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.

[hopeful92]

Reebok So sorry to hear you're feeling so terrible, hg is cruel :( I know what you mean about the horrible taste, and I miss being able to enjoy food. I'm a bit of a "foodie" and really enjoy cooking and trying new foods, experimenting with new tastes and stuff, so it's pretty rubbish not being able to eat and enjoy anything. And not being able to "chug" water is a nightmare - especially when you are so so thirsty and all you want to do is down a pint of water, yet all you can manage is a measly sip, it's pretty frustrating!

I'm 21 weeks tomorrow, and the sickness is getting a bit better because of the medication (Cyclizine) but the nausea is still pretty bad. I'm still awaiting"glowing" stage everyone harks on about... Was told it would appear in my 2nd trimester, that was nearly 8 weeks ago! Felt a bit better since coming out of hospital, but still not quite human.

Sorry, I always feel like I'm being a right whinging cow everytime I have a rant in here.

Fingers crossed we all find some relief soon, and you poor lot aren't still suffering at 21 weeks! Wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy!

[Reebok]

Thanks hopeful. I'm pretty annoyed at my gp. Wouldn't give another sick note over the phone and has asked me to come in to surgery in 45 minutes. It's bad enough I feel rubbish and am expected to leave my house just to be signed off. He saw me a week ago and I clearly wasn't exaggerating then! Stupid men!!

[hopeful92]

Eugh, doctors are really peeing me off at the moment, you shouldn't be expected to go down to the surgery when you're feeling so rubbish. No one seems to have had much luck with GPs.

[Reebok]

I hate that gp! He rushes appointments, is convinced no drug is safe in preg and refuses to prescribe me anything new. The other gp is away and would have prescribed me omneprozole or whatever it's called but this stupid man wont although I showed him to the printed out information the other doc gave me last time. So frustrating! Has signed me off for another 2 weeks.

[LucindaE]

Reebok Indignant thoughts about that GP . I don't see why he has to see you if he only saw you a week ago. I suppose in a way it is the body reacting as though poisoned.
Hopeful Are you somehow managing to go to work still? I find that astounding. Ghoulelocks on this thread just weeks ago developed Hyperemesis late on, was made to go into work (teaching) to qualify for ml and then went into labour at school. I thought it barbaric!
Family I've just realised you had a dr's appointment already - silly me - how did it go? [mutters about the value of kesosticks, ice lollies, etc).
Rooom How are things? Littlemiss and Everyone?
Lucinda
xx

[Reebok]

I want to die! Vomited 4 times today so it's gone back up again from twice a day. Everything tastes and looks disgusting. At least before I could stomach ice lollies. Now I can't bare to look at them. On top of it, DH came home knackered so he's already in bed...I want to kick him out. I was starting to come to terms with the his smell and could cope but for the past 2 nights and now, his breath is making me want to puke!! I can't stand it!

[RoomForALittleOne]

Oh, Reebok, I feel your pain. It's just not fair getting worse after getting a bit better.

Lucinda, I'm not great but not awful either. I'm trying to cope with stemetil as GP is reluctant to keep paying for ondansetron. I'll argue my case if it doesn't work though. I am very tired today and still have another day to cope with before I get to my two child free mornings. I do seem to be much better when I can just sleep whenever I want to.

[hopeful92]

Lucinda Yeah, still working - in Greggs of all places, the smell of pies makes me want to die sometimes! Taken off a couple of weeks - one when I had the most horrific 4 day migraine that I couldn't lift my head and one week when I was in hospital, but I came out on the Sunday and was back the following Thursday lol. To be honest, the only reason is because I am not contracted enough hours to get reasonable sick pay, and really cannot afford not to have the pennies coming in at the moment. It's bloody hard work, but I only work 3 or 4 days a week so battling on through :) Besides, been this sick since 4 weeks, that was 17 weeks ago! Think my boss would have had a heart attack if I'd had that long off!

