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.

Thanks for asking after me lucinda. I'm OK, though had a really depressing morning at the hospital today. The scan was fine (baby is doing well) but I saw yet another registrar - why does one never see the same doctor twice?! - who was really useless. I tried to explain that the vomiting is getting worse and that I'm worried that I'll be totally exhausted and really ill by the time the baby actually arrives, but she just kept saying I should try different foods. Had I tried soft foods? etc. As if one hasn't tried absolutely everything after eight months of this! I tried to explain that I am having some days when I keep vomiting on an empty stomach but she just didn't seem to be registering what I was saying, and then when I got to the pharmacy to fill the prescription I discovered she had prescribed me a lower dose of both the cyclizine and the ranitidine than I've been on the entire pregnancy, despite the fact I said that the sickness was getting worse at the moment. I'm afraid to say that I started to cry pathetically about five minutes into the appointment and didn't stop. I think I'll just have to rely on getting someone better if I do end up back in hospital. (Although the pharmacists were great - they rang the clinic, spoke to a different doctor and corrected the prescription back to what I've been on all the way through.)

As for work, I'm meant to be going in for three more days next week, but that's all. I'm actually really worried about my mood after I finish - as it is, I get really depressed by the end of every week after a few days at home. Because I can't walk, I am basically housebound and I'm worried about how low I am going to get if I end up stuck on maternity leave for weeks before the baby arrives, throwing up and unable to leave the house! I wish I could work for longer to be honest. Even though it's tiring it makes me feel so much more positive about everything, including the baby.

As for the B6, they put me on it right at the beginning after my first admission and I took it for a while. It didn't really seem to do anything for me but I've heard other women say it helped.

Hope everyone else had a better morning!

Just popping in to say hi.

Kali that is shocking. I am constantly surprised at how crap some of the poeple supposedly looking after us can be! Am glad pharmasist was much better, what a relief. I was actually sent home from hospital by dr with anti sickness jab in bum and advice to just try to eat even though I had 3+ ketones! Not surprisingly I ended up back there in a terrible state less than 12 hours later! Really hope you get someone better next time (and even better get the final prize of a lovely baby:) )

lucinda that dr has actually seen me to prescribe anti sickness meds earlier in pregnancy. Also feel the least he could have done was read my notes!

Hope everyone else is ok x

Dashing on to say Kali I am really dismayed. It seems outrageous - there must be a way round this. I'm glad at least the pharmacists were helpful. No wonder you cried; it's so frustrating. They don't seem to credit sufferers with an ounce of sense - soft foods? If only...Hugs. It's bad about the housebound thing being so depressing, I'm trying to think what to suggest but it's all banal on the lines of are there friends/relatives who will come round, could you set yourself a target of books to read before baby arrives and such things become impossible (not as if they're easy when you're feeling bad)? I got through 'Vanit Fair' and 'War and Peace' when suffering, those particular covers still make me feel sick, lol, or become a radio addict, anything to keep gloomy thoughts out of your head as much as possible. These are silly suggestions, really, no doubt you have a whole lot of academic stuff you do to keep occupied.

Crumbles I am horrified that they discharged you with an level of ketones in that made it a medical emergency . I heard of that happening to one other person FluffyWhiteKittens who used to be on here, it's awful it's still happening.

Glossy That is an intriguing idea, for sure.
Nothing from Goldie yet, then? I hope Barmee and Everyone is bearing up.
Lucinda
xx

Thanks lucinda and apple. I've mostly been lucky with doctors actually, I think this was just a weak link in what has been otherwise a pretty good team. It was demoralising at the time but oddly I cheered up quite a lot on Friday afternoon. My v. sensible DP pointed out that I have been very stoic lately and possibly having a good cry was actually quite therapeutic! He is French and much more sensible about emotional stuff than I am.

