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.

Goodness, it's busy on here! welcome to Hayley and Reastie. Hayley
Poor you, you have really been through it - I think there is a link between pnd and Hyperemesis, when you think about it, it's traumatic and it makes sense. I think MOH mentions it on her website. I am so sorry about your apprehension - it must be terrifying - ( I stopped at one but regret it). Some people do escape, I remember MaryLou242 had it 'only' borderline. Some people have it, but it clears up far earlier, like Nannyl, hers was gone by the textbook twelve weeks for MS. To be in and outof hospital throughout, you must have had it terribly. I have severe migraine too, sympathies about that and I had some awful ones when I had Hypermesis and the GP kept insisting that the Hyperemesis was repeated migraines, a change in the pattern, it was maddening as of course, when I didn't have a migraine the deydration headaches followed on from the worst periods of dehydration. Are yours worse since the Hyperemesis, I am afraid mine are, a lot, though I don't think I am typical, so others shouldn't worry. Do you mind me asking when you did manage to bond with the baby, it must have been truly awful? Everyone seems to recommend pre-emptive meds but gp's don't always oblige. If the sickness kicks in, don't hesitate to make a fuss.
Waves Mother hen predicted he would be back, and I hope he is very guilty but I hope you can work things out as you love him. As Lotta says, the main priority has to be your health at the moment. I am outraged about those meds not being available. I'm glad you are seeing consultant on Thursday. Never tmi on here, can't be by definition, ten days, aagh! That must have hurt. You can get those jelly suppository things which help most people. Kali had to order in a bowel rinsing out thing as a last resort.
Lotta Of course not tmi! I think vit pills make a lot of people on here vomit, you can get the drops, which for some reason don't so much.
Littlemiss How is cough, and other awful symptoms?
Kalidasa Thanks for coming on to give support. I always say you got through it, and you were one of the worst cases on here, so I know others can do it, too, one minute at a time. I hope you are thriving and baby Joseph?
Sorry to anyone rudely ignored.
Lucinda
xx

Flo Poor you, that sounds vile if you'll forgive the rhyme, hugs. It's probably just a temporary glitch, but horrrible.
Lucinda
xx

I thought I would share this with you, based on a short note in pregnancy and birth magazine. I was pretty wound up when I emailed them (basically it said only go to your GP if you are being sick 20-30 times a day, are losing weight and are dehydrated )

My email to P&B magazine:

Hi,

I felt I had to drop you a note re the February issue and the health note on page 14.

I'm actually composing this from my hospital bed, nearly 16 weeks pregnant, and on IV fluids yet again due to Hyperemesis Gravidarium.

I think that it is exceptionally misleading to print "even if you are being sick 5 or 6 times a day, don't worry", and this kind of attitude is what leads to women like me ending up seriously unwell. Due to my HG I was unable to tolerate eating, and consequently the vomiting was not 20 - 30 times a day which your health note implies is a requisite for a HG diagnosis.

By the time a woman with HG goes to the GP suffering weight loss (I'm over half a stone down already) and dehydration, the usual result is hospital admission as dehydration is a life threatening condition, something your note completely ignores.

Far better to consult the GP earlier and get a prescription for simple anti emetics than battle on as I did, and end up hospitalised for days on end.

I'm really hoping that a corner is being turned in my case, this is my 3rd admission and I'm on strong anti emetics and being pumped full of IV fluids, and have actually not vomited today. I do however feel that your note was unhelpful, misleading and potentially dangerous.

Afternoon ladies!!

Go you waves - these bloody people have no understanding of HG and it's so stupid and dangerous to tell people that they only need to worry when they are being sick 20-30 times a day is completely irresponsible If you are so nauseous and ill that you're having a hard time keeping fluids down and so tired, weak and dizzy that you are having a hard time with day to day life, THAT is when you go to dr, not when you are already a dehydrated husk!!! Sorry your meds aren't in yet, and yes, def do lots of lying down. Bed really is the best place when you feel like this. Glad to hear your OH is around a bit but of course you need to focus on yourself at the minute too xx

What did sharni say that got deleted??

