New Hyperemesis Support thread founded by the lovely LucindaE

[grumblinalong]

As the old thread is nearly full here it is time a brand new thread is born. All we need now is a new vomit face emoticon MN towers!

We are a bunch of past, present and future HG sufferers (along with worried spouses, family and friends) who use this thread to support, listen and discuss the dreaded pregnancy illness that is HG (hyperemesis gravidarum).

There are no limits on how much moaning posters can do nor can anyone's symptoms or experiences be tmi.

The old thread has been a great support to many of us and we hope this new thread carries on the great work started by old thread founder and HG guru LucindaE. She still maintains, supports and clucks around the thread daily even though her own experience of HG is thankfully over.

So with no further incoherent rambling from me on with the new thread eh?

Hello everybody new to the 'sick club'! Sorry you've had to join, but this board is so helpful, even just to read and know you're not alone. I wish I'd known about it the first time round.

weedle, I had some really good advice from people who had had HG more than once. My current pregnancy wasn't planned (and probably would never have happened if it was, due to me being so terrified of HG), but we are pleased and will get through it somehow. I have found I am much more of a nightmare patient this time, I am not up for being messed around, having been given no medication the first time and suffering terribly. I'm now on my second type of stemetil. Don't recommend the ones that dissolve in your mouth as they taste vile. I've had a couple of swallowable ones, which I think are taking the edge off, but I will not hesitate to go back and ask for something better (or should that be more expensive?) if I have no luck.

I have to be honest and say I'm finding it a struggle looking after DS (20 months), as he's so active and insists on getting out every morning. Fortunately he still has a sleep so I join him every afternoon for a couple of hours which definitely helps, the housework isn't happening though...

Found a couple more food/drink suggestions if anyone's interested - weak lemon barley water and tinned grapefruit. I have gone off crisps which is becoming a problem....

Boosaphena I get the dizziness and hot flushes too. I think it could be down to low BP and low iron in my case as well as being tied to the nausea and coming on just before being sick. If it's getting really debilitating talk to your GP and see if there's anything they can do. My acupuncturist told me to eat more salt when it was BP related and it does help but really only sitting or laying down stops it altogether and that's not very practical with other children to look after, sorry.
Diege hopefully the sickness is a good sign for you and all will be fine at the scan on Thursday. Sorry you've had to deal with mcs as well as HG, just not fair.
marylou ditch the housework and just get by as best you can. My DS was about the age of yours when I fell pregnant this time and I found it really tough until I learned to let everything but the essentials slide and let my normally high standards slip DH do more .
And I'd say same weedle as marylou in that this time round I am much more assertive about my care - have to be when you've got other children to consider as well, and also haven't been in as dark a place mentally this time as the first time round because I've done it before and kind of know what to expect and don't feel as much of a failure.
Just back from acupuncture so expecting a good day tomorrow where I can go hours between snacks. Oh the high life! And have booked in for induction acupuncture in 2 weeks time...let's get this baby out!

Wow, this thread moves on quickly! I couldn't get on PC before as needed by OH.
Wheedle and All New Sufferers, Welcome. Wheedle sorry you had such a foul time last time, excellent advice from Caramel.
"Whizz* My staples when at worst, coke and crisps, as with so many on here! What can you do?! Oh, dear, about having to clean kitchen to pass health inspection. Mine wouldn't pass now, with no excuse.
MaryLou Congrats on coping with lively 20 month old. Did you say you'd seen GP again?
Caramel DD is a giant schoolgirl - hope you feel a lot better after Acunpunture? Sorry about bad dolmade experience. You are so good about comforting other people, so will answer Diege's query on your behalf Caramel like Grumblin has suffered throughout, and has been a star, comforting others. I just wish the Acupunture had helped them as much as it did me...DiegeWondered where you had gone, hoped not to hospital...
Johnnie I'm so glad Luce was up to bowling, how did she summon the energy? Always nice to hear from you...
LA How are you and poor LO's nose?
Boosphena and Cake My handwriting is so bad, I am stupidly unable to read the bit of the messages I scribbled down for you. Was it about sweating and dizziness before puking, I had that myself....
NitNat Saw some mint plants for sale today, but this is Powys not Yorkshire (I think you said Yorkshire?) and perhaps warmer.
Everyone That mind over matter advice is provoking...Hyperemesis is so much matter over mind...Take care, all.

LucindaE
xx

Hi everyone had another couple of good days. I think the sunshine helps me feel more positive and makes me want to get out more.

