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

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.

Daffodil Of course, I remember you well. What lovely news.
Many good wishes and thank you so much for coming on to encourage others suffering.
Reebokand spandau Oh no, it's too bad you should be deprived of sleep, too. Hang on there. Are there any seasonal playgroups over Christmas that might take LO's? Trying to think of something to give you a break. No relatives or friends willing to give you an afternoon's rest here and there?
amysmummy I am so glad you're feeling better. Almost certainly the strain made things worse for a while.
TwoDrifters That is a disappointment.
eallison and OnceaMeer waves.
I hope Ican't isn't feeling too bad, and everyone else.
I hope people have avoided bile runs at least today.
EMS Lovely to hear from you. How are things? MotherofPearl I hope you aren't too tired?
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

Congratulations daffodil! You must be thrilled and what a lovely Christmas present.

I've got a GP appointment this afternoon to get more promethazine tablets for over Christmas. The thing is I can't really move off the sofa due to nausea. I was sick 5 times yesterday, but have managed to keep everything down today. I don't know how much relief I can expect from the tablets. It beats being sick every 15 minutes but I still don't feel like I can function. Is it worth me asking to go on stronger medication or is this just how it is? Has anyone any experience of the stronger meds? Or is it a case of managing the sickness rather than making me feel like I can live normally?

Daffodil, I've no experience of promethazine, so can't comment on that drug specifically. In my previous HG pregnancy I took cyclizine throughout, from early on until week 42. It brought the vomiting under control to some extent, but I still threw up every single day, right up to delivery. Also struggled with terrible nausea. This time around I swore I would push for Ondansetron, and when I had my second hospital admission at around 6 weeks the consultant at the EPU fortunately prescribed it. For me it's been a game changer, radically improved things. Now at 20 weeks I'm only sick maybe twice a week. I do have nausea, especially in the afternoons, and I'd be lying if I said I feel like my usual self, but provided I get plenty of sleep I'm more or less functional. Back to work full-time and able to do things at home. But I know I've been very lucky with this. Others on Ondansetron, like Reebok and Shoop haven't found it as miraculous I don't think. Good luck and keep us posted.

I meant Bergamot! That whole essay was for Bergamot not Daffodil! Thanks for asking after me Lucinda; I'm OK but clearly need more sleep! Hope that Reebok and Spandau are able to get a bit of quiet time at least, with the DCs at home. CBeebies?

Thanks for the advice mother. I didn't get many answers at the GP. She wasn't sure what to do so wanted to consult a specialist before prescribing anything so I have to go back tomorrow.

She said that really, provided I'm not dehydrated, then the baby will be ok and that's all that really matters. So I guess this is my life for the foreseeable future.

Yes Bergamot, as MotherofPearl said, I've found Ondansetron to be the best of the bunch (though can't remember if I tried the one you're on) but have been told throughout I can't expect anything to help with the nausea, only the vomitting. Whether that's true for everyone I don't - tis rather disheartening!

It seems now I'm through the worst of it they're starting to take my care seriously. I had a growth scan yesterday (all good and on course) and will be having ones at 32 and 38 weeks too. I have no other complications except mental health so can only assume I've been given these due to the HG! Any one else had extra scans because of it?

Well, I guess see what she says Bergamot. But as Meer often points out, according to the NICE guidelines, the aim of HG treatment should be to allow the pregnant woman to have as good and normal a life as possible. So your GP saying that just because you're not dehydrated and baby is OK is not really good enough. You are entitled to treatment that affords you a reasonable quality of life.

You need to accept you ll feel grim possibly til the end but meds can help.some alot so go back and demand if not go to hospital they ll admit you and you'll get prescribed stuff whilst in that docs can follow on with.. good luck x

Hi all feeling grim today. Lots of nausea and mouth tastes yuck constantly. Lucinda unfortunately all playgroups in my area are now closed until the New Year. Wish I had some help but no one around. Oh is back to being a prat and unhelpful. He thinks because my head is not constantly in a bucket like it was, I should be fine now. He doesn't get why it's lasting longer this time. I want to punch him. Luckily dd knocked out early tonight and didn't fight bedtime like she usually does because she wouldn't nap at nursery today.

