Hyperemesis Support

[LucindaE]

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

Lastly, the NICE guidelines on treatment are useful:
cks.nice.org.uk/nauseavomiting-in-pregnancy#!prescribinginfosub

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.

Hi all, what is the difference between morning sickness and hyperemesis? Not sure I qualify for this thread but am feeling so low today. I am 8 weeks with 2nd pregnancy. I started feeling nauseous before I took a test this time. Last time I suffered with nausea and vomiting for 22 weeks, losing a stone and a half in weight. I went to the doctors once and was told to eat ginger biscuits as he could prescribe me tablets but couldn't tell me they wouldn't affect the baby. He was less than sympathetic and I never went back. I had a lot of time off work. This time round it appears to have started early and I vomit most days, I can usually drink water in sips although the thought of drinking is usually enough to send me running to the loo. Food sometimes stays down, mostly not. I have called in sick for work today as I can't keep food down and I think this is due to stress, breakfast is usually the meal that stays down as I can sit down afterwards. Just the mere thought of work (I spent a LOT of time in the loos vomiting last week) and the smell and the lightning is setting me off aswell as having to plan what food to take (I was due to work from 12-10pm so needed a lot of food and snacks). Anyone else had this? Need to get over this as I'm supposed to be working tomorrow too. X

Hi all, NoRoom hope you are getting on okay in hospital and starting to feel better. Sorry for all the new names who are suffering.

I've basically hibernated in my pyjamas all weekend, but managing again with oral meds at the moment. I usually feel a bit better for a little bit after I've been in hospital so hoping it continues for a while. I turned 30 weeks yesterday so starting to see light at the end of the tunnel now!

I do have terrible pain, it started in the hospital and the doctors weren't sure if it was my liver or gall bladder spasms, but they didn't organise a scan in the end. I'm seeing GP tomorrow for a separate issue so I will ask him about it. My liver enzymes are still raised, but after convincing myself I was going to end up with liver failure I've googled enough to be reassured that it can occur sometimes with HG and it should resolve itself eventually! One thing for sure, I will never put myself through this again!

Hope everyone is doing okay xx

gosh okla you must be on serious countdown stages now surely! sorry have lost track of when everyone is due!

I was lucky enough to get im cyclizine second time round for various reasons- primarily the fact that dh could do the injections. also as a sonographer I knew lots of nurses and consultants on the ward- including the ward manager who suggested it as I was having so many repeat admissions - although the last couple were just for a few hours for im ondansetron and two or three bags of fluids and then I was good to go. anyway they asked the hospital pharmacy and they were happy for me to have it so thats how I got it. I think I initially got a prescription for 10 doses of it plus syringes, sharps and a sharps bin. even managed to attend my sister's hen weekend (which I had had to organise from hospital bed) as sis-in-law is a dr so could also do injections!

my neighbour had im cyclizine administered regularly by her gp- maybe that is another option??

just cross posted with you basgetti glad you are a little better and at home- just keep hibernating I say. pain could be down to so many things so it is very difficult to say- have you got a follow up antenatal appointment soon. assuming your bp etc is ok I have raised liver enzymes in first pg as well which can apparently be 'normal' in pregnancy!

Hi muddylettuce, sorry you are suffering so badly. Your GP in your first pregnancy sounds appalling, and quite like my experience first time round. I was told to eat ginger biscuits and drink flat lemonade, and basically suck it up as you get sick when you are pregnant. It took a change of surgery and a hospital admission for me to get meds! Can you see a different doctor this time? It sounds like you suffered really badly last time, and getting some medication early on this time round could really help. Also you need to be signed off from work and rest as much as possible. x

hi muddy welcome to the thread sorry you are suffering. there is a wide variation in people's symptoms for hg and we are all different but the fact that you suffered so badly before and lost such a lot of weight to me would qualify! your gp sounds absolutely clueless- to be suggesting ginger bisciuts is like being in the dark ages tbh. there are lots of perfectly safe meds that can help improve symptoms and make life a bit more manageable. if you are suffering like this it doesn't sound like one day off work is going to do it really- I would advice making an emergency drs appointment (pref with a different dr) and taking a urine sample so they can check for signs of dehydration. you can self certify for 1 week off work without needing a dr to sign you off (although gp might do this for you anyway). stress will not be helping xxx

Hi elizabethsmum yes my BP was very low for first couple of days in hospital but had improved by discharge. I think I was just panicked about my liver as the consultant said I might need a scan and gave me no reassurance whatsoever so in my fragile state all sorts of scenarios started running through my brain. I spent a fair bit of my admission in tears! My mood has improved alot the last couple of days though so I'm hoping I can keep full blown depression at bay.