flobot - that always happens to me, a few ok days with no vomiting followed by a day or two in a row with loads of bile and just feeling rotten. The good days followed by bad days thing is tough going!

hayley - Gosh that sounds v tough what you went through before and i'm not surprised how nervous you're feeling at the minute. I do find it v tough not being able to look after DS as much as i'd like tough going, i am able to be at home with him (finally! for a few weeks he was always at childminders, MIL's, my mums or DH would need to take time off work) but all i can really do with him is read books or flop in front of tv. No fun mum, going to park, going swimming, even going to shops is beyond me. But i know how lucky i am not to be in hospital and not able to see him all day. Really keeping fx for you that they are able to manage your HG better this time.

Sorry to anyone I've missed out, updating quickly since DS is colouring in beside me and will be wanting to play CBeebies games on laptop soon! Cough still pretty atrocious but out of hours dr gave me good eye drops for my poor blood vessel wrecked eyes and got honey and lemon glycerine out of boots earlier. I have a feeling this might be bronchitis and i'll need an antibiotic but i'm taking DS to gp on thurs morning so i can ask then, and hopefully the syrup will tide me over and stop me wretching as much til then. It's not fun being up the duff in flu season, no it is not!!!

Just a quickie to say hi. Sharni was asking for people to fill in a survey on the nhs and pregnancy. She's posted the same link on loads of the preg boards today. Presumably that's not allowed?

Better day today. That's three whole days without a serious vomit now :) Am still going to take the next 2 weeks off, dr has signed me so I'm going to rest. Can't really do anything still as I start retching when I move but it is so nice to be able to keep my food down! Yay for preemptive medication! 10+4 today.

Hope all well. Will catch up properly later.

belle that sounds like the way to do it:pre emptive meds and two weeks rest. I'm hoping to go back next Monday, but who knows.

Currently dreading booking on appt on Friday as I am ultra wimpy about having blood taken anyway, but with the sickness too..... I'm trying not to thinl about it to be honest.

Also feeling really cold , that normal? I mean I know I've half a stone less fat to keep me warm and I'm not moving much, but Brr!

Just checking in briefly. Will read everything properly later.
But Belle that's great news.
Actually sounds a bit familiar.
I, too, have stopped puking ALL THE TIME... but am having to rest all the time instead. I'm just shattered. Absolutely shattered. And if I get up and do stuff, I get overwhelmingly nauseous. Very frustrating.
Doctor has signed me off til the end of the week, and then it's half term, so am hoping to get back to work again after that. Just trying to rest and rest and rest til then. Not sure how this will work when the kids are at home, but have another day with them in nursery tomorrow, so will rest for another day then.

Fl0bot I, too, am absolutely freezing. Had a bath earlier today, and felt a little better after, but I just can't get warm. I'm wearing so many layers.... Been like this for ages

Just want to say thanks for all the helpful comments re: if HG puts you off future pgs etc. It looks like you've all decided the pain is worth it in the long run. I just don't know if I'm strong enough to do it again - DD is nearly 2 and I'm only just feeling like I'm getting back to myself having had alot of anxiety issues during and post pg because of the HG and its effect on me. Lucinda how do you feel about regretting not having anymore because of the HG?

Hope you're all OK

Reastie Just dashing on to say, yes, I have always regretted not going for it again- too late in the day now, but I put it off, and hummed and ha'd. Daughter has always said she wished she wasn't an only. I had a very high risk of Downs - one in thirty three - that added to the stress at one point, and then was violently ill for a couple of weeks after the birth and this all made me defer it and OH didn't think it was so bad to be an only though he came from a big family.
Waves it is so sweet of you to take up the cudgels when you are ill. Littlemiss too. I so agree. You can be severely dehydrated in less than a day with ten vomits a day - I did a test on myself recently with a bad migaine - as I wasn't pregnant it wasn't serious but I had 3+ ketones after ten vomits in twelve hours despite swallowing water all the time. In someone pregnant that should mean an emergency hospital admission.
Yes, that was just some survey that was deleted, not some 'Troll' saying 'ginger biscuits, everyone, that's all you need!' I actually answered it saying that midwives should be taught more about Hyperemesis, but I gather my reply will be deleted too.
Crikee I am glad no puking but the nausea can be so wearing.
Belle Great advice.
Lucinda
xx

I love how everyone shares their experiences on here it really is a godsend.

