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#!scenario

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.

Apologies in advance for a moany post. I hate the fact I'm know I'm going to be incredibly unwell today as did far to much yesterday. Builders are knocking through our extension this week so we had to pack/clear away a lot of stuff. Fine, I paced myself and didn't move anything heavy but busy most of the morning and over nap time with breaks checking ds was awake watching peppa pig! In the afternoon I told dh I needed to rest so he suggested taking ds to cafe with soft play great I said until he made it clear he thought I should come too. This would be fine if I could sit and he go in with ds to soft play. We got there and I went in with ds first whilst dh got drinks then I came out with ds for dh to take over. He spent all of 5 mins in there and declared he was fine. Now it's Saturday busy with older children and ds is 20 months old! I told dh he's too young and please can he got in with him however dh is adamant he's fine. Out comes dd crying after a further 5 mins. He comes to me and calm him down he then wants to go back in and so I go with him. 30 mins later I tell dh I feel awful so we go home. Sorry this is a ridiculous rant, I collapse whilst dh cooks tea and then get called through because ds refuses to eat for him! Anyway bath and bed done by 7.30 and I'm asleep on the sofa by 8.30! I know my limits and what happens if I surpass them. Today I'm going to be very sick and dh will have to take care of ds fingers crossed for dry day so he can go to the park. He is a good husband he just doesn't seem to get how ill I am, he loves playing with ds but doesn't seem to initiate it without me! Anyway I will suffer today and somehow go to work on mon!!! Phew I feel better having got that out! Will post a reply message to everyone now

Waves at lucinda thanks for great advice

rae enjoy some company it always lifts my mood and don't worry if sick they will understand (I have considered sound proofing my bathroom!)

fresh I'm also awful in evening's- early bed time means it doesn't drag too much!

1time great to hear from you sorry sickness is awful. Glad gp checking your levels but not good that they are so high. When are you due again? Fingers crossed all is fine

squeezed I've been through the cold+no sleep= excessive vomiting too a few weeks ago. It really was a killer. Short naps in the day were the only way I survived. Seemed to drag for ever but worst sleep wise was first few days

mop glad you've got something that works for your heartburn I find gavison tablets (on prescription as ridiculously expensive) the best and long lasting. Still can't get over how much heartburn when not eating!

twinkle when you want another child I think the memories of sickness fade. I was speaking to a lady with a 4 month old at church who visibly cringed when I told her what I was going through as it bought back the memories of her own hg. If my first pregnancy had been this bad would possibly have waited longer but I still desperately wanted 2. If you can manage it I would get your hair cut as you will feel much better and more you! Do you know anyone who comes to your home as that might make it more manageable?

rae I think the miserable feeling does improve when you get a bit more energy/ sickness feels under control if not stopped. Mine has never stopped but the difference in my mental wellbeing between uncontrolled 10 times a day sickness and 3 times with right medication is huge. Being dehydrated is also so exhausting as the body shuts down to cope. I can cope at this level and told people to stop expecting it to get better! Sorry to hear about constipation and ridiculous gp hard not to laugh whilst crying at that comment. Yes severely dehydrated and uncobtrollable vomiting is just the same as a but nauseous isn't it

Thinking of everyone else and sending positive thoughtside!

snow?!??! wow!

Sleepy why does there have to be 8 hours between cyclizine? I'm taking them every 6-7 hours.

snow, it's to do with the amount that gets into your system, I think, to make sure it's evenly spaced throughout the day. Cyclizine builds up over about 3 days in the system so the 8 hours keeps it at that level ... having said that, with cyclizine tbh I dont think 1 - 2 hours makes a difference, if the levels dip overnight it's not that big a deal and it's first line, it's effective but not that strong.

ondansetron is a much stronger med and so I do think that people should keep to the recommended dose or at least check it out with the doctor at Preg Sick Support if they would like to take it more often (he knows HG very well and knows what the wiggle-room is).

Anyone else feel like their body is actually allergic to pregnancy?? that's exactly what\s going on with HG! it's an excessive response to the preg hormones and the cyclizine & promethazine help calm the system down a bit (antihistamines)

1moretime ask th doc to stay on promethazine and to try either prochlorperazine as well or metoclopramide (though that can only be for a short time). The 3 meds work in different ways and are complementary. Lot of people find prochlor. helps.

