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.

rocket I've realised that I'm eating enough sweets that I'm consuming a pretty excessive level of sugar, like 30 teaspoons a day

It might be worth mentioning to the midwife - might there be a chance that it increases gestational diabetes? It's definitely an idea to swill with mouthwash too when you can, or clean your teeth if you can

Congratulations, icant! Dexter is a lovely name. How are you feeling? When do you both get to go home?

Reebok any baby news yet?!

Hello everyone else. Sorry for the lack of posting. I've been too exhausted.

I now have the pregnancy heartburn. Gaviscon doesn't touch it (though I'm starting to get used to the taste of gaviscon). It's so painful and makes me feel sick.

Urghhh. 15 weeks 4 days left to endure. I want to cry.

Argh, Sleepy, even the thought of tea turns my stomach! Really look forward to feeling like drinking tea again, and being able to.
Special, I really recommend you get some ranitidine for the heartburn. My midwife recommended it a few weeks ago and it's made a huge difference for me. You can buy it branded as Zantac, but the cheapest version I've found is Tesco's own-label which is £1,50 for a box of 12, and it's available on the open shelves. I'm much more comfortable at night especially, much less acid rising up my throat.
Waves to Rocket, Nutty, Ickle and everyone.

Thanks for the advice, MoP. I'll pick some up when I go do a food shop later.

I hope everyone has a nice bank holiday weekend. Dh has cheered me up by turfing the whole garden by himself, while I sat watching with a peppermint tea. I tried helping initially, but dh didn't like me heavy lifting, and bending over was making the heartburn bad so I got promoted to a supervising/tea making role. Nice sunny day for it, and my garden no longer resembles a swamp! All part of the plan to have a nice garden to sit out in when I start mat leave!

Sorry I haven't posted for a while. Hope we're all coping. Reebok- I've been thinking of you a lot, and hope you're ok.

Special your DH sounds like a gem.

Thought I'd share our little tale of HG for the day- DH went to pick up my ondansetron and cyclizine repeat prescription from the pharmacy. He's come home shaking with rage (and he's very laid back normally). The conversation went like this after DH gave my name and the pharmacist handed the medication over:

Pharmacist: "is she pregnant?"
DH: "yes"
Pharmacist: "well she shouldn't be taking these, they're for extreme cases only"
DH: "well, she is an extreme case"
Pharmacist: "she still shouldn't be taking them, they're for very extreme cases. Were these even prescribed for her?"
DH: "they were initially prescribed by a consultant, in hospital, whilst my wife was on a drip, being treated for severe dehydration. This prescription is from our GP, because the first lot has run out. My wife saw him yesterday and he feels she still needs them"
Pharmacist: "well they're for extreme cases only, she really shouldn't be taking them"
DH: "ok, well thanks for your opinion"

Pharmacist: "who are you anyway to be picking up her medication?!"
DH: "she's my WIFE!"

... Anyone ever encountered this before? I am 100% certain that DH wouldn't have gone in with an attitude or anything, so am utterly mystified by the reception he got. I'm also mystified by the apparent accusation that the prescription isn't genuine!

I'm going to call my GP on Tuesday just to make them aware. I wouldn't be surprised if the pharmacist makes contact with them too...

Rae, that's infuriating but unfortunately not that unusual. A few women on the thread have been challenged by pharmacists when picking up their prescriptions. Having said that, this one sounds downright nasty. The fact is that if a doctor has prescribed this medication then the pharmacist must dispense it. As we all know, the medication is safe, and much safer than severe dehydration and/or starvation. As I mentioned on the thread a few weeks ago, when DP and I went to that wedding, I was chatting to our friend who works as an A&E consultant and who has encountered quite a few HG cases. He said that up until 3-4 years ago they felt much less confident about prescribing Ondansetron, but that it is now widely used in pregnancy and regarded by hospital consultants as totally safe. Sorry you and your DH have been subjected to this upsetting incident.

Rae how awful, no wonder your DH was cross. Ive had a pharmacist suggest ginger instead of "risky" medication. Only had the problem once, probably as I was looking increasingly ill.
special You're on the home straight now. Well done DH. You'll really get to enjoy it. We gave up on turf as it kept dying and now have artificial grass, lovely.
rocket I've consumed so much sugar I wouldn't like to measure it. I've been worried about GD but doesn't seem to have comeabout. Worth mentioning the diet though, should be OK though.
On my phone so sorry about lack of other personal replies. Welcome to the newbies, sorry that you need this thread for support.
I'm counting down to the sweep but trying to get things moving myself now (except sex, urgh ) . Having days of no sickness and then some times of massive voms. I look so ill, especially with the crutches, that elderly ladies are insisting I take the chair at the pharmacy. You've got to love pregnancy.

