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.

Due Dates
mrsm14 14 February
Mirabel 19 February
mygreeneyedboy 22 February
BarmeeMarmee 10 March
Bugista 26 March
Shoop 28 March
Reebok 29 April
spandau 5 May
MotherofPearl 7 May
spandau 8 May
ICan't 11 May
Madrigal 30 May
lemonslemonslemons 12 June
amysmum 9 June
Iam 22 June
racheljayne 10 August
Special Stains 18 August
Icklekid 31 August
Mrsamerican 10 October

Oh, can I update my due date? It's 17th August, not 18th. That extra day sooner makes all the difference!

Welcome Loka. Hopefully because you're so well-prepared this time, HG won't take hold and you won't need us! But do keep us posted meanwhile. I'll leave it to Special to tell you about the lovely plans she has in store for The Ginger Crew!
Icant, I'm glad to hear that they have things under control for now. Please do keep chatting on here as Ickle says, you must be feeling very isolated. Thinking of you and hope they can keep baby in situ at least for a few more weeks.
Lucinda, thanks for the link to the HG survey; I completed it a few weeks ago. I welcome any new research on HG!
To all those fantasising about post-HG life: I hear ya! I keep thinking about early May, when I'm due, and trying to work out what I'm looking forward to most: being nausea-free, enjoying lovely Spring weather, having a delicious glass of prosecco or wine, eating a meal (pasta!) and not worrying about it reappearing, going back to a normal size and fitting back into my normal clothes, or, er, meeting my baby!

Meant to say, Loka, we told our DD (7) and DS (4) about the pregnancy early on, probably when I was first hospitalised at around 6 weeks. We felt it was better to tell them the truth, and to reassure them, especially after DS asked 'is mummy going to die?'
Madrigal, very glad to hear you've learnt your lesson with the decorating and you're putting your feet up! Hurray for nearly being in the third trimester, it really does feel like a landmark.
MrsAmerican, sorry to hear you're still not keeping down liquids. I don't think A&E would think you were being silly: not being able to keep liquids down is pretty serious. They will take you seriously. Worth a try. IV rehydration and meds really do transform how you feel, even if temporarily.

Hi everyone! Sorry for radio silence. I couldn't remember my password and literally didn't have energy to reset it. Trying hard to keep up - icant so sorry to hear about your scare, I hope baby can hold off for a little while longer but as others have said even if they have to come early our neonatal care is so good, they will look after your little one.
Welcome loka!
mrsamerican I'm sorry things are so dreadful. I echo others' concern, please go to a&e if you can't keep liquids down. They will take you seriously (better than GP).
lucinda hope the finger is better! We need your comforting words. My due date is 23 July. Nearly half way.... Right?!
cola Im sorry to hear you're feeling so down. Advice given to me was one day at a time. Inevitably you will have hopeless and more positive days. Be kind to yourself. If it's not lifting, please tell the GP. antenatal depression can be treated. I think you were asking about Ondansetron and headaches? This week I had a severe one for nearly 24 hrs, paracetamol didn't touch it, only sleeping helped. Could have been partly dehydration/lack of food but I do think it is a side effect. For me the worst is the constipation though - special I hear ya on that!!
motherofpearl I enjoyed reading your post partum fantasy!
Update from me. The resting is def helping. Struggled looking after LO alone yest and crawled into bed as soon as I put her to bed. Not too many vomits. GP apt on Monday and am nervous, I'm scared he will refuse to sign me off. Any tips? I must prepare better, on the phone my 'script' didn't go well. The in laws are here this wkend (lovely, but notorious for not lifting a finger and needing to be waited on). I'm proud of myself as I am not helping prepare/clear away any food AT ALL etc. Poor husband doing everything (his parents tho, he can ask for help!) and I've been sitting on sofa playing with DD/watching PIL play with her. Came upstairs to vom and have a bit of a rest/MN!
Thank you to whoever recommended tinned fruit (lucinda?) - it went down ok.
Sorry to the many I've missed (can't scroll back far enough whilst I'm typing!), virtual hugs to everyone.

