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.

So good to hear from you reebok however rubbish that isn't better news. I think survival is all that you can do now. Take care over next few weeks and do be gentle with yourselfree. I had horrible braxton hicks for weeks last time so can sympathise.

I've got a cold so am right back at feeling sorry for myself. Can't breath, can't eat, can't sleep what next. ..

Thurlow Welcome back, like others I gather getting pre-emptive meds is the best thing from all the research, it stops the brain getting accustomed to vomiting and might stop that hideous spiral of decline leading to severe dehydration. Is there a HR department you could inform in confidence, or as others say, a line manager? You may yet be one of the lucky ones who escape a severe bout in a second pregancy, but best to be prepared, particularly with a toddler/longer commute.
WhiteyChappers Welcome too.
Ican't Hopefully no more contactions?
squeezed That sounds dismal and I so agree with your OH. You need to rest. MotherofPearl''s workplace moaned about the cost of maternity leave too, and I begin to wonder if it isn't a 'subtle' move from employers to discourage women from taking their full statutory rights. Mind you, I'm something of a conspiracy theorist...
Reebok Much sympathy. It's awful for people when it doesn't let up and other horrible symptoms appear.It must be really hard to cope with a sick lO in such circumstances.Thank goodness you 'only' have to drag yourself into work ten more times. But that's bad enough.
icklekid Sorry to hear you've got the awful cold, it does drag on, unfortunately. Try and look after yourself.
Madrigal Sorry to hear of paint fumes misery. As others say, you need ventilation! Some of them make my head ache without Hyperemesis...
amysmummyI hope still comparatively flourishing now?
TwoDrifters That's a lovely encouraging message.
Special mrsmonkey and mrsamerican How are things today?
Still no news from spandau...
Apologies if I've rudely ignored anyone.

Thanks all, I will get myself to the doctor sooner rather than later and get something in. Work are very nice and it's all shiny and corporate with good HR but still, if I am sick again I'm dreading that week or so of trying to hide it before admitting defeat!

Hope everyone feels a bit better today.

Welcome thurlow and hope you have a good response from doctor. I didn't start meds until 12 weeks (Ondansetron), bizarrely at 11 weeks my vomiting intensified. I tried to avoid taking anything prior to 12 weeks but possibly that was a bit stupid of me (I was offered drugs twice by GP but only started when I saw the consultant).
reebok sorry to hear about the miserable ill half term. I hope you get on ok at work, thinking of you.
I saw GP this morning and he was much kinder in person than on phone last week, he has signed me off again which is a relief. Hope can regain some normality with more rest.
Cyber hugs to everyone suffering. One day at a time...

Sorry for not introducing myself, been lurking for a while. Cant decide if I'm just overreacting to being sick. From reading your stories I feel at the moment I'm not too bad as I'm managing to drink a little and eat a little. I do have lots of tantrums and wailing on the bathroom floor about how I'm dying. Only time will tell, I seem to have tolerable days and other days when it gets too much. I'm at 9 weeks today. Your posts have helped no end just for the fact I know I don't have to suffer if it gets too much. I keep telling myself there is always someone worse than me. X

I'm ok .
Been in to have a check up as was having tightening s really bad .. but think it's spd and having kids home. Ds aged 14 is being a horrid teen brat which isn't helping matters.

All ok though just got to put up with pain til the end.

29 weeks plus 4 ... man its dragging

Hugs to newbies.
Sorry so worn out can't face reading all the thread back.

Hi whiteychappers. I think no matter your level of sickness you are welcome here. My last pregnancy I clearly had HG but could keep down some fluids and had no job/kid so just stayed on the sofa for several months.

Starting to despair of every doctor except the one from A&E. My gp said she didn't feel comfortable giving me anything but the buccastem (which clearly does nothing for me) so to "soldier on" while I get an urgent referral to maternity. It feels like I am getting the same brush off as last pregnancy and the injections from yesterday are wearing off fast.

I want to "soldier on" and stuff my bayonet up the backside of my gps at the moment.