[hopeful92]

This is also what makes it even more irritating, because I have had people say "Well you can't have hypremesis if you have been going to work" Well yes actually, I have passed out 4 times at work from being poorly, and literally felt like death, Only had 4 hour and 6 hour shifts, and ran to the toilet every 10-20 minutes to be sick. Fun stuff! But to be honest, I'm done giving a crap about anyone's opinions on the matter any more! (That wasn't aimed at you lot by the way, it's people I work, live nd socialise with). xx

[LucindaE]

Reebok You poor, poor thing, offeirng gentle cyber pats, if it's that frequent, might the dr not change meds, as these are obviously not working, which ones did you say you are on?
I so know what you mean about the smell of OH's. I used to be right over on the the other side of the bed, holding a lavender sachet to my nose, but not everyone can stand lavender. Annoying of him to go to bed as if he is allowed to have any bad days! That's how I felt, too. He can't be feeling as bad as you for sure.
Room I'm glad you feel combatative about getting ondansetron. It can be so hard to fight your corner when feeling ill. Congratulations on being up and coping with two kids, my goodness...
Glances about anxiously, mutters about kesosticks, and leaves.
Lucinda
xx

[Reebok]

Thanks guys. Lucinda, I'm on cyclizine and metroclopramide...seems to make me feel worse so have cut down on the second pill mentioned. My doc refuses to give anything else. I've given him the information which shows which meds are ok in pregnancy and have been used by 100s of women. Says I'm free to go to another gp but unfortunately there are no hG friendly docs on my area so I will have to simply battle on and suffer.

Hopeful, I don't know how you do it! Hard enough to go into the kitchen.
Room, glad you feel a bit better. Here's hoping you will feel completely human and hG free soon!

[hopeful92]

Reebok Trust me, some days I have gone in and wanted to turn around and leave. Got sent home one day, my boss was like "what good are you to me when you're in the bathroom all day just go home". I wouldn't have minded, but she said it in such a way that was quite abrupt! Then again, she doesn't have children so has never had to be at work whilst pregnant. Working with ovens is really bad, the heat has made me pass out before. I put the air conditioning on full then other staff members whinge that they are cold - go put your jumper on!! We get provided with jumpers as part of our uniform, it's not my fault you refuse to wear it. Not fair :(

Room Hope you're completely hg free soon, glad to hear you are feeling a little better - it's a bit of a journey this hg business!

Lucinda I'm with you on the smell of OH, it doesn't help that he breaks wind in his sleep, disgusting man... Lol. I'm finding things like that oh so irritating at the moment, normally if he burped I would laugh it off, whereas at the moment it's enough to make me want to physically strangle him..... Slightly worried I will be writing to you lovely ladies from prison haha.

Hope everyone is having a good day. I've managed some pasta on its own for lunch - nice carb hit! Hit the scales this morning, the total weight loss since getting pregnant is now 2 stone 4lbs! I was overweight (healthy but overweight) to start with, so it's not such a terrible thing :)

[Reebok]

Hopeful, your boss doesn't sound very nice. Unfortunately even women who have been pregnant don't understand hG unless they've experiences it eg my boss. Oh I managed to buy some rennie today so hoping it will work on the acid indigestion and help me feel slightly better. Glad you've managed to eat something substantial. Unfortunately I'm still stuck on toast and starburst now to get rid of that horrible taste in my mouth!

[hopeful92]

That taste you're on about is just disgusting! Every time I eat something, or even if I don't, I'm left with a horrible, sour, bitter taste that won't shift no matter how many times I brush my teeth, use mouth wash, floss, chew gum etc. It's so annoying!

And Reebok you're right, my boss isn't very nice! Luckily my assistant manager had hg (she didn't know it was hg at the time as it wasn't as widely known about when she had her children 17 years ago) and so she understands how I feel. She had it the entire pregnancy, and has that lovely "motherly" nature about her so looks after me :) she's wht got me through those worst days at work to be honest!

[Reebok]

That's lucky you have some support Hopeful.

For those of you who have experienced hG more than once, when it stopped for you, did it suddenly just stop? Like a light being turned on...or was it gradual?

[Nomorevom]

Reebok I am on my third hg pregnancy ( 10 weeks now) and I was still on medication until I gave birth even had an anti emetic injection while in labour.

