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.

Hi everyone,
I'm a newbie - hope you don't mind me crashing into your discussion! I'm 14+3, first pregnancy, and have been vomiting / off work / more or less bed and sofa bound since I was 5 weeks. I had thought I was doing OK but have got really fed up in the last week or so. Went to the midwife last week and still had 4+ ketones despite me having convinced myself I was improving (wishful thinking!) I think I was holding onto the idea that this was all going to go away once I got to 12 weeks and now I'm past that milestone it seems like it might never end... What's your experience of when it improves / how much it improves? All the other online advice seems very geared to 'normal' NVP and not really that relevant.
Thanks!

Phillipians Welcome, of course you aren't crashing, this is for people just in your position. I suffered myself years back, but I well remember the nightmare. Most people in answer to your query find it eases a lot sometime between fourteen to twenty weeks. Sadly, some suffer throghout, Kali being one, and Barmee who's just had her baby being another, but al,,ost nobody finds it as bad later on as in the first pat, when its a struggle to keep out of hospital and this can easily go on until long long past the 'normal' date for MS to end. Mine lifted at nearly fifteen weeks, but Acupunture had made it a lot better already. Mind you, not eveyrone finds it helps them as it did me. Don't despair, it will get better. As you had such high ketones, it must have been IV for you. Did the midwife recommend kesosticks, available from any chemist, which will help you monitor your urine to make sure you're not getting too dehydratged? How are you finding sips of flat coke and ice cubes or flat coke or jelly? What meds have you been on?
Kali Really sorry you feel so bad. Thank goodness baby's getting ready! I hope the sickness isn't too violent (looks anxious)?
Lucinda
xx

Hello all. Had a "show" this morning I think - big blob of jelly stuff and still losing some. Realise it could still be weeks but a good sign surely? Feel generally a bit weird and vaguely achey (and sick, obviously!) but no idea if anything is really happening. DP has gone out for a walk but I think when he gets back I'll insist that we finally pack the hospital bag, just in case!

phillipians it's all a bit vague now but as I remember the first stage of improvement for me was at about 16 weeks, though I was almost entirely in bed till around 20 and threw up every day without fail till about 25 or 26. For me it was a very gradual process with the odd fractionally better day giving me hope and then getting depressed when I slid back again. Try to cling to any tiny improvement - even if it's just a couple of hours when you feel well enough to sit up rather than lie down - as evidence that things will eventually get better.

Lucinda - thanks for warm welcome and the reassurance that it will (hopefully, hopefully) improve in the next few weeks. I'll try and think positive...
The GP advised ketosticks last week, and so I have got some now. I hadn't actually seen the GP for 8 weeks, as every time I asked for an appointment they just gave me a phone appt instead and I was too weak and ill to bother to argue - DH had to get assertive on my behalf this time .

Drugs-wise, I don't think the GPs realised how ill I was, so they kept saying to only take things if I absolutely needed them and I was really aware of first trimester / no guarantees of it being safe etc. I tried cyclizine a few times, but it didn't seem to help (though to be honest, by the time I tried it it might have been a bit late). I went for IV fluids the first time about 3 weeks ago after I kept no fluids down for >48 hrs and started getting drowsy (eek!) and they gave me buccastem on discharge. Since I saw the midwife and had all the ketones I have relaxed a bit and been using them more regularly, which has seemed to help, though it does wax and wane anyway so it's hard to know.

I haven't tried flat coke - will give it a go. Lucozade is OK sometimes, and when I feel a bit better, tinned peaches .

All the best to Kali - so close now!
xx

philiipians in my experience all the drugs work much better if you take them consistently, as they are most effective when they've had a chance to build up. So don't stint on them! You are past the first trimester now anyway. Good luck.

Kali fingers crossed that it means your body is getting ready and it won't be long before you join those of us who have made it to the pink castle. Will be waiting to welcome you!