I'm having a real battle with ym skin at the minute. I have excema and spots cropping up all over the place. I feel so guilty that I wanted to get pregnant for so long and now I have my body is doing all it can to destroy things and make it unbearable. I have guilt that I'm not nourishing my baby properly and that my skin is the way it is because of my crap diet but there is no way I can physically improve it. How can I overcome this guilt? I just wish I never had HG and why did it pick me? Why can't I be healthy and glowing and blooming? Instead of a spotty, scratchy, sicky miserable old bag

dearcoconuts YOU ARE NOT A SPOTTY SCRATCHY ETC! you are a beautiful young woman doing the most miraculous thing in the world!!! I am so sorry you are having a bad time like my DD it is truly horrible I wish I could come and put my arms around you!

Coconuts don't feel guilty. It's your body's choice to make you feel this sick, not a conscious decision on your part!!! Plus, it's not your poor diet causing the spots, it's the hormones. I know this 'cos last pg (boy) I had rubbish diet due to HG and got awful acne and blamed it on the HG. You can still see the scars on the post-birth photos! This time (girl), even worse HG, crap diet till recently but only a few spots. Wonder if you're having a boy?
Have been heaving like mad in inconvenient places today - supermarket (urgh - smell of hot cross buns cooking ), driving car etc., but no vom thankfully. Going to pick Mum up from airport now - see you all later sickies!

Well been to GP's this morning - Doc not keen to repeat cyclizine and wanted to reduce doseage I told him I was not keen and if I was even an hour late with my tablets I puked- offered to come back later after not taking a tablet if he didnt believe me. He then did give me a repeat prescription but not before he suggested had I tried ginger and then regaling me with a story about male sailors who used ginger tablets for their seasickness and how it worked so well for them. Told him that I was put anywhere near ginger I would puke! He has booked me in for blood test just in case its thyroid and told me it would all be better by 12 weeks - obviously wasnt listening when I told him I was sick to 20 weeks last time right at beggining of consultation! Got what a wanted so will play the game!

Boo I often feel woozy before being sick but not hot.

Salt and vingear crisps and coke again today! Excellent!

Lucinda I'm Lancashire - think Grumblin is Lancs/Yorks? . Powys is S Wales isn't it? My brother is getting married somewhere in Wales - Brecon area - this November. He's trying to book it all from Abu Dhabi where he lives and keeps sending my Dad on reconnaissance missions to Wales to check venues out!

Boo I feel woozy about 10 seconds into being sick - like I'm going to pass out. Think it is what little blood pressure I have rushing to my stomach muscles to help the retching process.
Whizz GP sounds like a right PITA but glad you stood your ground! What a load of cobblers about sailors!

grandmaagain That would be lovely :) Thank you

Cocoanuts it's not your fault you're allergic to your own hormones.... I bet if any men were allergic to theirs, there would be a proper treatment by now though.

I sympathise with the skin. I'm looking the opposite of 'blooming' this morning. I have loads of spots on my face and my melasma (brown patches on face) is getting darker by the minute. Don't worry about your diet. I had loads of spots last time and grew an 8.8 pound baby on salt and vinegar crisps, ready brek and lucozade. He is perfectly healthy.

Wizz I have taken ginger for seasickness and I can assure you it doesn't work! Actually, I get quite travel sick, does anyone else? I wonder if there's a connection at all.

Managed a couple of mini pittas today but that's about it, really should drink something. I had two bile sessions this morning which I was not impressed about at all. One a day is more than enough. Off to get stemetil number 2 now. I'm not convinced it's working.

Cocoanuts poor old you - sending you cyber hugs too if you want them - it is disappointing that you feel too bad to glow - but I'm sure you look good anyway. I had rashes too, and combine that with frequently uncombed hair and uncleaned teeth and you can get the general glamorous picture...Don't think of blaming yourself! There are enough people out to do that blaming, without you joining in. As long as you get enough fluids, the baby will be fine, is eagerly sucking off all the nutrients, which is why you feel so foul...
Whizz well done on standing up to that insensitive GP. What a good idea to threaten to return! He wouldnot have enjoyed that...What have sailors to do with anything? It's a different form of sickness. Go to it with the coke and crisps.
NitNat Poor old you, cyber hugs sent if acceptable - I do hope you enjoy Hot Cross Buns next Easter, when this will be a nasty memory. Ah, Lancashire, so its Grumblin who is in Yorkshire. I'm in the North of Powys, and my Welsh tutor is very sniffy about the Welsh spoken further South. Here's a message in Welsh. 'Dw i'n eisiau chi i gyd yn wellach cyn bo hir.' (I hope you are all better before long).
Grandma You are so right...
Look after yourselves.