Bergamot I'm on ondansetron. It's helped a lot more then cyclizine did for me in my last hg pregnancy but I'm still feeling rotten at 21 weeks. Unfortunately nothing touches the nausea. I'm unable to cut down on my pills at moment which sucks. Still on 3 a day.

Shoop glad you're getting better care.

Mop, spandau, Icant, madrigal and everyone else hope you're coping tonight. Waves to mother hen, meerka, Ems and ealli.

Come on April! I miss me.

Bergamot You have had such excellent advice I don't think I can add to it except to echo the comment that it doesn't seem to be working well enough, and it's worth trying to push for stronger meds as they are available and though you may not be dehydrated now, that's not to say you won't become so with this level of vomiting if this continues and gets worse. Do keep an eye on that, preferably getting some kesostix from a chemists to check for the early stages.If it's really difficult getting other meds from your GP its worth ringing the Pregnancy Sickness SOS line on
024 7638 2020 who will call you back with excellent advice.
Reebok That does sound tough. It's very hard for non sufferers to realise that because you are better than you were, that doesn't mean you are OK.
Waves to MotherofPearl shoop spandau eallison OnceaMeer
and everyone.

Reebok, sorry to hear you're still struggling. I so wish for a breakthrough for you; it's been relentless. Totally know what you mean about OH assuming you're completely better just because you're no longer at your worst. I've just had a row with my DP, something we seldom do, because he wants to go to the gym and swimming tomorrow (we're both off work), and I said I didn't want to go too.
I have my 20 week scan tomorrow morning and am feeling quite nervous, especially because I've declined all the other screening/tests, so if there's something wrong it may be spotted tomorrow.
Hope everyone is managing tonight.

bergamot I went thru the range of meds up to ondansetron and ondansetron was the only one to touch the nausea/vomiting. A real game changer for me. It is well worth pushing for it. Be warned tho , constipation is a very common side effect. I never suffered too badly from it, not like some on here, but I put that down to the fact that pretty much all I could eat or drink was tinned peaches. It was drug that touched anything and it made it so I could begin to drink things and as I got better I was able to function fairly normally (if exhausted and not feeling like me!).

spandau sorry oh is not being as helpful as he could be. Christmas can be stressful at the best of times and perhaps that's getting to him with the worry of you being unwell.

MoP missed your 20 week scan tomorrow; exciting to see your little one! I understand the nerves but ficus on how lovely it'll be to see your wriggling bambino!

MotherofPearl Good luck with the scan,but almost certainly you won't need it.
eallison Good advice as ever. Am I wrong, or do I remember your GP was one of the ones reluctant to prescribe Ondansetron and Dr Tony of PSS helped there? It is such a shame that the expense creates a barrier for many doctors prescribing, which seems to be the problem half the time.
Sorry that Reebok and Spandau have OH's who are being less than helpful. MotherofPearl I'm not surprised you objected -gym and swimming is a taxing programme even when not pregnant and still suffering from Hyperemesis!

lucinda quite the opposite for me, in fact. I went from diagnosis to ondansetron in 5 days - I clearly live in the right nhs trust. As soon as a med didn't work for me, I was moved up to the next one on the ladder. (It did involve one hospital admission and 3 out of hours doc apts -over a weekend). I was prescribed ondansetron by the consultant at the EPU and then my GP continued renewing it. I think that's one of the best ways to go about getting ondansetron.

Just been diagnosed hyp grav. Does it become less grim? 9w pg and xmas in a day 😭 Sooo tired.

Thanks again once and eallison for your support.

Last week my hormones must have peaked because it was the worst feeling I have experienced during pregnancy. At one point I had to sleep sitting up in bed as lying flat made the room spin! However as of Sunday my nausea has retuned to normal whereby I can manage it with food. The GP said he would prescribe meds if it returned, he was very good and not dismissive at all. I really hope you ladies here are not suffering and have meds. I had a week of feeling dreadful, debilitated, I can't imagine how you all cope with weeks on end!