Sorry to hear so many suffering still. Don't worry about taking the meds-I was on ondansetron, cyclizine throughout and added ranitidine and several others into the mix by the end. They haven't had any ill effects on baby at all.

Lucinda I want to say a big thank you to you for all your support during the horror that has been HG - everyone has been amazing but you especially are always there to raise people's spirits, dole out encouragement and virtual hugs and it is very, very much appreciated. Thank you. xx

Kali - thank you for the advice, I will try regular for a bit and see what happens. Sounds like you've had a really tough time. Very exciting re: the baby bag though... Hoping this is it for you and that soon you have a gorgeous baby and no more sickness :)

I have had a slightly better week this week - some sitting up for a few hours at a time and more days where I've been eating, so am crossing my fingers and toes that I'm going to be one of the lucky ones and it's the beginning of the end. I guess if it's not, there's no point thinking too far ahead anyway. It's kind of a relief to find out others are the same... I go in fazes where I start thinking I'm being lazy and try and pull my socks up, although I then end up paying for any activity with a very difficult few days. I made my husband read the posts too, as I feel so guilty sending him up and down stairs all the time for my every whim!
x

Barmee Thank you for that lovely message, I am so glad that this thread has been useful to you during that nightmare obstacle race that was your pregnancy (and done partly on crutches, too). Hope you and baby are thriving now? You have always been so stoic and ready to encourage everyone else.
Phillipianes I'm shocked that you were put off for eight weeks - that is a horror story. If someone with Hyperemesis isn't ill enough to see a doctor - who is? I am so glad OH got tough with them. I so agree with the others about how you must take those meds. They've been used countless times without any bad effect on the baby, while becoming dehydrated is risky for you both.
I loved Lucozade but some find it too acid. I so agree about juice from tinned fruit, that really seemed soothing. The ironical thing is that totally unhealthy things, sweet and salty foods, seem to help, as with the sips of flat coke and nibbles of crisps. I think pushing yourself too hard is always a temptation - then one has a relapse. Glad you showed OH this thread - I bet he was horrified if he saw my reminiscing about that splattered wardrobe, producing foam like someone suffering from demonic possession, etc!
Kali I hope a bit better today? My goodness, you have had to do an unwilling, prolonged intensive study of Hyperemesis, treatment, medications, side effects and the only good thing is that now you are an expert. I think you may have had ketones off the scale, too?
Kate Bonnie and Nannyl Pinapple and Everyone I hope OK?
Lucinda
xx

Just saw Kali's message about the 'show' and so popping on to say I really hope that this is it and the end is in very close sight! Really good luck.

Phillipians, I am an ex-sufferer - this time last year I was overdue and waiting impatiently for DS to be born. I really second Kali's advice about taking your meds regularly. Some good advice I got on here was to always take the cyclizine at the same times every day, taking the first pill of the day in bed and waiting about 30 mins for it to kick in before slowly trying to get up. Cyclizine does seem to bring on drowsiness and that zombie-like feeling, but if you stick with it that does lift to some extent. It is a very, very safe drug (see the link to the pregnancy sickness website above for loads of info on meds). It sounds like you've not had the best medical advice and treatment - a common problem for women suffering from HG it seems. Really hope you start to feel better soon.

Waves to Lucinda!

MOP Lovely to hear from you with that excellent advice, as ever.
Oooh, exciting about Kali'sshow. Can this be it? Good luck, Kali, thinking of you!
Hope Everyone is coping today.
Lucinda
xx

Hi
I wonder if you can help me!?
With my dd I think I was slimmer when I have birth compared to pre pregnancy as I had horrendous morning sickness.

Seven weeks yesterday and the ms has been around for at least a weej but its stepped up a notch! i cant eat, retch all the time and feel utterly miserable. I lnow some of you have been worse than this but i was wondering if it sounds loke the start of hg and if its worth me speaking to the midwife about anti sickness stuff!?

Thanks

Definitely worth asking firsttimemummy - there's some evidence that starting drugs before the sickness gets too bad can stop it escalating.

