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 for sufferers, with information about medications, coping strategies, hospital admissions, useful links, advice for family members, and much more.

I would like to thank MOH MOP Ovaltine bluebirdsunshine (I think she's changed her nickname) Fluffy, Horsey Kalidasa, Nannyl 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.

sprite I second Lucinda - I have just this week discovered lavender and it is really helping me deal with smells. I struggle most with smells early in the morning and I have found keeping a lavender neck cushion thing someone gave me right next to my head is really helping me cope with the smells when I wake up

agree about the panicking about being sick in public!

I find that the smell of fresh mint or fresh lemon can distract from the nausea for a little while.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions WRT constipation. I've tried most of them already but I think a combination plus adding in a yoghurt drink and/or a smoothie may be what I need to try. I find lactulose isn't the easiest thing to keep down and I need to take it often but maybe I should persist a bit more?

Is it wrong that I still haven't admitted to DH that the colour of some of our plates/bowls still makes me nauseas? That isn't normal, is it?!

room I could never keep the lactulose down at all, the nurses stopped even trying to give it to me in the end. At my worst I had some success with the maximum ("impaction") dose of movicol, but that involves drinking pints of (essentially) salty water. It was really grim because I had to keep going for hours as I chucked up half of it. Not a good idea if you're trying to avoid vomiting. In the end the only thing that worked for me (I tried and failed on glycerine suppositories) were enemas - done by the nurses in hospital (delightful!) and then I did them myself at home. But the GP told me that the glycerine suppositories were much the safest option so I guess if you're not allowed them you couldn't do an enema either. ALL these things were officially a no-go when pregnant but (relevant I think) when I was severely constipated in hospital they did them all anyway. At that stage I wasn't eating at all so all the dietary options were out. I guess it's different if you are at risk of premature labour though?

Have had a flash of inspiration about this awful sickness after a depressing day when I had to start taking cyclizine again, and also the baby is terribly hungry and I'm worried that it's because I'm not producing enough milk because I've hardly been eating. Really demoralising! But suddenly remembered that the reason I had some antiemetics in the cupboard when I got pregnant was because I've had several bouts of labyrinthitis (inner-ear prob) and since I've had a horrible cold/flu bug with bad congestion for weeks now my ears might have got bunged up again. Feel encouraged that it might have a logical medical explanation rather than be some random hormonal or psychological thing that could go on for ever . . .

room you poor thing. Constipation makes it all so much worse. I must admit I struggle with the lactulose but just take it as and when I feel slightly ok then try to sleep immediately afterwards. I have only take it three times but it worked. I have had a really bad day today and just feel SO nauseous. Can't eat anything apart from Murray mints and sip ice cold squash. I haven't even got dressed yet as just feel foul :( really gutted after my near normal days this week. At least I know all is fine but its a hard step back. Hope everyone else having a better day.

I know that this isn't the right place bit I am really struggling. And if anyone can point me in the right direction I would be great full.

Due to constant nausea and vomiting without sufficient warning I have failed to take the drugs I'm prescribed for depression. Sertraline for anyone in the know. Consequently I am now in a very difficult place.
I've been to gp yd for a review of antiemetics. Had a melt down. Was admitted to hospital for fluids and IV anti emetics. I'm home again now but I have so many negative thoughts going on that I can't rest.
I can't talk to anyone. Pregnancy is meant to be a joyous occasion and at the moment (and I hate myself for it) I want it to be over. I don't want to be anxious or sick or tiered or in pain.

So if you have any references I can use for a bit of self help while my meds kick in i would be really grateful

hugs to everyone out there, we all seem to be having a rather horrible day. I was hoping I would get to leave the house today for some fresh air and a change of scenery but despite being asleep before 8.30 last night all ive been able to do today is lay in bed and sleep here and there. I really did think the cyclizine was helping as at first it seemed to make me feel SO much better, stopping the vomiting and helping the nausea almost completely go away but it feels like Im slipping back to how I was before as I have felt nauseous non-stop since Wednesday evening and have been throwing up again...I could honestly just cry! Im trying to keep my fluid up so I dont get in too much of a state, all I can tolerate is sipping cold orange capri-sun drinks, the thought of drinking anything else is horrible. I cant imagine how the ladies out there with vomiting/nausea are managing to cope with such terrible constipation as well.

woofers sorry to hear your feeling so awful, please dont feel guilty about how you are feeling, from the moment I started to feel ill (vomitting/nauseous/tired) about three weeks ago, I have felt no happiness at all about being pregnant. It doesnt make us bad people or mean we wont love our babies when they are here but naturally its hard to feel happy/enthusiastic about something that does nothing but make you feel ill and miserable. I have my husband and mum to talk to BUT sometimes feel so much better for coming on here, getting everything I want to moan about out in the open and to have support from others who are going through the same thing. You can always come onto here for support and no matter how you feel or what you say, you wont be judged, we're all human after all :)

woofers- could you try www.pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk/?

