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, thanks for the advice kalid, I drank some water, threw up then quickly got the tablets down. First one didn't survive, second one did! I woke up so many times in the night heaving so got up and had another tablet. That kept me going until this morning and I've just taken another tablet. I'm attempting weetabix now and hoping it was a bug after all!

Morning all - hello to all the new posters!

2 things strike me reading everyones' posts:

1. Some posters are very apologetic about posting as they don't feel their symptoms are as bad as everyone else - please don't feel you can't post. Even the smallest amount of nausea is absolutely miserable and it's very hard to get those feeling in 100% good health around you to understand!

1. (On the whole) there still seems to be an ongoing battle with healthcare professionals on how to treat someone with hyperemesis or severe nausea. It's such a shame that in your most weakest moments, you have to summon up the strength to battle it out. I remember the absolute relief I felt 2 weeks ago when I was admitted - finally someone understood, was listening to me and would treat me. This was after 1 week of 3 fruitless visits to GP, 2 visits to out of hours (dragging our children in pyjamas to the other side of town on one occasion - terrible parents, absolute nightmare).

TallGiragges Thank goodness for that.
Welcome to Jmojo. I'm not sure from your post if your on meds, but it seems to me you need them, as you're totally debilitated and you need to get hold of kestostix (from any chemists) to test your urine for ketones.
I'm glad at least princgles and ice lollies are bearable. How is flat coke and the juice of tinnned fruit? A lot of people find cheap ice cream bearable, too. Dreadful diet, I know, but you haven't got much choice exactly. Do get an appointment and emphasize that this is not a normal level of nausea and ask for meds. I know it's hard to fight your corner when so ill - might a friend or relative go along to back you up?
comeaganforabigfudge Welcome, I'm sorry you were treated insensitiely by the midwife. Hopefully, as this came on fairly latish it stands a good chance of passing relatiely early - I wasn't really ill until nine weeks, peaked at ten weeks, and was a lot better save for savage residual heartburn for the rest of the pregnancy, whereas poor women who are very ill early on seem to have it worse, though not invariably even with them.
As you're a nurse, I'm sure you don't need Mother Hen to advise you to get kestostix to check for dehydration. If there was no urine that's a very bad sign and I'm concerned - how much fluids and food are you able to keep down?
I think there's a large grey area between Hyperemesis and bad ms and iti's so easy to slip down the slippery slope and suddenly be desperately ill while still being told you're 'making a fuss', as Dotty obviously found. Dotty that sounds awful, poor you.
And NoRoom that's so unlucky, all three ill at once, you poor thing; can nobody help? I can't imagine how you are coping; you must be worn out and were even on coming home, and all the stress too.
freewee Waves. How are things?
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked/cross posted with.
Back soon.
xx

Hello everyone, I posted a while back on one of the previous threads. I was suffering with hyperemesis and didn't really know what to say apart from have a little moan really. I weighed 9st before I got pregnant, at 11 weeks pregnant I was at my lightest at just 7st1, I had lost almost 2 stone in 5 weeks due to this horrific illness. I was in hospital twice on a drip for 3 days but it was a vicious circle, as soon as I came out I was sick again.
The support of this thread is amazing, even just knowing there is other ladies in the same position gave me comfort. I felt like the doctors didn't believe me when I told them I was being sick 20-25 times a day. I just wanted to say thank you for this thread and everyone on it.

I also wanted to say that, for the ladies still going through it, there is light at the end of the tunnel. It does get better. I'm now 18 weeks pregnant and no more hyperemesis. I believe what I have now it's just normal 'morning sickness' I feel sick in the morning until I eat something, then the sickly feeling goes, I'm occasionally still sick if I don't eat in time. But let me tell you, it's nothing compared to what it was.

