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?

Hi nitnatnaboo, thanks for this. Were you on full pay during your sick leave? I'm really worrying about finances, as we'd already decided we needed to save a lot before all this happened and I was planning on working as far up to the birth as possible - so I can't afford a drop in salary. I work in Richmond where the Maternity allowance is known to be one of the worst in the country (90% for 6 weeks, then pretty much nothing!). When I spoke to my Head yesterday, he said I wouldn't need an OH referral - I still don't think he gets it at all. I don't know how to broach the conversation with him at all. Are you feeling any better now? How far along are you? After a while did you just learn to cope with this? By the way, doesn't sound like you should be feeling guilty at all - I think that's a 'teacher thing'!

diddygirl, sorry - didn't see your post at first. Sounds like you're a teacher too - thank goodness for half-term next week. Are you doing the doctors notes for absence on a week by week basis? I know what you mean about the cyclizine - I really thought I'd start to feel better than this. Thanks everyone for your reassuring words...

Hi all - going to be another rubbish post from me as on phone.

Bensgirl please don't worry about work, you need to focus on getting rest and treatment so you can be as well as possible.

treatments are varyingly successful so do keep pushing for one that works.

I'm lucky enough to have been given ondansetron in hospital which has been amazing, still sick
In evenings but it has made a huge difference - feel so much better than my last pregnancy with ds.
During that pregnancy and earlier in this one I felt depressed and isolated, and I was very low after
He was born but the drugs are helping lots this time. Hope you get sorted soon

littlewizz sorry to hear about your horse, I'll keep my fingers crossed everything is okay.

Lucinda I'm not too bad thanks, I have cut down to two cyclizines a day now, still get nausea on and off but not constant like it was before. I still have the bile run most mornings unfortunately there seems no escape from that. Some days I manage to make the tea which seems like a miracle. Tried to cut down to one tablet but gave up with that. 16 weeks now and think I'm improving (touch wood).

Bensgirl sorry you've had to join but congratulations on the twins. Regarding work, try not to stress about it, HG is a serious illness and even with medication, you can still feel worn out/depressed etc. Once you get a sick note you should find the pressure's off a bit. I was off sick for 10 weeks the first time. Fortunately haven't been off this time as I managed to get medication before I got in such a state again. I only work two days though and it's easier being at work than at home with a toddler to look after.

diddygirl sorry you're not that impressed with the cyclizine. I've not found that it has done much for my nausea to be honest, but I've not been sick much when on it and I think/hope that the nausea is now starting to ease by itself. Could you try anything else instead?

Hi Bensgirl and welcome. Sounds like you're having a really bad time. Those early weeks are the worst, as I'm sure we can all attest to. It IS depressing, there's no doubt about it, it feels like a fog that you'll never emerge from, but you just have to take it a day at a time, as many others on the thread have said. It will end eventually, one way or another!

I found being hospitalised at around 7 weeks horrible in some ways, but also a relief. The IV made me feel a lot better quite fast, and I've been on cyclizine ever since (now 15 weeks). At least in hospital you get to rest properly, no housework or anything to tempt you out of bed. The cyclizine does take some getting used to, but it keeps the worst of the nausea at bay, and I'm only sick once or twice a day now, normally. Everyone is different of course, but hopefully you should be able to settle on medication that suits you and keeps things reasonably under control. I must support what other posters have said about taking time off work - you simply can't work when HG is at its worst. I took some time off but am also lucky to mainly work from home, so can fit work into the periods when I'm feeling better and rest when I'm not. But getting lots of sleep and even just lying down, keeping your head still and resting really helps with the HG. It is a debilitating condition, and not 'just' a bit of bad morning sickness.

It has helped me to read the stories of the women on here who have been through it and come out on the other side - Lucinda, Caramel and others, and to remember the 'this too shall pass' mantra. Good luck and keep in touch on here :)

Meant to say to everyone, I had the meeting with mw about the downs screening results today and discussed it all in a bit more detail. Have decided to not have the amnio and just hope that all is OK. 1:150 is the same as a 0.6% chance of downs, which doesn't sound so bad. Don't think it's worth having the amnio as the risk of miscarriage (1:100) is higher than the downs risk. Anyway, thanks again for all the messages of support. :) Hope everyone doing OK.

