lilypie - (A6Jy)


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  • beckpregbeckpreg member
    Also, if you know a good massage therapist that you trust, ask their advice. One showed me this thing you can actual palpate your thymus. (I know this sounds strange but it works) and keeps you from eating chalky tums all the time. Its not something I could easily explain in writing but you basically find this spot in your throat and tap it with your finger tips for a minute or so and the heartburn subsides.
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