Hi Rae sorry you had a bad time picking up meds. I had this with a pharmacist, who told me that I couldn't take ondansetron in pregnancy, got the BNF out to prove she was right ,and then told me to take gaviscon instead because that's what made her feel better when she felt sick in pregnancy. She also refused to hand over the meds until she'd spoken on the phone to the GP that prescribed it (involving an overnight delay and requiring a second trip into town for me). She wasn't interested in that a consultant had originally prescribed when I was admitted to hospital etc. I got them in the end, but it really upset me and made me feel judged for taking them.
As hard as it is for people like us accessing completely appropriate medication, occasionally pharmacists do pick up on GP prescribing errors, and it is their job to do so/ can be sued/loose their jobs for dispensing incorrectly. However, it would have been better for the pharmacist to take up an issue like this with the prescriber, rather than the patient.
Rocket we shall not even consider how much sugar I've consumed in pregnancy...

Evening all, sorry for silence, just read back and have no chance of getting the personal messages right so I'm not even going to try! Sorry to hear of so many poorly people, rubbish pharmacists and car vomits. Not good. (Re the car upholstery - professional cleaner definitely, they will be used to it, plus I guess the smell will make you more sick).
On sick bag front, I can highly recommend getting some special sick bags with absorbent core for when out and about - www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0051AZZCM/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1462047978&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=sick+bags&dpPl=1&dpID=516jIyK3BJL&ref=plSrch
I have one in every handbag and they make me feel less anxious about getting on trains etc.
Things more under control here, although suffering with super thirst, as still having major volume issues (ie only avoiding vomits by not eating/drinking). I fear I'm another that's eating too much sugar.
Finally made it to last trimester!

Hoping for baby news soon from all those who are very close.
Welcome to newbies and waves to everyone else. X

rae ...

which bit of 'she is extreme' didn't the stupid pharmacist get?

ignorant person. Clearly with issues, when he/she started challenging your -husband- :/

Mother yes he definitely was nasty, DH felt he was insinuating that I was being irresponsible. Really interesting to hear about your conversation with an A&E consultant. I actually had a long talk with the GP yesterday because he said he'd rather I was off the ondansetron and just taking cyclizine before I go back to work, which obviously led me to ask if he thought ondansetron was dangerous. He was very reassuring and said he was confident that I was taking 'safe' meds, but ondansetron is quite strong, so he'd rather I was off it and demonstrating that I'm coping 'on my own' rather than risk going back to work and getting worse again, and then having limited options for medication.

squeezed if one more person offers me ginger.... I know that medication isn't ideal, but I also know that women in America are often offered it as an intervention earlier than in the UK. I refuse to suffer just because of where I live, and dehydration is so dangerous anyway, I'm so much better off medicated and being able to drink and eat than in hospital with my ketones off the scale.

Got everything crossed that things start moving for you soon squeezed.

Special sorry you've had the 'confrontational pharmacist' issue too. I'm so glad that I got the ondansetron and didn't have to wait until my GP opened on Tuesday- I don't know how I would've coped. Like you say, it's not the questioning that's the issue, it's the way it's done. Making my husband feel like a criminal does no good to anyone! He would've been more forthcoming with information if the pharmacist hadn't been so aggressive, we would've happily shown my hospital discharge letter, etc. But he didn't even ask about my condition, just kept parroting the "extreme cases" line even after DH had told him it was prescribed after a hospital admission. If I'd been there I would've been really upset so it's just as well I'm stuck in bed at the moment. Although maybe if I vomited on him he might have believed how "extreme" my condition is

Thinking back, the consultant did warn me that primary care professionals can sometimes be a bit anti- ondansetron, but because my GP surgery have been so supportive (literally every member of staff from receptionists through to doctors), I hadn't given it a second thought. Lesson learned. In other news, my Dad is desperate to collect my next prescription for me after I told him what had happened, but I think it's just because he's so wound up about how ill I am that he'd like an opportunity to shout at someone in my behalf. He keeps looking at me sadly and saying things like "they didn't leave Kate Middleton in this state did they?!" Erm, I think they probably did Dad... bless him.

Glad to hear that you're feeling that things are more controlled mrsmonkey. If you find something that works for the thirst, let me know!

