Hyperemesis Support

[LucindaE]

We need a new thread.

I hope everyone suffering from the Horrors of Hyperemesis will find this thread useful as a source of support and information.

There's no TMI on here - can't be by definition - and nobody should feel ashamed of moaning as much as they feel the need to.

I used to include extracts from MOH's wonderful website
sites.google.com/site/pregnancysicknesssos/
but I think that makes this link less visible so am merely putting the link. The information on this site is invaluable.

I would like to thank MOH MOP Ovaltine Caramellokoalalover (I think she's changed her nickname) Fluffy, Horsey Kali and Everyone who has given such invaluable support and advice on previous threads.

Remember when you are at your worst, 'This Too Shall Pass'. It really will.

apple I think it would be really reasonable to be straightforward with the GP - just say that you feel fine when you take the cyclizine once a day in the morning, but if you go without it you feel unwell by the evening and that this makes you feel anxious. I think anyone should be able to appreciate that after experiencing acute nausea and vomiting for a long time earlier in pregnancy, the return of even quite mild nausea makes you feel worried and anxious about the vomiting returning. Cyclizine is really cheap and pretty innocuous and if you're only taking it once a day you won't need a huge amount so I'd be surprised if the GP wasn't OK with a repeat prescription. If they do object then as Lucinda says you can actually buy it over the counter, though you might have to send someone else to get it for you.

I am feeling rough today, and everything smells revolting again. 34 weeks tomorrow, and only two more weeks left at work (I only have to go in Monday-Wednesday, I work at home the other days). Our crib is being delivered today!

Veterans on this thread, can I ask a question - if you were still vomiting or vomiting again at the end, did you end up readmitted in the very final weeks? and if you do end up back in hospital at 37 weeks or so will they take pity and induce? I really hope it doesn't happen but I do feel that I am gradually deteriorating and that it's not impossible that I start vomiting a lot again within the next few weeks.

I don't think homeIV is very common here my husband is medical so my GP prescribed them for us to save me from being admitted as many times as expected i would but in actually fact when we ended up back in hospital they said that they would have preferred to have been able
to monitor me but i don't honestly think they would have gone down the steroid route before now anyway. So my treatment would have differed. We only went because after 8 weeks of no eating I really
needed more pabrinex, I am def struggling with feeling well but knowing its most likely temporary I've had a taste of what it's like to start being more like normal person again, don't know where i stand! Roll on 18-20 weeks.

Hi thank you so much for the advice. I am being silly really as I've just assumed that as long as I seem well the gp won't prescribe but I haven't even tried yet!

When I had a similar episode at 18 weeks he did prescribe anti sickness (can't remember their name) so if I am honest as kali suggested I suppose I stand a good chance! That's helpful to know I could buy them dp would be happy to go for me so at least I no longer feel so anxious that i will end up trying to cope without.

Kali am sorry to hear you feel so bad I really hope things get better for you at least you know it will be over soon x

Just popping on very briefly to answer Kali's question. Although I was sick each and every day of my pregnancy - right up until the day of the birth at 41+ weeks - I never got back to being sick at the same levels I was pre-12 weeks (peak was around 7 weeks when literally nothing stayed down and was sick upteen times each day). I took cyclizine throughout, but while it kept me out of hospital it never managed to eradicate my daily 5pm vomit. So while I carried on being sick once a day until the bitter end, the vomiting did not increase and I never went back to hospital. BUT those last few weeks are exhaustaing and we all know how exhaustion makes the sickness worse, so do try to rest as much as possible. This time last year I was about 8 months gone and having an afternoon sleep every single day (I know not possible on the days you're teaching). Not to mention about 12 hours sleep a night...

Sorry to see lots of new joiners and hope you're all hanging in there. Stick around on here - it was the only thing that kept me sane while I was suffering. I try to keep up with reading the thread from time to time, but seldom have time to post properly. Soon you too will all have your babies and the horrors of HG will fade somewhat - try to hang onto that thought.

