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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Hyperemesis Support

980 replies

LucindaE · 31/01/2014 13:58

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.

MOH's wonderful website is full of useful information on this illness:
sites.google.com/site/pregnancysicknesssos/
Another invaluable website is:
www.pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk/
If you need help in obtaining medication, this phone number is
brilliant:
024 7638 2020

I would like to thank Everyone who has given such invaluable support and advice on this and on previous threads.

Remember when you are at your worst, 'This Too Shall Pass'. It really will.
So many women on this thread have thought they couldn't get through this, but they did.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
starrynight123 · 10/02/2014 17:23

meerka and livingzuid thank you! I know I'm tearful a lot at the moment, but having this support network on here makes more of a difference than I ever imagined it would. Just knowing there are others here who 'get it' about the horrors of constantly feeling sick and figuring out how to cope day-to-day (although, to be honest, sometimes it feels more like second-to-second).

I love the lemon in boiling water idea and will give it a go! One thing I've been doing is freezing small slices of oranges and lemons in little bags and then nibbling on them. It feels fresh in the mouth and the taste/flavour/smell is less overwhelming than when they are cut and nibbled at room temperature. I figure it's also healthy.

A slightly random question: how do you manage to brush your teeth? It makes me ill, as does mouthwash.

The nerves are mounting for tomorrow. Sitting in bed with my heart pounding away, trying to think of other things. I keep telling myself that one day I'm going to be one of those people who walk around in a cloud of zen-like calm and serenity(!)

petitlapin thank you for the tip about the Ziploc bags. I appreciate it :-)

starrynight123 · 10/02/2014 17:26

petitlapin - could you ask your GP to post your sicknotes to you? I know a lot of surgeries demand you to pick them up yourself, but mine will post them if I ask very, very nicely although they usually ask to provide either self-addressed and stamped envelopes or cash/cheque to cover the cost.

Good luck with all of your appointments and with spreading karma ;-)

Meerka · 10/02/2014 19:32

er .... the whole brushing teeth thing .. er ... im afraid it was simply impossible for many weeks for me, in the evenings and sometimes in the mornings. It's still hit and miss in the evenings. I know, utterly revolting, and I used to look away from husband and son when I was talking to them, just in case my breath got that far :(

you could try the little bristly things you can get for the gaps in between the teeth, and mouthwash on the rare moments you can tolerate it. Or baby's toothpaste, that can be a bit less vomitous than adult.

LucindaE · 10/02/2014 19:46

Stars I am so glad this thread provides support and useful suggestions for the first visit, that you got to sit near the loo - and that you've got a referral. Desensitisation is almost certainly the thing, and I'm sure you'll get a lot of advice about it. Sucking on crisps brings back memories...DH sounds very good.
Livnzuid So glad about good news and that lemon works for you. No acidity with it is great.
Jen I remember that pillow arrangement as being the best. How are you feeling now?
Meerka Grin The Barbie games included vampires, time travel, and robots...You are right, it can be no picnic bringing up a boy in this society, either...
Petitelapin Sorry the sickness continues. How frequent is it now? That's a great idea about the freezer bags. I used to double up carrier bags, but they are messy things. Grin about decorating the room where the test is - a good idea, if they weren't nice. Let them watch out for their shoes...But it's grim you have to have that test.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.
xx

OP posts:
LucindaE · 10/02/2014 19:51

Cross posted, as ever. Starry and Meerka Lol, I remember well not cleaning teeth. I found kids toothpaste (non mint) less horrible,and rubbed it on my teeth with my fingers.
xx

OP posts:
Meerka · 10/02/2014 20:04

ok wow at vampire and robot and time travelling barbies. [heart emoticon]

PunkStar · 10/02/2014 20:55

Starry
Glad you managed it :-)
Hope the scan goes well tomorrow.
Snap with the lemon, anything citrus like is great. Sometimes I just hold some lemon rind near my nose! Glad MW was kind to you, makes things easier.

Petit
Hope the GTT is okay!!! I've got to have one at 28 weeks so I'll be interested to hear how it goes...not looking forward to the drink
. I've piled weight on thanks to the steroids, good job really, although weight dropping again as we reduce the steroids but at least I'm above my normal weight.

Living
Glad your hospital appointment went well.
Strangely enough I was desperate for a girl first time around, just because I was so at odds with being pregnant and the HG, thought a girl would be something familiar...anyway of course he was a boy. But I couldn't imagine anything else now and the gender didn't end up mattering in the slightest. Another boy for me this time too.
Can just take a bit of time to get your head around these things....

I've been using a child's toothbrush which has made me gag less but fortunately can use corsadyl mouthwash with no errors if can't face any brushing.