I'm not sure when I have my next antenatal appointment, I missed my 28 week one and they said not to worry as I would get bloods etc done in hospital. I assume I should be seen again at 33 or 34 weeks but I need to ring and check.

Thanks for the advice guys. I have since moved to a different surgery although if it's at all possible I have less faith in new surgery than old one (long battle with them over daughter's dairy allergy). I will try and get to doctors this afternoon or tomorrow morning and see if they can help. It's just so depressing, I was hoping it wouldn't happen again this time

Yep E's mum 2 weeks to go. Desperately hoping she'll be early!!

Bas 30 weeks!! That's amazing!!

Muddy when you feel that shit I don't think it matters if it's HG or MS. You are very welcome on the thread whatever the official diagnosis is. Your prev GP sounds like an idiot. Some of them just don't have a clue. If your new surgery is rubbish too ring the number that Lucinda gives at the top of the thread. Meerka will be along soon with more advice but someone on that number will be able to help you.

muddylettuce Just dashing on to welcome you to the thread. With such a weight loss, surely more than one tenth of your body weight - you must certainly qualify even according to those daft official guidelines. I can only agree with the others that you need meds asap, and do get some kestostix from a chemist to check for dehydration. Do sugary drinks like flat coke help? Or ice lollies? Realistically, it can be very difficult to work with this in the early stages, even with meds but I hope the meds help you to function halfway normally. I had the same experience with a doctor, but that was years ago, and it's awful they're still saying the same stuff now.
Oklahoma As in my last post, and basgetti glad you are a bit better and resting. Fraggle Still feel for you about that Awful Esculator Experience. Waves to elizabeth'smm and everyone. Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked or with whom I've cross posted.
xx

muddy if you can, readup on the NICE guidelines that Mother Hen posted in the original post. The NICE is the governmental Best Practise organisation.

The Goals state that the idea is to ensure that preg women with severe nausea and vomitting can carry on as normal a life as possible and should be given meds where possible. It also gives you a list of which meds.

Might it be an idea to print off that list and the goals and take them with you?

Btw the meds are -safe-. Cyclizine, the first line of treatment, and similar meds has been used by millions of women over decades. Some of the other meds are less studied but considered completely safe. Even the stronger ones are pretty well studied by now. So please don't worry about asking for meds or taking them.

I've just returned home. Consultant discharged me this morning as I had eaten some breakfast. I have been on IVs the whole time that I was in. He didn't want to see if I could manage with oral meds or clear my ketones first which made me a bit But I am feeling much better than I was and DD3 was crying for me. I'm not very happy that DH is planning on going back to work this evening and leaving me with all the children. I know that you can't understand what it's like having HG unless you have it but I was hoping for a tiny bit of looking after at home.

bas thinking of you and sending you long distance strength. What a time you've had of it :s

NoRoom Oh no, gentle cyber pats on offer, I do think you need a little pampering, and with such a level of ketones as you had when you went in, you must have felt dreadful.
Is there anyone else to hand who could look after you a bit? Did you say that's four kids you have to look after or three and the one inside?
basgetti That does not sound like a very sensitive doctor, to put it mildly. With strong pains, I'm not suprised you felt anxious.
xx

So I have just called my doctors surgery to book an emergency appointment, explained I was in my 5th week of morning sickness and unable to keep food and very little water down. They wouldn't give me an appointment, apparently morning sickness is not on 'the list' of ailments they can give emergency appointments for. Their advice was to speak to my midwife but as I am not under a midwife at this early stage they will get a doctor to call me later. Just been in absolute tears to dp who is sympathetic but doesn't really get it, he said: 'the weather doesn't help does it?'.

I just want someone to listen.

I'm on cyclazine now for the second day, projectile vomiting has returned, my throat burns like hell and im pretty sure ive sicked up blood.

The hunger pains are immense, I haven't even been able to dress myself or my daughter, my daughter is crying because she can see something is wrong, I can't even look after her properly. My husband is drained physicly and emotionally from doing everything on top of long exausting job.

I just wan't this to end, I don't want this pregnancy anymore, I feel like I am dyeing and I'd pretty much welcome that right now.

Hi muddy. That sounds terrible. Can you get to the pharmacy to buy some kesostix? You dip them in your urine to see how dehydrated you are. This should give you ammunition to get an appointment.

Maybe don't call it ms. Call it hg. But what absolute bastards. I could thump them for you.

Oh dear glitter. It is horrible and youare in the worst bit. Of it right now. I wanted an abortion when I was at your stage.

Do you have any family or friends you could stay with/ who could come and stay with you? You sound like you need somebody around for moral support.

Practically I would be going to gp for stronger meds. Projectile vomiting is scary. My dd used to cry when I was sick too. Try phoning for an emergency appointment.