Waves to lovely Lucinda :)

umteen not upteen

Just to say Kali I was lucky in last pg that my sickness vanished after 16 weeks and I never had a repeat dose. This time round it's so much worse, but still early days so I'm praying for a reprieve around 16 weeks again...or earlier, don't want to be greedy mind!

Apple, you sound a bit like me earlier in the week, I think the sickness makes us worry more / think the worst. I agree with the others that any GP would surely give you a repeat on the cyclizine. I'm on them too and find some days they just don't work, 2 days ago I didn't manage to keep anything down at all, yesterday I retained toast and potato but had the same dose of cyclizine both days. Today is a reasonably good day again although I'm still in bed. Zero energy and obvs I just feel rubbish. Does anyone remember what hunger actually feels like? Eating is such a battle to force food down when you least want it.

Thanks for replying MOP! Like you I was in a sort of "holding pattern" for ages which was pretty manageable but the last couple of weeks both DP and I definitely feel like it is deteriorating again. Although I'm not actually vomiting that often I am having days again when I feel totally wiped out by the nausea, everything smells disgusting, I can't think straight and struggle to eat at all then have to really concentrate to keep down anything I do get in - well, you all know what I mean! I am as you advise having an afternoon sleep every day that I'm not actually in work and I am sleeping a lot at night too. I am worried because although the progression is more gradual, the direction of change does feel quite like the very beginning (2-5 weeks) again and when I did start vomiting a lot at five weeks I lost control really fast. As some of you will remember from all the posts I made from hospital!!

Anyway I had an appointment with the thrombophilia clinic today and the really nice consultant took blood so that when I go to the antenatal clinic next week they'll have the results. She also said she'd look herself this afternoon and call the midwife if anything looked dodgy. Obviously she's not an obs/gynae person herself (she specialises in pregnancy-related clotting stuff I think) but clearly she takes acute nausea/struggling to eat at this stage of pregnancy quite seriously, even though I explained that I wasn't actually throwing up too often. She was very supportive and said I should eat anything I feel like, even if it's rubbish.

wdobbs that home IV arrangement sounds great! I come from a medical family but my DP isn't confident with medical stuff at all so I doubt we'd have persuaded them to do this. It seems to happen more with HG ladies in the States though where it's called "home care" or something.

Good luck with the doctor apple.

I have funny period-like pains in my lower back today. Hope baby is not getting impatient as I'm only 34 weeks today so a bit early! Going to lie down for a while now I'm back from the hospital.

Told you I'd be lurking!

kali I never stopped being sick, but it certainly got progressively worse again from about 35 weeks. Yes, the consultant took pity and offered to induce me from 38 weeks. I opted not to because it would have meant no home birth (otherwise I would've defiantly gone for it!). I wasn't readmitted inthe later stages, but I felt awful again (not as bad as the early days). Baby ended up being a week late, but I had a lovely home birth in the end so was happy with my decision not to be induced. Good luck, I'm lurking to see you through this Kali!

Just taken my last dose of steroid not feeling a s great as I did at beginning of week not sure if I'm just analysing everything too much as I'm just anticipating going back down hill as
only just 15 weeks, I won't get any more home IVs now if I start to go downhill il just go with it and not try to suffer it out at home as if I'm admitted again but at 16 weeks another week of steroid would probably see me to nearly 18 at which point I've a better chance of being much more well on my own. It's hard to not think about it all the time I've had a taste of normality this week and it will be hard mentally to go 6 steps backwards!

Thankfully in my first 2 pregnancies once i got over the worst it didnt return i certainly felt rough & took meds the whole 9 months butFor those of you who suffering returns again towards the end at least you are nearly there and deserve straight forward labours & deliveries!!

apple hi there. I just wanted to say in my recent experience that whilst you are feeling great on the cyclizine it may be because the anti emetic effects build up in your system so taking a low dose regularly may be keeping the sickness at bay.
I am on cyclizine and ondansetron three times a day but I have only been taking it twice as in the evening I go to bed and no longer wake in the night to vomit.
There's no reason why your GP won't issue a repeat for you, although my GPs are very cautious and wouldn't increase my ondansetron from 4mg to 8mg when I felt bad a couple of weeks ago.
I did a bit of a naughty and my dad gave me his supply as he no longer needed them.
If your GP is reluctant to reissue I would be honest with them and say you feel you need to continue.