Meer sorry- cross posted with you! Thanks for the support. I don't know why he challenged DH like that after DH had referred to me as "my wife" for the whole conversation. And really, what does it matter? I get prescriptions for my Grandad all the time and I don't get interrogated about why I'm collecting them for him. And I don't think I look like an 89 year old man...

Oh rae sorry to hear about pharmacist making life so difficult. Can you collect from elsewhere in future? I know a lot of medical staff from nurses, doctors up to consultants etc and not one has blinked when hearing I'm on ondansetron and cyclazine. They seem to understand that not being dehydrated is the important bit! In my positive mindset I like to think that I will be a reminder of how tough hg is if they ever face a similar patient at work and so someone else will get better care because I'm going through this!

Slept awfully tonight - it seems if I fall asleep downstairs watching tv I'm unlikely to have a good night sleep. How I avoid that when shattered I have no idea! Spent such a lovely day with my cousins and their partners who were amazing with ds so feeling very blessed by family!

mrsmonkey so good to hear from you. Sorry your tired and thirsty just hope the 3rd (AND FINAL!) trimester is kind to you!

squeezed totally off topic but tell me more about your artificial grass as dh is obsessed with the idea and I'm yet to be convinced!

I'm afraid my early morning brain can remember no more! Here's hoping for some more sunshine over next 2 days and all fellow suffers get plenty of rest (and sweets as desired!)

Ps. Babyreebok this is your final warning time to come out now please!

Thanks ickle- yes we could go elsewhere. It's a big supermarket pharmacy, so it's convenient as it's open late and DH can do a food shop whilst he's there. I do wonder if the pharmacist in question was a locum, so we might not encounter him again. Not worth the risk though!

Sorry that you've struggled to sleep. I also struggled last night which is really unlike me. I'm dog tired now so I'll probably be having a nap later!

Rae, sorry your DH had such an unreasonable response from the pharmacist. Like the others have said, I know they need to check prescriptions but to do so in that way sounds unprofessional. I am glad your DH managed to get the prescription despite that.

Lucinda, I was sent home with ondansetron and cyclizine as the GP had just prescribed that the day before but the hospital thought it probably hasn't had time to start working. I am feeling much less yuck now I have had a few days in bed as DH is around to look after DD. He is going to have to go away tomorrow night, has managed to shorten the trip to return on Thurs instead of Friday at least but will just come straight home if he needs to during the week. We will see how it goes I guess.

Ickle It took DH 2 years to convince me, but our grass just kept dying in our new build crap soil garden. We've got a slope so paid to get it fitted. However, it has transformed our house. DD and the dog play out all year round and there is no mud to clean up. Although it can be pricey, we'll save money on the mountains of re-turfing /re-seeding. Once I can walk again I'm looking forward to relaxing out there again.
Rae Your dad sounds lovely. It's nice when people get cross on your behalf. I've had fantasies of vomiting on people when they say stupid things about HG. I think it has now become a Pavlovian response to the word ginger
Another one with patchy sleep. I'm sure I'll be sleeping better with the newborn here. No getting into positions to reduce nausea, no spd pain, no tightenings, no baby acrobatics. I wish I was a seahorse and DH could do this!

Raeskywalker I am disgusted with that pharmacist! What an unprofessional way to act. Astounding. Over the years, unfortunately on this thread a fair number of people have had problems with pharmacists apparently incredulous that they were 'extreme cases' and needed the medication. You don't need upsets like that.
Nutty I am glad things are a little better on that combination.
SleepymrsE Much sympathy over tea experience. I'm a tea addict and couldn't face it when suffering, but nothing was a satisfactory substitute.
Special I do hope things improve for you soon.
squeezed Outrageous that a pharmacist should suggest ginger - words fail me [flaps and clucks in rage]. Re ginger comments, perhaps one should say 'That is like trying to stop a charging herd of elephants with a pea shooter' (not as if they have them these days, sadly, either many elephants or pea shooters).
rocket ickle and others. It is so difficult about the sugar content of sweets, drinks and foods. I was shocked to see on a food programme on television that elderflower water contains a huge amount of sugar, and many choose that as a healthier option to other drinks. But what can one do if full sugar coke, cheap ice cream, etc are the only things that will stay down? Salty and sweet things do seem more acceptable, somehow, I don't know why. Hopefully later on in pregnancy many can go back to the healthier diet recommended by that awful CD that so enragedMotherofPearl.
icklkid I hope you have a better night tonight.
Reebok Dare I ask how things are? You are a now officially the of this thread for keeping going through this.
mrsmonkey I never knew they did sick bags on amazon. Is there anything they don't do - is it possible to send off for a time machine perhaps? Sorry, I am in a mad mood today.
spandau How are you? Everyone?
Apologies for anyone rudely ignored.

