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:
links.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.

rae depends if you could see friends without being overwhelmed by food? I'm probably not best person to give advice as being around food doesn't bother me (just makes me jealous I can't eat it!)

lucinda I thought the same about busy sat thread- felt bad not for checking! I promise I was better today. Lots of rest and dh looking after ds.

almond I highly recommend cafe Nero chocolate milkshake if out and about-really yummy this morning! Something to aim for post hospital stay. Howare your ketones today?

fresh hope that you are ok. I have had to come to terms with accepting sickness in eve (had same last pregnancy) it's unpleasant but bearable.

anon you shouldn't have to go private for hg medication. Can you try other gp at your practice (maybe a female?) Also the pregnancy sickness support helpline can be helpful pss

northern primary teacher here- was off from about 3rd week of term in Jan. Tried to go back couple of week before half term but even on reduced hours made myself nuch worse. Tried again about 2 weeks before Easter on very reduced hours and just taking small groups and have managed to some degree. I only work part time (3 days a week) and whilst the plan was to build up to that I still haven't managed it. I did 2 1/2 days last week of term in whole class sats admin. Lost track of total number of weeks signed off especially if you include the reduced hours. Work have been very supportive but basically given up on me returning fully this year. I've had to accept this especially with ds to look after rest of the week! I'm due 31st August so wont be returning in September...7 weeks to go!

anonsad it's definitely worth speaking to your gp re a care plan for if/when you get pregnant. My baby (had horrid HG throughout) is 8 months and we've decided to try again sooner rather than later as it took so long to conceive him and hoping to be pregnant again when he's young enough to forget 8 months of neglect! I saw my gp the other week for this. You should not need to pay for appropriate care! Is there another gp in your practice to try? Alternatively, you could change practice - perhaps ring a few in your area and ask if they have experience of treating women with HG. I don't think it's a waste of money to get a plan in place -in fact it may well save money as there won't be long or extra appointments when pregnant as you'll just work thru the care plan.

almond glad you're being looked after, as much as being in hospital sucks.

Waves to all, peaceful up Sunday

Morning all,

Thanks Lucinda: I am still on the acute ward because of heart rate and lots of elderly people in here too.

Has anyone found hospital reluctant to give HG meds?
Last week when I was an outpatient they recommended cyclizine but held back on prescribing until I said it takes 7-10 days to get an appointment at my GP, at which point a doctor was found.
Since I was admitted on Friday afternoon I have had to ask proactively for every dose of cyclizine and they appear to purposefully have cut me to 2 a day, which meant a nasty bit of nausea 3-4 this morning and worse than usual vomiting on waking up. Have just been told I'll wait an hour for meds though HG is obviously a 24 hour non stop roller coaster.

ickle I'm just not sure. I'm used to DH preparing 'acceptable' food and plonking it in front of me now. I know there will be loads there I can't eat but I'm not sure how I'll feel about seeing it. On the plus side, it'll be cold so the smells won't be as bad.

almond no, the hospital were great when I was in. I had most of the meds IV but on the last day had tablets and they kept saying that if I started to feel sick I should say and the consultant would prescribe something else. Maybe you're having issues because in their heads you're not 'in' for HG but thyroid issues? Of this is the case, it's ridiculous. Keep stamping your feet! I hope it gets sorted soon.

Ooh ickle, thanks for the milkshake rec. I have multipack Frijj at home but will get DH to bring a Nero one when he comes at visiting time.
Will have to ask for ketone check; they're stressing about my heart and are happy with my water and juice consumption so haven't had to pee in too many pots this time.

almond when I was first prescribed cyclizine it gave me quite bad heart palpitations. When I googled it, it sounds like cyclizine can have this side effect (mine was mild & I don't get them anymore) so perhaps they might be reluctant to give it to you. That said, there are a number of other anti sickness drugs they could give you via IV. Fingers crossed you're home soon.

rae afternoon tea is the best option in terms of meal out. I did this for DHs birthday a few weeks ago. I nibbled on a cheese sandwich and a dry scone (think I've mentioned before on here that I've found scones to be a good HG food).

How much does it annoy you all when people say
'Oh lots of people feel bad in their first three months, you'll be fine in the second trimester.'

A) I am 18 weeks pregnant
B) I am not 'lots of people'
C) Shut up

almondbutterThat dismissivness is so annoying! People on here get it nonstop. It is true of most people with Hyperemesis that they will start to feel a lot better at some point in the second tri, but often this is a lot later than with ordinary MS, and most seem to suffer from heartburn even when the sickness largely goes. I am sorry to hear that they are holding back the meds. As Rae says, if there is a link between that and their concern over your heart rate, why can't they use alternate meds? I hope you escape soon.
Rae Great advice. If the friend knows of your illness, that sounds like a good idea.
eallison I hope all goes swimmingly with ttc and meds if necessary...
ickiekid Good that you feel a bit better today. The countdown begins to ML..
Waves to all. It's very hot here.

sorry for silence. things are incredibly busy, but thinking of you all

Survived my afternoon tea! I just ate some of the fruit that garnished the plates but it was so lovely to see everyone. A small victory!