Since I've been discharged from hospital I have not heard from my MW at all. Had anyone else found this? At my booking my MW wrote in my notes "had hyperemesis early pregnancy" which I found annoying as I HAVE HG not had it!
Also I told her I had lost a lot of weight. I'm usually 9st 10llb but went down to 8st 5llb (in a month) but when MW did my BMI she said I'm still within healthy so that's ok.
It is frustrating when medical professionals don't take it seriously.

Also want to say that acupuncture really has helped me to ease off the sickness. It can be expensive but I was lucky in that my GP is trained in acupuncture so when I see him he pokes two needles into me whilst we are having the consultation. The first time I had it there, apart from retching I wasn't sick for the rest of the day.
I have kept my sea bands on continuously however I'm not sure they work that well for me (too scared to remove them!) but GP told me the pressure points are located two and a half fingers from the largest line on your wrist, and it's right in the middle of the two tendons.
You can usually see your tendons on the inside of your wrist if you make a tight fist.
I don't think the sea bands hold enough pressure for severe HG but when I have felt like I'm going to be sick I just press those pressure points as much as is comfortable and has a similar effect to acupuncture.
I'm still unsure if it really works or if it works psychologically because you are concentrating on those pressure points.
Hope it makes sense. Any questions just ask.

Plastic and MOP Lovely to hear from you, how are babies?
Glossy I so agree about Acupuncture, you lucky thing that GP could do it. Otherwise, it's so expensive and ate up my savings (well, it was the only thing about me that was doing a lot of eating up). It's a shame it varies so with individuals, I believe I am right in saying it didn't help Kali an awful lot? My goodness, that's some weight loss in a month. Surely the point isn't 'healthy limits' but how much of percentage body weight you lost, which shows how ill you have been? That 'earlier' sounds very very annoying.
Apple Try not to get too anxious, but it might help to taken an advocate too if you feel vulnerable, and doesn't one always, in pregnancy . Mind you, a few tears, say, have worked for some women on here with GP's, and thought it's available over the counter, after all, why pay for the stuff over the counter when you are entitled to it free?
Wdobbs Keeping fingers crossed for you and for Kali, whom I hope doesn't get worse. I just hope resting on your days off helps you through these two weeks and the puking doesn't come back. You're being too brave; you ought to go on sick leave again, if anyone needs it, you do!
Tay How are you, and Whyand Everyone?
Lucinda
xx

Hello everyone!

I am doing well - just been on a little trip with DH and DD in a camper van! Was fun and I was only sick twice in four days so doing really well. Hopefully that is a little bit of encouragement to those at an earlier stage than me. I am 21 weeks now.

Just reading through the posts and realising how lucky I am to have had understanding docs in both pregnancies. Completely agree with those saying that a low dose regularly does keep the vomiting at bay - I am taking just one tablet now but every time I've tried to stop the vomiting has increased again. Would also advocate taking someone if you think you might have trouble. Sometimes even just having a second person will tip the balance in your favor. I have bought one of my medications (phenergan) over the counter when I was too sick to get to the G.P - it was 7 quid but a big box and I told them it was for travel sickness.

kali do you mind me asking about your pregnancy-related clotting appointment? I had a pulmonary embollism 10 days after DD was born. This pregnancy am on blood thinners and will have to inject blood thinners after having the baby. Never met anyone else with a similar problem - just wondered if yours' was? No need to answer if you'd rather not discuss!!

Keep going everyone x

Hello, newbie to the thread - certainly not a newbie to HG, just thought I'd post as I was woken at 3 o'clock and despite lots of throat acrobatics can't get back to sleep nearly 19 weeks, half way point

Hello everyone - glad to hear that a few are sensing some relief now and welcome VJ sorry you too are suffering. I'm afraid I don't have the energy to reply individually at the moment, sorry, very bad of me, but just soooo exhausted. Spent all evening having coughing fits and almost being sick but managing not to be only to finally be violently sick about 1.30 am, since when I haven't slept well and my throat is still raw (so VJ I really do sympathise!). 37+2 and consultant tomorrow so just trying to hang in there but...