Ondan is indeed the most expensive and also the most powerful (but considered safe). Cost does seem to be a big factor in why it's not prescribed :(

The dehydration makes you feel sicker all on its own actually, I was told it screws up the electrolyte levels badly = nausea. That's why you feel so so much better after a bag of rehydration at hospital.

Thinking of everyone and hoping, hoping for reebok. it's been a long road!

icklkid Nevr apologise for moaning; that's what this thread is for. It must be awful having to cope with building works, a toddler, and Hyperemesis and working too.
Waves to all I'll be back soon. Still trying to unearth the latest Due Dates List (my PC eats things, or puts them in obscure place, whereever I file them. How can this be?
I hope everyone is coping today. To be honest, I am in awe of how Ican't spandau Reebok and squeezed have, in particular. And unluckily, MotherofPearl has suffered far worse this time round. This Scourge can be summed up in the teenage expression: 'It's So Not Fair!'.

OnceaMeer We did it again and cross posted! Waves. .

Thanks for your replys
icklekid Im due on 19th Oct so 13 & half weeks now....unless you meaN when next bloods are due? Lol
iv to have my tsh repeated in a month & iv to step up my thyroxibe from 200mcg to 225mcg. My consultant says my tsh should be under 2 when pregnant just hoping my levels will come down & baby will be ok.

Thanks onceameer I will mention those other tablets see what they say. Def feel I need something else. Honestly thought sickness would tail off abit around 12-14 weeks but if it's anything like my first pregnancy I had it for first 6 months!!!
Xx Hope everyone is ok & hope this horrid sickness gives us all a break!! Xx

gl 1time. it's well worth staying on the promethazine if it's helped some (it is probably still helping, just not enough) and if your doctor lets you, but afaik therés no reason not to have prochlorperazine / metoclompramide alongside

Bless you Icklekid, it's sometimes hard for even the people closest to us to understand how difficult it can be. I hope you feel ok today and get that much needed rest. I've no idea how people with Dc manage through this illness and feel blessed that I can at least lie in bed all day without any commitments (though cat has a habit of coming and lying on my stomach atm, ouch)

A note about the cyclizine, my prescription also says '3 times a day' with no reference to the eight hour gap.

I'm now taking Phenergan alone and I think it's helping as I've had an ok couple of days now with no violent nausea or sickness. I still have my three day course of ondansetron though which I'm keeping for an emergency!

MOP thanks for the tip about the indegestion. I switched from cyclizine yesterday and saw a massive improvement. The first time I took cyclizine I had an upset stomach an hour later and stomach pains in the evenings. Thought it was just part of the illness but symptoms have all but disappeared since switching to Phenergan.

Fresh I hope you have a better day today.

1moretime that's great news about the scan! I have an early scan on Tuesday and I can't wait. I would love to be further along than I thought (closer to recovery from illness!) My last period puts me as due 29th November but I'm certain I ovulated earlier so I like to think I'm a couple of days ahead of that. I hope you get your meds sorted, seems like some great advice given to you on here. Hope you have a knowledgable doctor.

Fresh/ 1 more my sickness is also at its worst in the evenings. Does anyone know why it has such a regular pattern? So strange.

Rae how was your visit with your friend? Does she know your pregnant? (I remember you are still early days like me)

Hope you all have an ok day. I discovered audiobooks on YouTube yesterday so I'm going to try to find a good one to listen to.

Lucinda I'm on cyclizine and ondansetron. Having fybogel twice a day too!

ickle sounds like you've got a lot on your plate! I can't imagine having to look after another child whilst dealing with this. for you. I think I've got the opposite problem- DH keeps looking at me tearfully like I'm dying

I've had the loveliest time with my friend today, she stayed for about 3 hours! DH says I look the healthiest I have for weeks, I think it's because I feel happier. My parents are away next week so I'm going to be alone a lot more. DH is usually out at work 8-8 and then has a couple of evening events too. I'm dreading it but will try and occupy myself! I got an adult colouring book for Christmas so might start on that.

Twinkle yes my friend does know, she's the only friend who does (apart from her it's just HR at work, my parents and brother). I think I'll have to tell other people soon though, DH could do with a bit of support of nothing else.

