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.

Hi ladies, just checking in from the sunny south coast. It's like some sort of weird flipped universe, I am sat eating jam on toast while DS and DH are still asleep. I'm pretty certain it should be the other way round but I'm not going to moan.

Nausea hasn't been too bad, although been pretty good with meds and snacking throughout the day which I also think is helping now. Getting tired quickly still but I can def deal with that if I'm less sick. Even with walking yesterday my legs and feet were much less swollen so it shows that I'm probably doing too much at work.

Welcome to the newbies, sounds like you've had some really good advice on here. The veterans are great, as are all the other ladies for providing support. I found just being able to talk to others suffering the same was helpful.

ickle sounds like you did way too much at work but you already know that. So pleased you managed some good rest yesterday. Fingers crossed you get the same again today.

rae good luck at work this week if I don't get chance to check in again. Try to plan in a similar pattern to what I had, a couple of hours a day at home. Then you can rest/puke as you need. There will be loads to catch up on (if it's anything like my work) but try and ease yourself back. You and bubs are the most important things. I often forget that, and put work first which I know I shouldn't.

Right got to go, DS just woke.

squeezed glad to hear you're feeling better. Hope that he tongue tie gets sorted.

Thanks for the advice ickle. My manager has provisionally suggested 10-3, I think I might try to do 8-1 so that I can avoid lunchtime and come home to rest for the afternoon! Sorry to hear you had a cry too well done on the walk and resting!

Hi FellOut, sorry to hear you're feeling so low. Just to add to what others have said- ondansetron has worked very well for me, I'm able to function and eat small meals on it. I think without it I'd be in a very bad way indeed. I'm also on cyclizine which takes the edge off but isn't good enough on its own for me.

Welcome chocaholic, sorry you're suffering again. Glad you're seeing your GP. The nausea is so debilitating on its own- at the start of my pregnancy I had 3 days when I was in bed all day because of nausea, didn't eat anything. I was 'only' sick a couple of times but was in quite a bad way! I know what you mean about making yourself sick- I've found though that when I am I feel better for a split second and then the nausea descends again. It's a real treat! Be prepared to ask for more than cyclizine if it doesn't work for you.

shopaholic glad you're had some good days! Mine definitely goes on peaks and troughs and there is seemingly no logic to it.

Glad you're having since time Sleepy! I seem to be getting tired quickly too. Glad it's sunny where you are too!

My friend came round yesterday for about 4 hours. It was great! I was so tired afterwards though, felt like I'd bee hit by a bus. I'm quite nervous about going in to work on Wednesday. Feels like I'm starting a new job!

Thinking of you all.

Welcome chocaholic and fellout!

Could I add omeprazole to the list of possible meds for HG? I am on a combination of omeprazole and cyclazine, and the omeprazole has helped a lot. I went from vomiting every 30-60 minutes to now only 1-3 times a day usually at 14 weeks. It has enabled me to work. It is a stomach acid inhibitor. I was sceptical that it would work as I only had mild reflux, but it really did!

Had a good day on Friday - 3 meals and no throwing up! My mum is down for the weekend and did too much yesterday. Only kept breakfast down and now I'm feeling a bit dehydrated. Will have to rest more today...

Rocket glad to hear about Friday! Please make sure you rest today.

I'm getting really excited about the baby now. DH has looked online and informed me that it's now lemon-sized. I can't believe how much the scan has lifted my mood!

rae it's amazing how much more positive you feel after scans- just like you can cope with anything! Glad you got to see your friend even if it was tiring still important for mental wellbeing. As for Wednesday try not to worry. Maybe go in for 10 but if by 1 you are tired explain you will do a few hours in the afternoon from home? Whilst my sickness is worst in the eve I actually find getting to work for 8 makes me feel much worse than just getting up and about at home.

rocket keeping 3 meals down is amazing well done you! Lots of rest today and hopefully some more positive days ahead...

shopaholic hopefully this is a sign that the medication is starting to work and that you will continue to feel better over next few days and weeks! (No harm in hoping!)

sleepy sounds like you are having a great time away and still managing to get some rest which is perfect! Hope it inspires you to take it a bit easier when you get back to work for the baby's sake of course!