Hope everyone is ok- almond how are you doing? I know what you mean, it's like people suggesting ginger! I just smile and nod.

Well done Rae!

Almond It is very annoying having HCP telling you the sickness should subside by week 12, then week 16, and then start telling you it finishes by the second trimester. You have my sympathies. When midwives ask me how I'm doing with the hg now, I do say its much better but I know I'll just feel nauseous and have the occasional vomit until the end. It stops all conversation of that sort! Fwiw, I am one of the fortunate ones that my HG is so much better now I'm in my third trimester, not perfect, but compared to how I was I appreciate how I feel now!

I found having ginger and travel bands suggested to me made me much more stabby.

Also, for future, you should be able to ask your GP for an on the day appointment. Tell reception when you phone up that you need a same day appointment/urgent appointment and that you are pregnant. If your practice can't do that, I'd change to a better practice if possible.

Rae Good work with your afternoon tea!

Hope everyone is having as beautiful a day as us in the NW!

Hi all, I don't know if anyone remembers me but I'm now 13 weeks down the line after reaching the pink castle and I just wanted to pop in and encourage all of you who are still suffering. In the words of Mother Hen this too shall pass! I promise! Sorry I haven't been on before - I have thought of you all often but 3DC are keeping me very busy! Hope you are all surviving and that tomorrow will be a good day. Thank you again all of you for your amazing support-I really would not have got through it without you xxx

Thanks Alice and Special. I am genuinely quite proud of myself

Barmee lovely to hear from you- thank you for popping back for the pep talk! Wishing you lots of happiness with your family

I can't write believe you've got a 13 week old barmee, congratulations.

rae huzzah for lovely afteroon tea.

almond how frustrating that they're lax with your meds. As someone mentioned, I wonder if they're concerned about possible impact on your heart; maybe ask then and see if there's different anti sickness meds they'd be happier with you on.

Well ladies after the worst nights sleep I'm afraid I'm not in a good mood. Sickness + both hips in agony despite pillows mean very little sleep. And I was in a good mood when I went to bed!!!

barmee what a lovely post! Enjoy your gorgeous little baby as well as the other 2! Not surprised you've been kept a little busy!

rae so pleased you made it and had such a good time. Cold non smelling food is probably the best possible combination. Funny how these things seem like such an achievement!

special it's crazy how relative things being 'better' is. My hg is also better however for many people morning sickness never gets this bad! Being sick every few days and being severely limited in what I'm able to do without making myself very unwell again is hardly great yet compared to how I was...

Waves at seaeagle lovely to hear from you!

lucinda yes to hot- was so lovely and veru frustrating that this weekend we couldn't walk on extension floor and so couldn't make use of lovely bifold doors nor new patio not actually garden because there is loads of grass seed and soil around! Took ds out a lot to cope however I couldn't cope with walking around lots so left him with dh mainly. They had a great time so win win!

almond yes it's annoying but people just do not get it. To be honest if they haven't had hg they really won't. Lots of smiling, nodding, gently explaining you have tried everything and still been hospitalised for dehydration generally gets the message across. Are you still in hospital? Hope you manage to get medication sorted. Not helpful for them or you to get dehydrated reagardless or what you are there being treated for!

Right today official countdown to mat leave begins...I can do this and won't make myself ill...

Morning all can I join you? I'm 10+3 due December with #2 but have hyperemesis. Had it with my first pretty bad and managed to turn a corner after 6 months that time. Since then had my beautiful Dd and life has been good. New job in September then come April start having pregnancy symptoms.
At around 7 weeks vomiting severely and have been off work since then. I love my job but it's worrying having all this time off. I've been called in for an interview which I can't attend and I'm asking myself will I go back?? I'm a teacher and have missed my year 11s going and will miss so much more. It upsets me so much.
It felt like last week I had turned a corner only for this to rear it's ugly head again.

I lost 3stone being sick every time I had any food and terrible times of not keeping water down Sorry for bragging but Being sick once daily now it's flipping great i can eat in fact I am getting greedy I have 7 weeks til my c-section there is light

Is anyone else struggling with the heat? My nausea was so bad last night and this morning, I'm going to at least take the morning off which is a pain as I wanted to get through to the start of my mat leave with no more time off. Couldn't eat yesterday evening and was sleeping on and off from 3pm onwards. I normally love good weather, but this has really knocked me! I'm drinking loads of water and eating ice, so I don't think I'm dehydrated (will ketone test later).