I do have plenty to do once I'm on maternity leave - I am editing a big book at the moment, each chapter by a different contributor, and lots of them are not writing in their first language or have not stuck to the word-count so need quite a lot of editing! It's more the isolation that's the problem I think, it's hard to get people to come round as of course they work during the day and evenings are not good for me in terms of feeling tired/sick very early on. Still, it's only a few weeks now. The baby is in a good position (head down, back at the front) and I think he is maybe beginning to engage as my bump feels 'emptier' at the top than it did; I'm also getting quite a lot of 'practice' contractions. So maybe it won't be too long before he arrives. Fingers crossed!

Hope everyone else is surviving.

Hello everyone. Kali your DH sounds very sensible-I think he's right about sometimes needing a good cry to get things out of your system.

How is Everyone today?

I'm still feeling quite despondent, for want of a better word, however DH last night arranged a babysitter and took me to see Skyfall so it was lovely to feel "normal" for a few hours (and I discovered toffee popcorn didn't make me feel sick -who knew?! ). Is anyone else taking raspberry leaf capsules? Sorry if its been covered before, I'm getting desperate! Still nothing from Goldie? I hope she just caught up in life in the pink castle.

kali barmee big hugs to you both. And to everyone else who is struggling to keep your heads held high.

It must be a full moon or something as I have also been very upset.
I'm housebound 90% of the time. I go out to my appointments, and might pop to the shop but its wearing me down.

Yesterday I was upset firstly with dh who said to me "get the Hoover out then" when I complained the floor was dirty. Then he left for work in the morning, he usually leaves some sandwiches in the fridge for me for later, he hadn't so I asked him about it he said "you have to start doing it yourself". That upset me a lot because I find it difficult even going into the kitchen, just makes me feel sick.
Then I thought I fancied a lovely cup of tea with some biscuits, it was the best cup of tea I've ever made, not enjoyed one for weeks if not months. I threw it up complete with the disgusting curdled milk.
We were invited to a friends Halloween party that I decided I couldn't go and dh sulked about it all night. I told him I don't want to be like this, sick and isolated he just said I don't help myself.
I have two lovely dogs that have not been walked properly for ages, my dh could take them but he just doesnt; because of my heightened smell and the fact i can't stand the sight of hair, the dogs are not allowed in the living room or upstsirs anymore. The dogs are a bit miserable; one of them has taken to pissing on the floor at night and I can smell it from upstairs. My sense of smell is so intense at the moment, I tell my dh I can smell it, he doesn't believe me.
This morning there was dog piss again.
I broke down and cried hysterically for about an hour.
He's gone to work. I'm still in bed and I don't want to get out

Glossy Poor you about tea, oh dear, for some reason that is as horrible to throw up as solids [henvy] but what luck about popcorn! DH sounds brisk in the way that men are about this, but if they give themselves a violent hangover, apparently it's different [hwink]. I know what you mean about that heightened sense of smell, I thought the fridge stank unbearably and DH smelt of roast pork and I used to take a lavender satchet to bed because of it. Too bad of the dog to get emotional problems! I'm glad you had an outing.
Kali What your DH says is so true; I'm glad you've got a lot of editing to do. Is the baby going to be called a French or English name, or a combination? Apple and Everyone I hope OK. Still horrified about Apple's story of being discharged like that .
I've got the Pink Castle drawbridge down for Goldie but she hasn't crossed it yet.
Lucinda
xx

Barmee we are planning to go and see Skyfall before the baby arrives as well! As a treat we have bought membership to the v. posh cinema near us which has waitress service at your seat (!). Looking forward to that. Yes, my DP is a star and I am so lucky. We hadn't been together very long when I got pregnant and you don't really know how someone will cope in a tough situation until it happens. But he has been an absolute rock from the very beginning. Given that I started feeling sick 48 hours after conception and he had to fly back from a work trip to the States when I was hospitalised at five weeks back in early April it has been a LONG pregnancy for us both!!

glossyflower I know exactly what you mean about chucking up curdled milk. For months I threw up my breakfast cereal every single morning so had all too much experience of this! Not sure I'll ever be able to eat breakfast cereal again to be honest. I stuck with it because I knew I would throw up the first thing regardless and I found that the consistency was at least easier on the throat than toast or whatever. The curdled milk is revolting though. I hope you are feeling a bit better now. I think it is really impossible to explain how awful the constant nausea/overactive nose thing is to anyone who hasn't experienced it.

