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Pregnancy

Eating is making me even more sick

24 replies

GingerRodgers · 22/03/2014 18:19

16w and have had all day sickness since about 6 weeks. Being sick at least once a day if not more. Feeling violently nautious all day.

Feel really hungry a lot of the time but eating makes me actually sick. This morning I skipped breakfast as the nausea was too bad and I wasn't sick. Had lunch and was violently ill about an hour and a half later.

Even water makes me throw up.

I'm starting to think about skipping meals which I know is not good but I just can't stand feeling like this anymore.
The sickness is more bearable if I've an empty stomach.

Any tips? Advice? Have tried all types of liquids to drink and the only thing I like is water but that makes me sick. Eating little and often doesn't help.

Just want to give up Sad

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GingerRodgers · 22/03/2014 18:20

I'm taking pregnancy multivitamins and keeping those down and have plenty of spare blubber to go around so surely I'd not starve baby if I maybe laid off eating for a bit? Just until I feel better?

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MrsMonkeyBear · 22/03/2014 18:24

First of all big hugs. I didn't want to read and run. All I can say is go to the GP and see if they can put you on any anti sickness meds. Skipping meals isn't a wise thing to do and the anti sickness meds will help you.

Hope you feel better soon.

X x

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GingerRodgers · 22/03/2014 18:40

Thanks MrsM. Just don't think it's back enough for sickness meds. I mean, I'm not being sick all day just a couple of times. Feel stupid but I'm scared to eat or drink because it's just getting too much now.

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icklekid · 23/03/2014 05:40

I found something I could eat and would stay down- at first it was dry toast, now its cereal. I can only eat at lunch without being sick even on medication. If I eat a meal pm comes up straight away. I'm still sick most evenings but not as bad if not eaten much.

What would worry me most is not keeping water down means you will get dehydrated quickly and so you do need to see gp so they can test your urine. Keep trying different liquids-squash, flat lemonade, ice cold water..anything to up your fluids. I know how horrible it is to not be able to keep water down but it is important.

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livingzuid · 23/03/2014 06:27

ginger hyperemesis includes nausea as well as vomiting. You don't have to be barfing every 5 minutes. If you aren't keeping water down that can be very serious. There is medication available that is completely safe in pregnancy to take. Don't think you aren't severe enough :) it sounds as if you are. You can check for dehydration by using ketostics (not sure of the spelling).

Come over the the hyperemesis thread where the lovely ladies can help you further. And visit your gp to discuss it on Monday morning.

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mrsnec · 23/03/2014 06:40

Watching this too as I keep wondering what is normal in terms of sickness. I'm still nauseous all day and sick a few times but can keep water down.

That's interesting ickle, I have been the same the past few days, I can eat breakfast and lunch but anything after comes back up, been trying other liquids too, sometimes I can drink milk but I can't do squash or juice or fizz. Not been to docs yet, I just keep thinking it'll be gone soon.

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icklekid · 23/03/2014 06:51

Sadly mrsnec I'm now 23 weeks and no change since first found out! Just developed coping strategies and am greatful as means I can still work during day I'm just a nightmare in the eve's- poor dh!

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mrsnec · 23/03/2014 07:05

Oh dear I'm only 12 weeks so may have a long way to go, I only work a couple of days a week I've no idea how id cope full time. Yes I'm rubbish in the evenings too, dh getting a bit fed up with me, any other tips for coping strategies? Dh keeps telling me to go for a walk when I feel really bad but that doesn't help. And the next person that offers me anything ginger related is going to get knocked out! I. Usually love it but have a massive aversion to it of late. Cereal is good though I agree.

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AlwaysDancing1234 · 23/03/2014 07:31

I can sympathise as I was like this until almost 20 weeks then thank god it's got much better since then. If you are feeling like this and having trouble keeping down water it IS 'bad enough' to see your GP or midwife for help. They may be able to recommend or prescribe something to help. Don't suffer in silence.