As a treat to myself I booked a private scan. I'm 10+1 and baby has size 9's

Thanks again for the support. Merry Christmas

20 week scan went well! Feeling so relieved that all looks normal and no anomalies spotted. We saw a lovely close up of baby's sweet face! Was very hard to resist finding out about the sex, but we managed it. Now feeling exhausted, especially after a rubbish night's sleep last night.
Thanks for the update Peyia, and the lovely scan photo! So glad to hear your symptoms have eased.
Welcome to Immortal, and sorry you have to join our horrible club. Is this your first HG pregnancy, and have you been prescribed any meds? Do stick around on here for plenty of support.
Ealli, you must be enjoying preparing for BabyEalli's first Christmas? Hope the worst of his reflux has passed now, or at least settled?
Waves to Lucinda and everyone. Hope all sufferers are taking it easy and not trying to do too much in the run up to Christmas. Put your feet up with an ice lolly instead!

immortal it will certainly get better, but probably not for a few weeks yet. Sorry to be bearer of bad news. Were you given any meds with your diagnosis? I certainly hope so, it'd be very remiss of your doctor to diagnose without prescribing! Are you able to keep any fluids down? Drinks that tend to work tend to be very hot or very cold. Fuzzy sweet drinks are better than water as they'll provide a bit of every as well as fluid. If it's really difficult ice pops or ice cubes can work. Don't worry too much about healthy food/drink, anything you can keep down is a bonus. I lived on tinned peaches and Fanta for a long time and gave birth to a healthy 9lb boy! Stick around, you'll find support and understanding ears here.

peyia glad things are settling and you gave a supportive gp if things deteriorate again.

MoP I'm glad the scan was good :) we are very excited about his first Christmas. Having decided not too but very much this cos he won't know/doesn't need,I felt bad on Monday and went and bought a load of toys and books!!!

Hope everyone is managing okay

Congratulations on your successful scan MOP!

I'm a bit up and down at the moment - some good days, some bad. Just hoping I can cope with Christmas in a couple of days.

Had a mw appointment today and heard the heartbeat which was really lovely, and all seems well with me so I'm relieved about that.

Hope all is peaceful for everyone else.

Glad to hear about the scan mop and lovely scan pic peyia.
Excellent news amys and daffodil - sorry behind in saying so.
Any luck yet twodrifters?
Hope minieallison has a lovely first xmas.
Hows things Spandau & reebok?

sorry if I've missed anyone out :(

wedding went as well as possible but been rough the couple of days since.
20 week scan tomorrow, had a phone call have to see consultant after so hoping wont be admitted.

How often if consultant led do you ladies get seen? seems to be fortnightly/weekly for me (when I've not been in hospital)but in my last HG Pregnancy wasn't much at all. Suppose this time round I've had more complex health issues than in my last pregnancy.

lucinda I'm very well thanks and little man is doing well too, he is a very chilled out chappie - the total opposite to DD! I hope everyone manages to have an enjoyable Christmas and just think, next year you will have your gorgeous babies with you too xx

My oven decided to pack up this afternoon a day before Xmas. . Great

Got horrific stomach cramps.. from constipation ... and not even on any meds ...
21 weeks tomorrow ...

Anyone else get stomach cramps from constipation and feeling everything is falling out.. having a mini panic

spandau does broken oven not serve as an amazing excuse not to bother cooking?!

icant I think you have had particularly special extra medical needs, it doesn't surprise me you're seeing the consultant regularly . to be honest in relieved that they want to keep such a close eye on you.

Icant No change as far as I know. However, we went to see Star Wars today which was rather loud and seemed to startle the baby into wriggling quite a lot. Let's hope he spun round!

I won't know the true position until next week now so I've just been bouncing on the birthing ball and hoping for the best.

Hope everyone can get some much-needed and well-deserved rest in the next few days