LucindaE
xx

I know I'm being stupid. In my last pregnancy with DD I lived on chesse and mini cheddars and grew her to 9lb 5oz so my logic is out the window today but I just look awful and it's getting me down, nobody in RL understands and keep saying oh it'll calm down after 12 weeks - I'm now 13 weeks! Or the stupid ginger recommendations, or someone saying oh isn't your excema bad. Why do people always insist on pointing out your flaws, even people who don't know I'm pregnant. As if I didn't feel bad enough already. I don't want to go out of the house in case I see someone I know, DD's behaviour is terrible, DH forgot to buy pasta and I need pasta today and it just feels like everything is on top of me today.

I. Must. Get. A. Grip.

hello boo weedle & jjb!

boo, I used to have to keep as cold as possible cos as soon as I felt my temp rising i would puke.....nightmare going into anywhere warm and the heating was off in my house in Jan with windows open.....20 weeks now and it is better, I am not as hot all the time, but if I get a hot flush and sweat for no reason, thats it, puke city.

I am VERY excited right now as my new bed has arrived! OH just clearing old bed out then I am hoovering and supervising the assembling ha ha ha

I had been feeling better, then starting Friday I got a cough and sore throat (OH had a cold for a while and he started with a cough too). Lots of coughing = lots of puking (not even gagging, stomach just empties, thank god for sick bags in my car, bin next to me at work, and being able to shut my mouth long enough not to do it on myself ;) Had 20week scan yesterday, baby was all curled up and did NOT want any pictures or measurements taken. Being tipped feet in the air on the bed didnt help with coughing either, but we got there, all OK and healthy & normal. We didnt want to find out the sex and we wouldnt have been able to anyway! Then went to Dr to be told chest infection and put on antibiotics so off work again. I think they are fine about it, I couldnt stop coughing long enough to have a convo on the fone, had to email them (did speak to my assistant briefly though).

Today is GORGEOUS and I have been outside planting baskets and pots and havent coughed once whilst doing it. Feeling really wiped out now though whih doesnt bode well for sickness later but at least I might sleep ok in the new bed!

hugs to all x

coconuts - don't panic! I dont think this pregnancy glow exists at all, I look like a crackhead from the neck up and a McDonalds fan from the boobs down to bum! in fact all of the people I currently know who are pregnant are wondering when they will glow and they havent been as sick. use your anger as a good excuse to be rude to people who are rude to you :) your allowed yr pregnant! my eczema has suddenly come back with a vengeance on my scalp. i darent rub my head too much as it looks like a snow storm and I have naturally dark brown hair.

Go out, sun hat, large sunglasses and just pretend you dont see anyone (I like to pretend I am Posh Spice ha ha ha) xxx

HB - You've cheered me up :) I actually do look like a crackhead haha!! I also get eczema in my scalp but the worst of it is on my arms at the moment. I'm going to stay in my pjs today and hope for a better day tomorrow and go out and do some shopping for my cravings.

Had mackerel in tomato sauce on toast for lunch which was yummy (DD's fave) so hopefully after diiner and a bath tonight I will feel more human :)

OMG ladies I wished Id found you weeks ago......I am not a freak living on crisps and coke , if I am feeling really wild I do branch out to Mini Cheddars.

I am 16 weeks at the moment and have hopes that each day the sickness is getting better - think I am kidding myself somedays but trying to stay positive.

Will definately give crumpets a go as there are only so many toasted bagels you can have.

Hi to all newbies, glad you found us - sorry you need to be here but its a good place to be when you are feeling like this!!

Marylou I also have a toddler - he's 2 1/2 and it's not easy when you're feeling like this. At first I felt very guilty but 6wks into my sickness (I'm 14 wks now) he seems unharmed! A little bit of attention-seeking here and there but generally fine. He also seems to be learning patience and compassion from the experience so not all bad !!

I get travel sickness but didn't before I was pregnant the first time! My first pregnancy was also HG-free. I think being pregnant changed my hormones and this could be why I have HG this time. Since being pregnant the first time I have also suffered less with hayfever, went from being quite severe to mild. All very strange!!!

Got bored of soup this week - have had it for lunch every day for about last 4-5 weeks!! So have now progressed to cheese, ham and pineapple sandwiches! Definitly recommend - first non-bland thing I have been able to stomach - yummy!! :)

Hope everyone has a good afternoon/evening xx

I must also add you are all beautiful young women doing the most miraculous thing in the world but coconuts needed special hugs today! you are all so supportive of one another and so brave I am in awe of all of you!!