With dd1 (who is 9) i was sick 60 times a day and doctor was very unsympathetic, I lost over three stone and was signed off work for nearly the whole of my pregnancy. My doctor would only give me metroclopramide (doesn't work for me at all)

Dd2 (2 next week) I was in hospital on a drip by ten weeks as even my own spit was making me sick and really high ketones. I was on cyclizine and stemetil (3 of each a day ) and just about survived by doing as little as possible. Poor dh was doing a 12 hour day, sometimes more, and then coming home and running the house.

With this pregnancy I went to the gp with a list of what I wanted , cyclizine 50mg 3 times a day, stemetil 10mg 2 times a day, b6 10 mg 4 times a day and ranitidine 150mg 1 in the morning 1 at night.

Gp didn't argue just gave me the prescriptions, it's was Xmas eve and I had to go to the surgery by bus without an appointment because no was answering the phones, had both dds with me and was ready for a fight because I'd had enough.

Touch wood I have my bad days but no where near as bad. The ranitidine has been a life saver as the indigestion just makes the nausea and sickness twice as bad.

It might be best if you take someone with you when you see the gp as they can tell him how bad you are. Hg takes over the whole of your body and its hard to put one foot in front of the other somedays never mind argue with a bloody unsympathetic gp.

I know it's really bad now but let yourself have a cry and get mad.

[hopeful92]

Nomorevom I really understand where you're coming from with the unsympathetic GP. I went to mine at 9 weeks as I was starting to not be able to even keep liquids down, and he basically told me to "eat ice pops and ginger biscuits" i was just my body 'getting used to being pregnant' Went to 3 different doctors and was told the same thing by all of them, just sent away and told to get on with it basically. One even asked if I planned the pregnancy and then had the cheek to say "Well you wanted to get pregnant..."!!!. Midwife wasn't much more helpful to be honest, but was slightly more sympathetic.

I was being told that it was normal to have sickness and that I was making a big deal and I was believing this because it is my first pregnancy, and I didn't know what to expect or how it felt. At 17 and a half weeks I finally decided enough was enough as I was practically a zombie, and couldn't keep water down, even my own spit was making me gag. I rang the out of hours and they sent me to A&E who rushed me to the bigger hospital 20 mins away with severe dehydration. I was in for 3 days on a drip and had very high ketones like you.

I think it is disgusting that the doctor just sent me away without any medication or anything. If I had been given the anti sickness drugs in the firt place I would not have had these problems and I would not have been putting my baby at risk. Luckily everything was ok at the 20 week scan and somehow my baby is within the correct size range for gestation period (phew!)

[Nomorevom]

Hopeful when I went for my 12 week scan with dd2 the 'helpful' hca was telling me about a poor lady who had had an abortion as she just couldn't cope with the sickness anymore then proceeded to tell me all about the raw meat she had got for her tea!!

I just sat there nodding and smiling at how daft some people are. It really annoys me how some just dismiss hg as a 'being a bit sick and a normal part of pregnancy' but it isn't just the physical effects its how down it gets you, it's a mental emotional and physical illness.

[hopeful92]

Oh gosh raw meat lol. Problem is, some sickness is normal, its just hormones, but what people people just don't understand is that hg isn't morning sickness, it's a completely seperate problem. Wish people would just understand that.

[LucindaE]

Goodness, I am in at the barbaric treatment people have received. It was so with me, but that was years ago, and I was hoping medical people were beginning to understand a bit better now that there is all the difference in the world between normal sickness and not being able to retain water, that sufferers are not whinging .
Hopeful Surely you should be signed off work? Won't the GP give you a sick note. I am worried about such a level of sickness, surely the doctor can give something more effective? Does he realise how frequent the vomiting is? Can you get an appointment with a consultant, saying you can't cope with this level of vomiting? I'm worried you are dehydrated already if you are being sick every ten minutes at work it must be inevitable, and fatigue and stress will make it even worse. What an awful manager, I'm glad there is a kind under manager who suffered herself. Did you say you have to work with hot ovens and food? How on earth do you manage to keep the vomiting back until you reach the loo - I wouldn't be able to, for sure. I'm worried you'll be back in hospital in no time.
Reebok I am so dismayed about the penny pinching GP. I suppose you don't feel up to asking to see a consultant?
Nomore I am glad you've got meds that help this time, but my goodness, with the first, 60 times a day and only given metracloprimide! You must have been terribly dehydrated.
Hugs to all.
Lucinda
xx

[Reebok]

Nomore and hopeful, that sounds awful. It's shocking how little the medical profession know about hG. Hopeful, I agree that you need to get signed off. I can't cope with teaching children so haven't worked since nov! I don't know how you can manage to work with the dreaded f word!