I think I must be dying.

The human race would be extinct if this is how we reproduce. I'm not even that bad today, ate a proper meal last night and some food today, but I feel so sick.

Had a fainting/swooning episode this morning. Grabbed onto the doorframe so I was OK, but this dizziness is not welcome! I demanded dh bring me smelling salts, as it made me feel like a lady from a Victorian novel, but he made me lie down with my feet in the air instead.

It's a good job he's off with me this week. He's going to take me up to the lake district tomorrow for a (slow) wander round Grasmere, as we both feel something needs to be done about my vampire-esque appearance. I do kind of feel like Bella from twilight when she's up-duffed with the half vampire baby that's stealing all her nutrients. Pretty sure I look like that too!

Sorry to all those struggling. I know I should complain less, as I'm nowhere near my worst any more, and I know others are far worse off.

Complaining is quite frankly a must with thus horrid condition. Complain away ladies!

whiteychappers It's always nice to meet lurkers. I'm so glad this thread has helped. It might be worth investing in kesostix just in case things do suddenly get worse, but let's hope they don't. There is a grey area between Hyperemesis and severe but just about controllable pergnancy sickness.
Much symapthy for Special and all those who feel that they are dying.
spandau Fourteen year olds can require much patience and energy.Much symapthy about having to deal when suffering from The Scourge.
Waves to all.
mrsmonkeySo glad you've got signed off.
mrsamerican It might be a good idea to ring the Pregnancy Sickness Support number on 024 7638 2020. They'll phone back with great advice about getting meds.
eallison I so agree, with this, a moan is necessary.

special I'm dying too. Glad you mentioned dizziness as I can't stand up without feeling very disorientated and have to hold on to something

I just want to be able to eat something substantial. I can sometimes keep down a piece of toast, a small bowl of cereal or soup, crisps and very occasionally a cheese sandwich but anything else and definitely anything after 5pm causes horrific sickness. I am constantly hungry. I know I should be grateful to not be dehydrated and that I can keep fluids down but oh for a proper meal!

mrsamerican I can't believe despite the dehydration and effective meds your gp is being so difficult I'm so angry on your behalf!

On a positive I've slept until nearly 4am! Woo this feels amazing!

icklekid It's awful when one thinks it's great to sleep until nearly 4am - oh dear;and I so sympathize about longing for a substantial meal. With luck that will improve a lot, gradually, as the weeks s-l-o-w-l-y pass (also, your stomach shrinks; a lot of sufferers are shocked by how much that has happened and it makes sense, as with dieting).
mrsamerican As in my message below, I too am furious about the attitude of the doctor in refusing to prescribe anything more after your admission. How long will the referral take? As I say, do ring that PSS number if you feel desperate about getting meds; they've helped a lot of people on here get them.
I hope everyone is coping today.

I just need to vent my anger and frustration for a minute: I contacted Pregnancy Sickness Support who were the most helpful and understanding people I have spoken to thus far. She told me exactly what to do and was appalled that neither GP would give me the meds I asked for and was even more shocked that my 2nd GP wouldn't refer me to the Early Pregnancy Unit, as that is where I needed to go.

So then I called the Maternity Unit (Antenatal), and the letter was of course sitting on a consultant's desk, and they can't give me an appointment until the doc has decided whether or not I need one. I asked the secretary as nicely as I could while simultaneously retching to put the bloody letter in a consultant's hand and wait for a response.

Then, the Early Pregnancy Unit DID call me ... to schedule my early scan. I basically burst into tears and told the lady that I don't care if there are 9 babies in there, I need drugs more. She was again really disturbed that the GP wouldn't just give me a Rx for ondensetron and said that was pretty unacceptable. She said she would speak to the ob/gyn and call me back as soon as she could.

This is such a clusterf**k (and I am NOT prone to cursing ever). Surely, I'm not the first woman at my GP practice of thousands of patients to ever have HG. What if I was worse and couldn't summon the energy to call all these people?! Am I just supposed to pull a Charlotte Bronte and end up on the front page of the Daily Mail before someone helps me?