Elliottsmummy - I also think it is probably doing my DD some good. She was such a mummy's girl, wouldn't go to anyone else but she's had to learn that if I'm poorly she has to go out without me sometimes. She is learning that some people get poorly and she knows that lemonade makes mummy feel better :)

She doesn't know I'm having a baby, I think it is too early to tell her and for her to understand. God forbid if anything goes wrong it'd be ten times harder to explain that.

Thanks grandma, I bet you make a lovely gran :)

My little man was a bit of mummys boy too but is quite happy for daddy to put him down for his nap now and other things. In the afternoons wishes me a "good sleepies" when he heads to bed cos he knows i generally have a nap too!! :) He used to ask me each morning if i was feeling better but he has given up asking!! We havent told him about the baby either - it's such a long time for them to wait! Will consider it once can feel it moving as at least then he will have something to relate it to!!

Waves to everyone and sends comforting gentle pats and back rubs, can't believe how many posts there are every time I pop in. Good for the support but sad so many people are suffering.
Just think this time next year you will be well over hg and able to offer sympathy and advice to others x

Evening all.
Today I have had a good day. I've even eaten an apple pie!!! AND i managed to chop chicken without heaving. Its things like this I've missed. I'm sure tomorrow I will pay for it, but today I had a day off and I dont get many of them!
I also look like poop. In all of my pregnancies I've waited for the blooming stage and given up hoping somewhere late in my 20's weeks. I currently am sporting massive spots, sunken dark eyes, and I've lost so much weight my old neighbour asked me if I was ill. I dont look pregnant I look like I have an eating disorder! none of my clothes fit, and I just cant face the idea of getting any new ones.
With regards to DC's they dont remember this stage. My DD was 2yrs1m when my DS was born, I had a horrible time with the HG and then SPD. I could no longer get to any of her groups or face seeing any of our friends and she coped really well, she is such a caring little girl now and adores her little brother so dont be worrying about long term impact on DC's. At the end of the day you are giving them a lovely sibling to grow with and this is just the crappy bit before that happens. The guilt is unbearable tho - even with that in mind.

Right I am going to go to sleep. I've treated myself and booked a cleaner for tomorrow! Lucky me!

Take care x

Welcome, Trickysue. Is this your first and are you on meds? Crisps and coke seem to be staples for the acute stage, branching out to other unhealthy foods - but some people do seem to tolerate grapefruit.
MaryLou You and I cross posted last time - how are you? I was travel sick as a child, but not as an adult. How are you coping? Are things worse or stable? I'm glad you have turned into a difficult patient, it seems to be the only way to be treated with respect, as in Whizz's threats .
TheOnly sorry about cough and having to be sick at work in a bin - I hope you are alone in the office or its so humiliating. So nice about scan, and I'm glad your off now. Years before I suffered myself, I had a friend who had normal m/s and puked in a bin at work, and I ran out to to the loos with it vomit filled to swill it out, as she was in a state, and bumped into a VIP...
NitNat Is it letting up at all? I know you hoped you had turned the corner, but then it came creeping back.
Cocoanuts A 9.5 baby? Ouch! I thought my 8.7 one too big, I hope you are bigger than me...
Elliot's Mummy You could be right about changes in hormones. I wonder?
DS sounds sweet, but how women manage with toddlers, I cannot imagine.
Caramel I remember you being on the old thread back in the autumn, poor old you, what a long endurance test! Only a little bit to go.
There's a Sad Cushion over there, girls, if anyone feels in need of it.
Grumblin Diege Boosphena Ski and Anyone not Mentioned how are you.
Fluffy(waves) Lo's first spring...

LucindaE
xx

Elliotsmum I get travel sick really easily. Tend not to let me husband drive on country roads at all - I would rather drive myself. DS is just starting to develop it now, poor thing. The Helpher website mentions that people who get travel sickness are more prone to HG.
Lucinda I am actually OK - 24 weeks today, off the meds, feeling stronger each day, putting weight on, a bit of heaving to start the day and then just have to be careful not to eat too much at one sitting for rest of day and to take regular breaks from activity. When I think back to the Valentine's day aftershave escapade just 6 weeks ago, I know how far I've come! Really gobsmacked at how much it has affected my stamina this time - I bounced back much more quickly last time.

Hope everyone is having an acceptable day; especially those in the awful 8-10 week throes of it and also those for whom it's going the full distance. Hope everyone has discovered at least one tolerable new food product in the last 24 hours.