My husband sometimes still stinks to me (20 weeks today and "recovered" from sickness), but I hate both lemon and mint smells (and lavender!) most nice things at the moment. My sickness is definitely returning with force in the evenings though I'm yet to be sick since it came back. Baby is squirming like hell, I think it turned 90 degrees then 180 on thursday night to show absolute disgust at being prodded by the sonographer! 20wk scan went well though :)

If anyone is feeling worried about their babies nutrition- my baby has a bigger than average tummy circumference, despite my earlier sickness (weeks 5-15 mostly), so take heart :)

Woofers and sprite, I and my whole family freely admit to HATING the first trimester of pregnancy. We all get awful sickness or HG in mine and my cousins case. It's hell. Pregnancy is always depicted as this happy time but every time I see an actress in a soap or whatever smiling away and saying I'm pregnant I think what a crock of shit! The reality for many women is awful sickness, mood swings, hormonal skin outbreaks, exhaustion and headaches. Every 12 week scan I've had has been mired by terrible sickness (you need a full bladder for US scan and gouging water is in fun when you feel like us!) Do not feel bad! Once the baby comes you won't feel like this. My friend reminded me the other week when in floods I admitted I did not want this much wanted and planned for third baby. As I howled into her arms 'I can't cope with another child' she reminded me I would not feel ill like this when the baby arrives. Keep it in mind. No one says you have to be cheering from the rooftops, you feel like crap, your life is on hold, who would be happy about that? We will ALL love our babies but pregnancy stinks for some of us. Big hugs x

Sorry meant glugging water!

Fl0b0t my baby has an abdominal circumference on the 97th centile! I think it is adding to the suspicion that I have gestational diabetes on top of the persistent 2+/3+ glucose in my urine (better than 4+ ketones though!).

Sorry x-post Hyper. I couldn't agree more with you more.

I'm half way thru. 23 weeks
I'm really grateful of your support. Thanks

I haven't been on this thread for some time as DS is now 7 months. I had HG when pregnant with him, horrendous. woofers hang in there, you're over half way now, your feelings are perfectly normal when suffering with HG, I remember posting the same thing about negative feelings towards the pregnancy, HG really took me to a dark place, and normally I'm a very positive person, I have never felt so low in my life.

Keep posting on here, the wonderful ladies who frequent this thread are an amazing support when you are very low, they provide great advice. Thanks to LucindaE and others on here, I took the bold step of visiting my GP who had me admitted straight away (I have name changed post birth). The anti emetics worked a bit for me not totally but I was able to cope which previously I really wasn't.

I have to say, I was so relieved when baby arrived just to know that it was over.

You can do it, really you can, but do keep posting for support.

Woofers Oh dear, admission at 23 weeks is tough, no wonder you feel negative about being pregnant. I do hope hydration and meds help and so agree with everyone that you must rant as much as you like, nobody will judge you on here. It is very hard to be positive when this drags on, and not having had your meds will make things seem much worse. Flo Good idea about MOHs link, there is stuff on there somewhere about the effects on one's psyche, PTSD etc.
Pinebarrens Thank you so much for the lovely message and encouragement for others, I'm so glad that this thread helped you at your lowest and encouraged you to seek effective treatment. It always helps people on here to see the light at the end of the tunnel with nice encouraging messages like yours.
Room That is a big baby. Hope all tests are fine.
Kalidasa That inner ear thing may well be right, and I am sure that even if this proves to be hormonal, for sure it is not psychological. Great advice on locked up bowels, as ever.
Tired Glad lavender helps a bit. I liked the smell of mint, too, I do so feel for others who find these horrible, too.
Hyper Sorry about relapse,but if y ou had a few good days, for sure you will get more soon, that almost always happens.
Sprite I wonder if GP would add to your meds? Many women on here have to take a cocktail to get relief, so don't hesitate to make a fuss.
Glad your watching your fluid intake.
wavesandsmiles How are things?
Reebok Boy and Everyone?
Lucinda
xx

hello all, hoping today is being good to everyone. today has been better for me then yesterday but as my OH very kindly reminded me, that can change at any time during the day! As I havent been plagued by extreme nausea today the headaches seemed to have returned to take its place, I know it sounds silly but when I get these headaches, it feels to me like theres something wrong actually in my brain, like the pain is being caused by something inside my head....its hard to explain and seeing it written down just makes me feel crazy! My sensitivity to smells is getting worse and theres not much that I can actually tolerate, I have a top with studs around the neckline which I had to change out of today because I swear I could smell the smell of dirty copper pennies from the studs despite my OH putting it right to his face and saying he couldnt smell anything. Not proud to admit it but I would actually do anything for this pregnancy to hurry up and be over, even though Im not even 9 weeks! I could cry at the thought of how long left I could have until I start to feel any better, Im even starting to have horrible dreams about throwing up where I start and just cant stop. Well heres hoping we all find relief soon and that it lasts.