Lucinda, I've given up. When I have my midwife appointment, I may ask the consultant there. By the way, you said your hG stopped by 14 weeks right? Well was it sudden or gradual? Praying for a 14 week end to this misery. I miss being me. Sorry to moan so much everyone. It's just such a strain on life...especially my marriage. We've only been married a year.

Room, how are you feeling today? And everyone else? Hope you're a bit better.

[hopeful92]

Lucinda I'm not being sick that frequently now - the tablets are helping to curb it to only a couple of times a day now - I did get very very dehydrate and was hospitalized because of it. If I had got signed off, I wouldn't have got paid! I'm only contracted a small number of hours (even though I work more).

Reebok You're not moaning :) hope you get sorted by 14 weeks. I've hit the 21 week mark lol hopefully won't need to take cyclizine for the entire pregnancy, but if I can't cope without them then I'm gonna have to. Pre tablets I was sick every half hour - more at work - but since the tablets it's reduced to a couple of times in a morning, just plagued with nausea all day unfortunately.

Hang in there ladies, it will all be worth it when we get our babies in our arms :)

[Gatorade]

Hi all, I was hoping I wouldn't be venturing onto this thread with this pregnancy, but here I am.

I'm about 6 weeks with number 2, I had awful sickness with DD (who is now 11 months old) and spent my (un)fair share of time in hospital hooked up to a drop when I was pregnant with her.

I honestly thought I was going to get away with it this time, no sickness or nausea at all until I woke up this morning and have vomited around 20 times since. The memories of how awful it is are coming flooding back, I feel miserable.

[LucindaE]

Gatorade You poor thing,hugs, how awful. Can you get an emergency appointment with a dr? I think you'll be dehydrated before morning if this doesn't stop. As you've been there before you don't need me to say how easy that is. The name makes me think you're in the US, not sure though? If not and I say have you got kesosticks from a chemists to check urine to see if you are then you'll know what I mean but not sure what they are called in the US?
Quite anxious about you - do keep us informed.
Reebok Really sorry you feel so bad again. It is so exhausiting having to fight your corner with medical people when you feel too bad to do anything at all. I hope it does work out at the MW appointment. Mine went of at coming up fifteen weeks. It was dramatic, it responded brilliantly to acupuncture, but I gather, that is hit or miss. Things spiralled out of control at coming up to ten weeks, I was in a terrible state when I staggered to an emergency appointment with an acupunturist in despair having been in bed for a couple of days after the dr refused meds - usual story - but I managed to avoid having to go for IV because the treatment worked! I didn't understand the dangers of dehydration then - the acupunturist told me if the vomiting didn't stop within a couple of hours after the treatment I'd have to report for IV but it eased off a bit and I was able to retain water. I had a few more treatments and it eased off from then on. Unfortunaely, other women on this thread haven't found it nearly so helpful. I had residual heartburn leading often leading to nausea and occasional puking throughout, though, and a miserable bland diet. The dr of course, refused meds for that...
Hopeful Thank goodness for that, I was horrified at the thought of you continuing in that state. For all that, 'only' twice a day is still draining.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.
Lucinda
xx

[Gatorade]

LucindaE - Thank you very much for your lovely message, it's so nice to be able to talk to people who actually understand and don't just tell me to eat ginger biscuits. I'm actually in the UK so everything made sense (alrhough my user name i think is a US hydration drink...strangely fitting!)

I've got some ketostix, only reading +1 for ketones at the minute, if I remember correctly if it gets to +2 then I used to have to go to hospital to be rehydrated and sorted out. I've made a GP appointment for tomorrow morning, it's so much harder with DD to look after too, she seemed quite upset by the vomiting but luckily DH is home now and putting her to bed. I really want to avoid hospital admissions this time round. Unfortunately the medication didn't really help first time around but the worst of the sickness passed on its own just before 30 weeks (which feels a long way away at the minute!)

Everyone else - sorry to hear I'm not on my own, sending you lots of anti-sickness vibes!