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.

Goodness, Muddylettuce and Glitterbug you are both suffering terribly.
thank goodness lovely Elletorrito and Oklahoma and Frenetic have been about to give some support. I think for both as others say, the best thing is the 024 7638 2020 number for pss. They will help you to obtain effective medication. Someone may have to call you back, but don't despair, they will, and that elderly doctor is very helpful and knowledgeable, thank goodness.
I'm not medically trained, but as I understand it, red blood is normally from the throat, and so not dangerous, but brown blood is a medical emergency, so do watch out for that. Very young lO's will as others say forget all about it, don't worry about that.
I drank lots of gaviscon, and it often appeared as obscene foam, and to be honest, wasn't very helpful for me.
xx

Hey, and Meerka too - cross posted.
xx

I came on to whinge about struggling at home without ranitidine and just being on ondansetron but now I feel a little when other people are being given gaviscon

I feel like asking Mumsnet to start a campaign for standardised treatment of HG and how to treat an HG sufferer in hospital (like not putting them in a room and boasting about the ensuite when it has drainage problems and stinks of raw sewage then drawing attention to the smell constantly). You know how they did the mc campaign? Maybe team up with PSS for medical credibility? Get Kate on board? There are a few doctors who I would like to point out that HG was the leading cause of antenatal death until the 1940s when antiemetics were introduced.

I ended up going to the hospital the other night and they gave me an injection to stop me being sick, not sure how long it was supposed to last but feeling off again today, no vomiting though, yet.
I'm getting the big boss round to my house in the next day or two to talk, she's getting increasingly worried as DH keeps telling her how much I'm stressing and I keep getting in contact, she just wants me to forget about work at the moment but with no income that's not realistic.
I really want to get better, I just want to be able to do my job, and do my housework, without medication that works intermittently. Somethings got to give, and everyone keeps saying it gets better at 13 weeks or so but that seems to not be the case for so many here :'(

Lucinda yes sadly I'm a tube traveller.........I'm looking forward to when I don't have to use it any more for a bit (7 weeks and counting hurrah!). Fortunately only ever had one tube vomiting experience but that was enough lol

glitter big hugs for you.

muddy gaviscon?? I am mad for you.....I would call again tomorrow and speak to a different doctor.....failing that I think I would probably just pitch up in a&e anyway to get checked out........

I could scream with frustration at the way some of you are being treated.

I honestly feel like coming to each one of you, and going to see the GP/Hospital doctors and telling them what to bloody do.

I've been to see my GP today. My plan is to start oral cyclizine, and have ondansetron and IM cyclizine as back ups. I want to start it ASAP.

I basically said this is what I'm doing, are you happy to prescribe again when I run out - as I've already got it, so I'm doing it whether you agree or not really.

They agreed I could do it, she did try and suggest starting with stemetil. I said no way, it does nothing for me. I'm starting with cyclizine, so she said okay then.

So I've got 3 months supply of it, a sharps box, needles and syringes. And a note on my record to agree to the other medication when (if) I require it.

Feeling much happier.

I'm now looking in to other things I can do to help. Does anyone have any suggestions? Was thinking about vit B 12?

DH goes back to work today leaving me to do school runs, shop for food as we are out of almost everything, cook etc etc. I want to cry because I feel so ill and am not coping on oral meds. He's going to be 1.5 hours drive away and is having a lift so can't even come back if I call him. I almost hope that I end up back in hospital tomorrow in the hope that he 'gets it' a bit more

Oh no! How scary.

Can you cope with an on line shop? In fact why can't he do that in his lunch hour/ after work? No way I could have coped with food shopping when in the bad bits. Or even thought about it

Although strangely macdonalds/ Kentucky was acceptable. Could you try itAny old junk is better than nothing.

Good luck for today

I need food for lunch/tea today.

I really just want to cry.

I second the online shop. We wouldn't have eaten for months otherwise. I can see that doesn't help with lunch though.