And not to be dramatic but you can call Samaritans if you are feeling that low. For more targeted help try calling 024 7638 2020 which is the pregnancy sickness support charity. Ring your midwife. You need real life help.

I can hold your hand for a bit. Battery a bit dodgy so might disappear soon.

thank you Elletorrito. I have no support what so ever, everyone keeps telling me pregnancy isn't an illness and to just get on with it. I am reaching my ends wit and starting to think about an abortion wich I would never have ever considered before in my life and is very out of character for me. I am petrified of hospitals too wich doesn't help but I understand if I have to go in I have to go.

My husband is due home within the hour hopefully he can clean out my sick bucket for me help me get dressed and take me for a ride in the car as that helps the sickness for a little while.

I feel so guilty for my daughter, it is freezing cold in our house and for 2 hours she was completly naked and cold as I could do absoloutly nothing. I feel like a failiure as a mother and it is hurting me seeing her stuggling too.

You are ill and struggling. That doesn't make you a bad mother.

on bad days i took my little girl to bed with me. Can you get your husband to put her in bed with you before he goes to work? Plenty of toys and books in bed and snuggle up.

tell your gp what you told me. You are considering an abortion. Do make another appointment. There are more meds to try which might help.

you may end up in hospital. Surely your family would help look after your little girl? I think they will recognize that your family needs help. My mil took a similar line in my first pregnancy but once she saw the impact of the sickness she made a complete u turn this time around.

your daughter will be fine. She is likely to forget as she is so young.

hang on in there and try for an emergency appt.

Glitter pregnancy isn't an illness but HG sure as hell is!! Where in the country are you? You can get help from the PSS people I think. One of the ladies on here had a kind of buddy so hopefully she can advise.

Here to listen...

Muddy I would also not call it MS to receptionist. But it sounds like you may need to end up in hospital. Agree with Elle.

Wish I could do something more to help you all. Hang on in there. Survive minute by minute if that's what it takes. I was where you are and have survived to 38 weeks. You will get through it.

Thanks again for all the advice. I have just spoken to the doctor over the phone. He has prescribed gaviscon in the first instance. Has anyone found this helpful? We were on the phone for less than 2 minutes and my doctor is about 90 (I exaggerate only slightly) and has proven less than knowledgeable about my daughter's cmpa so I don't really trust him but as much as I want a miracle right now and to be feeling well again so I can care for my family, sort the frigging house out and get back to work I realise I probably have to start at the bottom of the ladder in terms of medication. I am going to self certify off work this week anyway, luckily dp has been home today and I have been able to lie in bed but both he and I are worried about how I am going to care for the dog and the baby tomorrow let alone how I will cope working tomorrow night. When I go to the pharmacy tomorrow I will pick up kesostix as I can't face a trip today, that will help me monitor it more than anything else I guess.

Hi all. I hit 22 weeks on Saturday and I've been without 'incident' for a while now. Any nausea I have comes and goes VERY quickly; or is down to not drinking enough water (seriously, it seems to be my miracle cure for everything).

I am still on bed rest waiting for a physio appointment though, which I hope comes through ASAP, I'm not enjoying the back and hip pain one bit :(

Hugs to those ploughing on through; I cannot thank people in this thread enough. I may not have been as ill as others have been, but the anxiety and mental strain of constant, debilitating nausea/retching episodes was enough to drive me to bed for days at a time. Thought I was going a bit mad, but people here made me feel SO welcomed and not alone.

So thank you, ladies. Each and every one of you x

for Gods sake Gaviscon will do nothing at all for the vomitting muddy. I'm afraid you are right, he knows nothing.

Can you get someone to get ot the chemist and get some Ketostix urgently? there should be an allnight chemist somewhere near you. Then pee on them. Read the result; the darker the colour of the result, the higher your ketones. If you are 4+ then Im afraid you need help urgently - at least ring A and E and maybe turn up. (ketones are the thigns released when you go desperately short of liquids and / or food).

Or is there an out of hours surgery near you?

I'm sorry to be so blunt but right now you need to check those ketones.

glitterbug you sound in a dreadful state. Is there anyone at all who can come and help you? You can't carry on like that. you are not a failure you are seriously ill. I'll be honest, HG is hard on the children, but they do cope and they love having a little brother or sister at the end.

what okla says, HG is most definitely an illness. There are meds which can help, honestly. Can you see your doctor as an emergency appointment tomorrow?

If it's any help, we've been where you are now. It's hell, but you do make it through minute by minute. Please rest up as much as you can and see if you can make it to the doctors tomorrow.

glitter is there any chance at all of paying for childcare? or for someone to come in?