Hi anewleaf, sorry you're feeling awful. It's crazy how many teachers seem to be on this thread! Sorry work have called you in for an interview, do they know that you're off with pregnancy related sickness? If so, they can't penalise you for time off. Hopefully, they're just wanting to see how they can help you.

flower I think we can forgive you bragging about your one daily vomit! I have also been very pleased to be able to eat much more normally - I'm eating far too many snickers bars !

Ickle how long until your maternity leave starts? Sorry you had a bad night and hope you power through today.

Hi Barmee thanks for reassurance about life post hg! Are there any foods you still avoid because of bad hg experiences or are you completely normal again?

Morning all from my own bed (hooray).

Greetings anewleaf, hope we can offer some helpful hand holding here.

Got back from hospital last night and DH cooked a delicious tea which I ate a tiny bit of and ENJOYED (maybe the hospital food has made my tastebuds more grateful).
I have a whole bag of drugs for my thyrotoxicosis including some with nasty side effects including-wait-fatigue, nausea and vomiting...
I think you're right that they were keeping me short cyclizine because of my heart worries and I am going to keep myself to two a day unless I really struggle.
In practical terms I am now a high risk pregnancy with an increased risk of eclampsia, early delivery and a small baby (we're both big so pretty sure it'll come out fine). This means more hospital, more scans and more monitoring, but I am not frightened or stressed; feel I had excellent care and know they will do the best for me and the baby.

Today going to cancel plans for the next two/three weeks including DH's birthday weekend away. Sad, but better a quiet time here than a stressful time abroad.

Hi Almond, glad to hear you are out of hospital and congratulations on eating some tea! I'm 'high risk' also. It did stress me out, but I'm convinced there is nothing wrong (on the small for gestational age pathway, but measuring at 50th percentile for everything) and I'm just going to enjoy the extra scans.

I also couldn't go abroad as we couldn't get travel insurance that covered all the above. Is there anything nice you can do in the UK instead?

Special as it goes we travel a lot domestically so will just keep doing that. I also thought I could give him a night in a really lovely hotel room in London (where we live) and dinner out, which we haven't done for months because of me. Lots of options to still make it nice.

Oooh, lovely. I'll keep my fingers crossed the sickness subsides a bit in the next few weeks for you so you can enjoy your DHs birthday. Have you got any good box sets to sit and watch today while you're recuperating from your hospital stay? I'm trying to re-watch Buffy, but godawful headache is making me feel dizzy trying to focus. I thought I was past this! I'm also so hot and uncomfortable and the cat is hellbent on covering as much of me as possible with his furry little self. It would normally be sweet, but I'm so grumpy I'm annoying myself today!

Hurrah for being home almond! and well done on surviving the afternoon tea Rae

We've had a trial run this morning for me driving DD to school (she's got an inset day). I managed it! Had to park at school and sip some water and have a few deep breaths, and straight back to lying down once I'd staggered back through the door, but I think I can do it. DH is mightily relieved as it is going to be a logistical PITA if I can't.

ickle and special I'm sorry the mornings have started badly. A shit night really makes a pigs ear of the next day.

My balance is all awry and I feel very peculiar when I'm upright. I don't know if that's the avomine or the pregnancy. I find the nausea is at it's least when I am actually eating, but the second I have swallowed the funny taste and wave of quease is back. I find myself lying there post food chanting quietly "please stay in, please stay in!" Ugh. I will be OVERJOYED when this is a memory and not a reality.

Welcome to Anewleaf and flowerpower. Anewleaf Sorry you are suffering. Have you got a union to help you with the problem over the suggested interview, when you are too ill to attend? As you are a veteran,I am sure you don't need advice from me about keostix to measure ketones, etc. Those few good days are often a good sign that things will soon get a lot better. flowerpower That is very happy news. It's awful, when you think of it, that what most women would regard as suffering badly is a relief! Three stone is a huge amount of weight to lose. You must have been very ill.
BarmeeMarmee Lovely to hear from you, and so nice of you to come back to encourage others. I am so glad this thread helped you through the worst times. Thirteen weeks already! We miss you.
almondbutterI'm so glad you are out, and not too worried about the 'high risk' category. I hope you can find a suitable celebration for OH.
Rae Congratulations on surviving that tea.
SpecialStains Smiling through such advice 'like patience on a monument' is very stoic. I was thinking how this heat is no good when suffering.
icklekid Sorry about extension and sleep woes. It sounds as if it will be a really nice extra space when done.
eallison Waves and SeaEagleFeather too.
Alicekeach How are things now?
Must go out. Apologies if I have rudely overlooked anyone.