Ps, can I ask if your vomiting has changed? In my first pregnancy I had what I term pregnancy sickness until around week 17/18 (it was prob hyperemesis but never had diagnosis) then it changed to acid reflux vomiting (for which I was on ranitidine) until baby was born. This wk I've done some really awful acid vomits, I'm wondering if Ondansetron is still the right drug? I'll ask consultant when I see him next but interested in others' experiences. Thank you

SpecialStains Certainly,'what a difference a day makes' with Hyperemesis, that's for sure.

Due Dates
mrsm14 14 February
Mirabel 19 February
mygreeneyedboy 22 February
BarmeeMarmee 10 March
Bugista 26 March
Shoop 28 March
Reebok 29 April
spandau 5 May
MotherofPearl 7 May
spandau 8 May
ICan't 11 May
Madrigal 30 May
lemonslemonslemons 12 June
amysmum 9 June
Iam 22 June
mrsmonkey 23 July
racheljayne 10 August
Special Stains 17 August
Icklekid 31 August
mrs american 10 October

MotherofPearl Thanks for doing the survey for Caitlin/Spewing Mummy.
mrsmonkey and others, thanks for queries over finger. Getting a lot better. mrsmonkey I was lucky enough to have only occasional vomits after fifteen weeks, and yes, they were all to do with that awful residual heartburn that seems typical.
mrsamerican I am sure they would not think you were making a fuss about nothing if you went to A and E if you are still having trouble retaining liquids. You must be quite dehydrated again. The GP seems to be being too dismissive.
Madrigal Quite right, do 'sit on your arse'
squeezed You too! Sorry to hear of epic vomiting session.
icklekidHow are you today?
Ican't Oh dear, that sounds nasty. We are all keeping our fingers crossed.
Apologies for anyone rudely overlooked.

Thanks for due date list! If you'll all allow me I need a bit of a whinge... Tried to join PIL and husband for dinner downstairs after DD went to bed and it went disastrously. Ate a bit of potato and carrot. Couldn't stomach idea of salmon or other veg. MIL chatting merrily about all types of food they ate over Christmas. I lasted 10 min before apologising and coming upstairs to vom and hide in my bedroom. Feeling rather resentful that I can't just chill out on my own sofa and vomit in the downstairs toilet. Feel v self conscious and know I'm being rude but I can't be doing with it! Rant over

Tomorrow will be a better day for everyone I hope!

Sorry to hear they mrsmonkey HG is such an anti social illness... I've been like a hermit at times hopefully they understand your absence and help out where they can...

icant how you doing? (in a non Joey Tribiani voice)

mrsamerican I echo what everyone else has said and hope you consider a&e...

lucinda ever thankful for your clucking and flapping around us "eggsitters" 😊

Waves to everyone else!!

DD woke up this morning and vomited, she's still having booby although my milk dried up about week 15, however when I squeezed today some colostrum came out, so I'm convinced its this that made her ill meanwhile I've had a rotten cold that's been lingering for weeks, so I've been feeling very sorry for myself

mrs monkey my fullest sympathies. Over Christmas my big issue was...and it's making me gag typing...gravy. Adverts set me off horribly. Dh (less d on this incident) made me vomit by teasing me about it.

Hide in your room and make dh bring you plain toast when you fancy it (sleeping on empty stomach is hard).

Hope tomorrow is better!

Well I really feel like you guys saved mine and baby's life today. Waited almost 6 hrs for 111 to call back but I finally said to DH we could wait in A&E as easily as home.

Got seen in less than 1 hour. Thank you NHS.

After a crazy high bp and bad heart rate they have done what you said all along and given me the good drugs and 3 litres of fluids. I feel so much better I cried all over the sweet nurse.