Icklesorry to hear about that stressful outing when you needed a nap, does your OH realise that you need time to nap while he does daddy duty??
I have been napping after lunch as my tum is full and less likely to feel very sick, today I literally grazed all day which seems to have helped, the emptier my tum is the worse I feel. I took ondansetron at 7am and 2pm will see how the witching hours go later. I'm normally in bed by 7 as OH puts dd to bed
Rae Your detailed description of your DH made me smile, bless him!!
I am seven weeks today and having my first scan at ten weeks........
How is Reebok?

Hello all,

Sorry for the radio silence. I am constantly, absolutely exhausted. MIL left this week (but she'll be back, long story but she's moving in with us, she thinks until September, I've told Dh I need the house free from when I start mat leave in June). I have had to up the ondansetron dose again as the retching had returned, which I was reluctant to do as my constipation had greatly improved. Baby is very, very active! Getting some very big (painful!) kicks, even through my anterior placenta!

Sorry to hear everyone else is having a rough time. It is getting a little better all the time - I promise! Someone earlier on this thread described how it's like their body is allergic to pregnancy (sorry can't remember who), which perfectly sums up how I feel about it all. I don't think I'll be normal until baby is out, but I feel much better now at 22+4 than I did between 5 -17 weeks. I hope everyone else improves too.

Reebok Any sign of baby yet?

Icant When's your induction? Now I know it's a boy, I've started testing the bump on names and trying to see which he kicks the most on! So far it's Sam, which is not particularly welsh and dh thinks is a bit of a safe option. Since dh keeps on suggesting names from star wars (and doesn't like the name Bryn which I love), I'm not taking his opinion very seriously. Have you got names shortlisted?

Waves at everyone. I currently have the Sunday evening blues. So much work I need to have finished by tomorrow morning when all I want to do is nap!

Hi all, just to ask, is this level of exhaustion normal? I've been on the Phenergan two days and all I can do is lie in bed and/or sleep. Sleep about 9 hours at night then another two in the day. When I'm resting I usually don't feel sick so all I want to do is lie in bed. Is this normal? (I know it's way better than being sick) but I haven't had any fresh air in days now.

Hi Special that was me that said about body feeling allergic to pregnancy. How is it going to work if MIL is staying til Sept and you want the house free from June? Or did I read that right?
Twinkle sleeping lots is normal for me, I was sleeping 16 hours a day early on in pregnancy last year and now I'm sleeping 14 hours a day, 12 at night and two hour nap in the day if I can
Xxx

Is phenergan promethazine? If so yes. I was on avomine which is a slightly different form of promethazine and I couldn't function. I was sleeping a crazy amount, and just felt so groggy and out of it all the time. At least it's stopping your sickness though! I just woke up periodically to vomit then went back to sleep. As it's an anti-histamine, drowsiness is a common side effect.

twinkle yes as special says (hallo :) ) , you can be very very sleepy on Phenergen. Known side effect that is quite useful in other circumstances. If it doesn't improve in a couple more days, ask the doc for something else.

Cross post freshbread. I have informed DH that it his his responsibility to sort MIL stuff. I am not getting any more stressed about it! Surely it's a bit odd to want to move in with your relatively newlywed son and his wife around the time they're having their first baby?! She doesn't really seem to place much importance on me and Dh being our own little family, which I think is the main problem.

When we moved, we asked his mum several times if we needed to look at places with a separate granny annexe for her, and she absolutely said no because she wouldn't need it/use it often enough. She's only mid 50s btw, I'm not exactly dealing with an elderly confused person. Dh and I have discussed that we can afford to help her rent a flat of her own nearby, but she doesn't want that apparently. No cultural differences in play here either.

She's already started 'helpfully' advising on parenting as well. I made throwaway a joke to dh about wouldn't it be funny if he turned out to be the strict parent and I was the laid back one - very unlikely given our personalities - to receive a 20min lecture from her on how you don't need to be strict with children, you just have to explain how you want them to behave and they will apparently do as you ask . I used to work as a teaching assistant in reception class, so I have some experience of dealing with small children. I also wasn't on about beating them for crying out loud, more thinking about how I'll probably be the parent that ensures they make their beds when a bit older.