Detective that sounds like an amazing idea!

Morning all, I had a few hours of respite yesterday evening, I managed to keep some food and water down. Dp has taken emergency leave for the next few days to look after the baby so I can keep resting. He will pick up my prescription this morning even though it's unlikely to help as you say and some kesostix so at least we can keep an eye on that. I don't know where to go from here, I guess I just try the gaviscon, and call the doctor again when it fails!

Well DH couldn't be bothered to go back to the hospital to pick up my prescription. His answer was that I had the car all day today so I could take DS (3) and DD3 (1) with me to pick it up. I can barely keep any food down and I had to try really hard in the corner shop to not faint or throw up. I feel so weak. I only just realised that I hadn't changed DD3's nappy from overnight (wet, not dirty) so now I feel like a totally rubbish mum. DH doesn't even know when he'll be home and I've got double pick up today as DD1 has gymnastics for after school club. I know this is really bad but I thought about keeping the older girls (7 and 5) off school today to help me. The only reason I didn't was because I needed to shop and it's photos day in school.

Why is it that the second I got out of hospital, everyone stopped texting me and offering help?

Right, I've had a good cry so now it's time to tidy up the breakfast bowls...

theDetective it's B6 that is considered a good complementary drug to take with the first-line antihistamine. so, B6 and cyclizine together. I did it myself, not sure how much difference it made but then I was undertreated. You're so organised! :)

kitten Im afraid it often is longer than 13 weeks :s The only (not very helpful) thing I can say is that you will survive and get through ... \

oh noroom I'm so sorry.

Look, I know this is extreme, but is there any way you can consider suspending the children's attendance at extra-school classes for now? Or asking other mothers to take them, if you have some good school mother contacts? It sounds awful but honestly, the focus now has to be on trying to keep you in as good condition as possible for the coming weeks.

Can you show this thread to your husband or the HelpHer forums in the states? or the Preg Sickness support or Preg SOS forums? (links in the OP). He needs to understand that this is not a small disease, this is, as Punkstar's consultant said, an utterly miserable condition.

muddy Im very glad to hear your husband has been able to take some time off to look after the baby. Please rest up. Don't try to do stuff. Conserve your strength.

Also, consider ringing the Preg Sickness SUpport helpline. Leave a message and they will get back to you. They have a list of HG-aware doctors; there might be one in your area.

For some reason they were giving me vitamin B1 in hospital. I felt too ill to argue or question.

NoRoom they gave me B1 as well. I googled it and apparently there was some case like once of deficiency in a preg woman so I think they now give it quite routinely.

Also, you are not a rubbish mum. You're just ill at the moment. It's no different to if you were laid out with flu. You can't just get on with it. I second all Meerka's comments. You need some support.

no room so sorry you are on your own to cope, I am dreading this in a couple of days and it's only the dog and the baby to worry about. Have you family or friends local to help? I would pick up what food you need for today then do an online shop for the rest.

Dp has just left to get gaviscon and kesostix having given me instructions to drink. Thanks darling! I have brought everything back up so far today which burst my bubble somewhat after my success yesterday evening. The only reason I am trying gaviscon is so when I call the doctor back I can say it definitely didn't work. Before I make that call though I will call that support line and arm myself with knowledge. I weighed myself today and already lost half a stone. Haven't figured what percentage that is yet although have no excuse as I am so bored in bed but too sick to read, even typing this makes me feel queasy.

Thanks to all who have helped so far. So glad I found this thread and wish I had found it last time. X

Oh dear, people are suffering horribly.
Oklahoma and Meerka excellent advice.
MuddyLettuce I'm so glad you are phoning that number. I hope Glibberbg does too,and NoRoom as well to see if they can offer advice about practical help from volunteers at least (I know it's awkward having strangers in perhaps, but this is an emergency).
kittenmama
Some people do get better about fourteen weeks, but sixteen onwards is realistically more likely. Most people do get a lot better, even if they don't feel well generally, it's nothing like as bad as at it's worst.
NoRoom I didn't know that about the deaths before anti emetics (and IV, I suppose) and am horrified. I know about some famous cases, but...Could you text those people who texted earlier offering help saying you'll take them up on it now?
Fraggle I do feel for you. However did you manage to avoid puking on that hateful tube when at your worst?
Detective Good news.
Waves to Elletorriot and Everyone.
xx

As long as I can get back to work that's all I need. How is everyone coping financially? It's all I can think about.