Arhh just deleted really long message 😂

mrsamerican I am so relieved to hear you got the fluids and medication you need. If you can face it go back to gp for repeat prescription so he can see how serious hg is. (Totally understand if you can't though! )

mrsmonkey I can totally relate although we were at my parents. My mum was adamant I needed to eat more which made me very sick. I spent a lot of time in bed although they were fab with ds.

I feel like I am being sick less and feeling slightly more human as long as I rest and don't do anything! This makes me feel bad about work however I know if I go back to soon I will be off again. Am hoping to try reduced hours soon. To be honest the thought of working scares me incase I go backwards!

Can someone explain why I'm awake at 2 am? ?

mrsamerican that's fantastic news (clearly not fantastic that you were so poorly, but that you were seen quickly and have received treatment). I hope you feel a bit better now. Can you get back to GP tmw and make them see that you need drug management? Hopefully the a&e visit will be persuasive enough. I would be pointing out that if you'd followed his advice (dioralyte FFS!) you and baby would be very ill by now if you hadn't gone to hospital. (Can you take DH with you to argue for you?)

ickle so sorry you were awake in the night for no reason. I hope you are able to get a lie in this morning - do you have someone else that can help you with toddler? (Hopefully you're still asleep). DH has been very good and got DD up this morning so I'm still hiding in bed so I don't have to make conversation with PIL. Stomach cramps this morning oh joy...

I know what you mean about feeling better when you do nothing. That's the position I am in. I'm worried the GP will say tmw that if I'm feeling a bit better I should go to work - my fear is also that I will be a lot worse if I have to go back this week.

Glad you got to A&E mrs I had to do the same with dd1 as gp refused to refer me... Funnily they were much more attentive after that hospital visit and realised they had f*cked up by not sending me sooner... Rest up ladies, I'm off to a soft play centre this afternoon for a two year old birthday party, last time I got wedged in the rollers trying to rescue Amy

Just popping on to say that I'm so pleased you've been treated MrsAmerican. IV fluids make such a huge difference. Have they given you meds to take home? Are you still in hospital or home now? Hope the improvement you feel is sustained.

mrsamerican I am so glad you got seen! Six hours wait for 111 to ring back is shocking.
mrsmonkey Much sympathy. If they know, they shouldn't be talking non stop about food; surely they have some other topic of conversation?
Enough to annoy anyone.
Waves to MotherofPearl I hope taking it easy, and madrigal and amysmummy soft play centre sounds fun - and eallison and everyone.
A bit worried now about Reebok spandau and others who have been very quiet. Like everyone else, I'm always concerned for ican't.

Hi ladies, can I check in? Just had a positive test and already worrying about the sickness! (Been feeling a little icky the past few days which had me wondering)

Anyway, had borderline(?) HG with DD. Nowhere near as bad as some of you have it but I was sick several times a day until 20+ weeks, and on Stemetil my whole pregnancy. I managed to keep working but that probably had a lot to do with a very easy commute and an even easier desk job...

And now I have a 4yo to get too and from nursery and a much longer commute

I was on this board two and a half years ago as I fell unexpectedly pregnant and decided to terminate the pregnancy, for several reasons but one important one was not feeling in a position to cope with the sickness and a toddler. Luckily DD will be easier to cope with now!

Anyway, I'm worried bloody terrified as I hated being pregnant first time and am currently just sitting her thinking about sickness and exhaustion and all the joyful stuff that comes with it...

Sorry, I'm waffling as I haven't told anyone in RL!

My GP seemed supportive in my last pregnancy (moved at 32w and new GP prescribed Stemetil without any questions) so that should be fine. But I've got two questions, if anyone's still reading my rambling?

Should I see the GP before the sickness kicks in to ask for a prescription in case it does?

And secondly, how the hell do I broach this with work?! In theory it's going to be a conversation where they get to chose whether I work from home for a few weeks, or get signed off sick (assuming it's not much different from my last pregnancy). Do I wait until I've been signed off once, maybe, or should I be upfront about it if the sickness kicks in again?