I'm really struggling with it all. I want to have a good relationship with her, and I know that she's a nice person who loves my dh and will love my son very much. I just think that dh needs to manage her expectations regarding how much time she'll have alone with baby, particularly when I've a year of mat leave and I'm hoping to breastfeed.

I hope you're not regretting asking fresh. Can you tell I've been stewing a while?!

Evening everybody. Lots of posts so sorry if I haven't caught up properly.

Sorry to hear MIL is stressing you out special, you deserve a medal having her stay for so long. I would go nuts if my MIL was here more than one night. Hopefully everyone listens to you about needing time for yourself once maternity leave starts.

fresh, rae and twinkle sorry to hear you're all struggling. I promise you it does get better. Once the medication is sorted it really does make a difference. I'm now 15 weeks and feeling so much better than I did 5-13 weeks. I have even managed a short trip to town yesterday. To all those asking about sleeping lots, the antihistamine meds (cyclizine & promethezine) do cause drowsiness but early pregnancy is notorious for extreme tiredness. If you can rest & sleep more it should help with the sickness - or at least in my case it did.

ickle sorry to hear you're struggling too - you do sound like you are doing too much. Hopefully you can manage on the reduced hours at work this week. I'm back to my full hours this week - not sure if I'm looking forward to it or not. The workload I have to catch up on is crazy so I'm hoping to get some of that cleared this week.

Hope reebok, icant & spandau are all doing ok.

Waves to everyone else - sorry to anyone I have missed.

Just popping in quickly, back to suckimg on Dr pepper ice cubes as struggling with anything else! Still end is near. After being on the housing association list and bidding for about 4 years I get offered somewhere finally so moving this week (between a million appointments).
special I'm exhausted just reading your post about mil so goodness knows how it is living with it! I love Bryn its lush! Thinking of naming this one Dexter although I love Teddi. Having sweeps every other day from weds (20th) but if that doesn't work then induction weds 27th.

Sorry to see so many of you in the horrible early stages :( as much as i whinge and am still sick it does get better, I think I just don't realise it. I've done small things like going to the shop which was impossible until recently so hang on in there. I was close to termination so many times and even Hcps were offering it for my health up until late! I wish I could magic it away for you all.

Hugs and waves for everyone, thinking of you all as usual. I'll be back with more personal messages tomorrow hopefully! X

Hello! Still doing much better on the omeprazole. In fact, it's such an improvement I'm getting a bit worried about the baby. 10w3d so still about 2 weeks till the 12 week scan. Most days I'm only throwing up a few times in the evening. Today I haven't thrown up at all yet, and I didn't need to take all 3 cyclazine pills.

It's great to see others are getting a bit better too. rae you had such a bad case but it seems things are a bit more under control with meds now?

On dental - last pregnancy I must have thrown up over 1000 times unmedicated. I thought my teeth were in a terrible state but escaped with some fillings only. This time I am constantly sucking polos which is helping keep nausea at bay so worried about continuous sugar. I will try to see a dentist before too long.

Interesting discussion about forgetting how bad it is before a second pregnancy. I knew I was likely to "get sick again" but I had forgotten the relentless feeling of it. If all goes well this will be my last. If something goes wrong with this one, now that I've fully remembered what it's like, I don't know if I could face it again.

ICan't My goodness, it's good that you can move - but what a time for it, eh? Can there be no delay, or can OH do it all himself? I hate to think how much weight you must have lost, over these last nightmare months.
Special I don't understand why your MIL believes she has to move in with you at all if she is only middle aged, and in good health; is she totally oblivious to the advice found everywhere that if that can possibly be avoided, it is not a good idea, even if you all get on? Hugs. You don't need this extra annoyance.
Much sympathy to Rae Twinkle Fresh and all those in those terrible early weeks. As others say, hang on, it will get better. Even those who suffer throughout almost never suffer as they did then.
Rocket One thousand times in your untreated pregnancy? It does't bear thinking about, poor you. Glad things are not quite so bad this time!
Waves to OneMore and everyone. I hoped last weekend would bring baby for Reebok.

Due dates as of March:

Due Dates

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
SleepyMrsE 12 October
1MoreTime 19 October

Rae- glad you had a nice visit with your friend. My friend is visiting tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to a fresh face. I know what you mean about being on your own- although I find the thought of it much worse than it actually is.