I'm being equally good today ladies whilst being kicked lots (baby not ds!) Going to ring physio on Monday though as back is painful again...dreading spd returning

Chocoholic Welcome. Sorry you are feeling bad already. You teachers are very conscientious; but work will have to accept that you are too ill to work. You've already had great advice, and bossy Mother Hen says do get signed off and ask for meds. Now we've got a Shopaholic and a Chocoholic!
SeaEagleFeather and Rocket have given great advice on meds for FellOutofBedTwice and it's equally applicable to you.

FellOutofBedTwice Great advice on meds from the above. I hope you can get some more effective ones; you've been soldiering on too long!
icklekid Good that you have rested a little, with lots of kicking
shopaholic Good days can be unnerving, but try and enjoy them.
SleepymrsE I am glad your legs are in a better state and you are actually eating jam! Enjoy the holiday on the sunny south coast .
Rae Congratulations on lemon sized baby!
Rocket That's great advice on anti acid, as that does make the vomiting so much worse for so many.
Apologies if I've rudely ignored anyone.

Thanks all for the reassurance about the 'good' days. ickle, that would make sense, but haven't started the meds yet I'm going to try to enjoy feeling better while it lasts, but feeling anxious that it's an indication that something is wrong.

Wishing everyone a good start to the week.

Hi ladies thank you so much for all of your lovely comments, they really mean a lot. Sorry I've not replying to you individually but just wanted to let you know that this morning I had a phonecall from my boss. I had let him know last night that I was still unwell and that would phone him after being at the doctors. Anyway he phoned me at 8.20am to let me know that they were struggling for cover. He was basically implying that I had to come in! Felt really upset and just told him that I was pregnant and felt extremely unwell. He was so short and blunt with me. It's obviously an inconvenience to him because he cannot get cover but I feel so unsupported. He didn't even say congrats or lovely news. When I asked him to keep it to himself he said that he couldn't and would have to share it with the rest of management. Feeling really upset. With my first pregnancy he was excellent and completely different. Maybe it's just because he's short staffed and that I've just returned from mat leave but it's not my fault. Feel so down and upset don't know what to do. I'm going to the docs at 11.15 so hopefully will get a sick line. Sorry for the rant just need to vent xx

ickle hope you have some joy with the physio!

Chocoholic your boss is way out of line! I hope that your GP is supportive later

chocoholic I am disgusted at your manger's attitude. It may be inconvenient for him, but as a manager, sorting it out is what he's paid for (I know that's ungrammatical, but never mind!). You cannot be penalised for a pregnancy related illness without the school (I think you said you were a teacher) falling foul of employment legislation, and he must know it). I don't know the legal situation about confidentiality, how far managers are allowed to spread news - I would have thought everyone would have to be told to spread it no further, at least.
How is everyone todaay? I hope FellOutOfBedTwice has got some meds or is getting some today.

Thanks rae and lucinda. I've been to the doctor and she was excellent. I have been signed off until 31st May and then they will reassess then. I have been given prochlorperazine buccal tablets, has anyone ever had these and are they effective?

Chocoholic

Here's a quote from SeaEagleFeather

'Here's a quick summary of the safe/usual meds

cyclizine (old fashioned anti-histamine; can make you sleepy)
Metoclopramide (empties the stomach faster, less to upchuck)
Domperidone (similar)
Prochlorperazine (stemetil/Avomine/Buccastem) (works on your sense of balance; also a travel remedy; can be very good for some people).
Promethazine (called Phenergan)(stronger old fashioned anti-histamine, also sleepy-making)
Ondansetron (the strongest and many people find the best, but causes constipation).'

Hope that helps.

Morning Lucinda! I'm ok today. Very tired but just got my blood test results back and I'm low risk. So we an start telling people!