Oh and forgot to say don't worry about the babies! They will emerge beautiful and unscathed
it's just mum who suffers xx

BensGirl Welcome, though sorry that you have had to join this thread and have been suffering. Congratulations on twins, anyway, and try not to worry about work, put yourself and babies first.
Whizz Nice to hear from you. Sorry about poor Mollie! That loft extension sounds exciting. Poor you about persisting nausea made worse by baby's exercise routines...Never mind about the stained loo...
NitNat and LA Oh dear, sorry girls, doesn't look like my Iron-Bru recomendation was any good, and how sweet of you buth not to post, 'Lucinda, what do you mean by recommending such puke making drinks?' My taste for it must be weird. I still use it when puking.
Pearl Thinking of you.
Grumblin Poor you, more attacks from your body. Can it be to do with anemia (spelling) I wonder? Weather not nice here, but we're inland, I think it is always warmer and nicer on the coast except in a gale...
Alias Have you got that medical appointment? [Clucking face]
MaryLou Nice to hear from you, I had a feeling you were reading the thread yesterday...So sorry you still have that Vile Bile run, and nausea.
I'm so glad that meds are good enough so that you keep on at work if that's less exhausting than a toddler at home.
Eggy So glad you got Ondan...(spelling gone out of silly head). I think Fluffy did too?

Anyone Overlooked Sorry all. Luce How are you now? Cocoanuts still on the up? Cake Redundant?
Hugs to Caramel and Fluffy and MOH for being such stars in their different ways helping fellow sufferers.
I was reading 'The Illiad' of late (in translation, of course, but geek or what?). I thought, 'Heroes? Catch any of them with Hyeremesis! Even ordinary M/s would do for Achilles, Agamemnon, Odysses Hector and Co..'

LucindaE
xx

Lucinda LOL at those ancient world heroes being undone by HG! You're so right.
Pearl glad you have come to a decision and wishing you all the best.
Bensgirl. I was on full pay for the first 50 days, then half pay for next 50 days and 0 pay, (except for Stat Sick Pay of £81 per week) since then. The SSP can only be paid via the employer for a total of 28 weeks. This takes me up to 18 June which, by a fluke, is the day before I start Mat leave (if it wasn't, I could continue to claim SSP via the Job Centre). I am currently 32 weeks. As far as you being off and for how long, it just depends how quickly you stop throwing up and then bounce back. Last pg I stopped puking at 16 weeks and bounced back, went back to work and had a really good pregnancy (and crucially, wasn't a teacher then). HG has really taken it out of me this time round; haven't stopped puking completely but it is more random and less frequent - about once a week, with a bit of retching thrown in. The main problem now is the residual exhaustion, plus making sure I don't get stressed and land myself with PND again (currently taking Anti-D's to stave it off in advance).

Thank you Mother of Pearl and LucindaE... I think it's probably harder at the beginning, as I'm still learning about HG. I'd never even heard of it before this. My husband and Mum have kind of 'swooped in' today and I'm feeling a lot better. It's looking like I won't be going back to work for some time.... I'm still trying to stay out of hospital but don't worry, I'll go if it gets desperate again. Husband is being a hitler about me drinking water, which I hate at the moment - but I've managed to keep it down today - along with two babybels and a shed load of skittles and starburst. I'm usually such a foodie and really healthy! Mum is going to come and stay next week to give Ben a break - he's being brilliant, but I am worrying about the effect this is having on him.

You lot all sound like fantastic people, and I'm hoping that in time I'll have the strength to help other sufferers the way you are helping me... Thank you.

nitNat, i think i must be at same sort of stage. I seem to be ok but had more puking moments this week and Thats cos i so tired. I have never known anything like it yet i Cant sleep. Body gave up this weekend and actually let me sleep for ages and ages but last night back to normal!

Bensgirl, the beginning is the worst and finding professional support is hard. You have to give in to it and just not move from bed, living on pizza if Thats all you can keep down. I felt so much better once i stopped worrying and gave in to it but could only do with massive support from home and here :)

Bensgirl I hesitate to recommend drinks because look below at the IronBru fiasco below lol - it stayed put (sometimes) with me(I knew a Scotsman who drank it for his post Hogmany hangovers, and tried it out of desperation). Still, mother hen will anway, don't curse me for 'Have you tried' (I wonder if anyone ever loses their temper and says back 'Have YOU tried Hyperemesis'?) Ice lollies, jelly, Lucozade no good? Lemonade or sips flat coke, ice cubes made of flat coke? I know what you mean about water being distasteful, I personally found it more bearable in sips tepid, or frozen into ice cubes. Some people are lucky and can tolerate flavoured water,or milkshakes. Dr Pepper? Some swear by apple or lime juice...Nibbles of crisps, toast. Above all don't worry, Lottie for instance, is having a whopping baby, I heard somewhere the body goes into starvation mode and all the nourishmnet is directed to the baby, making you feel even worse. How nice of you to think ahead in terms of oferring support to other sufferers.
NitNat waves. I'm not suprised you're tired, after all, you had it for much longer this time, and have a L/O and had all the worry about work and that awful work fiasco. I have never taught, but the job looks exhausing when in normal health. There have been a fair amount of teachers/lecturers on this thread, Fluffy LA Ceaser Slippers and now Bensgirl too. One back on the old thread last summer had the misfortune to teach cookery, my goodness...
TheOnly The same with you, working and carrying on (didn't you also do gardening at home?)
Grumblin Any news about these things in urine that aren't ketones, and might have to do with anaemia (sp) at a guess...Wanted to thank you, too, for always comforting other people when your own body is beating you up.
Pearl How are things? Everyone?
For a laugh, have to tell people. I went and marched about downtown in odd shoes yesterday, talk about walking about in a dream . Didn't realise until I saw someone sniggering at my feet. Sneaked home...
LucindaE
xx