Lucinda we have chosen names that work in both French and English. DP will speak to the baby in French and I'll use English and for speaking to each other we'll use a mixture. That's the plan anyway!

Thanks MOH its very interesting I know hyperemesis is meant to have a correlation with B6 deficiency but I'm not convinced, i have it on good authority its the first line treatment in austrailia apparently they swear by it, I've been take 30mg every day I am taking to much already I don't want to overload the system trying to process all the medication too! for now

I'm still vomit free post steroids - which is when I started to take the b6 as a kind of preventative measure but boy am I feeling so rough, still can't really can't do anything or move top much without feeling awful hopefully that will pick up in a couple weeks just trying to get strength back after 10wks of no food & severe illness as you all know it's a go slow approach

Can't believe what an awful time Some of you guys are having hang on in there will be over soon and it will be worth it in the end

glossyflower I'm so sorry you're feeling so bad. If it makes you feel any better I have had v similar conversations with DH at times. The smell thing is awful - I thought i could smell it when someone opened the fridge even when I was upstairs with my bedroom door shut. Like Lucinda I did find a hanky with lavender oil on it bearable and strong enough to 'cover' smells and prevent me from actually being sick because of them. I still find the fridge difficult - I think it smells terrible even though everyone else says its fine.

I was prescribed and took b6 for a while but not long enough to know if it was helpful - taking tablets was a horrible experience in those days so I avoided unless convinced it was going to help! They do sell vitamin b6 lollipops for morning sickness here in the states. Not tried one though.

kali don't feel bad at crying. It is amazing what some medical professionals will say though - I had an appointment with a nurse yesterday who could not believe that I still vomit in the morning at 22 weeks and suggested I have a further protein snack after dinner. I didn't bother to explain to her that I feel very lucky to be able to eat dinner and keep it down and that a further protein snack after dinner would almost certainly result in a vomit after dinner as well as before breakfast!!

Has anyone ever experienced blue lips / fingernails before?? I have noticed a few times that my lips have been a bit blue and mentioned it at my check up and they panicked me a bit by ordering an ECG on Monday. I am pretty certain there is nothing wrong with my heart and from what I've read blue extremities can be a symptom of anemia?? Anyone's experience / thoughts on the matter would be v helpful!!

glossyflower I forgot to say yesterday that as well as the lavender tip you could try Vick's vaporub rubbed on your upper lip. I found that even lavender smelt a bit "off" to me but that the strong menthol-y smell of the Vick's was quite good. If you can find a strong smell that you can bear, also rub it on your pillow/pyjama top/a piece of cloth that you put by your face as you sleep or whatever to keep the smell with you. When I was really ill I slept childishly with a bear and I put the strong scents directly on him. It seems silly but having a really strong scent in the bed allowed me to bear being close to DP when he smelt so badly to me all the time! My sister liked the smell of bleach/lavatory cleaner when she was really sick - says it was the only thing that smelt "clean" to her at the time!

Even now at the very end I've noticed that that horrible feeling of everything smelling unpleasant returns whenever I feel more sick than usual. But the worst problems with smells faded for me around 12-14 weeks, definitely before the sickness really improved.