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brettgirl2 · 23/03/2014 07:39

op I was the same but bring sick loads but couldn't eat/ drink. I went to the doctors just to get a sick note for work and was surprised to find she was really worried about me. Started talking about hospital admission etc, gave me anti sickness meds (which really helped me as they made me able to drink/ eat something)

If you can't drink water that really isn't good.

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brettgirl2 · 23/03/2014 07:41

not being sick loads Hmm blardy predictive text

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OrangeMochaFrappucino · 23/03/2014 07:52

Definitely see a doctor - you don't know how long it will be until you feel better and the worst case scenario is that it lasts the whole pregnancy (sorry!). You can't not eat or drink all the way through!

Next, which vitamins are you taking? Pregnacare exacerbated my nausea enormously and others have said the same. The only Vits I could tolerate were the Healthy Start ones from the mw - I couldn't cope with anything containing iron.

Full meals were a no-go for me. I had to eat very little and very often. Dry salty snacks often are tolerable - plain crisps, breadsticks, crackers for eg. I couldn't hold down water, I drank lemonade or coke. I know they are not ideal and pre-pregnancy I wouldn't touch fizzy drinks but it's better than dehydration which is very dangerous. Small sips regularly was the best way to get fluids in - a lot of people find it easier to keep down if you drink them flat rather than fizzy.

My first pregnancy I vomited a lot and didn't get a lot of sympathy from my mw which put me off seeing my Dr adms I assumed I would be dismissed. This time around I vomited much less but was nauseous constantly. My mw and Dr were v understanding and happy to prescribe meds, which ultimately I decided against simply because I was signed off work instead and able to rest which was the most crucial thing for me - tiredness makes the nausea so much worse.

You really need to take proper care of yourself so please go to the doctor and get on the HG thread on here for support and help. I hope it gets better soon.

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LightTripper · 23/03/2014 08:09

Just want to second everybody saying go to the GP. Not being able to stay hydrated is a problem and they will want to help. I was given sickness meds even though I was only usually throwing up once a day. In the end I didn't use them much as they didn't do much for me BUT the GP would have given me something else to try if I had gone back, and it still made me feel so much better to talk to somebody about it and to have the pills as a back up if I needed them on the particularly bad days, and to know I could go back if I couldn't cope.

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mrsnec · 23/03/2014 08:19

I felt bad going on the HG thread as I have read it and don't think I'm anywhere near as bad as they are. I Know hydration is the key and I think I'm ok with that, sorry to hijack the thread too but its interesting what you say about the vitamins I'm taking seven seas trying for a baby. Heard you don't need fa after 12 weeks. Only have 1 left. Wondering if I would be ok not taking anything after I've finished that pack? Self employed here so work isn't a problem but if I did have to worry about that I would be getting signed off.

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OrangeMochaFrappucino · 23/03/2014 08:55

I wasn't as bad as everyone on the HG thread - still got great advice and support.

Vits containing iron certainly made my nausea worse, it won't be the case for everyone. You don't need fa all th eway through but should take vitamin d throughout - ask your mw for Healthy Start vitamins. My mw gives them out free, my friend paid 90p for a three-month supply. They are just vit c and d and folic acid.

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livingzuid · 23/03/2014 08:55

The hyperemesis thread is for anyone struggling :) I am nowhere near as severe as some of the poor ladies on there because my medication works very well. There's tons of advice on what to eat, how to talk to doctors if you want to discuss it with them, activities that are gentle and may help.

Please also remember that even though you can keep water down there is just a serious risk of malnutrition. Not discussed as much but you need to be very careful.

Do come and post your symptoms and people will help.

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GingerRodgers · 23/03/2014 09:39

Thank you all for your help. I do really appreciate it.

I've been drinking coke and fanta but I do find they still make me sick. I can't seem to find anything to eat or drink that doesn't make me throw up. I've tried it all!

Since throwing up yesterday afternoon I've not eaten and I don't feel sick for the first time! I know I can't carry on like this but the thought of being sick makes me too scared to eat.