Hi all

I haven't posted on here for a while and I'm so sorry to hear some of you are having a really rubbish time at the moment. Gentle hugs to all.

I have not been so good since coming out of hospital. Every time I eat/drink I am unable to ho!d it down and will vomit back up within 5 to 45 minutes (anything longer than 15 minutes I consider an achievement). Inbetween vomiting my nausea levels drop to mid level (constantly feel sick and have to kiw down) but ramps up as soon as I eat/drink. My ketones are maintaining at +2 at present but can't seem to lower them. I'm totally exhausted yet I'm unable to sleep (my insomnia is driving my OH insane). I don't know what to do. My OH thinks I should go back to hospital as I am losing weight rapidly (I have lost 3lb this week so total of 1st in total now) but I'm not sure if I'll be admitted with lower ketones and I don't want to waste their time. Any advice?

Last night I decided to visit my mum and tell her how I was feeling, I didn't get the chance to talk to her properly. I did however get a lecture that she is worried for my DH as he is having to do everything, I got told i MUST eat and drink becauseIf i end up in hospital and phil hasto take time of work he won't be able to pay bills or might lose his job.

So I came back feeling worse and being made to feel guilty, My husband and I are completely alone in this and im scared, through no fault of our own that we won't make it through this.

Muddy sensible to try the Gaviscon so you can honestly say that you tried I just hope the taste & texture doesn't make the puking worse!

There is support out there it's just a case of knowing where to look but it sounds like you're arming yourself with knowledge comprehensively so hopefully that will help.

We can offer lots of emotional and practical support but you need medical help too so hopefully you'll be able to get that now.

Kitten have been sick throughout the 9 months but as Lucinda says it has been nowhere near as bad as those first 16 - 20 weeks.

Financially I've been very lucky in that despite being off sick for 6 months my firm has excellent sick pay so we have managed. Not sure what we would have done otherwise.

Durham sounds like you need to be back in hospital. If you aren't coping then it doesn't matter that your ketones are only +2. You definitely would not be wasting their time.

Glitter it's so hard when family don't get it. Sometimes it takes them seeing you at your worst for them to understand. It's not like you're not trying to eat & drink! Can you show her some websites? PSS or HelpHer are both good.

Everyone hang on in there, it will get better. And meanwhile we're here for as much support as you need.

Gosh Glitterbug that's such an old fashioned view your mum holds. Really tough to hear that but please try not to listen. If you were this poorly with anything else you wouldn't encounter that attitude. Take a deep breath and ignore.

Noroom I wondered if you might post where you live? I feel so desperately for you, I'm sure if any of us live nearby we'd be able to lend a small hand. This condition is such an immense struggle, I found just being in bed awful let alone doing multiple school runs and shopping trips. Big hugs.

durham agreed with Okla that you might need to be back in hospital. Sorry it's so bad still :(

glitter ... can you arrange for your mother to come and see you on a bad couple of days? seeing the reality of the situation might just make her actually see if you get me. Alternatively, next time be sure to go around at a bad time and spend it in the loo upchucking.

kitten .. the finances are difficult. The best I can suggest is getting the strongest meds you can to try to reduce the illness to a level you can keep going. But I have to say it will be incredibly hard and maybe impossible.

I totally agree, Durham, you at least need to be reviewed by the ward.

I've e-mailed a local cleaning company. I feel like I have achieved greatness! (Oh and I live in South Cumbria so doubt that anyone is nearby).