LucindaE - My migraines were really bad with the HG, I had to be in private rooms in the hospital because I kept getting them and the drip they always put me on has a machine attached to it that makes sure you get the correct amount of fluids and it makes a whirring noise every single second and if I had a migraine that noise just made it so much worse. The vomiting would get so much worse too which would make me stay in hospital for longer, but the vomiting was due to my migraines as well as HG. I am just NOT meant for making babies! Bonding with my baby girl was tough but I finally managed it properly after 2 years, as awful as that sounds, I did everything I was supposed to I treated her exactly the same as my eldest but inside i didn't feel right, thats what happens with undiagnosed PND I guess. She had severe colic which just made me want to be out of the house as much as possible so I worked in the office all day everyday mon-fri and then I worked in a pub in the evenings and weekends, being at home felt like a chore. I am back in a little family bubble now though and everything is a million times better. I will always make sure I go to the doctor if I feel that way again. I am still on the medication now but as long as it keeps me sane i'll keep taking it!

LittleMissSnowShine - Having HG with the pressure of looking after a little one is so difficult. I remember walking my little one to nursery and having to keep stopping on the way back to be sick. I remember her coming into me every morning with the sick bowl and asking me if i needed it and if i would be getting up today. Also there was the pressure of having to let work down all the time, made me feel guilty all the time. I really really hope that you feel better soon. This pg has happened at a really bad time for me, I was working in Payroll for the NHS, been there forever and I'd just handed my notice in as I'd been offered a new job training to be a nurse at the hospital which i was supposed to start monday but I know the HG is going to take hold and I know how badly this will affect the girls if I am not home so I called my new manager and explained my situation as I will be off sick all the time and then going on maternity leave in 8 months, it was not fair so I decided not to take the job, so I am now jobless for the first time ever in my life yet I feel that without this extra stress I can devote more time to the kids and to tackling this HG when it kicks in.

I think it is so difficult for us HG sufferers, it means if we want more children then we have to think about the pain and trauma this illness puts us through. I even thought about adopting at one point....

I hope everybody is feeling ok and I hope you all find what works for you. I know in America they are doing a lot of work on trying to find the right cure for this. In my last pg I had a HG research group from America call me a few times and I kept a diary for them to help them with their research. I just wish they'd find it soon!!!!

Thanks for all the info hayley and for sharing your story. It's really hard to talk about the bonding side I find. I am trying to be as honest as I can be with the GP/HV etc and when I saw the GP last week she thanked me for coming in because she said it's so important to try to tackle it as early as possible. I know 10 weeks (actually 11 tomorrow) is relatively early days but I do feel I am struggling with the bonding. I am really longing to go back to work and feel this stage would be much less difficult if I hadn't been off work almost continuously for nearly a year already. Just desperately want to feel a bit like myself again!

I too am wrestling with the question of whether to consider having another. I had never wanted only one - when I was younger I wanted loads, though more realistically I think two is the limit if you want to keep up with my career. I know my DH would really like another one. The thought of being pregnant again is just so horrendous. On the other hand, I feel like it will just hang over me as long as we haven't ruled it out, so maybe it would be better to go for it relatively soon and at least I would know every day that this really was the last time. I would definitely look into sterilisation afterwards. I had looked forward to being pregnant for so long but now it is pretty much the thing I am most afraid of! Which seems really sad. I worried about it all through the pregnancy too, whether I would be able to face doing it again. The only positive I can see is that we would know what we were in for, and would be able to take some steps to prepare in terms of childcare/help at home etc.