He he LucindaE - that's sounds like something I'd do. I haven't tried Irn Bru but mentioned it last night to OH and he's going to get me some. I seem to be trying all drinks under the sun. I get to a point where I think I've found THE drink and then I'm off it again the next day!! Things that have worked, albeit temporarily include Frijj strawberry milkshake diluted with milk, Appletiser, Dandelion and Burdock and Vimto. Water is a def no no and the thought of drinking it makes me gag!
Bensgirl - I self-certed myself for the first week and went to the docs on the Friday who said he was giving me a sick note for 3 weeks. I told him to make it 2 as the third was half term. There's no way I could have gone into work.
Hope everyone manages to survive another day xx

The only think I can drink is weak orange squash... but I'd recommend trying to force down Oral Rehydration Salts (Dioralyte)

Hello all!

I was only here for a short time but this is day 3 with no vomiting, and I'm down to half a cyclizine a day (at nighttime).

Still unbelievably exhausted-but that I can deal with! Thank you for all your support and help. If I'm back in 2 days it's due to a relapse, and I shall not be impressed! LOTM X

Diddy I hope you have better luck with the Scottish fizz... I know what you mean, what is bearable one day is horrible the next. It is so odd about water, isn't it? Say with a stomach bug, you long for it, even if it reappears.
Sorry suffering still going on. Milkshakes so good, with protein in them...I have been a muddle head ever since d/d was born, brains scrambled...
Agbag I'd forgotten the weak orange squash, some people swore by it on the old thread. That's a good recommendation, I gather!
How is the vom. generally?
Lady Oh, wonderful, about your news. Long may it continue. A pleasure to know you, I hope you don't have any relapses, but if so, be assured of the warmest welcome back to the thread where there is never tmi.
Everyone I hope you are all coping?

LucindaE
xx

LOTM glad to hear you are having a better time of it. Do not overdo it now; everyone here will attest to the fact that it will bring on the vom again.
Lucinda am definitely suffering from scatterbrain syndrome too. Got some Oven Pride yesterday and put 1/2 in the oven floor as it says on the pack. Totally forgot about it, put oven on at teatime. Cue acrid smoke and all the dissolved grime welding itself back onto the oven. Have also managed to mark the granite worktop with it - think the bag must have leaked. Argh!
I second Agbag's weak orange squash - yum!

Grumblin leukocytes (white blood cells) in urine just indicate that you might have a urine infection! Nothing to worry about. Sample sent to lab will confirm! I'm having some late growth scans too but for opposite reason - have a rather large baby. Everytime I go they say he's big but they still keep measuring him!! I have been told though that growth scans can be inaccurate by as much as 25% either way!

LOTM I agree with nitnat just be careful not to overdo things when you're feeling on the up!! Tiredness definately exacerbates symptoms. I'm 34 weeks now and not vomitted since 16 but when I've done too much nausea comes on with avengence!!

Ah thanks lottie I wouldn't know if I had a urine infection or not because my thrush is so bad at the moment everything 'down there' is a total mess and I constantly feel crappy anyway so wouldn't know difference between HG & UTI. Weird how you're going for scans for a big baby & mine is for small - I bet they turn out to be the same textbook weight

LOTM I thirds what nitnat & lottie say about overdoing it - ease yourself back into a normal routine.

bensgirl How are you today? If plain water is too harsh try sparkling with lots of ice and a slice of lemon. I'm sure this kept me alive in the early weeks.

pearl Positive news about the DS. Do you feel more reassured now?

theonly I had a patch of insomnia too a few weeks back - no diff getting to sleep but I woke up at 4am and really struggled to get back off. It's passed now and I'm so knackered I'm out of it all night (unless DS2 wakes me up for a wee & drink which he does regularly!)

lucinda No need to thank me - I can be supportive alot now I'm on ML and banned from driving- I have no life of my own to speak of