Keep strong everyone, you are doing amazing! Xx

comeagain apologies for tarring all HCPs with the same brush. I imagine you are a wonderful supportive nurse Fortunately HCPs aren't all the same as pregnant women suffering sickness and nausea aren't all the same. My first pregnancy was carried out in complete ignorance of how I was 'supposed' to feel relative to other pregnant women. I'm glad you're feeling better but isn't it sad how low we have to go before we're supported? Begging for medication or to be admitted to hospital is soul destroying because nobody wants to be in the position where they have to do either but they recognise they can't carry on. As you say, you'll know what to do with people if you hear a similar story from them as you experienced!

waves at Lucinda I'm surviving (it really does feel like that's the achievement these days!) Still struggling to plan for Christmas but am getting there. Got my scan next Tuesday then can't wait to explain why I've not seen anyone in months! It's worst in the evenings and I can't even brush my teeth before I go to bed. Definitely no evening plans till January which means missing out on Christmas fun but it'll be easier when I can explain why I'm declining the invitation.

Dotty I think you summed things up there perfectly. If you feel dreadful being told 'it's normal' does not make you feel better! So anyone who feels horrendous is welcome here for however long (not envious at all Olive ) & posting when you feel better fills the rest of us with hope!

I second Lucinda's suggestion of tinned fruit in juice/syrup. That was practically the only liquid I had till 16 weeks & that is genuinely not exaggerating. Stocked up this pregnancy but can bear sweet things this time! Can drink decaf coffee which was a total no no last time It'd better be a boy this time and hot water. Or cooled boiled water which removes the chemical taste. Got a glass cooling on the side as I type!

Just had quite an amusing conversation with the ward doctor who was "horrified" at how dehydrated I'd got and said that if this happens again (as she thought it might) then I had to come in much earlier. I explained just how hard I had fought to get in yesterday and what was I supposed to do differently. Just explain your past history properly and your gp should be sympathetic to admitting you!! Ugh.

On a positive note though, 5litres of fluid overnight have got my ketones down to 3.

Why didn't I know that boiling water first removes the manky chemical smell/taste?! Great tip!

So DS was sent to the hospital by the GP. DH has taken him so I'm waiting to hear what's going on.

NoRoom Oh no, do let us know what's going on.
TallGiraffes A break down in communication there. You knew you were very ill and they wouldn't listen.
Waves to everyone.
xx

I don't know yet other than he's been given steroids for his breathing even though the doctor hasn't actually seen him yet. The nurse looking after DS phoned the doc then gave him the steroids.

Tallgiraffes thank you. Yes, you would think I had ketosticks but sadly the type of nurse I am means I can tell by looking at my urine (or lack of) how dehydrated I am. (Yes I am that sad). However I may invest in them should my symptoms worsen.

my gp did give me cyclizine which has meant I've been able to eat and drink quite well. (Better than i had been and it stays down) struggle to remember to drink though!

I have found that my nausea is getting worse again despite the medicine. To the point that I brought up my lovely dinner last night.... several hours after I'd eaten it as well!! Hmpff ! ! Today I've had nausea but not brought anything up which is good.
My gp reckons the ms will probably not subside til week 16 even up to week 20. He did also say it might be twins but it's just one. So perhaps he's wrong about the ms as well

Free wee not offended in the slightest. It takes all sorts to run the nhs. And they can't all be cheery clones of me ha ha ha. It is sad that more often hear the bad reviews than good. Just the way it is I suppose.

In saying that I had a wonderful phone conversation with physios today. My poor cramped leg uncramed but left me with hip pain. So I obviously want that sorted. Well was given an appoint for later in month but advised to try other hosp to see if they could squeeze me in. Not only could they do that but the 1st physio had already phoned across and they knew my story and couldn't have been more sympathetic and helpful! FAITH FULLY RESTORED!!

Olive1987I missed your lovely post, thank you s much for your praise of this thread, I'm so glad it helped and you now feel so much better. It's such an encouragement for women suffering in the early stages.
FreeWee Good luck for that scan, almost certainly not needed, and glad things aren't too bad generally.
NoRoom How nerve wracking and horrible. You really are going through it at the moment. Gentle cyber pats on offer.
Hope TallGirafes is better and glad Comeagain has her faith in the sympathy of NHS staff slightly restored.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.
xx

DS is home with oral steroids. Thankfully he only has croup so hopefully he'll get over it quickly. So relieved that he's not got anything on his chest.