Well, I'm not sure whether anything is happening for me. After losing the jelly plug stuff on Saturday and feeling a bit weird over the weekend, today I have definite period like cramps. They've been going since mid-morning, getting gradually worse but I don't think they really count as contractions yet - it's more of a constant crampy feeling which gets better and worse every few minutes but doesn't go away completely (or get very bad even at the peak). So I'm not really sure whether that counts! But at least it seems like something is happening. DP is at work but should be home about 7.30. Not planning to summon him early unless things really step up!

Firsttime Welcome, sorry you feel so awful. Definitely ask for help and do check your urine to make sure your not getting dehydrated, as it's so difficult to take in liquids if you're feeling sick al the time. Do sips of coke, flat, ice lollies, jelly, nibbles of crisps help at all?
Kali This could be it because at first it is just like period pains. best of luck!
As you've been through so much, labour will seem easy comped to full blown Hypereemesis.
Hugs to both, and all.
Lucinda
xx

Eeek Kali - hope all goes well. I agree my pregnancy last time was so awful Gavin my dd was the easy part!

Thank you - Yes coke seems to be doable. Last time I could do crisps but not this time! I've managed a chicken sandwich that I was actually craving and a few mouthfuls of cereal this morning!

It's the constant retching - I think rather be sick and get it over and done with

I can't stand the smell of my kitchen no matter how much I clean it and dog food!!

I have had a weekend from hell with being sick 8+ times per day. Today I went to my GP for a follow up appointment and she gave me some anti-sickness tablets. I could have kissed her! Instead I went to my car and sobbed with relief.

I took one and managed to school run without the world moving, feeling dizzy or trying to hold in the vomit. Instead I was just queasy

I can't begin to tell you how brilliant I feel. I've managed a bath, got ds bathed and in his pjs and not retched once.

I am only 8 wks so it's early days but I can't get over the difference that one tablet has made!

Hi everyone. I just wanted to pop by and say hi to all the new people, sending everyone good wishes and big hugs.
I'm now 18 weeks, and can finally eat properly again (and enjoy it!) I'm still on my meds as still have bad days but now aiming to get back to work once I get a bit stronger.
You ladies here definitely gave me more hope and encouragement to get through it. I'm sure I haven't completely got rid of hyperemesis but its nice to feel like the old me again after nearly three months xxx

Cupcake Welcome, my goodness, it's wonderful that the meds have worked so well for you, and long may it keep that way.
Glossy So nice to hear from you, and thanks for such a lovely encouraging post, and I am so glad you are actually eating again, and luxuries like that and enjoying pregnancy...So glad no more hateful hospitalisations for you!
FirstPoor you about the retching, it is miserable, and I so agree actually being sick is in some ways preferable. As it's your second fun run in with Hyperemesis (lol about name!) you don't need me to advise you about getting some kestosticks to check on urine, etc. Sorry crisps are no good this time round, but glad about chicken sandwich. I so agree about coke being a life saver.
I wonder if Kali has had her baby?
Lucinda
xx

Just popping on to say good luck to Kali sounds like things are really getting going! Exciting! :)

Keeping everything crossed for you Kali - it definitely sounds like baby is ready to make his appearance. Good luck - hope all goes well.

Firsttimemummy - definitely speak to your GP asap. I started cyclizine early at about 7 weeks after puking 6-7 times in the afternoon/evening every day. You really do need to take it regularly but I'm sure taking it early prevented the sickness escalating and kept me out of hospital. It wasn't a miracle worker. I still felt horribly nauseous and was sick at least once in the evening and spent a lot of time in bed too spaced out to do anything other than the essentials (so maybe seek advice from the others as to alternative medication) but I did escape serious dehydration and hospital.