Chocoholic that must be a relief. Just focus on your health now. I haven't had those tablets but hopefully someone will be along soon to help!

Thanks all for your advice. I haven't got an emergency appt yet but ringing back at 1. Had a bad morning puking, crying and running round after DD but she's napping now (she must have known I was struggling as she seldom naps!) and I've managed to eat a cheese roll and a plain yoghurt and drink half a can of coke. Let's hope they stay down!

chocoholic your manager sounds like a prick. That's a terrible attitude. If you can go and get yourself signed off. You're in no fit state. If it cheers you up I was trying to email DH this morning but accidentally sent it to my line manager. It was sweary and outlined how many times I had been sick in a bag for life. Luckily she has a good sense of humour and was very nice about it!!! Mortified.

Thank you Lucinda hopefully it helps. felloutofbed your story has cheered me up. At least you weren't saying anything about her . Hope the food stays down, I'm just trying to decide if I can stomach anything. I've phoned my boss back to let him know about being signed off and he actually apologised for his tone of voice this morning and if I found him grumpy. I got a little bit upset (didn't mean to but good effect none the less) and he was overly nice. Obviously feeling guilty! I told him that yes, in fact he did make me upset and that I already felt guilty enough. Hope he's feeling bad now. Anyway he was a lot more positive and more supportive sounding. Hopefully that's the end of that nonsense.

chocoholic I'm glad your manager apologised however obviously doesn't excuse his behaviour! Glad gp signed you off for rest of the month, take it easy and let medication starts to help soon

fellout hope you got that emergency gp appointment and are feeling a bit better - if you managed some food can make a big difference to energy levels but know that dreaded feeling of not wanting to eat to be sick straight away again!

rae so so pleased to hear that your low risk and can share the joyous news!

shopaholic hope your still feeling a bit better! To feel well without the medication is even news

Well had a good chat to physio and booked onto exercise classes next month with proper appointment of Friday. Just good to know will feel better soon. After feeling so much better over the weekend been really unwell at work so came home early. Only tomorrow morning to get through then wed off because of a course on Friday. Horrendous heartburn and nausea today- medication not touching it. Dh is away until late tue so need to find the energy to survive next few days. Ds is a mummies boy but he spent all this morning looking in every room shouting dada...he will not doubt do the same all eve looking out the window for dh car! Did not sleep well last night so feeling fed up!

Hope I didn't kill the thread...sorry ladies!

I've been very sick all yesterday and today so not at work. Trying to rest and recuperate. Thinking of you all...

FellOut did you manage to see a Dr? Yoir manager sounds great!

Chocoholic glad your manager apologied. The cynic in me wonders if he realised he could get in trouble and so was back tracking?

ickle glad to hear about the physio and exercise classes! I'm so sorry you're feeling rubbish. Hope you manage to get some rest.

Well I'm back at work tomorrow! Realising that I might not be able to cope. I'm just exhausted and sleeping all the time at the moment I will go with an open mind though! Put on makeup last night for the first time in 7 weeks to 'practice' for work. DH said it made me look really well and I should maybe tone it down a bit tomorrow!

My Mum told my Grandad I'm pregnant last night. He responded "I'm surprised, I thought she was more career-focused than that". I'm quite hurt! My mum said that I'm being stupid but I'm a bit as to me that comment means that he either thinks I'm totally not maternal, or that my very much wanted baby is career suicide (and clearly this only applies to me, not DH).

I also got a passive aggressive response from one of my friends. Most people are over the moon for us though, so I can't complain really.

ickle Sorry to hear you're feeling unwell and had to leave work. Hope you're managing to rest up today. Hard to do with a ds though! My in laws have picked up my ds this morning so I'm currently lying on the couch after being sick twice. Thought I'd get away with the sickness but it has well and truly kicked in, urgh!

rae I think you're exactly right. Last night he sent me this really long text being all chatty and taking about my 'lovely' news etc. Feels so fake but I guess he must be feeling pretty guilty. I certainly won't forget how he spoke to me yesterday morning though.