I'm back on tinned fruit and rubbish ice cream. My MIL (an ex-midwife and general pain in the arse who doesn't understand HG) is turning up in a week's time. I really don't want to have to listen to all of her crap... "Just keep eating and you'll feel fine"...

Hello all, I haven't been on for a while and can see there is lots of new names! Hello and welcome! I know if you are early in your pregnancy it can feel like you are in a pit of despair with no way out but it does get better! I am 16+6, been on cyclizine since 8 weeks and although I am still taking it I can actually eat. Normal food aswell, well, still off garlic and most of the food I tolerated during the worst time. If I forget to take cyclizine (happened yesterday) I get nauseous but nowhere near the level of nausea I had weeks 6-14. If I get over tired I do get extra nauseous though. So rest, rest, rest!
I went back to work last week and failed to do a full set, I had to call in on the last day as I felt the familiar nausea and dizziness. I don't think it was work although was sick a few times, more because I'd only had about 8 hours sleep in 2 days as DD was/is ill. Fingers crossed I make it the whole week this time, back on Friday.
Hope everyone else is doing ok, will have a proper read later. X

*mddlylettuce8 Thanks for encouraging message and so glad you're coping at work but sorry you've had a blip with lO being ill.
Torri Oh dear, a squeamish OH isn't ideal at helping at such a time...Did he join in? I hope this puking was a temporary setback.
NoRoom I hope lO a lot better. Up with the rubbish ice cream and tinned fruit!
Hope everyone is coping today.
xx

Typing getting worse; that was muddlylettuce...

Hi sorry to hear so many are suffering, welcome to all the new names.

38+3 today, no more developments for me except that my nausea and retching is back with a vengeance and I ran out of ranitidine this morning, I can't cope without it! Luckily I still have enough cyclizine to open my own pharmacy! I'm off to DS' nativity in a bit then off to surgery to see MW so hopefully she can sort me out a new prescription, can't believe I let myself run out! Need to check if baby's head has remained down, getting lots of movement and discomfort so not sure. Should have been having section tomorrow, almost wish it was still going ahead now with how yuk I feel at the moment.

Hope everyone is okay xx

Ooooo, I've just realised that I'm 20 weeks today! I know that this shouldn't be a major achievement but it is!

Hi all sorry I've not been on for a while! 26 weeks today and finally managing to eat actual food! I've been back at work for a few weeks but unfortunately I've been off today due to labyrinthitis (inner ear infection) causing extreme dizziness also managing on just cyclizine most days - I only take ondansetron on really bad days now!

Hello to all the new faces, and remember - there is light at the end of the tunnel.

basgetti Oh dear, that doctor had better not set up as a clairvoyant then - what a disappointment. Brave of you to attend the nativity play - I just don't know how poeple do these sort of things without getting caught short with a Public Puking Performance, your ability to hold it in is obviously far better than mine was.
NoRoom
Our lovely Meerka has been quiet these past couple of days - I hope she isn't ill with a bug or something, so many going about, in the UK anyway...
Hope everyone is OK. TallGiraffes are you out yet?
xx

Blueberry Cross posted. Thanks for encouraging post to all. Sorry about the ear trouble, most unpleasant.
xx

What does cross posted mean?

Thanks Lucinda I am now home again and feeling so much better now my fluids are back up. Hopefully the drugs will keep working and I can stay out. My mum strongly disapproves of me taking them and keeps making comments about thalidomide which is proving a bit tricky to handle. I tried pointing out that being attached to a drip for the rest of my pregnancy probably wouldn't be great for me/the baby/ family life but meh. Think I might just lie and say I've stopped taking them.

Hope the nativity was appropriately sweet and you felt ok for it basgetti

Hello all, it's been a while since I posted, on an older thread I think. I was doing great from 25/26 weeks, but at 30+4 I've had a recurrence of the crippling nausea, very tiring. I'm signed off from work now with severe SPD and stress so at least I can take it easy, but I was so hoping I was home and dry now!

Back to sipping lemonade for me...

Hope others are doing ok as can be x