I have been sipping cold water this morning and managed half a glass so far. If I keep sipping at a bottle will it be enough to keep me hydrated? I don't want to risk baby so obviously don't want to get dehydrated.

I've been taking pregnacare vitamins but I take them as I'm going to sleep at night and I've not felt ill at night even if I've woken for a wee?

I didn't really think it warranted seeing the gp as everytime I've mentioned it to the midwife she says as long as I can eat or drink it's fine. I can eat and drink it just makes me feel so sick I'd rather not and I'm so tired of throwing up.
Just feel confused really. Don't want to go and them say (again) oh it's normal and will pass.

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livingzuid · 23/03/2014 10:01

I didn't really think it warranted seeing the gp as everytime I've mentioned it to the midwife she says as long as I can eat or drink it's fine.

This talk by midwives makes me Angry many are not understanding of the severity of hyperemesis at all. She is in no position to tell you that which is bloody awful advice. You should definitely go and see your gp.

Also just cut and paste your posts in the hyperemesis thread here

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/2027794-Hyperemesis-Support

Tons of advice and information support sites you can use. Lots of lovely helpful ladies who have done battle to get treatment.

Hyperemesis is a recognised illness in pregnancy and needs to be treated. You don't have to suffer with this.

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Foodylicious · 23/03/2014 10:33

Really just go see your GP. I waited a while and got so used to feeling awful it was 'normal' for me.
I was started on promethazine 25mg at night and have been amazed at how much difference it made. Its an antihistamine and not doing any harm at all. i am now 28 weeks and still taking it. I have tried to stop several times, but am just one of the unlucky ones and the nausea and vomiting creeps back in.
I really did not realise how rubbish I had been until I felt better.

Also this might sound odd, but have you tried eating as soon as you have been sick? its intuitively wrong, but most of my post vom meals stayed down. A bit frustrating in a-feels like a waste of food/time-kind of way, but really helped. Also not letting my stomach get too empty, having little snacks often.
I ate loads of carbs (crumpets, toast, scotch pancakes) etc and food that made ok vom.
And mints, boiled sweets helped too.

I really did not want to take any pills at all, but am so glad I did and I have managed to stay on a low dose - they will safely give you 100mg if its needed.

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livingzuid · 23/03/2014 11:03

Sorry don't mean to bully you onto another thread Blush but please do go see your gp

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LightTripper · 23/03/2014 14:57

I agree my midwife wasn't very helpful at all. Really it seems if there is no danger to the baby they are not that bothered. But your GP is YOUR GP and should be more willing to help. Don't just assume you have to cope alone. I felt a bit like that at the peak of mine, but looking back at it from a much healthier happier 35 weeks I don't think I was being unreasonable at all to ask for help.

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JustDanni · 24/03/2014 09:31

Phone your GP or Midwife.
Sounds like Hyperemesis. A urine test will tell how severe it is. If they detect ketones in your urine you may need help in the form of anti sickness tablets. Ketones are a sign your body is breakint down reserves like fat to survive. Sounds great but can be rather dangerous for you and baby as ketones are a toxin!
Im on Cyclazine for my Hyperemesis and it helps to keep the sickness at bay for the most part.
Feels like a godsend.

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HolidayCriminal · 24/03/2014 10:09

You MUST KEEP YOUR FLUIDS UP.
Sorry to shout, but it's very important. You can faff about with food, but the fluids is desperately important.
Sucking on ice cubes works well for some; you can absorb a lot of fluid into your bloodstream thru the mouth, so frequent small sips are good if they work for you.
There are pills they can give you to reduce sickness; they don't like to give them because there's no way to prove they're 100% safe, but there's no evidence they're harmful either.
Good luck.

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JustDanni · 25/03/2014 08:37

May I also add. Don't feel like you have to wait until it worsens.
HG can come in at many levels and if you are struggling with fluids regularly then you must contact your doctor.

Dont feel like because you aren't as bad as some others that you are over reacting.
Our bodies are all very different as are outlr levels of tolerance. If you feel like you are struggling then don't feel ashamed to seek help xx

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