Let's hope we all have a good week :-)

ChaffinchOfDoom · 10/02/2014 21:00

hey guys.
Ziploc puke bags = genius. I too doubled up carrier bags , but I suppose nappy sacks would work well too - asda 39p for 100 or something..just knot in top when full Envy

one million ways to cook potatoes is so funny - baked, boiled, mashed, new, fried in slices, potato waffles, croquet, those crispy potato balls, hash browns... potato cakes.. you /dh can make these from scratch quite easy ..never forget chips either Grin

I have a girl and a boy, am thrilled my 7yo dd picked out a black/grey toothbrush last time at asda. good girl! she loathes pink.

elizabethsmum · 10/02/2014 21:07

Hi all just very quickly checking in.... i remember the panic about having to go anywhere in public and worrying about being sick in front of people etc. Always had carrier bags with me but like you point out the holes are a problem!! Often had to get off the bus many stops too early (this was a lot later on in pg when i had made it back to work of sorts but could still often be 'caught out' by random sickness particularly travel sickness!)

Teeth brushing is a problem (shouldn't brush teeth immediately after vomitting anyway as it seals in acid to the teeth). I just used to swill mouth with water and then try and suck a mint. Concentrating on sucking the mint as slowly as possible was also sometimes a distraction for a few minutes also!

Good luck for everyone with upcoming appointments- i also once had to tell a gp receptionist that i would be outside and asked if she would mind coming out and calling me when it was my turn. (Not poss in a hospitl tho i know).

Sending positive thoughts to everyone xx

firstbaby01 · 11/02/2014 02:06

hi everyone. I'm new to this thread but thought I would post for a bit of advice. I'm 18 weeks and have suffered with sickness on and off for the past 12 weeks. I haven't managed to do a whole week at work (as my boss very kindly pointed out today when I called in sick yet again) since the 8th December and im really starting to get fed up :( I'm not sick every day it's normally about 3-4 days a week and when I am sick I feel really ill for the whole day with a massive headache and feel exhausted. I have been to the doctors twice and both times she has told me this is normal in pregnancy and im just unlucky and basically told me to deal with it. She did give me some tablets called metamorph something or other but they made me feel worse. does anyone else feel like this? I was also heaving so hard today that I think I pulled a muscle under my bump which now really hurts :( I just want to enjoy my pregnancy

Meerka · 11/02/2014 08:03

hiya first. congrats on yoru preg, but sorry you're having such a bad time.

Your doctor ... sigh. we hear this so often.

Ok, first off, this is NOT normal sickness and the governmental's own guidelines, which she is supposed to follow, say this about sickness and vomitting in preg:

Goals
To reassure the woman that nausea and vomiting are normal in pregnancy
To reduce nausea and vomiting
To reduce time off work and other lifestyle disruptions caused by symptoms
To prevent complications

this is the site of the governmental guidelines, from the organisation NICE, national institute for clinical excellence: cks.nice.org.uk/nauseavomiting-in-pregnancy#!topicsummary

Secondly, there are a number of medicines that are considered safe and often people find one doesnt work for them and they try another. Or a cocktail. Usually people start off with:

Cyclizine + B6
then move to:

Metoclopramide
Prochlorperazine
Promethazine
Ondansetron

Beyond that occasionally people are given steroids, but that's really heavy duty and the last line; you don't sound as if you need them in my less-than-medical opinion.

Oh and if you feel the urge to stick a slice of ginger up someone's nose if they suggest that, be reassured we've all felt like that. Or worse.

If you can, I'd go back to the doctor and lay out the situation, that you're having too much time off work and that you'd like to try something stronger. ~these drugs are all considered safe after a great number of preg women have used them~. Can you take an advocate with you? Either your partner or even a friend from work who can lay out the situation? When you're sick and feeling grotty, it's really hard to lay things out clearly and stick to your guns.

Can you even see another doctor if you get nowhere with this one?

If there's no luck with either of those, these people can quite possibly help. If you leave a message they will ring you back; mother hen put up the number on the original post above. Also there are some good hints on their website on tips and tricks to manage serious nausea and vomitting, you might know them already but there might be some new stuff too. They also outline the medicines you can use.

Do hope you get somewhere and can get the help you need. And this thread is always here for support and hints and sisterly solidarity over the sickbucket.

ChaffinchOfDoom · 11/02/2014 09:58

we are the puke crew. morning nausea a-pkenty here. Week 33 now - yikes, it feels so high! Grin

good advice there Meerka-t

Meerka · 11/02/2014 10:04

< envies doomfinch the 4 weeks ahead of her and runs to catch up!> :)

lol, one thing about HG. you don't dread the childbirth so much becuase IT MEANS THE END OF THE HG!!!

ChaffinchOfDoom · 11/02/2014 10:57

don't run, you'll slip over in the snow!

6 weeks to go; and 6 weeks is such a looooong time

livingzuid · 11/02/2014 11:25

Hi first and so sorry you are suffering. Excellent advice from meerka. And can you try a different doctor as well and discuss it with your midwife.

