[shermas]

I'm traveling in about a month to a part of the world where we need to take a lot of vaccines. I have already taken my twinrix and tetanus and will be going back next week to get my typhoid.

Here comes my dilemma, I really should take Malaria pills. I have a choice of two types: Malarone or Lariam.

Malarone has very few side effects and the ones that they do have are not severe. They need to be taken once a day at the same time for the duration of the trip and possibly for a few days after. Malarone CANNOT be taken by pregnant women.

Lariam has side effects that include anxiety, depression, hallucinations and nightmares. It only has to be taken once a week and I think for a period of time before and after the trip. Lariam is ok to be taken by pregnant women.

I'm not PG yet and we're into our 9th month of trying. I'm not sure if I should take Malarone and definitely avoid getting pregnant between now and after we return from our trip or to take Lariam, don't bother TTA and suffer through the side effects?

I know it's a very personal decision but I'm extremely stuck at the moment. I'm not sure what to do. I'm leaning towards just avoiding and taking Malarone. I mean, really, I doubt DH and I would have a chance to BD that often on our trip. On the other hand, I really don't want to have to lose 2 months of trying just because of the pills.

The last option is to just not take any pills.

What would you do?
1. Take Malarone and avoid TTCing for 2 months
2. Take Lariam, continue TTCing and suffer through the severe side effects
3. Don't take any pills
4. Other? What?

[jenedens6102]

OK, this is definitely a different question for this forum but glad you asked. If it were me, I would do what is best for my health and take the pills. Giving up two months of trying to conceive won't be the end of the world. However, what if you get sick because you don't take the pills and it turns fatal or has life long effects? You really don't want that do you? When you become a mom you want to be as healthy as you can be and enjoy every minute of your pregnancy and all the years of life with that child. Best person to consult is definitely your OB. This is just my opinion.

[CryingInside]

I think that I would probably not worry about TTC and take the Malarone. It sounds like a fun trip and I wouldn't want to be sick during it! Totally your choice, but I would want to enjoy my time!

[shermas]

Thanks for your responses. There's one other pill that is ok for PG women and that has the "normal" side effects. It's called Aralen. Thing is that no one that I know, personally, has taken this one before.

I'll have to speak to my doctor (I haven't even seen my OB yet), but getting an appointment with her is like pulling teeth.

[jenedens6102]

It's worth doing the research and getting the information that you need. I'm sorry to hear that getting an appointment with your OB is like pulling teeth, it shouldn't be that bad. We do want you to have a great trip, enjoy your time and at the same time be healthy.

[nedege24]

hey i would have to agree with jene on this on do what ever is safe for your health, if that is malarone then do that. have lots of fun for you and me

[einstein]

I would definitely have to agree with the girls here. I would do the pills and take some time off from ttc. What if you did nothing, ended up pg and got malaria? That would be horrible. And why put yourself in a situation with a med that has such horrendous side effects. As someone who has suffered with depression (albeit mild) throughout my life, I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

I would hate for you to put any aspect of your life -- whether physical or mental -- in jeopardy.

[AnnRN]

I totally agree with the above. I am always telling my clients' family members that they have to take care of themselves first. You won't be any good to your future child if you are ill yourself. Protect yourself so you can be a healthy, happy Mama when it is time! I hope you have a lovely trip.

[tulip23]

I have exactly the same thing to tell you..take care of yourself first.If you are OK yu will have many chances to take in future.2-3 months of no TTC will not make much of a difference ,but your bad health can make things worse.Have a nice trip.

[rhart]

No matter what anybody else tells you, this decision is ultimately a matter of your priorities. If you told most of the women that participate in this forum or anywhere else that are ttc for that matter, that they would "just have to sit a couple of months out" it may devistate them. Many of us have had to do just that at least once and time seems like it stands still. You do what you have to do that is best for your life.

Given the parts of the world that you have to take those types of oral vaccinations to go to, keep in mind that there are other issues involved. You will be exposed to some pretty gnarly conditions that may change the way you see conception at all for a while. If you were already expecting, there's a good chance your doctor would advise against you going. So would you want to go then immediately conceive, knowing what you had just been exposed to?