Just a quickie...finally got myself some ketostix, didn't have to wait 15 secs, it came up plus 4 immediately. So back in hospital on the usual. I think it's for the best.
Good tip about lavender oil in a hanky. I will try that one.
Before I get into bed I do cover the sheets with Johnsons lavender baby talc, has a similar effect to calm my sense of smell.
Hope everyone is having good days xxx

hi everyone
I have just read this through and I am so sorry you are all suffering
I am 8weeks with my 3rd dc and I am really struggling.
I was terribly sick with first 2 so no surprise i just feel so dreadful...
I am not actually throwing up but I am constantly nauseous, head swimming, hollow tummy, excess saliver and swallowing vomit with every swallow.
God I feel so sorry for myself (sorry)
I have my first GP appointment on wed, is there any chance with my history that they could prescribe anything do you think?
thanks so much x

sofedup they can totally prescribe you something. Unfortunately it seems depend on who the doctor is and their knowledge of hyperemesis / HG. You don't have to be throwing up to need help though - constant nausea is so horrible and wearing. I would just make sure you tell them how much the nausea is interfering with your life / ability to function. Also if you have lost any weight might not hurt to mention that either. I have always been lucky and had very understanding docs who have prescribed right away. Presumably since you're on your 3rd time (so brave!!) you've tried every trick in the book.

Just in case .....some folks find flat coke / flat coke ice cubes can help settle the stomach. Personally I found R Whites lemonade ice lollies v soothing when couldn't get anything else down. This pregnancy I found the saliva a real problem - I know some people spit it out - I sucked on boiled sweets / ice sometimes when it was really bad. Main thing is to try and stay hydrated even if you can't eat anything.

Good luck with the doc!! Take someone with you if you feel you might need moral support / help arguing your case. Did the sickness pass with your first 2 pregnancies? You are probably right at the peak of it now. Everyone on here knows exactly how miserable it can be. Let us know how you get on!

Sorry you are back in hospital glossyflower. I hope your DH is being more supportive now he realises how ill you are (I think hospital can help a bit from this point of view). Are they going to do anything different re: drugs now you've been readmitted? I spent a long time on: cyclizine 3 x a day; metoclopramide 3 x a day; ondansetron 8 mg 3 x a day; ranitidine 150mg 2 x a day. So if you're on anything less than that little lot (!) there are still other things they can try adding in. If you find that even after a while on a drip you still have ketones because you haven't eaten for a long time, then ask them about food replacement drinks. They put me on the ones called 'Ensure' and even though they are a bit grim, and I did throw them up, they definitely made a difference as got some calories in.

Well just back from my midwife appt, have been referred to the hospital at 4.30 due to reduced movements although she listened to the heartbeat which was fine so not overly concerned. She was very unimpressed with my consultant so has put in an extra appt with me next week and is going to come to my house, bless her. She's also told me not to leave without a plan in place when I see the consultant at 40+3 and to push for early induction so an interesting day! On the plus side baby is head down and not breach now which is something.

Glossy sorry to hear you're in hospital again. I hope your DH is being more understanding now. Let me know if you need me to come and beat him with my crutches .

How is everyone else today?

thanks so much for replying.
Funnily enough I feel better today but I made a point of getting out the house to distract myself...
I am just going to be honest and say to GP that I am back to work next week andI will not be able to work unless it is sorted and I want to work!
I will keep posting here if thats ok as you all know what I am going through xx

SO Poor you, welcome, and do stick around, everyone is very supportive on here. I can't really add to what others have said, don't be stoic when you see the GP, emphasize how it's making your life a misery and you won't be able to work without meds. Do ice lollies help or little nibbles of sweet or salty foods? It's so difficult to get anything down, so do watch out that you're getting enough liquids, as you can get dehydrated even when not puking if you can't face drinking much. As this is your third pregnancy with things so bad, I'm sure you don't need that advice from me anyway.
Glossy Oh no! You poor thing, back in hospital. As Kali says it will make your OH realise that you are very ill, you must have been feeling terrible with 4+ ketones. I hope they work out some effective meds for you.
Barmee I'm glad about the heartbeat - and baby engaging so nicely! How is the spd/nausea?
Tay I wish I could advise about blue fingernails - I'm sure I've seen them on people who appeared to be quite healthy, though. How annoying that 'helpful' advice from the nurse must have been! How restrained of you not to make a sarcastic reply.
Wdobbs That is interesting about B6 being the first line of treatment in Australia. How far along are you now?
Kali How nice for baby to have a bi-lingual upbringing. Awful question: do they have slang words for being sick in French, I have always wondered? Could you possibly ask OH? That cinema with waitress service sounds wonderful, and how sweet that OH has been so good.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.
Lucinda
xx