Special- the situation with your MIL sounds difficult. I think you are absolutely right to leave it to your DH to address plus you can do without the extra stress!

Rocket- so glad you are feeling a bit better. Do you still feel nauseous at the times you are not sick or does it give you total relief?

I changed doctor today. Was a bit of a shame as I had to switch midwife too and she seemed great. Got an appointment tomorrow where I'm going to discuss meds- Phenergan is definitely helping and that's a bonus but it's making me bed-bound as I'm so weak and heavy on it. Not sure what to do, hope the new doctor has some knowledge.

Hi everyone. Sorry for going offline again. Just too tired to post. Had a bad few days, yesterday was my fault though as I didn't take my Ondansetron in the morning. At least it proved to me that I really do need to take it (anyone else further along get lulled into false sense of security and think they're not so ill anymore?!). Also had an unfortunate prune juice/lactulose overload with not nice consequences...!
Anyway doing better today and managed to eat a fair amount, my deadline is 4pm, as anything after that is dangerous. I'm trying to make concerted effort to eat less sugar too, it's tricky as certain foods are still not manageable at all.
Thank you for updated due date list lucinda, I'm slowly creeping up there... Only another 13 or so weeks to go.
I can't scroll back up more than a page on my phone so apols for lack of personals for everyone
rae sorry it's been so rough. Glad you had a friend visit. Makes you feel so much more human doesn't it?
special aargh re MIL. I really couldn't cope with that! Please do ask DH to sort it, you don't need that kind of stress. If you're not comfortable to have her live with you you must say so, your time with your newborn and on maternity leave is very special, but can also be stressful and you really don't want someone there 24/7 unless you feel 100% comfortable with them and they will be super helpful. My PIL are lovely but have form for not pitching in when they stay etc (flashbacks to last pregnancy when they came for Xmas and didn't help at all whilst I kept vomming into the bloody kitchen sink!! That alone made me say I didn't want them staying overnight when DD was a newborn, it caused massive argument with me and DH but when she was a few weeks old DH told me I was right that it would have been to much to have them stay!) i'm going to say the same this time, prob makes me sound awful but you need to feel comfortable in your own home, sit around with your boobs out etc if you need. I was airing my csec scar and nipples every few hours so wouldn't have liked ppl wandering about the house all day!!!
icant good luck with the move but my goodness what timing!! I hope you've lots of help and that the new home will be a lovely new beginning for you.
Sympathies to twinkle fresh rocket and anyone else still battling through the first trimester. I think Im an atypical case as mine only really kicked in terribly at 11 wks, prior to that i was sick a lot but i don't think it was HG until 11 wks.
ickle how are you doing - are you getting rest today? Sorry to hear DH not really getting it. Are you sure you should work this week? I feel torn at weekends as want to spend time with DD but also just want DH to do lots with her. DH is being very good but rarely looks after DD for entire day, and isn't great at thinking ahead (eg DD needs to eat tea at 5ish, he starts doing something about it at 4.55 after I prompt...!) feel so guilty DD is with childminder and not me whilst I'm home.

Those worrying about a next pregnancy - just take one day at a time. I found it easy to forget as soon as DD arrived, this time I'm thinking this is my last pregnancy, but even so I wouldn't say never again just yet. I just wish I was better at pregnancy! I would try to get yourself in a situation where you have some childcare though if possible, in case you have HG again, this is saving me as I would be seriously struggling if I had DD with me full time.

I think I'm waffling now, sorry, not spoken to anyone all day! Time to go get my DD.

Gentle hugs to all. Xx

Rocket glad you're feeling better, I'm definitely coping more now that I'm medicated. Twinkle how did the visit go?

I've had a really good day today, it's the least sick I've felt for about a week. Still can't move off the sofa but at least I'm not miserable today.

And randomly, after 6 weeks of literally forcing food down and living off dry cereal I have just eaten 6 whole raw carrots . Admittedly small ones, but still! I thought I'd try a small piece and couldn't stop . There was obviously something in them I needed!

I do feel a bit ropey now so I'm hoping I'm not violently sick but if I am it's my own fault!!

mrsmonkey sorry to hear you're feeling so tired