Just to reiterate agree re tiredness, even at 33 weeks - DD kept me up last night (Grumblin you have my sympathy DS2 sounds similar) and busy work week left me v nauseous and unable to eat much today (Lottie u sound similar even at this stage). So LOTM take it easy and Bengirl try not to worry about work and do get GP to sign you off. I know it's hard, I felt terrible taking so much time off (12 weeks) and being on reduced hours more or less ever since but the health of you and your baby needs to come first. Admittedly I'm v fortunate to be working for co that has v good sick leave policy but really hope you can work it out. Hopefully you'll get meds sorted and be over the worst early on in the 16-20 week window it usually subsides in :) Good news on help, my Mum moved in for a month to help OH look after me and DD which was godsend! BTW I'm in Twickenham and booked in at Kingston but heard really good things about Queen Charlotte's so sure you'll be fine.

Another drink tip ice cold lime cordial & traditional lemonade x

Grumblin: EDD 17/06/11
Lottie: EDD 09/07/11 next scan 19/05/11 to check growth!
La: EDD 14/07/11
Nitnat: EDD 20/7/11
johnnyd1: EDD 31/07/11
Theonlyhb2: EDD 16/08/11, next scan 25/05/11, First timer (eeek)
ElliottsMummy: EDD 25/9/11, next scan 11/05/11
Coconuts: EDD 01/10/11
AgBag: EDD 18/10/11, next scan 09/06/11
Littlewizz: EDD 6/11/11, Next scan 23/6/11
CakeForBreakfast: EDD 07/11/11(subject to change), next scan 06/05/11
Marylou: EDD 9/11/11, next scan 22/06/11
MotherofPearl: EDD 19/11/11, next scan 16/5/11
Eggy: EDD is 30/11/11
Diddygirl: EDD 19/12/11, 12 week scan 31/5/11

Just updated. Hope everyone ok today. I'm feeling quite proud of myself today because after a sicky start to the day, I have managed to drink a pint of milk.

I really want a laptop soon :)

Hope everyone's keeping on top of things.
Just wanted to say to Bensgirl that my first dd was due December, so fairly similar to you I think. I was in hospital around the first May bank holiday. I'd had a drs note for 2 weeks before that and then just had to keep going back for more sick notes. In the end I went back officially in the September.
It was still hard work then but if you go back too early it will only make you worse.
Sorry if that's not great news but be prepared for a lot of time off work.
Hopefully you will be one of the lucky ones and start to feel better by weeks 12-16. But HG is a sneaky bugger and when you think you feel better and try to do too much you will have a relapse.
I was lucky in that I'm fairly certain I was on full pay but it was a bit of a nightmare for school to find cover. It's probably for the best if you try and explain to your Head that it's likely you will need a lot of time off so they can plan longer term cover for you.
Also keep on top of the sick notes. I had an issue that there were gaps between some of them as I hadn't been well enough to go to the surgery to get them and the school couldn't get paid for the supply for those dates :(
(Because obviously I was perfectly well one week and not pregnant but then ill again the next week - duh)

Also meant to say would it be a good idea to put MOHs post at the start of the next thread we must be due to start another soon?

Fluffy That sounds like a good idea for a first post!

La Wanted to thank you as well as Fluffy MOH Caramel Grumblin NItNat Lottie and others for sterling support for other sufferers - long may it continue. As I said below, from small beginnings, we are beginning to expand, though GrumblinNitNat and LA must feel they have had enough of expanding at the moment - perhaps Grumblin not so much. Sorry about return nausea, about Mum To the Rescue...
Grumblin Oh no, thrush? Urinary infection? Is there anything else your body is going to throw at you? Of couse, we know it is all to do with the hammering it's had from the continuing Hyperemesis, but really...I've had thrush a couple of times, last summer had it and wore no knickers, as recommended. It was absurd, thought I would be safe in a long skirt, guess what happened to me? Yes, through a grotesque series of events I ended up having to climb over a gate, meanwhile muttering to the woman I was with 'Stand in front of me' as a whole bus load of people watched... I hope I didn't Reveal All.

NitNat Oh no! About oven. But you have an excuse about muddle headedness, I have none.
Diddy A whole pint of milk? Wow!
BensGirl How are you and Pearl too? ElliotsMum? Redundant? Cocoaunts? Mary Lou (love that name)?
Lottie Always lovely to hear from you.
Evreyone take care of yourselves on this lovely sunny if windy day
(here in Mid Wales, anyway).
LucindaE
xx

Grumblin More muddleheadedness here - I meant to say, I used natural yoghurt for thrush, found it soothing, but don't know if it's a myth that it helps balance things...
LucindaE
xx