Hi Kalidasa - Yes it is extremely hard to talk about the bonding side. It's crazy that you are so affected by HG for so long even after the pg. Your under the impression from others that you have a baby and it all comes naturally, I was one of those people, after my first which I bonded with really well I just thought it would easily sort itself out after having the 2nd. You just have to be honest with the HV and GP and see if they can offer you some support. I know it is early days but if it doesn't get any better you need to persist. I had CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) which changed the way I was thinking. I was so concerned with not becoming just 'mummy' that i went ott on being just 'Hayley', I suddenly wanted to be young and carefree again. Everyone noticed i had changed, i thought it was normal. I know you are desperate to feel yourself again, it is normal to feel that way but try and spend as much time with your little one as you can at this stage. Is your little one good? Does he/she sleep through?

My second baby was by accident but once she was there I felt I had to put myself through it again as I had done it with the first. I kept getting told in the hospital by every doctor 'no-one would judge you if you put your health first' etc. I just had to do it though as she was already there inside me. Same with this pg, just waiting for sterilisation and another accident...

I was told by nearly every health proffessional i spoke to that I would not get HG again or as bad as every pg is different, but I had it a lot worse second time round. My advice to you would be to think a lot about it before doing it again and just make sure you have enough support as possible beforehand and even if you find out when you are 2 weeks pg, make everyone in your family and support network aware as they will all need to help, especially with little one.

It is sad that it is the thing that we are all so petrified of yet being pregnant should be the most beautiful, natural thing in the world :(

I know, hayley - I've just had to text my boss to say I'm going to be off again today. Bad cold is, I suspect, more like bronchitis, me and DS both miserable, he threw up at 2am from coughing so much, and I've been wretching and throwing up for the last hour. Can't risk that in work, long run from my office to bathroom and it is like a monsoon out there which I can't imagine will do my chest much good. TBH if it wasn't for the throwing up and HG exhaustion I'd prob battle through it and go in anyway cos I have a lot on but any illness combined with HG just lays you on your back

Also a bit at drs telling you 'no-one would judge you if you put your health first' but i think that's just because we would never be offered that in NI, they'd only consider terminating a pregnancy if your life actually hung in the balance. In some ways that's quite scary too tho when you have HG cos you have no way out...except 9 months later!!

Lucinda - I'm sorry this has been a regret for you but of course HG is really very traumatic and it's not unusual for ladies not to want to risk it again, it's just a shame you didn't have time on your side. You have your DD tho, which is fantastic, and I have a few friends who are onlys and they have all turned out absolutely fine, girls always end up with best friends who become like sisters to them.

Going back to moping in bed now, can't see GP til tomorrow morning, was hoping to avoid an antibiotic but cough syrups and inhaling steam are doing nothing to help chest so think it'll have to be amoxicilin or something. Bah.

so hee my problem ..... I havnt poo'd in 2 weeks well once only rabbit droppings (sorry for TMI ) are there any laxatives i can take as eating the correct things is not an option as i have HG and can barely keep food down .. but i am starting to be able to keep a little of certain foods down which suggests there is something in there to come out ..... so to speak ?

Also i am beginning to start wondering how i go for my 12 wk scan as i cant keep down any liquid in the day either ??

Gah. Have vertigo and dr has put me on antibiotics as thinks I have an infection. Husband is having a meltdown as off looking after poorly toddler. Really fed up.

Can't think of anything helpful to say to the above two posters.... (so can we imagine that I did??)- actually rockyroad- have you tried any dried fruit like figs/ prunes/ apricots? I've been eating what they call "soft" apricots (not quite dried) as they go down ok, and they've worked wonders for my previously very constipated middle!

Today my mum is here doing a little housework guilty feeling which is most excellent. I don't know about any of you, but washing up is currently either ok or awful. I stupidly bought rubber gloves that are a bit too small, and if I need to get them off in a hurry because the smell has made me feel vomity, I get all panicked and sweaty and horrible :(

The second mum went into the downstairs loo earlier I suddenly started retching and had to run upstairs! She felt very guilty as she heard me, and it's taken me ages to recover from the running! I have pretty low (but ok) blood pressure anyway, and now at 8+3 I guess there's more blood going to my uterus than there used to be so my blood pressure feels really low :(

Bit stressed about my booking in appt on friday as (I think I mentioned before) I'm shocking at getting my blood taken (usually crying and other pathetic things). I'd just about previously geared myself up for blood being taken, but with the sickness et al- I doubt I will be able to stay conscious. I know they take a decent amount of blood too- I am not ready for this.