Needsasock I know just what you mean. I sometimes find that concentrating so much on feeling ill makes it worse.

Sleepy- good news you're clear of the slapped cheek.

Water- wow, what a hard time you've had! Some antidepressants make you really tired too don't they? I know that citalopram made me sleep 12 hours a day in the first few months, not sure which one you're on. As for migraines, I used to get those at the same time every month so I agree they can definitely be hormone related.

Nutty- you poor thing. Do you have any friends or relatives nearby who could help with childcare?

Rocket- I too am anticipating the 12 week mark. I even have an app counting down to it! I too am eating a lot of sugar, I think my body craves it for the energy.

Icklekid- that's great that you got out. I long for those days. I have a friend's birthday in a fortnight which is at her house. Really hope I can go if just for half an hour.

Special- I second MOP's recommendation of the ranitidine. She recommended it to me and it worked better than gaviscon.

Rae- wow, what an infuriating situation. When I first became pregnant I was shocked at how I suddenly became 'public property' like it was suddenly ok to be judged by others.

I'm still off work. I'm ok when I'm laid up in bed but as soon as I start to do any activity of I get really sick. Are any of you back at work? Did you just force yourself to go back or did you start to feel slightly better at a certain number of weeks? I'm 10+2 today, praying for some let up at 12 weeks.

rae did the GP give you any explanation as to why they prefer you off Ondansetron and coping on your own? I don't get it! I'm still on it at 28w and consultant has reassured me it's perfectly safe. I know it's a strong drug but sounds like scaremongering to me. Of course it's great to cut down if you can but not at expense of your health (ie try to cut down but only if you can be symptom free). I do tend to have only 2 a day now rather than 3 but feel I can cope with that.
Lovely that your dad is so supportive. I reckon he's right, Kate would be have been on decent drugs and no one saying she was irresponsible! Shame she's never spoken out about it. I know she got a lot of stick in media but it would be nice if more of the general public understood about HG.
Can hear DD woken from nap, back later!

lucinda Amazon sells everything!! And thank goodness when it's hard to get to the shops.
twinkle I wouldn't force yourself back to work whilst still so unwell. Hopefully you will have some let up after first trimester (just to manage expectations even with ordinary morning sickness I'm not sure week 12 is the magic number - many find things get better between 14-17 wks. Not me sadly!)

Also, I'm on ranitidine too and it really helps. I didn't realise you could buy otc! Mine is on prescription.

Thanks Lucinda and Twinkle, feeling a bit calmer about it today but will call my GP on Tuesday to pre-warn them in case they get a call from the pharmacy.

Twinkle I'm basically the same as you- coping as long as I'm doing nothing. Still off work and 11 weeks today.

mrsmonkey I'm not sure to be honest. I think he feels that being able to reduce it might mean that I'll be more able to cope at work. I tried to cut down to 2 a day last week but I was really sick so I'm back up to 3 for now. I reckon that Kate probably had a nurse at home- I wouldn't be surprised if she was on a drip at home too. She certainly wouldn't have been on a ward in an NHS hospital! It is a shame she hasn't discussed it more, it was a great opportunity to increase awareness of the condition. It has been helpful to me though- when I told my boss I had HG she clearly didn't understand, so I said "Kate Middleton had it" and she cottoned on straight away. Saved me a lengthy explanation!

Twinkle Rae and others. I think it was Tweed orwater on here, who said the medics might be able to give her home IV. I do know from a US Hyperemesis support thread, where I had to stand in for someone for some months, they do that a lot on the healthcare insurance schemes. so it can be done, but persumably is expensive. The level of care received by unlucky people who can't afford private insurance must fall far short of that.

I hope everyone is coping. Thinking particularl of Reebok.

Hello ladies, guess who finally arrived? Yes that's right...baby reebok arrived at 8.11pm on 1st may weighing a healthy 8lbs 3oz...contractions started the night before and I was convinced it would amount to nothing but they ramped up at 9am in the morning. Once again I was convinced it was nothing and kept going with no pain relief until 4pm when it got really bad. I was only 2cm dilated and at risk of being sent home if I didn't dilate further. However managed to get to 10cm by 6.30 and push her out with no pain relief. Second degree tear but it's not too bad. She's feeding well at the moment and the best thing....I don't feel sick anymore!!! I scoffed a tuna subway! Having afterbirth contractions but in comparison to what I've been through its nothing. I'm in love and can't sleep at the moment. Sorry for the essay. I'm just so happy!