I've developed an unquenchable thirst. Just don't feel satisfied even though my stomach aches with amount of fluid I've had. I feel so queasy but just desperate thirst. I'm not dehydrated I don't think. Very odd. Hope you have all had an ok day. My DH has been away with DSs and feel a lot tester for resting for 24 hrs.

Oh sprite that sounds awful. Headaches are so tiring. Where are your headaches? Behind your eyes? To one side? Make sure you tell your dr.

Hyper have you tested your wee? Ketones? Are you weeing loads too? Is it just water you are craving or something specific. I crave coka cola. The midwife said today it's the sugar. Normally I hate coke - I'm a Pepsi max girl when not pregnant.

I'm home again, and don't need to go back unless vomiting starts again, and I have ketones. I have some sticks so when / if my wee goes funny colour il test. Learning how to be very aware of what my body is telling me.

Much love to those who are still feeling rough. I will send positive antiemetic thoughts your way every time I visit the loo (which is loads ATM)

Could I get some advice please.

Instead of just renewing my prescription for stemetil (a duty doctor originally prescribed) my doctor suggested try phenergan as it had a better safety profile.

Took my first pill last night. I knew they could be sedative but I still feel really weird 12 hours later. No nausea as yet so seem to be working.

Anybody else been on phenergan? Does the weird feeling go away? If it doesn't I'll have to switch back.

Just any liquid really but think I'm not weeing that much. Given up checking for ketones as think sticks I have are dud as even when I was hardly drinking and feeling awful ketones were negative. Hope everyone having an ok day. I'm due a meeting at work tom about starting back. Really nervous as still having days where I feel dreadful and can't eat.

hello all, as always hoping today is gentle on all of us, today seems to be another fairly ok day for me but still feel really tired all the time (spend pretty much ALL my time in bed) and the headaches seem to be more like migraines which might explain the added weird feeling I keep getting inside my head. Im due back at work tomorrow for my first full day in about three weeks and Im dreading it, if I feel really awful I will come home (as people keep reminding me, I need to start being selfish and putting myself, and therefore the baby, first) but I was only there for a short shift on Thursday and Friday and it seemed to wipe me out and set me off again as spent Saturday nauseous and throwing up, although I dont know if that could be a coincidence. All I feel like I want to do is stay at home and rest or I start to feel bad again, I just hope and prey that once Im out of 1st trimester I will start to feel better and more like I can cope with normal stuff.

Hope work goes ok tomorrow sprite

After a relatively ok couple of days (for me anyway), when I decided not to go to hospital, and therefore didn't have my fluids or ondansetron, I feel back at square one today. Threw up so violently this morning I covered myself in it! So I managed to get up and had meds etc, but still feel ropey as anything. I have however promised to take the DCs to the beach for a picnic tea so wish me luck with that!

On a brighter note, I am 28 weeks today. Third trimester, and on the home straight. However things continue, it feels more bearable now that the end is a bit closer....

Woofers I hope you are feeling better and those meds work. Glad about those kesosticks, too.
waves Oh dear, sorry about step back, but am so glad you had a 'relatively OK day'.
Hyper Where did the kesostix come from, it's shocking if they don't work, are you up to complaining and asking for a replacement? Sorry you have to go in, and Sprite too, you know what mother hen says, nobody should have to struggle to work with this. Any chances of sick notes, as the stress of work always makes people feel worse.
Sprite They do sound like migraines if they affect your whole brain, that is a sure sign, or as others say, one sided or in one eye is typical too, plus visual disturbances. Mine made me puke extra violently, but everyone is different,and as others say, do let GP know, maybe if they are caused by the meds they can prescribe something else.
LadyMedea Welcome back, we haven't heard from you in a while. I wish I could advise about that particular medication but can't. I think a lot of the meds make people woozy, at least at first. MOH is our resident expert on meds, and there might be stuff on her site
sites.google.com/site/pregnancysicknesssos/treatments/obtaining-treatment
Lol, my handwriting is so bad today, I have scrawled down something that looks like 'Crazy Horse' which is impossible .
Apologies to anyone rudely ignored. Sorry for anyone having to spend this lovely holiday in bed, but it will all be different next year. You will be the lucky ones then, with babies...
Lucinda
xx

On work note when do you think is 'ready' to go back? I know it's a subjective thing but I am due in for a meeting tomorrow about when I will come back and I feel so ill tonight I could cry . Am I just bring a wimp? Mainly nausea not much puking but still unable to eat much, still not putting on any of the stone in weight I've lost and just feel v worried about work. Should I man up so to speak? I have about two- three good patches a day (when I feel sick but can move) also having alot of stomach pain, like griping. What's the verdict?

Don't go back yet Hyper, it sounds like if you do, you'll take a few giant steps back. I have been off work for AGES, although managed (sort of) a 2 week spell of being back between hospital appointments) It's now HR saying they actively don't want me in - still blacking out, vomiting, and having to have daily IV treatment.

Maybe speak to your GP about the stomach ache. I am on ranitidine now to cope with the acid pains, which are caused by all the vomiting apparently.

Hope your meeting goes ok