Hope you are feeling ok about work tomorrow. I put on some mascara to go to the doctors yesterday and my mum thought I was looking so much better (didn't feel it though). So yeah...maybe tone it down hehe. It's hard when not everyone is as excited about your pregnancy as you are. I told my brother and his wife last night and know they have been trying since Xmas. They were really delighted for us but felt so guilty at the same time. Hopefully it won't be long until they are sharing their news too!

rae I can totally understand feeling annoyed at your grandad's comment as I am pretty career focused. As I see it having children closer together means that when I go back next time I can focus again on my career. I still want to be part time when they are little- I have my whole life ahead to continue up the career ladder! How are you feeling about work? Are you going in at 8? Hope you feel like you can come home if it gets too much. Set small goal to achieve tomorrow and have something nice as a treat after. You will need lots of rest tomorrow afternoon/evening.

chocoholic glad your in laws are helping as you definitely need to rest. I'm lucky ds is at childcare today and tomorrow so I only really need to worry about him on Thursday. Have plans so out in the morning at a group where he can play, home for long nap and then going to friends so he can run around all afternoon and be entertained! Don't feel bad about your brother they may need time to digest but will be happy for you!

Dh came home a lot earlier than expected so hoping be will help with ds tea and bedtime which is a relief. Can't stop being sick today...must go and check ketones 🙁

Chocoholic it's good that you're wary- you know what he's like now. Hopefully he'll be extra accommodating in future! I talked to my boss earlier and said about the makeup in passing. She said that the people who count know how ill I am so I shouldn't worry.

ickle Horray for your DH. Hope that the ketone measurement is ok. Glad it's not just me about that comment. It just makes me wonder what he actually thinks of me! I am career focused, but I don't think that having a career and having children is mutually exclusive. I'm going to aim for 8 tomorrow, solely because less people will be in so I can go straight into the meeting with HR and hopefully avoid an interrogation until I have a clearer idea of what 'the plan' is. I think it'll be a struggle to get in for that time, particularly as car travel aggravates my HG. I don't intend to do it every other day. I guess on the plus side it means I can leave off earlier, and I will also arrive early enough to bag a parking space (there aren't enough so parking gets a bit stressful close to 9am!)

Randomly, I think that cyclizine might be helping my hayfever. I'm a mess and then take a tablet and I'm fine! I guess it makes sense as it's an antihistamine. It's a relief to not have to take a hayfever remedy on to of everything else I'm currently putting into my body!

Another one to join the merry gang. I'm eight weeks with twins. Have been feeling dizzy and nauseous since about week 5, but it's ramped up this week and today I have been vomitting copiously (including rather publicly at work). My sickness comes with a nice line in visual disturbances which means I can't see properly and certainly can't read (which I need to do for work). So I've spent today at home, alternately lying down and puking. Can't believe I have to do four more weeks of this.

Alice welcome and sorry you're unwell. Have you seen your GP? Medication has really helped me so it might be worth exploring that. There are lots of options that are OK for use in pregnancy.

Please keep an eye on how hydrated you are as well, it's dehydration that's dangerous. I'd recommend buying some ketostix to test for ketones in your urine- they've very cheap and you can get them on Amazon.

I hate to break it to you but HG can last all the way through pregnancy (though I think it improves most people).

Alicekeach Welcome. Rae has given great advice already. As Rae says, unfortunately Hyperemesis usually lasts longer than ordinary MS, but for almost everybody, it's nothing like so bad as in the first tri later on, and meds can help massively. Do see your GP if you haven't already and I so agree with advice about getting kesostix to check for early stages of dehydration. Do you find the juice of tinned fruit, or flat coke, or soda water, or ice cubes, or ice lollies, any good?
Rae Probably your Grandfather was thinking about how things were in his day...
Chocoholic Glad the manager has apologised, and you're signed off, but sorry actual puking has come on.
FellOutOfBedTwice That must have been a read that made the manager wince! Probably, she's just glad it's not her...
icklkid Sorry you've been feeling bad these last couple of days.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.