That sounds awful mrsamerican - I'm so on your behalf. I really hope the EPU come through for you this afternoon and you get your much needed prescription.

mrsamerican that us shocking. Hopefully the sympathetic nurse will be fighting your corner for you.

Mrs America can u muster the energy to do a formal complaint !
U can take yourself to epau or a ne if the docs are being wankers

Xx

Totally agree with spandau you need to complain to practise manager that the gp inability to prescribe the drugs you require led to you being dehydrated and putting both you and your baby at risk. The fact that despite this they then persist to deny you access to the drugs is truly unacceptable. Have a look at your gp website and see if you can find an email address or phone number. Do you have a friend or partner who could complain on your behalf. I'm still so angry on your behalf. I have had a horrendous time with hg but can't even imagine dealing with this without medication

MrsAmerica, as others have said, this is outrageous treatment (or lack of treatment more like). I really can't imagine many other illnesses where you as the patient have to ring round desperately trying to get the medication you need. It's grossly unjust, and really not what you need when you're already so debilitated by illness. Hope you get a good result from the EPU.
How are you now Special? How was Grasmere? Hope you managed to enjoy a day out.

Hey Msameriaca sorry you are having such a hard time. Are you in the UK? Can you make an emergency gp appointment tomorrow, with a youngish gp or someone with a special interest in women's health (should be on their website) and take the printed out nice guidelines. If they still refuse to prescribe, ask the gp to call the nearest maternity unit and take advice from on call obs and gynae doctor regarding the meds.

I had a wonderful day out - Grasmere/Rydal waters are my favourite place. Beautiful and sunny. Walked quite far, only a bit of gagging (but a lot of hypersalivation) and stopped off for lots of cups of tea. So sleepy now but feel very happy.

Hope everyone else is surviving!

Thanks for your advice ladies, I really appreciate it. My husband wrote an angry letter and took it to our GP and basically said "I'm going to stand here until you sort this out." The practice manager took it very seriously and even stayed late.

Apparently the reason the doc won't give ondansetron is because it is classed as a "hospital drug". But EPU and Maternity won't take me on because they think the GP ought to manage my care.

My GP and the practice manager are now trying to sort it out and call me in the morning. My husband gave them an ultimatum and said that if they don't do it by 12pm that I will be going each day to A&E for them to give me the ondansetron via injection since it is the only thing that worked.

Join a different gp practice tomorrow and make an emergency on the day appointment. Or can you go to your nearest walk in centre or OOH gp? They should both be able to give you a one off prescription.

Thought I'd do a little update o how the ondansetron is going.

I seem to be better during the day now and can actually leave the house. However, as soon as 5pm comes round I'm gagging and vomming all over the place. Evenings are a complete washout and I end up in bed by 8.

I'm 15 weeks today. Surely it should be easing :(

mrsamerican Goodness, like others I am shocked at how things have been handled. Glad it's being sorted out. How is the dehydration now?
ColaBottle I'm glad it is a bit better, and that need to rest and rest is so typical of this miserable scourge.
Waves to all.

Hi all, hope you're having a less terrible day (good doesn't seem to exist anymore!).

I'm fed up and seriously not sure I can keep going with this. I'm just sick every day, all day. On cyclizine which was a miracle but has stopped working.

My mum was here to help but she has had to get back to normal life. So now I'm alone all day with an 11month old and my own grumpiness. Husband also been very unwell. So unable to help.

Not coping and angry with the cards I've been dealt.

Sorry for the OTT self pity post.

Sorry to hear that your GP is being such a prat mrsA hope the ultimatum shocks them into action... Grasmere sounds lovely special glad you managed to get out and about... I ended up at the assessment unit today as for the past few days little madam had been quieter than usual. They found the heartbeat straight away and reassured me, and surprise surprise she's been wriggling away ever since I got back! Also found out my placenta is at the front so could have contributed to the lack of movement... Better to be safe than sorry though eh? Gentle hugs to everyone... Any news on icant?