I couldn´t brush my teeth for weeks. I managed chewing gum sometimes for about a minute which was as good as it got.

I also came to a realisation yesterday that I cannot eat anything sugary. It leaves such a terrible taste in my mouth. I tried a bit of chocolate yesterday which was such a big mistake. I also ran out of lemon so DH bought me home limes to have with hot water. They work just as well but then make me wistful for Corona which is not a good idea!

My keyboard has decided not to work today so I can type and that is it hehe. You will all also be VERY proud of me as I educated someone about hyperemesis today!

So, I decided to start a blog about having bipolar, trying to conceive, pregnancy, and how it impacts all of that stuff seeing as I am gainfully unemployed and not able to move too far. I mentioned hyperemesis in my second ever post this morning and you could have knocked me down with a feather if I didn´t get a comment 1 minute later asking what it was! I promptly linked the sites on our page and explained further what it was.

Hooray. I must write about it more often in the blogosphere if I can ever actually figure out how to a) make my blog look pretty and b) promote it beyond anyone apart from DH Grin

chaffinch only six weeks I am so jealous.

How did you go today starry?

firstbaby01 · 11/02/2014 12:08

Thanks guys Smile I had a look at the link and it sounds just like what I have been feeling! The midwife did give me a telling off at my last appointment and said she could tell I was not eating enough by the ketone level in my urine. I have had nothing but trouble with my doctors but I am in the process of moving house to a different area so as soon as that goes through I will be changing doctors and getting a new midwife so hopefully they will be more helpful than the surgery I'm with now!

jenpatnim · 11/02/2014 12:37

First, Meerka has covered everything brilliantly, there is nothing that I can add to her post apart from my sympathies and welcome - I hope you can find some relief soon.

Sadly we have all become experts in this lovely condition.

Post sweep I have lost my mucus plug so I am hopeful of action..... fingers crossed for me?

somedizzywhore1804 · 11/02/2014 12:43

Hi all

I hope everyone's feeling a bit better. Yesterday was a bad day for me but feeling a bit better today. Got my 20 wk scan tomorrow and very nervous indeed but trying to keep smiling.

Was spectacularly horrible to DH yesterday as I'd just had enough but we made up and he was entirely understanding. Just sick of being stuck indoors (even though it's hardly outside weather!)

Love to you all.

Meerka · 11/02/2014 12:44

oh wow jen .... definitely fingers crossed, and toes! :) Keep us posted!

first you mentioned ketones. Can you try to get some ketostix?> they're cheap from a chemist or you can get them online. You pee on them and if they go dark, you're dehydreated, there's a little colour chart on the side of the bottle. Anything 3+ you need to go to the doctor for it.

If your midwife is concerned, I do think you need to go back to the doctor and tell them that she's concerned. \

living ... linkie!! :)

LucindaE · 11/02/2014 14:45

firstWelcome, sorry you are suffering so badly at week eighteen, and I d feel for you about those headaches and so agree with all advice given and about getting kesostix - it's so hard to tell the difference between dehydration headaches and the hormonal migraine type horrors you can get -I can't improve on everyone's advice, especially Meerka's.
Somedizzy Best of luck for scan, I'm sure all will be fine and it will give you such a boost. I know it sounds easy for me to say. How is the sickness now?
JenFingers crossed indeed- I do hope it all goes beautifully. What sort of birth are you hoping for? (apart from easy!)

Chaffinch Lol about puke crew - MeerkaNo running allowed, only dignified waddling.
elizabeth'smum I envy you that you could stomach mint - it had to be kid's strawberry toothpaste for me. Everyone I am still in awe of elizabeth'smum getting through a twin Hyperemesis pregnancy after surviving a singleton Hyperemesis one.
livingzuid Is Corona too acid for you? Limes make me think of the sailors in history...
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.
xx

OP posts:
jenpatnim · 11/02/2014 16:51

Lucinda, I don't even care, I just want the baby out. My back is sore and I am generally achy - I am taking this as a good sign.

LucindaE · 11/02/2014 17:39

Jen Hugs - you must be so eager to have this fun behind you, quite apart from meeting baby...
xx

OP posts:
elizabethsmum · 11/02/2014 18:29

You have hit the nail on the head meerka giving birth is a doddle compared to hg!!

Thanks lucinde ! I had even been to pre conception counselling due to the dread of going through hg again- amongst other issues- so to then find out it was twins- apart from thinking how we would cope with twins main thought was just omg the hg!! (Found out early at 6 weeks as i am a sonographer - colleague and i both got the shock of our lives ;))!

ChaffinchOfDoom · 11/02/2014 20:21

LOL self scanning between appointments Grin to see twins cartwheeling round in there

ChaffinchOfDoom · 11/02/2014 20:22

I wish we could all meet up in RL but half of us are in Holland