Thinking of you all and hoping you're all feeling better.

Hi all. Also been up since 5 because sick, finally threw up bile 10 mins ago and hoping I might get a bit more sleep now. Keen to hear what your consultant says barmee as am just behind you, 34+2. Had NCT classes this weekend, bit depressing as everyone else seems so healthy and can walk!

Will reply properly about clotting stuff when not on iPad.

kali sorry to hear you're not feeling good. Are you on maternity leave yet?
tay trip in camper van sounds lovely. I am 17 weeks now and hoping 20 weeks will be the point at which all gets better!
I was asked yesterday why morning sickness only happens in the morning. If only that were true!

Hello. Can I join you please.
Am sat on my bathroom floor with an inability to move. The meds my dr gave me worked for the first 2 days. (Placebo effect perhaps) because they're certainly not doing their job today.
I'm only 8 weeks, and now throwing up water. Not good at all.

Frustrated sorry to hear you are suffering too. Are you on any medication? You really need to make sure you aren't getting dehydrated. Ring your out of hours gp or a&e if need be.

Sounds like a few of us were suffering last night.

I had to laugh last week when I saw my midwife-she commented on lack of weight gain-8kilos since my booking in appt-which means I still weigh less than when I fell pregnant. She seemed confused-I pointed out lack of food combined with vomiting will do that to a person, lol.

Kali I'll keep you posted as to what they say tomorrow.

Yeah I'm on promethazine. Only been on it since Thursday when I decided enough was enough. But last night I took it a bit later than previously (only by an hour) should that make such a difference?

Am drinking again now, little and often, and have stomached some food for the time being.
How do I know if I'm dehydrated? I am still weeing, but not as much as I was, but still more than non pg. and I'm salvating quite a bit. is that a bad thing?

barmee your midwife sounds a bit dippy.

You can get ketosticks from a chemist-wont show dehydration as such but will show if you've got ketones in your urine. Others on here can explain better than me, sorry, not very good at it. If you have raised ketones that's a sign you are lacking in nutrients. Oh dear I'm not putting this very well-can someone else help??

I get it barmee, ketones in wee = not enough food/drink. (Ketones being created when body uses fat reserves).
Darn it being Sunday and lack of local chemists.

Phew, glad someone understands my mad ramblings! Does one of your local supermarkets have a duty chemist? I know they do round here. NHS direct should be able to tell you your nearest one otherwise.

Not that I can get to today. 2 DCs, and DH at work, plus though of moving/driving anywhere is making me feel nauseous

Tay back again and will answer properly about the clotting stuff. My clotting is actually fine but I was referred to the thrombophilia unit at the Royal Free because I ticked a few too many boxes, basically - I'd had a couple of early miscarriages one after another, I have a history of rheumatoid arthritis (apparently relevant though I didn't know that!) and both my elder half sisters have had clots, one a big DVT in pregnancy and the other a PE (but related to treatment for leukaemia). In fact my sister who had the DVT does have quite a rare clotting disorder and like you had to inject herself throughout her pregnancies, but I've been checked and have the all-clear. But anyway, that combined with the HG is why I got referred to them. Also when I was in hospital the second time they thought I had a clot at one point because I had some leg pain. I had the heparin injections every day when I was in hospital - as is standard I think if you're dehydrated - and will need them again if I end up going back in (which is looking depressingly likely today!) but for now I've been discharged.

Anyway I don't know where you are but I was seen twice by Dr Drebes at the Royal Free in North London and I'm naming her here because I was so impressed. A really intelligent thoughtful doctor who explained everything clearly, was very thorough, and really seemed to care about how I was in general aside from the clotting issue.

Hope everyone else is doing OK today. I've just thrown up again on a practically empty stomach. So revolting. Going to try to eat now and see if I can keep at least one thing down today to avoid losing control of the situation.