thanks lucinda
I am managing to nibble as I feel hungry if that makes sense? It just crashes like a wave and i just want to curl up and die (so dramatic) you would think I would be used to it...
I am struggling to drink as it all tastes so disgusting. tiny sips of water is all i can stomach. And the watery mouth is awful.
I am just going to insist thy do something tomorrow, what can I do? i know I cannot work and care for 2dcs like this for the next 2months...
Thanks so much for letting me vent and partake in my pity-party! x

morning everyone!
i am so happy, had my docs appointment this morning and i was ready to list all the reasonsshe neededto help me with the sickness... but she straight away said "ok i can prescibe you something" i am so thankful. Its so good to be believed and not dismissed! she gave me Prochlorperazine do fingers crossed... x

SO (the eighteenth century name for being pregnant!) I'm so glad you got something prescribed. . Hopefully now the nausea might be more bearable, but do invest in some kesosticks, though I am sure you know all about them without me saying. Do you find ice lollies or that flat coke or jelly of any use? I used to sip the juice from tinned fruit as any liquid is a bonus, however unhealthy you might normally think it. I'm glad you have joined us, at least on this thread nobody is going to recommend ginger or a biscuit first thing as a solution!
Poor Glossy became so dehydrated without knowing. Glossy are you out, yet? I hope so?
Barmee News? Baby Goldie must be here?
I hope Everyone is OK.
Lucinda
xx

Can i rejoin please

not been here since about march 2011

i now have a 13m old, am 6 and a bit weeks and feel awful

Im sat here in tears as i have no idea how i am going to cope

I know i am likely to get a lot worse before i get any better, and i cant cope with being this.

Been to Dr who wont prescribe me anything yet as i apparently have "normal morning sickness" and not HG yet, so she wont risk my baby by prescribing me something for a condition i dont yet have.... i basically need to dehydrate first, to prove I have HG. (TBH i probably dont even have HG yet, so perhaps i shouldnt even be here at all? sorry)

i havent actually vomitted that much in terms of volume, but i feel so so so poorly and im dreading DD waking up from her nap

yesturday wasnt too bad but today is horrendous and i just dont know what to do

Nannlyl You poor, poor thing, welcome back, I remember you well. I think last time it went at the end of the first tri for you, so let's hope it's only nasty m/s this time. It can be like that, MaryLou242 who was on here maybe eighteen months ago had one Hyperemesis pregnancy, then one with nasty m/s but it didn't spiral into Hyperemesis. As you had it before, I think it's mean of the dr to refuse to prescribe. That's the old fashioned approach, waiting until someone's in such a state they have to go for IV and then prescribing. Now some doctors argue that it's better to catch the sickness early, given how safe these drugs are. Their safety record has been proven repeatedly. Have you got kesosticks from the chemists to monitor your urine in case you get dehydrated? I hope it doesn't get to that, but best to get in some just in case. It might be worth approaching the surgery, trying to get another GP, taking someone with you if necessary to back you up and help you argue your corner about how you need meds to cope with a toddler. Are there any relatives/friends nearby who can help look after our LO? How do you find ice lollies, ice cubes, and sips of flat coke?
Lucinda
xx

Hi Everyone. Nanny welcome back, although in the nicest possible way wish you weren't having to join us!

Lucinda thanks for asking-monitoring went fine yesterday so that's good. SPD is still horrendous and still feeling very sick and having to pick and choose what and when I eat, so just hoping this baby doesn't decide to wait until its actually due, although well aware it's wishful thinking on my part.

So glad you have a sensible GP!

How is everyone else today? Would love to hear news from Goldie.

i know, i was ready to fight my corner and i didnt need to! I have just talen my firat tablet... fingers crossed...