Also, on the subject of more DC- I had always said "small family pls!" and only planned 1-2. I am very seriously considering adoption for DC2 if it happens, and would like to adopt a baby if possible (I know it's hard). Sounds very rash but I'd always said if I couldn't have kids, I would happily adopt!

Lotta - Sorry about the vertigo, nausea and vertigo would not be a good mix, hope you get some rest and are feeling better soon

rocky - fluid intake is important too, make sure you're getting enough water / juice / fruit tea to drink. If the HG is bad you probably just need to sip continually rather than drink big glasses of it down but it should help a bit

flobot - try not to worry too much about booking appt - just tell them how squeamish you are about needles plus nausea and they will make sure to have a glass of water on stand by and let you just close your eyes when it's happening. Closing my eyes helped for me - out of sight, out of mind!!!

I'm wretching my face off today too, this chest infection thing is not much bloody fun!!

I need a good lie down when I have my bloods done and about 20 minutes before I can stand up without fainting! Pathetic!

I'm starting to think I have the flu, shaking all over and throwing up all day. This is awful, I'm really worried about it - wish I'd had the flu vaccine but I was planning to have it done next week. Too late now!!! Out of hours dr surgery is 5 mins drive tho and they open at 6 so just hoping to hang on til then. Not sure if they can give me anything or not but DS is the same and with him being 2 and me being pg we're fairly high risk categories so feel like we're going to need checked out. :( :( :(

Good luck with bloods flo, just explain to them how woozy you get and I'm sure they will be v patient and find somewhere for you to rest afterwards xx

Hey ladies

Well, I'm in bed and I think I'll be here for the rest of the day. We finally got the keys to the new house today, and I stupidly went over in the car with DH and DMil so I could be there when we all crossed the threshold together. It's 2 streets away. It nearly killed me. :(

And now the house is empty and we could see the extent of the damp (which we were aware of - but couldn't really see when the vendors stuff was in it) DH had a massive What Have We Done moment. It doesn't look nearly as nice now they've emptied it, of course, but he's got no imagination and I fully expected him to do that. It needs a bit of love, alright. But it was a bargain and is on the doorstep, literally, of the best primary in the area.

Hope you're all doing ok today. I'm just so wiped out. I weighed myself this morning and I've lost 7lb in the last 2 weeks :(

Who was asking about second pregnancies: I'm on my second (and last). Going into I I knew it could be bad again but I'm actually faring slightly better this time around. I have better care, got on meds quick, and signed myself straight off work as soon as it got too much. This has all helped dramatically. It's also slightly easier to cope with as its not so unexpected. Also, it helps looking at ds and how beautiful he is, reminds me why I'm doing it again.

Getting sterilised after this, mind you

Sorry to hear of people feeling so rubbish, hats off to you. It was me asking about more DC. I'm still undecided, I feel so selfish for saying it but I don't know if I can go through that again even if it means having another DC to love forever more. I'm happy with one DC but I can't help but think DD might miss out from being on her own and it's unfair on her when DH and I are old and she has to care for us on her own with no brothers and sisters to help the burden. I sound selfish but I'm so overprotective of her as she's so precious I worry alot about what if anything happened to her. I know all parents worry about this, and this will come out all wrong, but at least when you have more than one you still have a DC left, if anything should happen to DD I'd have no DC .

Right, I'm having some Kate Rage and I need to vent it. I know this is uncharitable and not very sisterhood and all that but I'm all grr and I just need to let it out.

God her Hg doesn't look much like mine And I'd like to feel bad for her that her photos got taken. I kind of do: pregnancy is private and I would be gutted if someone put photos on fb or something without my permission. But she looks so looooooveeleeee and I looook liiiike craaap. And I'm in bed, losing weight and my hair (again) and she's in Mustique. I'd literally kill to be on a beach right now and for my only concern to be did someone take a photo of me. It's not fair

What effing magical medication have they got her on anyway that cured her hg in a matter of days? And why can't I have some??

Please tell me I'm being an unreasonable nutter. Those photos made me all weepy :( jealous much