You might be really lucky and not have it this time, I would worry about things as they crop up. I don't know how anyone manages to work with normal morning sickness let alone HG.

Welcome thurlow and congratulations, a few on here see GP and get pre emptive meds and find that makes a difference? I didn't this time round and became very poorly around 5 weeks. With work I'd wait and see depending on your symptoms?
Mrsamerican ~ glad you've been to a&e hope your feeling a lot better now!
Good luck this afternoon Amy's.
Mrsmonkey~ I hope you have an understanding gp tomorrow.
Ickle ~ hope you've had some good rest today.

Thurlow I got medication before hg really started as had sickness last time controlled well by it. This time not so much effect but no harm in asking. As for work I would speak to a line manager you trust and take it a day/week at a time

icant still thinking of you hope baby is behaving!

Other than early start I am resting lots today. I have no patience for toddler demands and sulks though so ds has had too much tv, biscuits and cheese so far! Have to say after half term am looking forward to proper child free rest tomorrow!

amysmum your brave or made possibly both! Soft play will only be happening when someone else can run after ds. No knowledge of danger and loves to climb too high!

SpecialStains it's wonderful not having hyperemesis! I finally removed all the sick bags from the shoulder bag and rucksack I usually take out & about with me! What to have for dinner is once again a fun & interesting quandary rather than a forced necessity. Keep going, you will get there! And after choking on shot glasses of water back when I was pregnant, it's beyond refreshing (in more ways than one!) to be knocking back PINTS of water now. Breastfeeding truly makes you thirsty!

ICant We are both doing well thank you. We have our final appointment with the consultant tomorrow & then hopefully MiniDrifter will be discharged from neonatal care. Hurrah!

mrsamerican I'm so pleased that you have been feeling better.
Thurlow Congratulations and welcome. I told work early on in pregnancy, but more because of risks involved in my job role. I think it helped for when I had to take time off, but a personal preference I think. I wish I'd asked for meds sooner.
Ickle It sounds like resting is helping so do take the time and don't rush.
Had another sicky day with another epic session. These sessions do seem to be taking it out of me much more than previously. Feeling pissed of with my management because they have made negative comments about having to cover maternity leave. Also they don't do comprehensive risk assessments, so I'm going to tell them that I'm not going to put myself at risk with certain clients. My colleagues are brilliant and are keeping me going but I think I might take some time off again due to being so much more sick. Dh might be right

Sorry for the silence Lucinda but thanks for asking after me. Had an awful half term. DD was sick yet again and then I ended up with a chest infection which aggravated more vomiting. Have had no rest at all and feel like utter shit. 30+2 now...I officially give up. No point in hoping for a recovery anymore. Also been having horrible Braxton hicks which have been so painful and resulted in me crying non stop...dd bless her tries to help me and holds my hand when I'm in pain. Back to work tomorrow...luckily only 10 working days to battle through and then I will have left this awful job.

Amys glad to hear you've recovered...long may it last.

Icant you have really had a rough time of it. I don't even know what to say...lots of hugs coming your way.

Sorry there are so many of you suffering. Apologies not to reply to everyone personally but I am thinking of you all always (usually mid vomit and tears).

Another day down. Night all x

Congratulations Thurlow! No advice on the meds front I'm afraid - this is my first time experiencing the pleasures of hg so I didn't get started on meds until about 7 weeks, which was much too late in hindsight and I think may have contributed to the hg hanging around as it has (am 26 weeks tomorrow).

Mixed weekend again here. I think the paint fumes set me off because I have yet again spent Sunday vomiting when Saturday wasn't too bad. I think they must have a cumulative effect. We still have lots more to get done as well so I'm starting to dread the smell of the paint coming out. Also had a sick in nose scenario this afternoon which is the first I've had in ages - thought I had got the hang of avoiding it. Can still smell sick.

Sorry for lack of personals, I am thinking of you all and hoping for improvements all round.

Counting down reebok hope the commute isn't too fraught tomorrow... You be careful with those fumes madrigal make sure you're well ventilated