Not doing so well here. Really wasn't prepared for the sickness to be coming back again. (Sorry to all of you in the early stages, I don't think this happens to everyone.) Am 33+4 and puking daily again and with little warning - not great with PGP as I can't move quickly to get to the loo in time. There is no pattern to it either and it just seems to randomly hit at odd times of the day and night catching me completely unaware. I could also sleep for England and that is not drug induced this time. Is there any point in me going back to GP or this something I need to stick out now? Dare I ask if it is likely to get worse? Not sure I want to know the answer just in case it is yes, but forewarned is forearmed so they say. Maybe time to stock up on large ziplock bags again?

Any tips on coping with DD poo time? She can't manage to wipe herself properly yet and the smell just gets to me. I'm getting her to flush before I go near the bathroom and going armed with olbas oil on a tissue to breathe but its the sight as much as the smell that gets me puking. (Followed by shouts of 'mummy, stop, I don't like it' and DD generally losing the plot.)

Have managed to sort DH out by getting him to read all about the 3rd trimester. He's much more sympathetic and helpful now which is making a huge difference.

Can't wait to hear Kali's news - I'm beginning to dream of that pink castle!

Hello all, still here! Had a really promising 24 hours of gradually worsening period-like cramps but then it all ground to a bit of a halt this morning. SPD has also got markedly worse (didn't think it was possible!) which I'm pretty sure is because the baby's whole head is now right behind my pubic bone. On the plus side, after a v. gentle day today I feel quite well this evening, miraculously not too sick and even quite hungry with a sudden strange craving for KFC! (DP is picking some up on the way back from work.) I felt oddly well at the weekend as well before the pains kicked off yesterday so perhaps they'll be back!

pineapple I started throwing up again at about 30 weeks (having only stopped at about 26) and was also v. fed up about it. It did get gradually worse and I have had a few really awful days in the last few weeks stuck entirely in bed when I thought I'd end up back in hospital but actually it hasn't happened and it has remained manageable and never got as bad as the first months again. I also worried about not eating enough for the baby because of the constant nausea but all the growth scans were fine so try not to worry about that.

kali really hope this is the end for you and baby makes an appearance v v soon. Hope you really enjoyed your KFC too

pineapple I had / have the same problem with DD wiping herself. Did all the same things you are already. You probably already have them but those flushable wipes are really good - with those DD can get rid of the worst herself and flush then I 'check' afterwards. Also I have found (if you can stand it) sucking a polo mint or something similar helps block the smell. Hope that helps

Kali O h no, what a disappointment, but glad you're not feeling too bad. Keeping fingers crossed it happens soon. Cyber hugs if requiired!
Pinapple That sounds awful, hugs. I have always wondered however people cope with that with hyperemesis. For sure, she won't be scarred by the experience, but it's awful for you at the moment Tay's advice sounds excellent. I've only known one women have to go back in so late on, but to ensure you're not the second I think it is sadly best to have to go back to old med regime to pre-empt things getting too bad?? I'm glad DH is being more sympathetic.
Tay and Wasngo Lovely to hear from you both.
Lucinda
xx

Well contractions came back today, more definitely contractions this time, but very infrequent, only about once an hour. So it's going to be a long haul I think! I feel good though, very relaxed (sure it's completely hormonal!), totally crippled with my pelvis but the sickness is not too bad compared to the rest of the pregnancy and I'm eating OK though craving loads of junk - Coke and chocolate and things! My mother reckons my body is stocking up on calories in preparation for labour. I'm sure I'll get fed up if this stage lasts for weeks but for now I feel pretty zen . . .

Hope everyone else is surviving.

Kali Wonderful that the sickness is better than it's been...Stock up on the coke!
Bonnie Kate and Everyone I hope OK? Panapple I so feel for you over that bowel training!
Lucinda
xx

Hi
Kali hope you are ok?
I've not been able to drink much since Monday eve and just been to dr. I've got a water infection but he also suggested admitting me for an iv drip . Have you had this? Did it make you feel better?
I am suppose to be helping at guide camp this weekend but feel awful!
I've refused for a minute but wondering if I should have just gone in to feel better.
I can sort of eat- I just can't drink. And there are no keytones which is a good thing.
Argh just feel so wretched!